2K announced on the 13th that 'Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned,' the first story pack for the Gearbox Software-developed loot-shooter Borderlands 4, will officially launch on the 26th. This story pack introduces a new Vault Hunter, 'C4SH,' and a fresh, cosmic horror-themed region called the 'Whispering Glacier,' offering expanded content including diverse missions, intense boss fights, and new legendary gear.

In the Whispering Glacier, the main stage of Story Pack 1, players must team up with the relentless mechanic Ellie to destroy alien monoliths and uncover the secrets of the 'Vault of the Damned.' Players will explore abandoned ships and madness-infused frozen wastes alongside familiar series characters such as Mancubus Bloodtooth, Pickle, and Mad Moxxi. The Whispering Glacier is a region where players can unlock new story missions, side quests, collectibles, and puzzles, and enjoy a new 'World Boss' system that involves communing with eldritch trees to battle randomized interdimensional bosses. This area can be accessed after completing the prerequisite quest in Fadefields, and the recommended level is 13 or higher.

The new Vault Hunter, C4SH, is a former casino-bot who utilizes a mysterious magic deck to engage in gambling, probability-based mechanics, and unpredictable combat. Their signature action skill, 'Sleight of Hand,' allows them to throw random cards to trigger powerful magical attacks, and players can complete various builds through three distinct action skills and skill trees. This story pack features two main bosses and 16 mini-bosses, along with various formidable enemies such as DAHL remnants, Cragon, and Scavengers. Rewards include three turquoise-tier weapons and 11 legendary items. Additionally, a total of 28 cosmetic items will be added, including Vault Hunter shared skins, C4SH-exclusive heads and bodies, weapon and vehicle skins, and an ECHO-4 drone skin.

Meanwhile, 2K is introducing a new shared progression system that allows players to share maps, SDU tokens, hover drives, and cosmetic items between characters on the same account. Cross-platform save functionality will be supported in the future. According to the official 2026 roadmap for Borderlands 4, new free and paid content will be updated sequentially every month until this summer. A new raid boss will be added in April, Takedown content in May, and Bounty Packs 3, 4, and 5 will be released between the second and third quarters. Story Pack 2, scheduled for release in the third quarter, will add a new Vault Hunter, a new region, and additional main and side missions.

Borderlands 4 is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store).