The Borderlands 4 characters include six playable Vault Hunters, each with a unique style. The base game features Vex the Siren, Rafa the Exo-Soldier, Amon the Forgeknight, and Harlowe the Gravitar. Later, paid story content adds C4SH the Rogue and Loveless the Hacker. Each character offers different skills, weapons, and ways to fight. Meanwhile, familiar faces such as Claptrap and Zane return to the series. The story also introduces the Timekeeper, a powerful villain who rules the planet Kairos. Here’s what you need to know about every playable character and the key figures around them.
Who Are the Playable Borderlands 4 Characters?
Borderlands 4 follows the series’ famous mix of shooting, looting, humour, and action. Players choose a Vault Hunter before heading into battle. That choice affects how they fight and which skills they can develop.
The base game starts with four Vault Hunters. Each one has a different set of abilities and a unique personality. As you progress, you can improve skills, collect better weapons, and try new builds.
The roster also grows through paid story content. C4SH and Loveless join the game as additional playable characters. However, you need access to their relevant content to use them.
Vex the Siren

Vex is one of the four original Vault Hunters. As a Siren, she uses powerful supernatural abilities during combat. Her skills make her a good choice for players who enjoy combining special powers with gunplay.
One of Vex’s main features is her ability to summon spectral allies. Her feline companion, Trouble, can help her attack enemies. As a result, she offers a different experience from characters who rely mainly on weapons or technology.
Vex also gives players room to experiment with different builds. You can focus on her powers or develop a style that makes better use of her summoned allies. This flexibility helps keep combat fresh.
Moreover, her role connects with the wider Borderlands universe. Sirens have played important parts in earlier games, and Vex brings a new personality to this group. Players who enjoy supernatural abilities may find her an appealing starting choice.
Rafa the Exo-Soldier
Rafa is a former Tediore soldier who fights with an advanced exo-suit. This suit lets him create weapons through digistruct technology. Therefore, his combat style feels more technical and military-focused than Vex’s.
Rafa suits players who prefer direct action. His specialised equipment gives him different ways to approach fights. Instead of relying on supernatural powers, he uses technology to support his attacks.
His background also links him to the wider world of Borderlands. Tediore is a familiar weapon manufacturer in the series. Rafa’s past adds another layer to his character and helps explain his combat skills.
If you enjoy advanced weapons and an aggressive approach, Rafa is worth trying. You can also combine his abilities with the many guns you collect throughout the game. That way, you can build a style that suits your preferences.
Amon the Forgeknight
Amon is another original Vault Hunter in Borderlands 4. His Forgeknight identity gives him a powerful presence in battle. He also brings a different feel to the roster.
His abilities and equipment help shape his approach to combat. As with the other Hunters, your skill choices can affect how he performs. You can experiment with different combinations as you gain experience and find better gear.
Amon may appeal to players who enjoy a strong combat-focused character. His identity sets him apart from Vex’s supernatural powers and Rafa’s advanced technology. Meanwhile, his specialised abilities give you more options than simply firing your weapons.
However, your choice of guns still matters. Borderlands 4 puts a strong focus on finding loot and improving your equipment. With the right gear, you can create a build that works well with Amon’s abilities.
Harlowe the Gravitar
Harlowe completes the original group of four Vault Hunters. Her Gravitar abilities use gravity-based technology to influence combat. This gives her a different role from the other characters.
Harlowe can appeal to players who enjoy controlling the battlefield. Her abilities offer ways to affect encounters instead of focusing only on direct damage. As a result, she provides another approach to difficult fights.
You can also experiment with her skills and weapons to find a setup that suits you. Some players prefer fast attacks, while others enjoy abilities that change how a fight unfolds. Harlowe gives you another way to explore that choice.
The original roster offers a clear range of styles. Vex uses Siren powers, Rafa relies on an exo-suit, and Amon brings his Forgeknight abilities. Harlowe adds gravity-based technology to complete the group.
C4SH the Rogue
C4SH is an additional playable Vault Hunter introduced in the story pack Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned. He is a former casino dealer bot with a strange interest in luck and chance.
His story takes an unusual turn after he wins a magical deck in a high-stakes game. This event changes how he sees the world. It also shapes his identity as a character who embraces unpredictable outcomes.
C4SH uses cards, dice, luck-based effects, and dual revolvers in combat. His Action Skills can produce different effects, adding a risk-and-reward element to his gameplay. Even so, his abilities give players useful ways to handle enemies.
His concept makes him stand out from the original four Hunters. Instead of focusing on Siren powers or advanced military equipment, C4SH brings chance into the fight. This can appeal to players who enjoy unusual abilities and varied combat.
However, C4SH is not part of the original base-game roster. You need access to the relevant paid story content to play as him. Once available, he can join you across the wider game.
