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To start Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned, own Borderlands 4 and Story Pack 1. With an existing Vault Hunter, complete “A Lot to Process” in the Fadefields to unlock the Whispering Glacier. Alternatively, create a new Vault Hunter and choose the direct DLC start; that character begins at level 13. The content is recommended for level 13 or higher, but 2K does not describe level 13 as a hard minimum for continuing with an existing character.
Before you start: check ownership and installation
The base game, Borderlands 4, is required. You also need Story Pack 1, which is available separately and is included with Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition and the Vault Hunter Pack. Check the entitlements for your account and platform: editions and store availability can vary by region and platform.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51o2GwPK6zL._SL160_.jpg)
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Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code] | $129.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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POP Funko Games: Borderlands 4 - Claptrap | $13.61 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Borderlands 4 Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51E96mSrZaL._SL160_.jpg)
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Borderlands 4 Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code] | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Borderlands 4 - PlayStation 5 | $27.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Borderlands 4 | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X|S Digital Code | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Story Pack 1 launched on March 26, 2026. Borderlands 4 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store; the Epic listing identifies the add-on for Windows, and the PlayStation Store has a PS5 listing. See the 2K announcement and the product page for your platform—such as the Epic Games Store listing or PlayStation Store listing—for the relevant purchase and entitlement details.
Choose how to enter the DLC
Both routes require Story Pack 1 and the base game. Use the existing-character route to continue your current campaign, or start a new level-13 character directly in the DLC.
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- Pre-purchase now. Playable on 2025-09-12. Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition includes: Full base game, the Pre-Order Bonus: Gilded Glory Pack*, the Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin, the Bounty Pack Bundle**, the Ornate Order Pack, and the Vault Hunter Pack***.
- BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
- FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
- LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
| Route | What to do | Starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Existing Vault Hunter | Complete “A Lot to Process” in the Fadefields. | The Whispering Glacier unlocks for that character. |
| New Vault Hunter | Create a new character and choose the option to begin directly in Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned. | The new character starts at level 13 in the DLC. |
Start with an existing character
- Confirm that you own Story Pack 1 and have the Borderlands 4 base game installed on the platform where you play.
- Load the Vault Hunter you want to use.
- Continue through the Fadefields campaign until you complete “A Lot to Process.”
- After completing that mission, enter the Whispering Glacier to begin the DLC content.
2K identifies “A Lot to Process” as the progression gate for the new region. The publisher recommends level 13 or higher for the content, but does not say that an existing character must reach level 13 before the region can unlock.
Start directly with a new Vault Hunter
- From character creation, choose to create a new Vault Hunter.
- Select the option to start directly in Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned.
- Begin playing with that character at level 13.
This is a fresh-character option, not a way to bypass the DLC requirement: the account still needs Story Pack 1 and the base game.
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What you unlock in the Whispering Glacier
The Story Pack sends players to the Whispering Glacier for a self-contained cosmic-horror story with Ellie. 2K says prior story knowledge is not required; returning characters include Mancubus Bloodtooth, Pickle, and Crazy Earl. The pack also adds C4SH the Rogue as a playable Vault Hunter, along with story and side missions, activities, collectibles, bosses, minibosses, and new gear.
In its 2026 announcement, 2K lists two major boss fights, 16 minibosses, three Pearlescent weapons, and 11 new pieces of Legendary gear. Store descriptions do not all agree on the gear and miniboss counts: the PlayStation Store listing gives different totals, so those figures should not be treated as universal across listings.
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- Pre-purchase now. Playable on 2025-09-12. Borderlands 4 Deluxe Edition includes: Full base game, the Pre-Order Bonus: Gilded Glory Pack*, the Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin, and the Bounty Pack Bundle**
- BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
- FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
- LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
If the DLC start or region is missing
- Check that the account you are using owns Story Pack 1, either separately or through an eligible edition or pack.
- Verify that the add-on is installed for the same platform on which you are playing.
- For an existing character, confirm that “A Lot to Process” is complete in the Fadefields.
- For a direct start, confirm that you are creating a new Vault Hunter and selecting the DLC start option.
2K’s announcement and the storefront descriptions establish the ownership and progression requirements but do not provide a specific entitlement-refresh or installation-error procedure. If those checks do not resolve the issue, consult the support options for your platform or the game.
Quick Recap
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- BORDERLANDS 4 — Enter Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters and take on a ruthless tyrant in this action looter shooter.
- THE TIMEKEEPER — Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper as a world-altering catastrophe unleashes Mayhem across Kairos.
- BE A BADASS — Blast through enemies with an arsenal of weapons, use dynamic movement abilities, and unleash your Vault Hunter's Action Skills in intense shooter combat.
- BUILD YOUR VAULT HUNTER — Customize your build with branching skill trees and pursue powerful gear as you take on enemies across Kairos.
- EXPLORE KAIROS — Ride your hover bike across lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts, discovering warring factions, dynamic events, quests, and unforgettable characters.
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- BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
- FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.* Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
- LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
