I still remember the first time I loaded up Borderlands 3 and faced that character selection screen - four completely different Vault Hunters staring back at me, each promising unique gameplay experiences. Having played through the entire Borderlands series multiple times, I can confidently say this feels like Borderlands' strongest assortment of Vault Hunters to date. What makes this group special isn't just their individual strengths, but how they create this perfect synergy when you understand their capabilities.
Let me share my experience with Vex, who became my main during my 80-hour playthrough. Her phasegrasp ability isn't just another crowd control tool - it's like having a strategic pause button during chaotic firefights. I remember this one particular moment in the Ascension Bluff where I was surrounded by about 15 enemies, including two badass psychos. While previous Borderlands games might have had me frantically backpedaling while spraying bullets, with Vex I simply phasegrasped the most dangerous enemy, creating this beautiful singularity that pulled everyone together while dealing continuous damage. It felt less like a desperate survival situation and more like I was conducting an orchestra of destruction.
The beauty of this current roster is that while no past Vault Hunter has been a truly bad choice, this is the first time that each Vault Hunter feels incredibly useful in all aspects of play. Take Moze, for example - her Iron Bear mech doesn't just feel powerful, it completely changes how you approach combat. I spent about 15 hours playing as Moze specifically to test her against various enemy types, and the results were staggering. Against larger bosses like the Graveward, her dual miniguns could chew through approximately 8% of its health bar per second during her action skill duration. Meanwhile, against groups of everyday enemies, her splash damage capabilities could clear entire areas in under 30 seconds. The versatility is just insane.
What really surprised me during my testing was how well each character performs in cooperative play. I used to think that certain Vault Hunters were clearly better for solo play while others excelled in groups, but this current lineup breaks that mold completely. FL4K's pets, for instance, aren't just cute distractions - they actively draw enemy fire while dealing substantial damage. During one particularly memorable co-op session with two friends, my FL4K's skag managed to tank approximately 65% of the damage directed at our team while we focused on dealing most of the damage to the boss. It felt like we had discovered this perfect rhythm where everyone had a clearly defined role that actually mattered.
While I played as Vex in my main playthrough, I didn't dislike my time with other Vault Hunters on new save files. In fact, I found myself genuinely excited to try different characters, which hasn't always been the case in previous Borderlands titles. Zane's clone and drone combination, for example, creates this beautiful chaos on the battlefield that feels completely different from Amara's elemental mayhem. I remember specifically creating a new save file just to experiment with Zane's hit-and-run tactics, and within just 3 hours of gameplay, I had developed strategies that felt entirely unique to his kit.
The strategic depth here reminds me of why I fell in love with lootershooters in the first place. Each Vault Hunter isn't just a different skin with slightly altered abilities - they're fundamentally different approaches to combat that encourage players to think strategically about every encounter. I've probably respecced my characters around 40 times across different playthroughs, each time discovering new synergies and combinations that made me appreciate the design even more. The fact that I can jump between characters and feel like I'm playing a completely different game while still being effective is testament to how well-balanced this roster truly is.
What's particularly impressive is how the game manages to make each character feel overpowered in their own way without breaking the overall balance. When I'm playing as Moze, I feel like an unstoppable force of nature with my mech. As Amara, I feel like a mystical warrior controlling the battlefield. FL4K makes me feel like a master tactician commanding a small army, while Zane gives me this slick, professional mercenary vibe. They all hit that sweet spot where you feel incredibly powerful while still being challenged by the game's content.
I've noticed that my playstyle has evolved significantly based on which character I'm using. With Amara, I tend to be more aggressive, pushing forward to maximize her phasegrasp effectiveness. With FL4K, I find myself playing more strategically, positioning myself for critical hits while my pet distracts enemies. This organic adaptation speaks volumes about how well-designed these characters are - they don't force you into specific playstyles as much as they encourage natural evolution of tactics that suit their strengths.
After spending approximately 200 hours across all four characters, I can honestly say this is the most satisfied I've been with character variety in any looter-shooter to date. The development team clearly put tremendous thought into ensuring that each Vault Hunter brings something unique to the table while remaining viable in all content. Whether you're facing down hordes of regular enemies, taking on massive bosses, or working together with friends in co-op, there's genuine excitement in discovering how each character approaches these challenges differently. It's this thoughtful design that keeps me coming back to experiment with new builds and strategies, constantly finding fresh ways to experience content I've already completed multiple times.