Borderlands 4: 10 Important Beginner Tips from an Endgame Player

So, you want to play Borderlands 4 after realizing your PC can run it, huh? Well, for people who have been playing the Borderlands series from the beginning, this won’t be your first rodeo. But for those who have never touched one of the games? There is a lot to earn, heck, even seasoned veterans will need some tips to make sure they don’t waste time or make crucial mistakes on their first playthrough!

Below will be a list of tips from someone who has played for over 30 hours and hit the endgame. Trust me, you will need some guidance!

1. Do not pick hard mode on your first playthrough

While this is simple, and it is, it is very tempting to get more cash and better guns. But there is a steep learning curve in Borderlands 4, and you will need the least amount of stress possible. Hard makes it so elements on your guns matter the most, so make sure you choose either easy or normal until you are comfortable with the extra challenge on a new character! (Trust me, I did this and feel stressed doing side content still.)

2. Do not hold onto any Equipment until you are Level 50

From level 1 to 50, you will be getting so much loot in the game. So much so that you will never know what to use, and the answer to that ever-present question is simple: keep changing out your weapons, shields, and ordnance, and just have fun.

3. Skip side Quests until you finish the main story

This is important, as side quests in Borderlands can usually take a while, and the story for Borderlands 4 will do a great job at guiding you around Kairos. Considering that after you finish the main story, you hit the endgame and enter “Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode”, it is a good idea to save all of these side quests until then.

4. Prioritize Backpack and Lost Loot Space for your SDUs

Guns and ammo are plentiful, your backpack space is not, however. So, when you are getting SDUs from any side activity in the game, please make sure you spend those precious SDUs on your backpack and lost loot space. This is because you are going to be looting a lot along the way and will need space until you hit a vending machine, and speaking of which.

5. Mark Unequipped items as “Junk”

When looking at a gun or any other piece of loot, you will have a new ability to mark the item as junk in your inventory when you pick it up. If you do not plan on using these pieces of gear (if they are not legendaries of course, in that case send them to your bank in your inventory!), simply mark them as junk and sell at the next vending machine. It is essentially free money at the click of a few buttons.

6. Don’t do “Acquire” Bounties in Borderlands 4, trust me!

After learning this the hard way, do not do bounties called “Acquire”. These bounties will have you pick up an item you will have to carry to the nearest safe house without the ability to use a vehicle. It is not fun, and you should avoid these at all costs.

7. Respec Often

As you progress in the game, you will still be learning what works and what doesn’t with your build. So, always hit that respec station as often as you can to make sure you are not stuck with any skill points you may regret or using an action skill you are not getting the most use out of. You will also be getting new class mods like crazy, so don’t get cold feet!

8. Always do World Bosses

When exploring, you will find these colorful bubbles that cover a space around a location. This will be an arena for a “world boss”. World bosses can either be reruns of old bosses you fought or new ones that present a challenge. Killing them gives you a lot of loot, eridium, and a good amount of cash. Just do not get knocked out of the bubble, it will despawn the boss!

9. Always have Different Weapon Types

In Borderlands 4, there are 5 different normal weapon types to use. You can either have pistols, SMGs, shotguns, sniper,s or assault rifles. Never use more than one weapon type at a time, and try to have at least one of each elemental type in these slots to help take down bosses quicker.

10. Do not explore until you unlock Fast Travel and your Vehicle in Borderlands 4

Kairos is filled with so much to do and see, with many caches to loot and bosses to find throughout. But please, do not go off exploring until you unlock the ability to fast travel or summon a vehicle. You will get this unlocked very early in the game when you hit the first big town, but do not get “squirrel-brained” until you get there, trust me, you will thank me later!