If you’ve spent dozens of hours farming for god roll weapons, laughing at Claptrap’s terrible uninvited jokes, or teaming up with friends to take down massive raid bosses across Pandora, Elpis, and the many other chaotic planets in the Borderlands universe, you’ve probably been waiting patiently for news of the next mainline entry in the franchise. Now that official teasers have dropped confirming the game is in active development, the most common question on every fan’s mind is how to preorder Borderlands 4 to get the best possible perks before launch. We’ve spent weeks combing through official Gearbox announcements, verified retailer listings, and trusted community leaks from sources that have accurately shared Borderlands news in the past to put together this no-fluff guide to everything you need to know before you put down your cash.
What Bonuses Come When You Preorder Borderlands 4?
Every single preorder, no matter which edition you pick or which retailer you buy from, comes with a set of base rewards that you won’t be able to get for at least 6 months after launch, according to Gearbox’s official preorder announcement made earlier this year. The first big perk is early access to the fourth playable Vault Hunter that will otherwise be locked behind a paid DLC drop 30 days post-launch. This character is a support-focused Siren with unique gravity manipulation abilities that make playing co-op infinitely easier, so getting early access will give you a huge leg up if you plan to run endgame content with friends in the first few weeks. You also get a golden weapon skin set that applies to all weapon types, plus 5 golden keys you can use at the in-game golden chest to get rare loot right when you start playing. If you preorder a physical copy from select retailers, you’ll also get a free Claptrap keychain that lights up when you press a button on its head, though supplies are extremely limited so you’ll want to move fast if that’s something you care about adding to your collection.
Comparing Borderlands 4 Editions: Which Is Worth Your Money?
One of the biggest mistakes fans make when preordering games is paying for extra content they’ll never actually use, so we’ve broken down every available edition to help you pick the right one for your playstyle and budget. Keep in mind that all editions include the base preorder bonuses we listed above, so you won’t miss out on those no matter which tier you choose:
We don’t recommend upgrading to the Ultimate Collector’s Edition if you mostly play digital games, as the physical merch makes up 70% of the extra cost, and you can buy the season pass separately later if you end up loving the base game. If you’re on the fence, you can always preorder the Standard Edition first and upgrade to the Deluxe Edition later up to 7 days after launch, as long as you bought your copy on a platform that supports in-game upgrades. The only exception is the Collector’s Edition, which will sell out fast and won’t be restocked after launch, so you’ll need to lock that in early if you want the physical items.
Common Preorder Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and click the first preorder button you see, but small mistakes can cost you extra cash or make you miss out on exclusive perks you would have cared about. The first mistake most people make is not checking retailer-exclusive bonuses before they buy. For example, some major gaming retailers offer an extra exclusive raid boss mission that you can’t get anywhere else, while others give you a $10 gift card to use on future game purchases or a free Borderlands themed poster with your order. Always compare listings across 2-3 major retailers before you make your final purchase, since these exclusive perks can add a lot of extra value for no extra cost. Another common mistake is preordering from an unlicensed third-party seller, especially if you’re buying a physical collector’s edition. There are tons of scam listings on auction sites and random social media pages that will take your money and never send you the game, or send you a fake copy that won’t work on your platform. Only buy from official platform stores or well-known licensed gaming retailers to avoid getting scammed. You also don’t need to preorder the game 6 months before launch to get all the bonuses. All preorder perks are available up to the day before launch, as long as supplies last for physical copies. If you’re short on cash right now, you can wait a few months to preorder and still get all the same in-game rewards, as long as you don’t wait until after launch day. Many retailers also let you put down a small $5 deposit to reserve your copy, instead of paying the full price up front, which is a great option if you want to lock in a collector’s edition without paying all the money right away.
What to Expect After You Preorder
Once you put down your preorder, you don’t have to just sit around waiting for launch day with no updates or extra content to enjoy. If you preorder a digital copy, you’ll get an email confirmation right away, and you’ll be able to preload the game 3 full days before launch so you can start playing the second it goes live, no waiting around for a huge download on release day. You’ll also get access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content via the official Borderlands website, including early looks at character abilities, planet designs, and weapon types that haven’t been revealed to the general public yet. If you preorder a physical copy, most retailers will send you a tracking number 2-3 days before launch so you can see exactly when your game will arrive. Many retailers also offer release-day delivery for physical preorders, so you won’t have to wait an extra 2-3 days after launch to start playing, as long as you live in a major metropolitan area. Keep in mind that if you preorder a collector’s edition, shipping may take an extra 1-2 days in some rural regions, as these editions are larger and require special handling to make sure the physical merch doesn’t get damaged in transit. If you change your mind before launch, almost all major retailers offer full refunds on preorders with no extra fees, as long as you request the refund at least 48 hours before the game is released. That means you can lock in your preorder now to make sure you get all the bonuses and reserve your copy of the limited collector’s edition if you want it, and cancel later if you see bad reviews or decide the game isn’t for you, no strings attached.
At the end of the day, preordering Borderlands 4 is entirely up to how much you love the franchise and how much extra content you think you’ll use. If you know you’re going to sink 100+ hours into the game with friends as soon as it drops, preordering the Deluxe Edition will save you a lot of money long term, and you’ll get all the exclusive perks that come with early purchase. If you’re on the fence, stick to the Standard Edition or wait until closer to launch to make your decision, so you don’t waste money on content you won’t enjoy. Either way, make sure you do your research before you buy, so you get the best possible deal for your money.