The newest addition to Borderlands 4, “Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned,” explores the complex dynamic between Mad Moxxi and her daughter, Ellie. Set in a new location separate from Kairos, the expansion offers limited background on its setting. While the campaign includes some captivating moments, they tend to be fleeting.
This installment’s main missions fall short, leaving several questions unresolved. The ending takes an unexpected turn, diverging from anticipated outcomes, and this twist is reached rather swiftly, especially for well-equipped Vault Hunters.
On the bright side, the expansion introduces a new playable character, C4SH, who brings excitement and variety to the gameplay. Let’s evaluate whether this DLC is worth the investment.
Note: The article reflects the author’s personal views.
Borderlands 4 DLC campaign overview
The storyline of the Mad Ellie DLC is arguably its weakest aspect. It centers on the family drama between Moxxi and Ellie, with a plot that revolves around Ellie hearing her father’s voice from a megalith stone, which players must return.
Throughout the narrative, the mysterious voice guiding Ellie towards the storm and the vague flashbacks create anticipation for something sinister, only to leave many elements unexplained at the conclusion.
Unless there’s a hidden layer to the plot, the final battle is merely an enhanced version of an earlier mech boss, which is underwhelming after enduring Ellie’s constant talk about her father.
Several new and returning characters appear, implying potential future updates from Gearbox. However, for now, the question remains: is Pickle still frozen? As for bugs, while a few minor issues were present, none were game-breaking. Overall, it’s acceptable to breeze through the story to reach the more enjoyable aspects.
The Windswept Waste (new Borderlands 4 map)
The new area in Borderlands 4 showcases a frozen landscape, excluding Bloodstained Hollows, and introduces intriguing mechanics like floating water, which creates underground exploration opportunities, and floating creatures that act as grappling points. However, the floating water feature is notably underused. A safehouse utilizing this mechanic would be a welcome addition.
Comparable in size to the first three regions of the base game, this area consists of three sub-regions: Crooked Teeth, Bloodstained Hollows, and The Whisphering Glacier. It can be accessed via Zadra’s Backup Plan safehouse or by starting a new character at Level 13, which places you directly in the new zone.
Although initially engaging and visually striking, the novelty wears off quickly due to its limited size and content. Unfortunately, one of the new Legendary class mods for C4SH is available only in this region, necessitating players to spend time there, even if they prefer not to.
New Vault Hunter C4SH (and gameplay elements)
The standout feature of the new Borderlands 4 DLC is the introduction of the Vault Hunter, C4SH. This character, like others, offers three action skills, each enabling distinct gameplay styles: gunslinger, spell caster, and totem-mancer, all of which are entertaining.
The totem minion build, which requires equipment like Loose Hiemdal and a Legendary Class mod, Cooler, is particularly satisfying. Here’s a breakdown of the three main action skills:
- Cleromancy: Roll the dice to summon various totems that either assist in battle or offer support, including more powerful variants.
- Sleight of Hands: Utilize a deck of cards to attack foes, with each card having unique effects. Similar to totems, different cards with varying effects can be unlocked through augments.
- Cross-Fire: Wield C4SH’s dual revolvers to target and attack enemies, featuring one of the best area-of-effect abilities that can be maintained indefinitely with the Whale Legendary Class mod.
The core gameplay revolves around accumulating Fortune Stacks and converting them to Windfall for increased damage. Passive skills enhance utility based on these buffs, offering benefits like skill cooldown reduction and life leech.
Verdict: Should you buy, skip, or wait for a sale?
The new area provides a refreshing change of scenery for Borderlands 4. However, the limited activities and lackluster storyline might lead you to question whether it’s worth half the base game’s price for significantly less content.
While C4SH is an enjoyable addition, a single character may not justify the $30 cost. If you missed out on the Super Deluxe Edition at launch and aren’t eager to try the new character, it’s advisable to wait for a sale. Nevertheless, if you’re primarily interested in C4SH and the new weaponry, you will likely enjoy the DLC.
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Edited by Mayank Singh Rathour
