Borderlands 4 is Already Confirmed to Carry On One Series Tradition

Borderlands has built a very strong, very distinct identity for itself over the last 16 years. Though each entry brings its own slew of new mechanics and features, that core Borderlands identity has remained fairly consistent throughout the franchise’s long history, and now, there are certain things fans simply expect to see from a new Borderlands entry. It already looks like Borderlands 4 will deliver on those expectations.

Borderlands 4 is putting the series’ looter shooter mechanics at the forefront of its gameplay loop, refining the gear system and adding a new set of mobility mechanics to keep things fresh. Borderlands 4 is also introducing a new set of Vault Hunters, each coming with a bevy of unique abilities. It already feels safe to say that Borderlands 4 will be a Borderlands game through and through, and if these features don’t prove it, there’s one long-running tradition that’s sure to seal the deal.

Borderlands 4 Weapon Manufacturers Celebrate

Borderlands 4’s Cut Weapon Manufacturers Deserve One Last Hurrah Before Launch

Borderlands 4 is adding new weapon manufacturers, but it’s losing some of the series’ most iconic in the process, and they deserve one last hurrah.

A Brief History of Borderlands’ Flynt Family Tradition

Borderlands’ Baron Flynt

Every mainline Borderlands entry is home to a member of the Flynt family. This tradition kicked off in 2009 with the release of the first Borderlands, which presented players with the bandit lord Baron Flynt. A former prison warden, Baron Flynt ended up freeing his convicts after Dahl completely abandoned the operation. Flynt became the criminal band’s de facto leader, and it remained that way until Tannis sent a group of Vault Hunters to eliminate the Salt Flats’ bandit threat.

Borderlands 2’s Captain Flynt

One of the first boss fights in Borderlands 2, Captain Flynt is the leader of the Fleshripper bandit clan that terrorizes players in the Southern Shelf starting area. Captain Flynt is eventually defeated by Borderlands 2‘s Vault Hunters when they storm his ship, The Soaring Dragon.

Borderlands 2 actually features two members of the Flynt family. Captain Flynt’s son, Sparky, can be found in Borderlands 2‘s Sir Hammerlock vs. The Son of Crawmerax DLC. Seeking revenge for his father’s death, Sparky forms the “Victims of the Vault Hunters” support group, and hires assassins to take the team down. These assassins are all taken out before they can even get close to the Vault Hunters, so Sparky decides to take them on himself. He meets the same fate as his father.

Borderlands 3’s Zane Flynt

Marking a big departure for this Borderlands tradition, Borderlands 3‘s Flynt family member is one of the four playable Vault Hunters. Borderlands 3‘s Operative, Zane Flynt, is the brother of Baron and Captain Flynt. Unlike his siblings, Zane became a black ops mercenary at a young age, an occupation that was no less bloody than the rest of his family’s, but better respected and higher paying.

Zane occasionally mentions having a sister, so there’s at least one unknown Flynt out there for future Borderlands games to use.

Borderlands 4 Is Continuing The Flynt Family Tradition

Though he’s developed a new haircut in the six in-game years between Borderlands 3 and 4, Zane Flynt still looks unmistakable. The assassin-turned-Crimson-Raider is set to return in Borderlands 4, though it’s still unclear what role he’ll have in the story beyond lending a helping hand to the new set of Vault Hunters. It’s great to see this tradition alive and well in Borderlands 4, and hopefully there will at least be a few memorable moments with Zane during the sequel’s story.