As a long-time Borderlands fan who’s sunk thousands of hours into the franchise across every mainline entry, I’ve learned a thing or two about pacing my looter-shooter experience. When Borderlands 4 launched earlier this year, I dove in headfirst like everyone else, completing the main campaign with my favorite Vault Hunter, Vex, and exploring every corner of Kairos. But once the credits rolled, I did something that might seem counterintuitive in today’s gaming culture: I put the game down and haven’t touched it since.
Why? Because I’m strategically waiting for Borderlands 4’s first DLC before going back to it, and based on the franchise’s history and what we know about the upcoming content, this might be the smartest approach for any dedicated fan.
The Strategic Benefits of Waiting for Borderlands 4 DLC
Technical Improvements and Polish
If there’s one thing the Borderlands franchise has taught us, it’s that launch versions rarely represent the final, polished experience. Remember the Crit Knife Bleed build controversy that rocked the community shortly after release? Or the various performance issues that plagued early adopters? By waiting for the first major DLC, you’re essentially giving Gearbox additional development time to iron out these technical kinks.
I experienced this firsthand with The Pre-Sequel, where I waited several months after launch before starting. By the time I finally jumped in, numerous patches had improved performance, balance issues had been addressed, and I could even play as Handsome Jack/Timothy from the beginning—a character that became one of my favorite Vault Hunters. This waiting strategy transformed what could have been a frustrating experience into a smooth, enjoyable one.
Level Cap Increases and Fresh Progression
One of the most compelling reasons to wait for Borderlands 4’s first DLC is the inevitable level cap increase that comes with major expansions. This has been a Borderlands tradition since the first game, and there’s no reason to believe Borderlands 4 will break this pattern.
When the first Story Pack, “Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned,” drops in Q1 2026, it will almost certainly raise the level cap, giving your maxed-out Vex (or other Vault Hunter) room to grow again. This means you can immediately start leveling up while experiencing new story content, rather than grinding the same endgame activities with no progression to show for it.
Understanding Borderlands 4’s DLC Structure
Bounty Packs vs. Story Packs: What’s the Difference?
Borderlands 4 is taking a more structured approach to DLC than previous entries, dividing content into two distinct categories:
Bounty Packs are smaller, NPC-themed DLCs similar to Borderlands 2’s beloved Headhunter Packs. The first of these, “How Rush Saved Mercenary Day,” drops on November 20th and features:
- New missions and story content centered around Rush
- New enemies and bosses to challenge
- Legendary loot and gear
- A Vault Card with 24 cosmetic items and 4 rerollable weapons
- Various cosmetic rewards including Vault Hunter heads, skins, weapon skins, and vehicle customizations
Story Packs are the major campaign expansions that Borderlands fans know and love. These add substantial new regions to Kairos, complete with:
- Full story campaigns (6-8 hours of gameplay)
- New playable regions with unique environments
- New Vault Hunters (each Story Pack introduces one)
- Major narrative developments and lore expansions
- Significant new loot pools and gear types
The first Story Pack, “Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned,” arrives in Q1 2026 and sounds particularly promising. The title alone suggests a Lovecraftian cosmic horror theme reminiscent of “Guns, Love, and Tentacles” from Borderlands 3—one of the franchise’s best DLCs. This expansion will also introduce C4SH as a new playable Vault Hunter, adding fresh gameplay mechanics to the mix.
Why Story DLC Matters More Than Ever
The Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Lesson
Many Borderlands fans were burned by Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ post-launch content, which felt rushed and uninspired. The DLCs were short, added little meaningful content, and seemed to exist simply because DLC was expected rather than because it enhanced the experience. This disappointment has made players understandably cautious about Borderlands 4’s DLC plans.
However, early signs suggest Gearbox has learned from this misstep. The structured approach to Bounty Packs and Story Packs, combined with the return of fan-favorite elements like new Vault Hunters, indicates a more thoughtful DLC strategy. The fact that they’re bringing back playable Vault Hunters—something they initially moved away from in Borderlands 3—shows they’re listening to community feedback.
