Borderlands fans know the excitement of hunting perfect gear, and Borderlands 4 builds on that tradition with Vaults playing a central role in legendary loot farming. These Vaults are special dungeons separate from the open world, designed to offer structured combat encounters and boss fights that reward players with sought-after Legendary items.
Gearbox Software states vaults will be the primary form of legendary farming in Borderlands 4. This means players can expect a more consistent and accessible way to farm bosses for top-tier loot, which is a welcome change. Gone are the days of having to save, exit, and reload to respawn a boss. Instead, Vaults feature Moxxi’s Big Encore, a podium that appears after completing a Vault, allowing players to pay a fee to repeatedly respawn the boss and farm loot.
Boss fights will feel more dynamic, too. Instead of being bullet sponges, enemies will move and use the game’s new movement mechanics, making fights more interesting and less of a mindless shooting gallery. The drop rates for Legendary items have been adjusted to make finding that perfect weapon or gear more rewarding.
Farming Made Easy
In earlier Borderlands titles, farming could be a bit of a grind. The first games had dedicated drops but no quick farming methods, while Borderlands 3 had world drops that lessened the rarity of Legendary items. Borderlands 4 aims to balance this by bringing back dedicated drops linked to Vault bosses and making farming more straightforward through the Vault system.
Anthony Nicholson, Senior Project Producer at Gearbox, mentioned that while they don’t want to spoil the details of how each Vault will play out, players can expect some variation in structure but generally: kill enemies, fight the boss, and collect loot. I wonder how many different Vault designs they’ll have. Will each feel fresh and challenging? I hope so!
Eridium Returns As Currency
One interesting detail I noticed during the preview is the return of Eridium, a mineral familiar to Borderlands players as a currency for upgrading inventory slots and powering Siren abilities. However, Borderlands 4 has combined SDU (Storage Deck Upgrade) and character customization into a single menu, with upgrades earned through mission currencies. So, Eridium’s exact role is less clear.
Gearbox has been tight-lipped about Eridium’s purpose, with Nicholson saying more details will come later. What could Eridium be used for at the endgame? Maybe some special upgrades or cosmetics? It’s a bit of a mystery, but I’m curious to see where they take it.
Borderlands 4 will be released on September 12, 2025. With Vaults promising an easier and more interesting way to farm Legendary gear, fans of the series have plenty to look forward to. Wow, farming might finally feel fun again!
What do you think about Vaults becoming the main farming hubs? Will this system keep the loot chase fresh? Let me know in the comments below.
