Gearbox and 2K launched the first major DLC expansion for Borderlands 4 on March 26, titled Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned. The $30 Story Pack adds a new region, weapons and the playable Vault Hunter C4SH, but has drawn mixed reactions from players over its content length and price.
Gearbox and 2K released Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned, the first of two large DLC expansions for Borderlands 4, on March 26. Priced at $30—nearly half the cost of the base game—the pack introduces a new region to explore, additional guns to loot and a new playable character named C4SH, described as a CasinoBot empowered by a magical deck of cards granting special abilities. Players report the main questline takes about two to three hours to complete, while the new region is only a fraction of the size of the game's opening area from the main campaign. A Vault Hunter Pack bundling both upcoming story packs and their characters costs $50, offering a discount over separate purchases. The DLC holds a Mixed rating on Steam, matching the base game's reception, and a 4.3 out of 5 on PSN. SteamDB data shows Borderlands 4 with more active players recently than in recent months, though below the 300,000 peak at launch. Online discussions, including on Reddit, reflect divided opinions: some praise the spooky atmosphere, while others question the value given the scope. Josh Jeffcoat, the expansion's lead game designer, emphasized its focus on adventure over endgame grinding. 'It’s very, very specifically for speaking to those customers that want that adventure,' Jeffcoat told IGN. He highlighted new elements like horror themes and expanded underwater exploration with swimming mechanics. Jeffcoat added, 'It’s definitely a good reason to come back,' noting players can jump straight into the DLC with the new Vault Hunter without replaying the main story.