TheBorderlands’universe is undeniably filled with a bold and colorful cast of characters. However, among the multitude of personalities that populate the world of Pandora and beyond, some characters have had abigger impact on the franchise than others, establishing themselves as familiar faces to players.
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These characters have made a lasting impact on theBorderlandsfranchise, not just through their appearances in multiple games but also through theirunique personalities, backstories, and abilities. The impact that these characters have had on the franchise cannot be overstated; they have become a driving force behind the game’s narrative and have helped to shape the identity of theBorderlands' universe with their presence.
10Zer0 - Borderlands 2
Zer0 is an assassin for hire, who made his first appearance as a Vault Hunter inBorderlands 2. Zer0 was convinced to travel to Pandora after a particularly unsatisfying assassination, leaving his hungry for a bigger challenge. Since then, he has played an important role in more recent games, such asTales from the BorderlandsandBorderlands 3.
Zer0 is somewhat of an enigma, only speaking in haikus, and displaying emoticons on his faceplate to express his emotions. Zer0’s unique communication style and deadly skills have made him a formidable and mysterious figure in theBorderlandsuniverse, anda firm favorite among fans.
9Rhys - Tales From The Borderlands
Rhys Strongfork, the quirky and awkward CEO of Atlas Corporation, is a significant character in theBorderlandsseries. Introduced as an Atlas worker inTales from the Borderlands, Rhys idolized the infamous series villain, Handsome Jack. InBorderlands 3, players witnessed his rise to power as CEO of Atlas, where he became demonstrated his skills as an empathetic and caring leader.
Rhys also appears inNew Tales from the Borderlands, offeringfurther glimpses into his character. Rhys’s character development throughout these games showcased both his quirks and determination, cementing his status as a beloved and memorable figure in theBorderlandsuniverse.
8Marcus - Borderlands
The series wouldn’t be the same without hearing Marcus saying “So, you want to hear a story, eh?” at thebeginning of many of the games. Aside from his iconic narration, he is renowned as a rather aggressive arms dealer who manages all of Pandora’s weapon vending machines and is one of the first characters players will meet. Marcus has almost no morals, is incredibly greedy, and will do anything to maximize his profits. He will even go so far as to kill any competitors and destroy their stock, supply his weapons toanypossible customer, and adamantly maintains a no-refunds policy.
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However, Marcus is shown to be well acquainted with the Vault Hunters despite his aggressive business dealings and capitalist ideals. Players can find him inBorderlands,Borderlands 2, andBorderlands 3, as well as narrating the beginning of both games in theTalesseries.
7Tiny Tina - Borderlands 2
Tiny Tina is a bombastic explosives specialist and has become an integral part of theBorderlands’saga through her own unique brand of chaos. During her debut inBorderlands 2, players meet her as a young demolitions expert with a fondness for tea parties and a love for blowing things up. Since then, she has appeared inBorderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Borderlands 3and, of course, her own spin-off,Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands.
Fans can always expect to find her crafting insane contraptions or spewing out a constant stream of offbeat banter.With her unruly spiritand dark humor, Tiny Tina adds a delightful twist to any player’s experience.
6Tannis - Borderlands
Dr. Patricia Tannis isan eccentric scientistand archaeologist with a passion for all things Eridian. Tannis plays a crucial role in the main storyline of theBorderlandsfranchise, thanks to her expertise in deciphering Eridian artifacts and technology. Players first meet Tannis inBorderlands, where she plays an integral part to the main storyline.
She later returns inBorderlands 2, where she provides some missions for players. InBorderlands 3, Tannis returns as a significant side-character, supporting the new Vault Hunters in their mission to stop the Children of the Vault. With her peculiar personality and invaluable knowledge, Tannis proves to be an important and memorable figure throughout the series.
Moxxi, an iconic character in the franchise, has been a source of morale and entertainment for players since her initial introduction inBorderlands. She hascontinued to captivate fansacross various installments, includingBorderlands 2, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Borderlands 3, and even makes a brief appearance inTales from the Borderlands.
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She’s got a mix of tough and caring qualities, and is known for her provocative personality. Moxxi’s long-standing position in the franchise and popularity with fans is proof that she’s a one-of-a-kind character with lots of potential for further installments.
4Brick - Borderlands
Brick was first introduced into the franchise in the original game,Borderlands. As one of the first ever playable characters, he joined the founding crew of Vault Hunters on the bleak, hostile world of Pandora.Brick, along with the other original Vault Hunters, formed the Crimson Raiders. However, he was later expelled from their base of Sanctuary by Roland.
During this period, he formed the Slab gang. Brick then became known to the majority of Pandora as the “Slab King” while serving as its leader. In the followingBorderlandsgames,Borderlands 2,Tales from the Borderlands,Borderlands: The Prequel,Borderlands 3andTiny Tina’s Wonderlands, he also appears as a supporting character.
3Mordecai - Borderlands
Players first meet broody Mordecai, and his trusty companion, Bloodwing, inBorderlands. Here he plays a critical role as one of the original Vault Hunters and a founding member of the Crimson Raiders alongside Roland, Brick, and Lilith. He later returns inBorderlands 2, Tales from the Borderlands, andBorderlands 3, as a supporting character.
He may be struggling with personal demons, but his unwavering loyalty to his cause and skills as a sharpshooter make him an essential part of theBorderlandsuniverse, leaving an undeniable mark on the franchise’s legacy.
2Lilith - Borderlands
Lilith, as one of the four original Vault Hunters, has held a prominent role in the captivating narratives of theBorderlandsseries since its inception. From the very beginning, players were introduced to her as one of the rare six Sirens in the entire galaxy. Her journey starts by taking her to Pandora, driven by the quest to find both a fellow Siren and uncover the enigmatic secrets of the Vault. With her extraordinary powers,Lilith possesses supernatural abilitiesthat grant her a formidable advantage in combat, most notably her remarkable Phasewalk ability.
Following the original game’s events, she becomes a driving force for the franchise’s narrative, appearing again inBorderlands 2, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, andBorderlands 3. Lilith’s presence in theBorderlandsuniverse has not only shaped the unfolding storyline but also captivated the imagination of countless players, making her an iconic and unforgettable character in the series.
1Claptrap - Borderlands
As the series mascot,Borderlandswouldn’t be the same without Claptrap. Designed by Hyperion, Claptrap is a general-purpose CL4P-TP robot, with adistain for stairs. He frequently boasts about himself, whilst often expressing his extreme loneliness and cowardice. Whilst, arguably, the cast would be happier without him, he’s made his mark on the franchise since his first appearance inBorderlands.
Since then, this overly-enthusiastic robot companion has appeared inBorderlands 2, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Tales from the Borderlands, and Borderlands 3. Often acting as the player’s mentor in each game’s opening sequence, he has provided guidance and comic relief to players since the first game’s inception.
