Borderlands 4 Build Variety Enhanced by BG3, PoE Design

Borderlands 4's approach to build diversity takes inspiration from titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Path of Exile. Read more about the enhancements to its passive skill system and how the developers are refining the game's RPG core.

Borderlands 4's Enhanced Passive Skills and Build Variety

More Passive Skills Than Every Prior Borderlands Game Combined

Borderlands 4 is placing a major focus on passive skills, incorporating more of them than all previous games in the series combined. In a recent Polygon interview on August 15, Lead Character Designer Nick Thurston discussed the newly unveiled Vault Hunter, Amon the Forge Knight, and the game's deepened RPG mechanics.

Amon might first appear to be a classic tank or brawler, using sheer strength to overpower foes. His true playstyle, however, centers on crafting weapons with his cybernetic drones — a concept Thurston calls a "sci-fi viking."

This fusion of advanced tech and raw power reflects the team's broader design vision, applying a "melting pot of ideas" across the entire game. This philosophy is most evident in the expansive skill tree system, which provides more avenues for build experimentation than ever before.

Thurston elaborated, "Our Augment and Capstone systems require you to make meaningful choices that drastically alter each character's abilities. That alone generates more build diversity than we've ever offered. Additionally, we have more passive skills than all prior Borderlands games combined. Amon alone has around 87 passives, and most Vault Hunters feature about 80."

Combining perks to craft unique and inventive builds has always been a staple of the Borderlands series. Coupled with an improved weapon system boasting "billions of guns and parts," players can fine-tune their ideal setup to match their preferred playstyle on any Vault Hunter.

Drawing Inspiration from Baldur's Gate 3 and Path of Exile

Moving beyond its looter-shooter roots, Borderlands 4 elevates its RPG elements significantly through a refined and extensive skill system. Thurston, a self-described fan of RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Path of Exile, has directly channeled inspiration from these games.

He describes his own playstyle in such games as that of a "min-maxer," aiming to deal peak damage in his chosen way. "In the past, some characters in our franchise felt very specialized in one role," he explained. "It was crucial to me that if you have this compelling character, you'd want to utilize them in multiple distinct ways."

For Borderlands 4, the team aimed to highlight the distinctiveness of each possible build. Thurston noted that players will face tough decisions to create specialized loadouts, making every playthrough feel unique.

"In earlier games, if you and I both played as Zer0, we'd likely end up with similar builds," he said. "That can be fun, but I wanted a scenario where a team of four Amons could each have a completely different setup."

With other major upgrades like a seamless open world and a robust end-game, Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be the series' most ambitious entry. The game launches on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For the latest updates, explore our related article below.