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Gearbox’s Borderlands series has a wide variety of playable Vault Hunters to choose from, each with its own unique abilities and playstyles. In this article, we will rank the top 10 best Vault Hunters in the series, based on their gameplay, how fun they are to play as, and how much they can do in a fight.
Top 10: Zane, The Operative (Borderlands 3)
Zane Flynt is one of the playable characters in Borderlands 3. He is a semi-retired corporate hitman who always has a gadget up his sleeve. His action skills include an SNTNL drone that flies around and attacks enemies with a machine gun, a deployable Barrier shield, and a Digi-Clone that simultaneously distracts enemies and dishes out damage, and which Zane can teleport to switch places with.
Zane is a skilled fighter and a brilliant tactician. He is also a master of gadgets and technology. He uses his skills and gadgets to great effect in battle, and he is always one step ahead of his enemies. While there are certainly more powerful characters in the series, there is no denying that Zane is the most stylish. You just can’t help but play as Zane solely because of how cool he is.
Top 9: Mordecai, The Hunter (Borderlands)
Mordecai, from the original Borderlands, quickly became a fan favorite because of his swaggy and ultra-cool demeanor. And if that isn’t enough for you yet, he is also considered as the most broken Vaulth Hunter in the first game. Take note, he has rounds that downright bypass enemy armor!
Mordecai is a complex and well-developed character. He is a skilled fighter, but he is also a sensitive and caring individual. He is fiercely loyal to his friends and allies, and he is always willing to fight for what he believes in. This Vault Hunter excels in long-range combat with his proficiency with snipers and his abilities as an animal whisperer.
Top 8: Zer0, The Assassin (Borderlands 2)
Zer0 is an Assassin who is skilled in stealth and deception. He can deal massive damage with his melee attacks and his sniper skills. Zer0 is also a capable ranged fighter, with skills that allow him to fire multiple projectiles at once. Zer0 is a great choice for players who want a challenging and rewarding play style. He first appeared in the series in the first sequel, Borderlands 2.
That may be great and all, but what we honestly think is Zer0’s greatest pull on series fans, is its wonderful character design. You have to be blind not to appreciate his cyborg, stylish exterior. On top of that, he is also a proficient assassin that wields a sword. Now tell me you aren’t compelled to play as him. All these combined make Zer0 one of the most popular Vault Hunters in all of Borderlands.
Top 7: Claptrap (Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel)
Let us give it to you straight here, Claptrap is not a powerful Vault Hunter. However, he belongs in our top 10 best Vault Hunter from the Borderlands series solely because of how fun he is to play and his impact on the series as a whole. Yes, he might not be able to take down enemies as efficiently or as fast as other Vault Hunters, but he is arguably the most fun to play as. For his quips alone and unpredictable nature, we believe Claptrap deserves a spot here.
Top 6: Salvador, The Gunzerker (Borderlands 2)
Salvador, also known as the Gunzerker, is a playable character in Borderlands 2. He is a native of Pandora and is known for his love of violence and his ability to dual-wield any two weapons. Salvador is a powerful character who can deal a lot of damage, but he is also quite fragile. He is best suited for players who enjoy playing aggressively and don’t mind taking a few hits.
Keep in mind that playing Salvador well takes a lot of practice. He is a high-risk, high-reward type of Vault Hunter. While that may sound very appealing for some, not everyone can handle the glass cannon nature of such characters. So, if you are one of those guys, better stay away from Salvador for the time being. Or maybe give it time to practice him intensively.
Top 5: Moze, The Gunner (Borderlands 3)
Moze is a playable character in Borderlands 3. She is a Gunner, a class that specializes in mechanized combat. Her action skill allows her to summon Iron Bear, a bipedal tank that she can control. Iron Bear can be equipped with a variety of weapons and abilities, making it a versatile tool for taking down enemies.
Moze is a battle-hardened veteran who served in the Vladof army. She is skilled in both ranged and melee combat, and she is not afraid to get her hands dirty. She is also a skilled engineer, and she is able to keep Iron Bear in top condition. Moze is among the versatile Vault Hunters that goes well with various playstyles, making her one of the most appealing characters to play in the game.
Top 4: Amara, The Siren (Borderlands 3)
Amara, from Borderlands 3, is a Siren who is skilled in elemental damage. She can deal massive damage with her elemental attacks and her melee skills. Amara is also a capable tank, with skills that allow her to absorb damage and take a beating. Amara is a great choice for players who want to play a powerful character with a lot of elemental options.
She officially became the third playable Siren in the whole series when Borderlands 3 launched. Much like the previous two, Amara’s toolkit is extremely powerful and full of flashy abilities. There is no boring time playing as Amara, and players just couldn’t have enough of her. That said, she is only the second-best Siren on this list. We’ll talk more about that later on.
Top 3: FL4K, The Beastmaster (Borderlands 3)
FL4K is a Beastmaster who can summon a variety of creatures to fight alongside them. These creatures can provide FL4K with support, damage, or crowd control. FL4K is also a capable solo fighter, with skills that allow them to deal high damage and stay alive in tough situations. FL4K is a great choice for players who want a pet companion and a versatile play style.
Borderlands 3 has FL4K as one of its playable Vault Hunters. They are a non-binary robot who uses they/them pronouns. FL4K is a master of the hunt, and they always bring one of their three loyal pets into battle. Their pets can buff stats, attack enemies, and even revive FL4K. They are a great choice for players who want to play a pet-focused character, or for players who want a character with a lot of mobility and survivability.
Top 2: Axton, The Commando (Borderlands 2)
By looking alone, you can deduce that Axton is your prototypical wasteland soldier. He is a clean-cut muscular man who could just easily run as President because of his innate charisma. However, he is not without secrets. Axton is an ex-soldier with a protective turret system, which he loves dearly…like concerningly intimate. Nevertheless, he is arguably the most versatile character in all of Borderlands 2’s playable Vault Hunters. You should definitely give him a try.
Top 1: Lilith, The Firehawk (Borderlands)
Lilith is the original Siren and the leader of the Crimson Raiders. She is proficient in fire damage and teleportation. Lilith can deal massive damage with her fire attacks and her teleportation skills. She is also a capable tank, with skills that allow her to absorb damage and take a beating. Lilith is a great choice for players who want to play a powerful character with a lot of mobility.
In fact, Lilith is so great as a playable Vault Hunter that she can honestly fit any play style. All these combined make Lilith the best Vault Hunter to play in all of Borderlands. As a matter of fact, she has since become the face of the Borderlands series because of how popular she got.
