Welcome to the chaotic cosmos of Borderlands 3! As a Vault Hunter, you'll blast your way through a galaxy teeming with fanatical cultists and powerful bosses, collecting a near-infinite supply of guns. You'll explore new worlds beyond Pandora, from the neon-drenched streets of Promethea to the swamps of Eden-6, all while facing off against the tyrannical Calypso Twins and their Sire cohorts.
This guide is your ultimate companion for mastering Borderlands 3. We'll provide step-by-step instructions for completing every Main Story mission, including challenging encounters like the final boss in The Great Vault. Whether you're tackling optional side missions, hunting down legendary loot from farmable bosses, or diving into DLC content like Guns, Love, and Tentacles, we've got you covered.
Walkthrough
Your ultimate Borderlands 3 walkthrough guide! Find detailed mission steps, side quest info, and helpful tips to conquer Pandora and beyond. Get started now!
Category
Walkthrough
Your ultimate Borderlands 3 walkthrough guide! Find detailed mission steps, side quest info, and helpful tips to conquer Pandora and beyond. Get started now!
Sections in this chapter (1)
Children of the Vault: Main Missions
Complete the Children of the Vault mission in borderlands 3, get your first gun, and find your first shield.
Category
Children of the Vault: Main Missions
Complete the Children of the Vault mission in borderlands 3, get your first gun, and find your first shield.
Sections in this chapter (23)
Children of the Vault
Follow Claptrap, get your first gun, and fight the Children of the Vault in Borderlands 3's 'Children of the Vault: Of' mission. Learn enemy tactics and find loot.
From the Ground Up
Follow our comprehensive Borderlands 3 walkthrough for the 'From the Ground Up' mission. Learn how to equip grenade mods, navigate new areas, and find Sun Smasher chief.
Sanctuary
Need help navigating Sanctuary in Borderlands 3? Follow our step-by-step guide to talk to Lilith, check on Tannis and Marcus, find crew quarters, and meet Ellie.
Taking Flight
Complete walkthrough for the 'Taking Flight' main mission in Borderlands 3. Includes steps for defending Tannis, collecting biofuel, and retrieving the Astronav Chip.
Cult Following
Follow our Borderlands 3 Cult Following walkthrough to find Ellie, hijack a COV vehicle, and reach the Holy Broadcast Center. Includes Red Chest locations and Crew Challenges.
Hostile Takeover
Follow our comprehensive Borderlands 3 Hostile Takeover walkthrough to conquer Promethea, defeat Maliwan soldiers, and liberate Watershed Base. Includes tips and objectives.
Space-Laser Tag
Complete the Space-Laser Tag mission in borderlands 3. Meet Rhys at Launchpad 7, find the Viper Drive, and navigate Skywell-27.
The Impending Storm
Follow this Borderlands 3 walkthrough to complete the main mission 'The Impending Storm'. Guide includes meeting Maya, fighting Maliwan forces on Athenas, and finding Ava.
Atlas, At Last
Complete the Atlas, At Last mission in borderlands 3. Get the Vault Key fragment from Rhys and reboot defense cannons.
Hammerlocked
Complete the Hammerlocked mission in borderlands 3. Find Wainwright on Eden-6 and navigate The Anvil.
Lair of the Harpy
Follow our Borderlands 3 Lair of the Harpy walkthrough to defeat Billy, The Anointed, navigate Jakobs Estate, and find the Vault Key clue. Includes tips and strategies.
The Family Jewel
Complete The Family Jewel mission in borderlands 3. Find BALEX, defeat the Tyrant, and navigate the Wreck of the Family Jewel.
The Guns of Reliance
Complete The Guns of Reliance mission in borderlands 3. Meet Clay, free Rebel Kyle and Jon Ryan, and defeat Long Arm the Smasher.
Going Rogue
Complete the Going Rogue mission in borderlands 3. Learn how to use the Rogue-Sight and find Agent Dee.
Cold as the Grave
Follow our comprehensive walkthrough for Borderlands 3's 'Cold as the Grave' mission. Includes tips for defeating Aurelia and finding all collectibles.
Blood Drive
Complete the Blood Drive mission in borderlands 3. Find Vaughn at Roland's Rest and head to Carnivora.
