Summary
Borderlands 4is changing the way grenades and heavy weapons work, and it may make them a more practical option. Fans of the series were treated to aBorderlands-focused State of Play on April 30, revealing a ton of new information about the title and its gameplay. It confirmed several big departures from previous titles in response to player feedback, andBorderlands 4’s new “ordinance” feature may be one of the most significant.
The State of Play offered acloser look atBorderlands 4’s four new vault hunters, with special attention given to Vex, this entry’s siren. While character-specific abilities took center stage for a while, the deep dive also showcased some changes and improvements to how combat and loot work in general. One feature that stood out in particular is the ordinance slot.
As highlighted by a post on the Borderlands 4 subReddit, fans noticed that the ordinance takes the place of the grenade slot,but it’s also where players can assign a heavy weapon, so launchers will no longer take up a normal weapon slot in the inventory. It also uses a cooldown timer instead of ammo. While that means having to choose between either grenades or a heavy weapon instead of getting both, it also makes either option more practical, as running out of explosives or heavy ammo will no longer be an issue. It’s a good fit forBorderlands 4’s massive zones, giving players more opportunities to blow things up and wreak havoc instead of saving the more damaging gear for boss fights.
AfterBorderlands 3rubbed many players the wrong way, Gearbox making so many changes could be an encouraging sign. The wait to find out won’t be as long as originally expected, either, asBorderlands 4has moved up its release dateto July 25, 2025, instead of the 23rd.
WHERE TO PLAY
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing mayhem across the planet.Ignite a resistance and blast your way through mechanical monstrosities, bloodthirsty bandits, and vicious beasts. Amass an arsenal of death-dealing firepower to wreak havoc as you tear your way across Kairos.Fight solo or in co-op with up to three other players in this immense sci-fi adventure, packed with free-form combat and exploration, pulse-pounding boss fights, infinitely varied loot drops, and an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters new and old.
