Borderlands 4 is doing something completely new with its Vaults. This time, they are not just story objectives: they are full-blown dungeon experiences that unlock difficult fights, major loot, and permanent upgrades.
What Are Vaults in Borderlands 4?
Vaults now act like dungeons you can access mid-game, around level 20, using a special key. But instead of just getting that key through quests, players must explore the world of Kairos to collect Vault fragments. Once you have enough, you can craft a key and unlock a Vault.
Vaults are not exclusive to endgame, but they are designed to be challenging and replayable, even once you have hit max level.
What Is Inside a Vault?
Once you enter a Vault, expect:
- Rooms full of enemies with quick encounters and no filler
- Mini-bosses with unique mechanics and attack patterns
- A final boss fight that caps off the dungeon
- High replay value with quick restarts
You can instantly re-run the Vault after finishing it, without loading screens or backing out, which makes it perfect for farming specific gear.
Bosses Designed for Real Challenge
Borderlands 4’s Vault bosses are nothing like the older games’ bullet sponges. According to early impressions, these fights:
- Use mechanics, movement, and player positioning
- Avoid “immune phases” that used to frustrate players
- React better to high damage builds without breaking the balance
- Feature puzzle-style attacks, like grappling hook weak points or dodging poison pods
One boss fight even had a fixed loadout during previews, and testers still praised it as the most engaging boss in Borderlands history.
A Deeper Story Inside the Vaults
Vaults don’t just offer action, they are integrated into the story, too. You will encounter exclusive dialogues, mysterious figure talking about guardians, creation, and destiny. The dramatic music and cool writing suggest these are not just dungeons, but key lore moments that will expand the universe of Borderlands 4!
Movement Upgrades Hidden in Vaults
Vaults also reward players with movement-enhancing upgrades, like:
- Extended gliding and dash stamina
- New traversal mechanics, potentially including triple jumps
- Passive buffs that change how you explore the world
These upgrades are not weapons or skill tree bonuses, but they fundamentally change how your character moves across Kairos, and may even unlock new areas or puzzles later on.
Endgame & Replay Potential
While Vaults are not the final challenge in Borderlands 4, they can be farmed even at max level. Think of them like some mini intense dungeons: short, smart, intense, and very replayable.
With dungeons, dynamic bosses, lore-rich moments, and unique upgrades, Vaults are going to be one of Borderlands 4’s funniest features. They bring together the fast-paced action of the series with more strategy, story depth, and build-focused content than ever before.
If you want to get a deeper look at the Vaults in Borderlands 4, we recommend you check out the in-depth video from creator Moxsy! He has been able to play the preview, and shared a lot of information about the Vaults systems, including some exclusive footage:
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