Gearbox Software has revealed its post-launch content roadmap for Borderlands 4, outlining a mix of paid expansions and free updates for all players. The studio appears to have addressed fan feedback from its predecessor, Borderlands 3, with a comprehensive plan for ongoing support.
Borderlands 4 is scheduled to launch on September 12, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
Pre-Order Bonus: The Gilded Glory Pack
Players who pre-order any edition of Borderlands 4 will receive the Gilded Glory Pack, which includes cosmetic items and Legendary gear. The cosmetic portion contains a Vault Hunter skin, two Vault Hunter heads (including the Ripper mask), a weapon skin, and an ECHO-4 drone skin.
The pack has also been upgraded to include four pieces of Legendary gear unlocked at different levels:
- Level 1 Legendary Maliwan SMG: Fires spiraling projectiles in a cone pattern.
- Level 30 Legendary Ripper Grenade: Teleports through multiple enemies, dealing damage with each bounce.
- Level 30 Legendary Torque Ordnance: Launches a volley of high-speed ricocheting rockets.
- Max Level Legendary Daedalus Assault Rifle: Guarantees critical hits on enemies at full health, with the crit chance decreasing as their health lowers.
All items are granted at launch, and the Gilded Glory Pack will be available for separate purchase after the game’s release.
Paid Post-Launch Content
Borderlands 4 will receive two major story expansions in 2026, each introducing a brand-new playable Vault Hunter with unique skill trees and action skills. These expansions will also feature new story missions, side quests, Legendary gear, and a variety of cosmetic items. The first story pack, titled “Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Demand,” is a cosmic horror-themed adventure planned for Q1 2026.
Additionally, Gearbox will release smaller “Bounty Packs.” Each pack will offer new main missions, a unique boss encounter, a piece of Legendary gear, a new vehicle, and various cosmetics. The first Bounty Pack will focus on Rush, leader of the Outbounders faction.
The story expansions are included in the Super Deluxe Edition, while the Bounty Packs are part of both the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions. All paid DLC can also be purchased individually.
Free Content Updates for All Players
All Borderlands 4 players will receive numerous free content updates. The first “Invincible” boss—a raid-style encounter with unique mechanics and high-tier loot—is set to arrive in Q4 2025.
The game will also feature rotating weekly content, including “Big Encore” bosses, which are tougher versions of existing encounters, and “Wildcard” missions that introduce community-wide challenges with special enemy modifiers and guaranteed Legendary drops. Maurice’s Black Market Machine will also return, appearing in a new location each week with a unique inventory of high-value Legendary gear.
The first seasonal event, “Horrors of Kairos,” will launch in October 2025, bringing new weather effects, cosmetics, and Legendary items.
Fan-favorite Pearlescent rarity gear, a tier above Legendary, will make its return in Q1 2026 as a free update. Finally, Gearbox plans to expand the endgame with Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode, adding new difficulty tiers that offer greater challenges and more powerful rewards.