Loveless the Hacker
Loveless is another additional Vault Hunter. She arrives through the story pack FL4K and the Last Resort. Her background combines hacking, cybernetics, and assassination.
Loveless once worked as an Anshin hacker before turning to a more dangerous line of work. She uses advanced cybernetics and a digital virus companion to support her fighting style. These features give her a distinct identity within the roster.
Her abilities offer something different from the other Hunters. Vex draws on supernatural powers, while Rafa uses an exo-suit. Loveless instead brings technology and digital skills into combat.
She is a useful option for players who want to try a character with a hacker theme. Her companion also adds another element to her abilities. Together, these features help her stand apart from the original four Vault Hunters and C4SH.
Like C4SH, Loveless requires access to the relevant paid content. Check your game edition and add-ons before looking for her in the character selection screen.
Important Returning Borderlands 4 Characters
The playable Vault Hunters are only part of the cast. Borderlands 4 also brings back familiar faces and introduces new figures. Together, they help connect the story to the wider series.
Claptrap
Claptrap returns with his usual energy and endless chatter. The talkative robot has appeared throughout the franchise. His strange ideas and comic behaviour provide humour during the adventure.
Zane
Zane is a returning character from Borderlands 3. He is a semi-retired hitman with plenty of experience. His confident attitude and sharp humour make him a familiar face for returning players.
Moxxi
Moxxi is another well-known figure in the Borderlands universe. She has connections across the series and runs businesses that often bring interesting characters together. Her return helps maintain a link with earlier adventures.
The Timekeeper
The Timekeeper serves as the main antagonist of Borderlands 4. He rules Kairos through strict control and uses cybernetic implants called Bolts to monitor the population. His desire for order drives much of the conflict.
As the Vault Hunters challenge his rule, they become involved in a wider struggle over freedom and control. The Timekeeper gives the story a clear threat, while the returning characters connect this new adventure to the past.
Which Borderlands 4 Character Should You Choose?
The best Vault Hunter depends on your preferred playstyle. If you enjoy supernatural powers and summoned allies, Vex is a strong option. Meanwhile, Rafa suits players who prefer advanced technology and direct attacks.
Amon may appeal to those who want a combat-focused character with a Forgeknight identity. Harlowe offers gravity-based technology and ways to control the battlefield. Both give you different options for building your character.
If you prefer something unusual, consider C4SH or Loveless. C4SH uses luck-based effects and card-themed abilities. Loveless combines hacking, cybernetics, and a digital companion.
You do not need to find one perfect character straight away. Instead, think about the abilities you enjoy using and the weapons you prefer. Then, experiment with skills and gear as you progress. Your build can make a big difference to how each Hunter feels.
Conclusion
The Borderlands 4 characters offer several ways to enjoy the game’s action. Vex, Rafa, Amon, and Harlowe form the original playable team. Each one brings a different set of abilities, from Siren powers to advanced technology and gravity-based skills.
Meanwhile, C4SH and Loveless expand the roster through paid story content. Returning figures such as Claptrap, Zane, and Moxxi also help connect the adventure to earlier games. At the centre of the story stands the Timekeeper, whose control over Kairos creates the main conflict.
Whether you prefer supernatural powers, specialised weapons, or unusual abilities, you have several styles to explore. Choose the Hunter that fits your approach, then experiment with skills and loot to make the most of your adventure.
FAQs
How many playable characters are in Borderlands 4?
Borderlands 4 has six playable Vault Hunters in total. The original four are Vex, Rafa, Amon, and Harlowe. C4SH and Loveless join through paid story content, so access to all six depends on the content you own.
Who are the four original Borderlands 4 Vault Hunters?
The original four are Vex the Siren, Rafa the Exo-Soldier, Amon the Forgeknight, and Harlowe the Gravitar. Each character has a different combat style. Therefore, your choice can change how you approach battles.
Can you play as Claptrap in Borderlands 4?
Claptrap appears in Borderlands 4, but he is not one of the six playable Vault Hunters. Instead, he acts as a supporting character. Players can meet him during the adventure without selecting him as their main character.
Is C4SH included in the Borderlands 4 base game?
No, C4SH is an additional Vault Hunter. He arrived through the paid story pack Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned. You need access to the relevant content to play as him.
Who is the main villain in Borderlands 4?
The Timekeeper is the main antagonist. He controls Kairos and uses cybernetic Bolts to monitor and dominate its people. As a result, his rule creates the main conflict for the Vault Hunters.
Is Loveless a playable character in Borderlands 4?
Yes, Loveless is an additional playable Vault Hunter. She appears in the story pack FL4K and the Last Resort. Her abilities combine hacking, cybernetics, and a digital virus companion. However, you need access to the relevant paid content to use her.
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