Borderlands 4 is set to launch on Sept.12, 2025, featuring a robust post-launch roadmap that promises to extend the game’s longevity well beyond its release.
The roadmap includes two major story expansions, multiple Bounty Packs, and seasonal mini-events that bring new missions, bosses, legendary gear, cosmetics, and gameplay challenges. Free content, such as the “Horrors of Kairos” seasonal event, Invincible Bosses, rotating weekly challenges, and special vendor appearances, means the adventure doesn’t end with the initial campaign.
The devs have also revamped the endgame experience with an enhanced Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode, which removes the need to replay the entire campaign and introduces new progression systems and difficulty levels. Here’s everything you need to know about the Borderlands 4 post-launch roadmap.
Borderlands 4 post-launch roadmap
Two story expansions
Borderlands 4 will get two major story packs in 2026. Each of them will introduce a new Vault Hunter that will have unique skill trees and brand-new missions that will expand on the game’s story and world.
The first story pack will be called “Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned” and is scheduled for an early 2026 release, during the first quarter, with the exact date yet to be revealed by the devs. It will spin a dark cosmic horror tale with new zones, legendary gear, and exclusive cosmetics to customize your Vault Hunter and gear. The next story pack will release after Q1 2026.
Bounty Packs DLC
Four Bounty Packs will release alongside the story packs as DLC, and all of them will be included in the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions. These packs will feature focused narratives exploring Kairos’ NPCs, new bosses, fresh legendary weapons, and Vault Cards that unlock cosmetic items and rerollable gear pieces as you complete daily and weekly challenges.
You will also be able to purchase Bounty Packs separately at launch, but owning the Deluxe or Super Deluxe Edition grants access to all four as part of the package.
Free events and seasonal content
There will be free updates throughout, with “Horrors of Kairos” being the first seasonal mini-event arriving shortly after launch. It will be a Halloween-themed event from which you can get legendary weapons, cosmetics, and new weather effects that alter the environment for a fresh experience.
There will be weekly challenges like the Big Encore Boss and Wildcard Missions to provide legendary drops. Maurice’s Black Market Machine will rotate across Kairos, offering you chances to buy unique legendary loot.
Revamped endgame experience
The Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode will return, but with a twist. It will no longer require campaign replays to enjoy escalating difficulty levels. Right after you finish the campaign, you’d be able to start new characters at level 30, enabling builds and farm runs right away.
New Invincible Bosses will present you with brutal, raid-style battles, and top-tier loot drops. Furthermore, the coveted Pearlescent weapon rarity is set to come back in early 2026, raising the stakes in weapon hunting.
Continuous content and player support
Borderlands 4 will also include regular vault card progression, rotating vendors, and quality-of-life tweaks after launch.
