If you’ve spent any time roaming the chaotic, loot-filled wastelands of Borderlands 4, you’ve probably wondered if the game’s post-launch DLC packs are worth the extra cash. Gearbox has a long track record of packing its DLC with far more than just extra story beats, and the latest entry in the franchise is no exception. We’re breaking down every type of rewards from buying Borderlands 4 DLC to help you decide which packs fit your playstyle, and what you’ll miss out on if you stick to only the base game.
Exclusive In-Game Gear Rewards from Buying Borderlands 4 DLC
The biggest draw for most players when it comes to Borderlands 4 DLC is the huge library of exclusive gear you can’t earn anywhere in the base game. Unlike generic base game legendaries that drop randomly from any enemy, most DLC-exclusive gear is tailored to the pack’s setting and villains, with unique perks that make them viable even for endgame builds. Signature legendary weapons tied to DLC villains often have custom animations and perk combinations you won’t find on any other loot in the game, making them highly sought after by both casual players and build creators.
You’ll also find class-exclusive skill modifiers that unlock new build paths that aren’t possible with base game gear alone. For example, the first DLC pack adds a Siren mod that lets you switch between three different elemental damage types for your phase grasp ability, opening up dozens of new build combinations that were previously impossible. These modifiers don’t just make your character stronger, they let you customize your playstyle in ways that feel personal and unique.
Some of the most popular gear rewards available across all Borderlands 4 DLC packs include:
All of this gear is tradeable with co-op partners, even if they don’t own the DLC, so you can share your good loot with friends who haven’t picked up the packs yet if you want to. Just note that you can’t farm for the gear yourself if you don’t own the corresponding DLC, so you’ll have to rely on generous friends if you want to get your hands on these items without buying the packs.
Cosmetic and Collectible Rewards for Long-Time Fans
If you’re the type of player who loves customizing your vault hunter to stand out from the crowd, Borderlands 4 DLC packs are packed with exclusive cosmetics you won’t find anywhere else. These range from full character skins and unique head accessories to custom vehicle skins, photo mode filters, and even custom emotes you can use to taunt enemies or mess with co-op partners.
Limited-time character skins tied to pre-order DLC are some of the most coveted collectibles in the entire game, as they’re never re-released after the initial launch window for each pack. Many long-time Borderlands fans collect these skins as a way to show off how long they’ve been following the franchise, and they’re often a point of pride in online communities and co-op lobbies. You’ll also find custom vehicle skins that let you show off your DLC ownership to co-op partners as you drive across the new DLC maps, with designs tied to the pack’s setting and characters.
A lot of players like to unwind after long farming runs for rare DLC rewards with low-stakes, casual games that don’t require the same level of focus as high-difficulty Borderlands 4 runs. Casual players who want a quick, fun break between loot hunts often turn to HiRummy for short, engaging rounds that fit perfectly into 10-minute gaps between farming sessions. It’s a great way to reset your focus before jumping back in to chase that rare legendary drop you’ve been hunting for hours.
You’ll also find exclusive ECHO logs hidden across every DLC map that expand on the franchise’s lore, with stories about side characters, past vault hunters, and the history of the planets you’re exploring. These logs are fully voiced, and many of them tie into past Borderlands games, making them a must-have for long-time fans who love digging into the franchise’s story.
Exclusive Story and Gameplay Content You Can’t Access Otherwise
Beyond gear and cosmetics, the biggest value of Borderlands 4 DLC comes from the exclusive story and gameplay content you can’t access in the base game. Each DLC pack adds between 8 and 12 hours of fully voiced story content, plus dozens of side quests, new maps, new enemy types, and new endgame activities to keep you busy long after you finish the base game’s main campaign.
Fully voiced story campaigns featuring returning fan-favorite characters are a huge draw for many players, with packs often featuring characters from past Borderlands games like Tiny Tina, Handsome Jack’s AI, and the original vault hunters from the first game. These campaigns have the same snarky, irreverent tone as the base game, with plenty of jokes, plot twists, and memorable moments that feel like a natural extension of the main story.
Each DLC pack also adds at least one new endgame raid boss, with new endgame raid bosses that drop the rarest gear in the entire game. These bosses require coordinated team play to beat on higher difficulty levels, and they’re a great way to test out your endgame builds with friends. The rewards for beating these bosses are worth the effort too, with many of them dropping gear that’s far stronger than anything you can earn in base game endgame activities.
You’ll also find new game modes in many DLC packs, ranging from horde modes to racing minigames, that add extra variety to your gameplay experience. These modes often have their own separate reward pools, with exclusive cosmetics and gear you can’t earn anywhere else in the DLC or base game.
Long-Term Perks for Players Who Invest in Borderlands 4 DLC
The rewards from buying Borderlands 4 DLC don’t stop once you finish the pack’s campaign and collect all the exclusive gear. There are a number of long-term perks that apply to your entire account, making them valuable even if you plan to create new vault hunters down the line.
Permanent account-wide perks that apply to all your created characters are one of the most underrated benefits of owning Borderlands 4 DLC. For example, owning any of the game’s DLC packs unlocks an extra 10 storage space in your bank, which is a huge help for players who like to collect different gear sets for multiple builds. You’ll also get access to exclusive fast travel points across all maps, even the base game ones, that cut down on travel time between missions.
Players who own all of the game’s DLC packs also get priority access to future DLC beta tests, plus exclusive discounts on any future Borderlands 4 content that gets released. You’ll also get an exclusive in-game title that shows off your support for the game, which is displayed next to your name in co-op lobbies and leaderboards.
Another great long-term perk is that all DLC content is added to your account permanently, so you don’t have to worry about it being removed or expired down the line. Even if you take a break from Borderlands 4 for a year or two, all of your DLC rewards and content will be waiting for you when you come back.
At the end of the day, the rewards from buying Borderlands 4 DLC go far beyond just extra gear and cosmetics. Whether you’re here for the new story arcs, endgame raid content, unique build options, or just fun cosmetics to customize your vault hunter, there’s something for every type of player to enjoy. If you’re planning to pick up any of the packs, make sure to pre-order them if you can to get access to the limited-time pre-order skins, as those won’t be available once the pack launches. Even if you only play casually, the extra content and rewards are well worth the cost for most players.