What's the best Borderlands 4 character?

A screenshot for our Borderlands 4 class guide showing a sign that says No Claptraps

(Image credit: 2K)

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Vex / Siren
Amon / Forgeknight
Rafa / Exo-Soldier
Harlowe / Gravitar

Picking which Borderlands 4 character to play is the most important decision you'll make in the game. If you're still trying to deliberate on a class, here's some good news – I've already rolled credits on the game, and can help you to decide which Vault Hunter will fit your playstyle best. It's also worth noting that each Vault Hunter has three unique action skills, meaning there's a huge amount of build variety to dig into beneath that original choice. But, first thing's first: let's get you settled on a character. And if you want some broader help, I've also got some Borderlands 4 tips to point you in the right direction.

Borderlands 4 Vex, Siren

Elemental affinities: Kinetic, all

The best Borderlands 4 Vex build is a versatile Vault Hunter who is all about dishing out damage while sustaining health from action skills. While Incarnate fully heals Vex and allows her to cast damaging Eldritch Blast, it can also be built for more lifesteal and survivability options. As for her other action skills, Phase Phamiliar lets Vex summon Trouble – a beastly companion best-suited for longer fights – while Dead Ringer allows for spawning a maximum of three spirits, which don't last as long as Trouble but can either tank for Vex or focus on shooting to maximize damage.

If you're planning a solo campaign or want that flexibility to summon help for your tank while dealing damage, Vex is an excellent pick. But if you would prefer something a little more straightforward, consider a Vault Hunter that doesn't have to keep an eye on summons.

Borderland 4 Amon, Forgeknight

Borderland 4 Forgeknight class Amon — (Image credit: 2K)

Elemental Affinities: Incendiary, Cryo

Amon is as frontline as they come, with the best Borderlands 4 Amon build thriving in the middle of combat. Crucible – which gives Amon three Forgeaxes to throw and retrieve – is one of the more offensive-leaning of the three, forcing you to wade into the thick of things to grab your axes and refund cooldowns. Similarly, Onslaught – which gives bonuses to shields, damage, and movement speed along with a Rocket Punch dash to enemies – encourages getting in between your allies and the foe. On the defensive side, Forgeshield lets Amon block all damage from the front while sending out waves of Cryo damage, which again helps maintain that frontline for your team.

If you want to feel big and brash – and who doesn't in Borderlands? – Forgeknight is the best option. And if you're a fan of shotguns, this is the best pick for enabling that close-up playstyle.

Borderlands 4 Rafa, Exo-Soldier class

Borderlands 4 Exo-Soldier class Rafa — (Image credit: 2K)

Elemental Affinities: Shock, Corrosive

Although the Exo-Soldier lacks defensive options, best Borderlands 4 Rafa build more than makes up for that with ludicrous DPS and a very straightforward kit. In terms of action skills: the Peacebreaker Cannons are automated shoulder-mounted turrets, the Apophis Lance fires shock blasts, and Arc-Knives enable a dual-swords playstyle that's perfect for fans of Borderlands 2's Zero.

See what we mean about the straightforward kit? If your heart is set on being the dedicated damage-dealer and you can work with offence being the best defence, give the Exo-Soldier a whirl.

Borderlands 4 Harlowe, Gravitar

Borderlands 4 class guide and information for Harlowe, the game's Gravitar — (Image credit: 2K)

Elemental Affinities: Cryo, Radiation

Like Vex, the best Borderlands 4 Harlowe build offers more of a versatile strategy in comparison to Rafa or Amon. While her Chroma Accelerator action skill – a detonatable explosive – is all about large area-of-effect damage, her other skills are more about locking down enemies. Zero-Point can be used to throw an enemy in stasis (then slam them into the ground), while Flux Generator creates an energy field that deals cryo damage and entangles enemies while granting overshield to allies.

If you'd like to be a jack-of-all-trades with more defensive options, Harlowe is your pick. Those area-of-effect abilities make Harlowe very well-suited for clearing fodder or locking down a Badass, which makes her a particularly strong pick for anyone planning to play through Borderlands 4 and its raids in a group.