Summary
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Some Borderlands Vault Hunters will not return in BL4, with deaths and short-lived appearances.
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Popular characters from the past like Lilith and Zer0 are confirmed alive for Borderlands 4.
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The series has amassed 20 playable Vault Hunters in the main games, though it's unclear which will return besides Zane.
It could be argued that Border countries games live and die by their roster of playable vault hunters and loot quality, as these can be the most appealing parts of new games and what drives the hype – and Borderlands 4 it probably won't be any different. Actually, Borderlands 4Vault Hunters has already received backlash for what some fans have described as “bland design”, further showing how iconic the four playable characters (not counting the Vault Hunters DLC) can be to the series. With four previous main games Borderlands 4now is a good time to look back and see where each of these playable characters stands.
Not all Border countries The Vault Hunters survived the events of the series, and those who didn't are very unlikely to return to Borderlands 4if not in flashbacks or maybe even lookalike NPCs. Border countries can be a strange series when it comes to story and humor, so it's not impossible to see familiar faces in some shape or form in Borderlands 4 – and some of them have already been confirmed by the recent trailer. So far, the series has amassed a total of 20 playable Vault Hunters, broken down as follows:
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4 in Border countries
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6 in Borderlands 2
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6 in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
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4 in Borderlands 3

Related
Borderlands 4 already departs from BL3 in one key area
Based on feedback from one of its lead developers, Borderlands 4 won't be embracing one of its previously prominent aspects as much.
So where every playable Borderlands vault hunter is explained
Roland
Roland is one of several playable Vault Hunters Border countries games that died Shot by Handsome Jack inside Borderlands 2Roland's death was the catalyst for key events in the series, but he is unlikely to be seen again in the future.
Brick
Along with other recurring characters from the show is Brick Borderlands 3albeit in a small role dedicated mainly to a story mission and some side quests. However, he is currently alive and probably spending time with Mordecai and Tiny Tina.
Mordecai
Similar to Brick, Mordecai is back Borderlands 3 for a short time. He tragically lost his trusted companion, Bloodwing, in the events of Borderlands 2and then it came back BL3 with a new pet of the same species called Talon. Both Mordecai and Talon are alive.
Lilith
Originally presumed dead after the events of Borderlands 3Lilith is alive before Borderlands 4 and will likely still play an important role in the events of the game. It is unclear if her human form was changed after the ending BL3but she is bound to make an appearance next.
So where every playable Borderlands 2 vault hunter is explained
Axton
Not much is known about Axton after the events of Borderlands 2but it comes back Borderlands 3's Arms Race DLC as a commentator for the reality show-like gameplay. He is alive before Borderlands 4.
Salvador
Same place as Axton Borderlands 2to Salvador. Another of the four main Vault Hunters in the game, Salvador shares the stage with Axton Borderlands 3 as an ECHO caster in the Arms Race DLC and is currently alive.
Whey0
Zer0's role in Borderlands 3 he is not as minor as other recurring characters and is involved in the Maliwan vs. Atlas. Despite fighting bosses that look eerily like Zer0 in BL3he is alive and still serving under Atlas.
Maya
Maya died in Borderlands 3 in what some fans are labeling as Ava's fault. Ava is a mermaid in training in Borderlands 3and she inherits Maya's powers after the Calypso Twins are defeated. Since Maya met her death, she will most likely not be seen in Borderlands 4.
Gaige
The first Vault Hunter DLC from Border countries games alongside Krieg, Gaige returned Borderlands 3 for the Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC. As are most of the Vault Hunters from the past who have returned BL3she is alive at the end of the DLC.
Krieg
Playable Psycho Krieg got its own DLC Borderlands 3which is dedicated to him dealing with the aftermath of Maya's death. With the sad yet humorous nature of the DLC, Krieg is still alive at the end of it.
Location of any playable Borderlands: Vault Hunter pre-Sequel explained
Athens
Although Athena is related to Borderlands: The Pre-SequelThe Watcher's war is infamous, she is never seen again in the main games. If spin-offs are anything to go by, Athena is the CEO New Tales from the Borderlandsand he is probably alive.
Wilhelm
It may not come as a surprise to fans that Wilhelm is dead Borderlands 2with Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel explaining his rise to power in Hyperion as loyal to Handsome Jack. As such, he probably won't be back in the next game.
Nishi
In the same vein as Wilhelm, Nisha is one of the Borderlands 2his bosses, and she can be killed in an optional mission. As such, her Vault Hunter status playable in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel it was always meant to be short-lived.
claptrap
Perhaps the most notorious Border countries character is Claptrap, who, to the delight of many fans, became playable in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Like the Psycho cover, it's Claptrap Border countriesmascot and is very much alive.
Timothy
Known as Jack's Doppelganger in Borderlands: The Pre-SequelTimothy goes back inside Borderlands 3Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot DLC. He is a supporting character in the DLC and is still alive when it ends.
Aurelia
Sister to Border countriesSir Hammerlock, Aurelia Hammerlock meets her demise in a boss fight Borderlands 3 after siding with the Calispo Twins. She died before the events of BL4 and probably won't come back.
So where every playable Borderlands 3 vault hunter is explained
fairies
Zane is confirmed to be back Borderlands 4as shown in the recent trailer, alive and well, albeit a little aged. However, it is not clear what role he will play in the story.
bitter
Not much is known about Amara after the events of Borderlands 3and at the moment it is impossible to say whether he will return Borderlands 4. However, she was alive by the end of it BL3.
FL4K
One of the most beloved Vault Hunters in the series, FL4K is the beastmaster robot from Borderlands 3. Like Amara, where she is between the events of BL3 and BL4 they are unknown but presumed to be alive.
Moses
Last but not least, Moze shares the same fate as Amara and FL4K as she was playable Borderlands 3 and her current condition is unknown. She's probably alive, though that doesn't necessarily mean she'll be back for the sequel.

Borderlands 4
See if you have what it takes to go down in history as a legendary Vault Hunter as you search for secret alien treasures, dropping everything in sight.
Looter Shooter
Action
Venture
RPG
- Franchise
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Border countries
- ISSUED
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2025-00-00