Narrative Continuity and World-Building
For many Borderlands fans, myself included, the story and lore are what keep us coming back. The base game of Borderlands 4 sets up an intriguing new chapter in the franchise’s history, but it’s the DLCs that truly expand the world and deepen our understanding of Kairos and its inhabitants.
“Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned” sounds particularly interesting from a narrative perspective. The involvement of Ellie—daughter of the beloved Moxxi—suggests potential character development and passing-of-the-torch moments that could have significant implications for the franchise’s future. The cosmic horror themes also promise to explore different aspects of Borderlands’ established mythology, potentially revealing new threats and mysteries.
The Financial Wisdom of Waiting
Maximizing Value and Avoiding Buyer’s Remorse
Let’s be honest: Borderlands games and their DLC can be expensive. The current pricing structure has many players debating whether to buy the Super Deluxe Edition or wait for individual DLC purchases. By waiting for the first DLC to release, you can make a more informed decision about which edition (if any) offers the best value for your playstyle.
Additionally, waiting allows you to see how the DLC quality shapes up. If the first Story Pack delivers the kind of content we expect from Borderlands at its best, you’ll feel more confident investing in future expansions. If it disappoints, you can adjust your purchasing plans accordingly.
The Long-Term Investment Perspective
Borderlands games have incredible longevity. Players are still discovering new things in Borderlands 2 over a decade after its release. By taking a measured approach to Borderlands 4’s content, you’re setting yourself up for a more sustainable, enjoyable long-term experience. Rather than burning through all available content in a few weeks and then waiting months for more, you can pace yourself and maintain enthusiasm for the game over years rather than months.
What to Do While Waiting for Borderlands 4’s First DLC
Stay Informed Without Spoiling the Experience
While you’re waiting for the first DLC, it’s worth staying informed about Borderlands 4’s development and community discoveries. Follow official channels for news about upcoming content, but be careful about spoilers if you want to experience the new story content fresh.
The free seasonal events, like the “Horrors of Kairos” mini-event running from October 23rd to November 6th, offer reasons to log in briefly without committing to a full playthrough. These events often provide unique rewards and can help maintain your connection to the game without leading to burnout.
Explore Other Aspects of the Borderlands Universe
If you’re itching for more Borderlands content while waiting for the first major DLC, consider exploring other parts of the franchise’s extensive universe. Games like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands offer different gameplay experiences while maintaining that signature Borderlands feel. Alternatively, you could revisit previous entries with different Vault Hunters or tackle challenges you missed the first time around.
The Bottom Line: Why Waiting Makes Sense
Waiting for Borderlands 4’s first DLC before diving back in isn’t about being impatient or disinterested—it’s about being strategic. This approach allows you to:
- Experience the game with technical improvements and balance patches
- Benefit from level cap increases and fresh progression systems
- Enjoy more polished, content-rich expansions
- Make informed purchasing decisions based on actual DLC quality
- Maintain long-term enthusiasm for the game
Based on everything we know about Borderlands 4’s DLC roadmap and the franchise’s history, I’m confident that waiting for “Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned” will result in a significantly more rewarding experience than jumping back into the game immediately. The combination of technical improvements, level cap increases, new Vault Hunters, and what sounds like a genuinely intriguing story expansion makes this first Story Pack worth the wait.
So if you’re like me—having completed the main campaign but wondering whether to jump back into Borderlands 4 right now—consider holding off for just a few more months. The galaxy of Kairos will still be there, and when “Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned” arrives, you’ll be able to experience it with all the benefits that come with a more mature, content-rich version of the game.
Sometimes the best strategy isn’t to rush in headfirst, but to wait for the perfect moment. For Borderlands 4, that moment is coming with the first DLC—and it’s going to be worth the wait.