From iconic characters like Mad Moxxi to the bandits and psychos that dot the landscape, the Borderlands franchise is filled with memorable personalities that fans have grown to love. Including the drivers of the franchise, the Vault Hunters. Throughout the games, the Vault Hunters save planets, set the groundwork for formidable villains, and get themselves into tight, but incredibly entertaining messes.
Every game comes with a new set of Vault Hunters to get to know; each group comes with its unique set of skills and characters that always seem to have one thing in common: they can usually worm themselves out of deep trouble. There is definitely no shortage of sarcastic, foul-mouthed, and trigger-happy playable characters for fans to take on the gritty worlds they find themselves on. While some Vault Hunters seem to be one-hit wonders, a few have made their mark on the world of Borderlands by packing a heavy punch and serving as catalysts to the myriad of the stories and quests fans love.
10 Krieg
Psycho-turned-Vault Hunter, Krieg, was introduced as the second of two DLC characters available in Borderlands: 2. The only playable psycho in the franchise, he offers a unique play-style and an intriguing look into the world of bandits. Forced to become a psycho through experiments and torture at the hands of Hyperion, Krieg is held in check from the general murder and mayhem that come with other bandits like him by his 'inner voice.' That inner voice offers a look into the man Krieg once was before the psycho personality took over.
Throughout the events of Borderlands 2 players get to know the fractured mind of the psycho through internal one-liners from the voice and seemingly random voice lines as he takes on enemies. A Vault Hunter in the second game, Krieg appears once again in Borderlands: 3 as part of the Psycho Krieg and the DLC Fantastic Flustercluck side-quest, in voice ECHOs only.
9 Athena
Like many Vault Hunters, The Gladiator turns to vault hunting after a series of betrayals, unfortunate setbacks, and a stint with one of four major corporations controlling their own corners of the galaxy. Athena makes her first appearance in a DLC for Borderlands after defecting from the Crimson Lance assassins team. After the defeat of General Knoxx, Athena reappears in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel as one of five Vault Hunters on a quest to assist Handsome Jack in opening a Vault on Elpis.
Armed with a shield and the confidence of someone who has finished their own fair share of assassinations, Athena is also the narrator of the game, with Lilith, Mordecai, and Brick questioning her after the fact. Her account makes up almost everything that the Crimson Raiders know about Handsome Jack's rise to power and offers a unique look at the world outside the original group. She does not appear again until the recently released Tales From the Borderlands 2.
8 FL4K
One of two robot Vault Hunters introduced in the franchise, FL4K, The Beastmaster, uses their new-found sentience to follow what they call The Hunt. FL4K brings one of three of their animal companions to the fight as part of their class, including Rakks and Skags. They are confused by how human society works and get along better with the local fauna.
They are always striving for 'the hunt' and attempting to appease Mistress Death, a personification of death itself. On a quest for self-discovery, the Beastmaster joins the Vault Hunters on their quest to defeat The Calypso twins, Borderlands 3's formidable antagonists.
7 Gaige
The first DLC character added to Borderlands 2, Gaige is one of two Vault Hunters in the franchise who have a mechanical companion. With Deathtrap by her side, Gaige's run from the law on her home planet, Eden-5, leads her to join the Vault Hunters. With calls for 'anarchy' and a literal death machine fighting by her side, it's hard to remember that Gaige was just a regular (incredibly smart and ambitious) high school student.
That all changes after the unexpected and messy murder of her science fair rival. Now, she roams the wastelands with the highest bounty on her head of all, sitting at a whopping $820 billion. Gaige also does ECHO streams in true streamer fashion, updating her millions of followers on her journey. She appears once again in Borderlands 3's DLC Fantastic Flustercluck side-quest.
6 Brick
Brick joins the original vault hunting team in Borderlands as ‘himself.’ Also, a founding member of the Crimson Raiders, Brick solves most of his problems with his fists. If players are looking for a character that uses their head over their heart in the literal sense, Brick is the Vault Hunter to choose.
His habit of living up to his name eventually lands him as the leader of a bandit gang that Vault Hunters can join. He makes several reappearances throughout the franchise, even joining Mordecai in objecting to Athena’s execution in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.
5 Zane
Hailing from the notorious Flynt family, the sort-of retired hitman joins the Vault Hunters in their attempt to defeat The Calypso twins in Borderlands 3. Zane has the ability to deploy a digi-clone of himself to deal extra damage, similar to Zer0's Decepti0n and Jack's Expendable Assets skills.
Zane puts off the air of being a loner and is seen in his introduction trailer having a heart-to-heart with his digi-clone before taking out a round of bandits. Zane is only featured in Borderlands 3.
4 Zer0
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Not much is known about this stealthy Vault Hunter. Zer0 begins his journey in Borderlands 2 as one of four original playable characters. Always looking for a challenge, the assassin is on the hunt for someone who lives up to his expectations in a battle. A noticeably silent character compared to other Vault Hunters, he still brings memorable quotes and storylines to the franchise.
As a fan favorite, Zer0 is a formidable enemy and an irreplaceable ally. And, as players soon discover through his voice lines while playing as him, he also writes solid haiku. Zer0 makes appearances in Tales From the Borderlands and Borderlands 3.
3 Amara
Making her first appearance as a Vault Hunter in Borderlands 3, Amara is one of only six sirens in existence. Unlike other sirens players meet throughout the franchise, Amara brings an aggressive and offensive fighting style to the Siren class.
While other Sirens, like Maya and Lilith, focus on abilities like Phasecast and Phaselock, both abilities that either render an enemy immobile or send them away, Amara uses her Siren abilities as an enhancement to her own already powerful fighting style through Phasegrasp. A hands-on vigilante with a need for justice, Amara will always fight for what she believes is right.
2 Maya
Another Siren, Maya makes her first appearance in Borderlands 2 and holds an important role in Borderlands 3. After her run as a Vault Hunter, she returns to her home planet as a protector, eventually fighting against weapons company Maliwan during an attempted invasion.
A compassionate and caring character, Maya quickly made her way into the hearts of fans. Her compassion is extended to Kreig, who latches onto Maya as an ally. Her willingness to eventually accept him and her need to protect her loved ones is an honorable trait. Which makes her eventual death at the hands of Troy Calypso even more heartbreaking.
1 Lilith
A big name throughout the entire franchise, Lilith solidifies herself as the number one Vault Hunter. A plot driver throughout the entire series, she makes several appearances and even serves as the leader of the Crimson Raiders after Roland's tragic death. Nicknamed the 'Firehawk,' Lilith fakes her death to give her allies a hand up in the fight against Handsome Jack in Borderlands: 2, and leads the charge against The Calypso Twins in Borderlands 3.
One of the most powerful Sirens, Lilith has found a way to increase her powers by consuming the alien element, Eridium. The Vault Hunters would not have won their numerous battles without her help, guidance, and occasional sarcastic remarks.