Borderlands 4 is currently in its pre-release phase, with new hints and information being revealed gradually. Fans have waited years for the next entry in the series, speculating how it might compare to Borderlands titles of the past. As the release date draws closer, excitement for Borderlands 4 continues to build.
The Borderlands series has plenty of traditions, but their inclusion in the latest installment is not certain. From some of the franchise’s popular weapon manufacturers not making the cut to Borderlands 4 cutting down on the series’ trademark toilet humor, the game has already proved that it isn’t afraid to make major changes to the long-established formula. However, there is one staple feature that would feel strange not to include, and thankfully, it has been confirmed to be returning.
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Borderlands 4 Players Will Be Able To Exceed the Initial Level Cap
Level Cap Increases Are a Borderlands Tradition
Throughout the Borderlands series, the player’s level is capped at a certain number in the base version of the game, which is usually set to level 50. Each level grants Borderlands players Skill Points, which they can spend on their character’s build. With the level cap, players are encouraged to be more considerate of where they spend their skill points, carefully choosing their investments to maximize their desired build.
Each of the past mainline Borderlands games gave players the ability to go beyond the base game’s level cap some time after its initial launch. Level 72 has become a Borderlands tradition for the highest level achievable post-launch, giving players plenty of extra skill points to expand on their current build’s potential or to start from scratch with this new limit in mind.
Borderlands 4’s creative director, Graeme Timmins confirmed that there would be an eventual increase to the player’s level cap as part of the endgame content of Borderlands 4. This is great news for fans as it means that their initial playthrough will not show all the content the game has to offer, giving players more to do in the world of Borderlands some time after its initial release window.
There Could Be a Catch to This Level Cap Increase
As much as a post-launch level cap increase is something players can look forward to, it could come with a caveat. For the most part, the increase to the level cap has been included within DLC content in the past, meaning players could have to pay for the same luxury in Borderlands 4. Long-time fans of the series may already expect this, but for newcomers joining the franchise with the upcoming installment, they may not be aware of this tradition. These Borderlands DLC packs are usually worthwhile either way, though, often adding new story content, side missions, and weapons for players to enjoy.
There was an exception to this rule, however. Rather than including the level cap increase within the game’s paid content, Borderlands 3 lets players go beyond the base level limit as part of an update. Borderlands 4’s post-release plan will undoubtedly include DLC to give players more reasons to explore Kairos, but this could also mean that some features will be added within a free update.
An increased level cap could be essential for Borderlands 4’s Vault Hunters. The skill trees of the game’s playable characters are much more expansive than in previous titles, and giving players more Skill Points to perfect their builds would be a welcome addition. If the game’s post-launch DLC follows in the footsteps of Borderlands 3’s Designer’s Cut DLC and includes an additional skill tree for each of the Vault Hunters, a level cap increase would be a necessity.
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An Increased Level Cap Could Imply More Borderlands 4 Post-Game Content
Adding content after the initial launch has always been important to Borderlands’ identity. Each game in the series offers a lot for players to do at release, and Borderlands 4’s Kairos seems to be the largest world in the series yet, but there’s always an opportunity for more. In past games, new difficulty modes were added after their release, incentivizing players to work towards the higher level cap to make it through a more challenging playthrough. Borderlands 4 could follow this, adding an Ultimate Vault Hunter difficulty mode to accompany the changing level limit.
One of the most important aspects of any full run of a Borderlands campaign is the loot. It is abundant throughout the game’s story, but players need to work harder if they want to acquire rarer items. Grinding and farming legendaries are part of the Borderlands experience, and by altering the level cap, players are encouraged to revisit the game’s enemies and bosses for the chance of some legendary drops. Weapons don’t scale with the player in Borderlands, so fans will need to farm for weapons that match their new level if they want to maximize the effectiveness of the build they have diligently worked for.
Even after players have seen all the games have to offer, there will still be more to do. Among the other DLC listed, Borderlands 4’s Super Deluxe Edition confirmed that the game will be receiving two new Story Packs and will be expanding the map with additional regions to explore. The story of Borderlands 4 already seems like one of the series’ most interesting, but if it is to follow the lead of the series’ previous installments, the DLC missions are often some of the most enjoyable and creatively unique.
Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be a content-rich experience, with plenty for players to explore and collect as soon as the game releases. It has the potential to deliver one of the best Borderlands stories yet, and from what has been revealed, could give players the greatest gameplay experience of the series. With an increase to the level cap and other post-launch content confirmed this early, players can rest easy in the knowledge that they will be able to enjoy Borderlands 4 for a long time.
Borderlands 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
