Borderlands 4 has vault hunters diving back into the chaotic looter-shooter universe, but with new mechanics and more mayhem come plenty of questions. Whether you are troubleshooting crashes on PS5, figuring out how specializations work, or hunting for talking weapons, this guide covers the solutions and answers you need. We have compiled the most common inquiries from the community into one definitive resource so you can get back to looting with confidence.
Gameplay Mechanics and How They Work
Unlocking and Using Specializations
Specializations are unique upgrade paths tied to each character and become available after completing the main story or reaching roughly level 30. If you want to jump into the action with an alternate character, starting a new game at level 30 automatically unlocks their specialization tree. This lets you experiment with different builds without replaying the entire campaign. In co-op, some players have reported losing their specialization tree after joining a session. On PC, this can be fixed by manually editing the profile save file using a save editor from Nexus Mods, adding the line “- shared_progress.epilogue_started” under the “shared_progress: entries:” section. Console players may need to wait for an official patch to address this bug.
Co-op with Different Levels
Borderlands 4 uses level scaling when playing cooperatively. Enemies adjust based on each player’s level, so friends with wildly different progress can still team up. Loot and experience will also scale individually, ensuring everyone gets appropriate rewards.
Weapon Icons Disappearing
A visual bug occasionally causes weapon icons to vanish from the inventory or HUD. This is a known issue and typically resolves after restarting the game. If the problem persists, try verifying your game files on PC or clearing the console cache. Gearbox is likely to include a fix in a future update.
What About Dahl and Other Manufacturers?
All classic manufacturers such as Dahl, Jakobs, Vladof, Tediore, and Maliwan return in Borderlands 4. While some may not dominate the main story, their weapons are fully obtainable and retain their signature traits. Dahl firearms, for example, still offer burst and semi-auto modes with excellent stability, even if they are not a primary focus of the new narrative.
Identifying Automatic Assault Rifles
To determine if an assault rifle is fully automatic, inspect the weapon card. The fire mode will be listed as “auto,” “burst,” or “semi-auto.” You can also test fire the weapon in a safe area—its behavior will immediately reveal the firing pattern.
Re-running Vaults for Loot
After completing the main story, vaults and their bosses become repeatable. You can return to any vault area, defeat the final enemy again, and claim their drops. This is an excellent way to farm legendary gear and optimize your build for the endgame.
Glide Pack Upgrade
The glide pack is unlocked automatically as you progress through the main questline. Keep playing the story; after a specific mission, you will receive it as a permanent traversal upgrade, allowing you to double jump and glide across gaps.
Vend of the Line Quest Glitch
If the “Vend of the Line” quest becomes stuck or glitched, first try abandoning and re-accepting it from the quest giver. Reloading an earlier save or fast traveling out and back may also reset the quest stage. On PC, use the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” option in your launcher. If all else fails, a patch will likely address this known issue.
Technical Issues and Performance Fixes
PS5 Crashing
Frequent crashes on PlayStation 5 can often be mitigated by clearing the system cache (turn off the console and unplug for a few minutes) or reinstalling the game. Ensure your PS5 firmware and the game are updated to the latest versions. Overheating can also cause instability, so make sure the console is well-ventilated.
PS5 Performance Since Launch
Post-launch patches have noticeably improved performance on PS5, addressing frame rate drops and stability. To benefit from these improvements, always keep Borderlands 4 updated and consider enabling performance mode in the game’s visual settings for smoother gameplay.
Motion Sickness
Borderlands 4’s fast movement and default field of view (FOV) can trigger motion sickness. To reduce discomfort, increase the FOV slider to 90 or higher, disable motion blur, and turn off camera bob. Playing in a well-lit room and taking occasional breaks will also help.
File Size: Why Only 67.5 GB?
The 67.5 GB install size is a result of improved compression and asset optimization. This smaller footprint does not compromise visual quality or content, making the game more storage-friendly while still packing in all the expected Borderlands chaos.
Steam Deck Playability
Borderlands 4 runs on the Steam Deck, though you may need to lower graphics settings for a stable frame rate. Check ProtonDB for community-tested configurations and ensure your SteamOS and Proton versions are up to date. It is fully playable, but expect some compromises on battery life and visual fidelity.
Lost Specialization Tree in Co-op (Technical Fix)
As mentioned, this bug can corrupt your specialization progress. PC users can restore it with a save editor; console players should back up their save data regularly and watch for an official hotfix. Temporarily playing solo until the issue is resolved can prevent further losses.
Tips, Recommendations, and General Questions
Borderlands 3 vs. Borderlands 4: Which Should You Play?
If you are new to the series, Borderlands 3 offers a polished, content-complete experience with years of updates and DLC. Borderlands 4 is the latest entry with fresh mechanics and an evolving endgame. For story continuity, start with BL3, but if you want the newest features and community activity, jump into BL4. Both are excellent loot shooters in their own right.
Upgrading a Preorder to Deluxe Edition
Most digital storefronts allow you to upgrade a standard preorder to a deluxe edition before launch. Look for an “upgrade” option on your platform’s store page or contact customer support. After release, deluxe content is often available as a separate purchase.
Cross-Platform Play Between Xbox and PC
Borderlands 4 supports cross-play, so you can team up with friends on Xbox and PC. However, cross-progression is not universally supported—check if the game is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, which would let you share progress and purchases. Otherwise, you will need to buy the game on each platform and start separate saves.
Talking Weapons
Borderlands 4 continues the series’ tradition of eccentric guns with voice lines. Notable talking weapons include the “Jabberwocky” shotgun, which hurls insults at enemies, and the “Morningstar” sniper rifle, which scolds you for missed shots. These are rare legendary drops, so keep farming bosses and checking red chests for a chance to add some chatter to your arsenal.
Why Is the Difficulty So High?
Borderlands 4 was designed to be more challenging, encouraging tactical use of cover, elemental damage, and class synergies. If you find the default difficulty punishing, check the options menu—some versions offer a difficulty slider. Alternatively, focus on upgrading your gear through side missions and vault farming before tackling tough story encounters.
Best Cheap Upgrades
For quick power gains on a budget, rely on Golden Keys (earned through social media codes or events) to open the golden chest on Sanctuary for at-level loot. Check vending machines regularly for deals on purple and orange gear. Farming easy bosses like Mouthpiece or Gigamind early on can yield good legendaries without much effort.
General Tips
Keep an eye on element matching—incendiary against flesh, shock against shields, and corrosive against armor makes fights significantly easier. Respec often to experiment with skill trees, and do not hoard money; spend it on skill upgrades and vending machine finds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are concise answers to the most pressing questions from the Borderlands 4 community.
