Borderlands 4 is here, and while you work through the main story and explore the world of Kairos, there’s plenty more waiting for you—including the Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode.
Getting to grips with Borderlands 4 requires some work, particularly to identify the best way to farm Legendaries, and how to Respec your skills if you want a change.
Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode takes things up a notch, though, with a greater difficulty curve but improved rewards, and is great for those looking to maximize their builds. Here are all the details you need.
How to Unlock Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode in Borderlands 4
Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode in Borderlands 4 is unlocked once you have completed the main campaign with a character.
There are no shortcuts to this objective, but once you’ve ticked off the main campaign for the first time, Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode is ready for you to experience.
That doesn’t mark the end of the journey, however, as Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode has five difficulty levels at launch. To unlock higher difficulties, you must complete challenges spread across Kairos to prove your worth, then complete a Wildcard Mission—where you’re tasked with replaying a mission filled with buffed enemies and lethal traits.
If you’re unsure on exactly what the mode includes, we’ve got an explainer for you.
What is Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode in Borderlands 4?
Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode in Borderlands 4 is the new endgame system for the franchise, providing replayability on an immense scale.
Enemies are much tougher and deadlier in the mode, but they drop more powerful loot, and the mode increases the risk and reward of the Borderlands 4 cycle. Enemies globally scale to your level, alongside having huge modifiers like higher damage output, larger health bars, or resistances to elemental effects.
Alongside the better gear you earn, you’ll also receive XP to spend on Specializations, Eridium to spend on respecs or on Moxxi’s Big Encore Machine, and cash.
Weekly challenges are also available in the mode, providing a unique spin, and there’s even more updates to come too, including the return of Pearlescent rarity gear in 2026.
Have you unlocked Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode yet? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Borderlands 4, check out the full post-launch roadmap, and learn how to upgrade your inventory space and ammo capacity.