Angels and Speed Demons
Complete the Angels and Speed Demons mission in borderlands 3. Learn how to defend Roland's Rest and find Tannis's hidden lab.
The Great Vault
Follow our comprehensive Borderlands 3 guide to conquer The Great Vault mission. Includes walkthrough steps, tips for clearing defenses, and locating all collectibles.
Beneath the Meridian
Follow our comprehensive Borderlands 3 walkthrough for the Beneath the Meridian mission. Includes tips for defeating The Rampager and navigating Promethea.
The First Vault Hunter
Complete The First Vault Hunter mission in borderlands 3. Examine the Eridian Slab, travel to Nekrotafeyo, and meet Typhon Deleon.
Footsteps of Giants
Complete the Footsteps of Giants mission in borderlands 3. Learn how to defeat General Traunt and retrieve the last key.
In the Shadow of Starlight
Walkthrough for Borderlands 3's 'In the Shadow of Starlight' main mission. Includes steps to protect Tannis, find Red Chests, and defeat bosses.
Divine Retribution
Complete the final mission 'Divine Retribution' in Borderlands 3 by defeating Tyreen the Destroyer. Learn boss strategies, find legendary loot, and unlock Mayhem Mode.
Children of the Vault
Follow Claptrap, get your first gun, and fight the Children of the Vault in Borderlands 3's 'Children of the Vault: Of' mission. Learn enemy tactics and find loot.
Walkthrough
- 1After exiting the bus at Covenant Pass, speak with Claptrap. He will give you the Echo 3 (your menu) and explain the Children of the Vault.
- 2Loot the immediate area for starting cash and gear. Anything with a green light is interactable.
- 3Head to the nearby Quick Change station to register your Echo.
- 4Follow Claptrap to a car pile. Pull the lever to help him, then crouch under the car.
- 5Jump over a gap, then continue following Claptrap.
- 6Interact with the nearby chest to receive your first gun, a Moloko Pistol with alternate fire modes. Press [DOWN D-PAD] to switch modes.
- 7Follow Claptrap to the Propaganda Center gate.
- 8Fight the initial wave of COV enemies (Fanatics and Psychos). Use cover against Fanatics and prioritize Psychos who rush you.
- 9Be aware of environmental hazards like radiators that can electrify enemies. Loot all containers to replenish ammo and health.
- 10(Optional) Earn the 'Florida Man' Trophy/Achievement by meleeing a radiator until low on health, then striking it again to kill yourself. This respawns you outside. In co-op, you can also earn 'Stay Away From The Light' by reviving teammates.
- 11Enter the larger area through the opened door and fight more enemies. Use cover and Fire Barrels effectively.
- 12After clearing the enemies, loot the area thoroughly.
- 13Claptrap will reveal the location of a chest. Head northwest and climb on top of containers marked with yellow paint.
- 14Find a Red Chest containing your first Shield. Equip it immediately and take any extras.
- 15Before facing Shiv, head up the stairs. At a dead end with a lootable chest, turn right and climb onto the container to find a large White Chest full of weapons.
Tips
- Loot everything with a green light on it.
- Use cover effectively, especially against Fanatics.
- Prioritize melee-focused enemies like Psychos.
- Environmental hazards can be used to your advantage.
- Red Chests often contain valuable gear and contribute to Zone Completion.
- Yellow painted areas indicate climbable paths.
- Moloko Pistol
- Echo 3
- Shield
From the Ground Up
Follow our comprehensive Borderlands 3 walkthrough for the 'From the Ground Up' mission. Learn how to equip grenade mods, navigate new areas, and find Sun Smasher chief.
Walkthrough
- 1Equip the Grenade Mod you received as a reward from the previous mission. You can use grenade mods by pressing the [R1]/[RB] button when you have enough in stock.
- 2You will be attacked by COV enemies (Fanatics and Psychos). Use this opportunity to test your new Grenade Mod and your Action Skill. Lilith will assist you.
- 3After clearing the enemies, return to Lilith to receive an update on the situation.
- 4Follow Lilith to a locked door and discover your next objective. Loot all available containers before proceeding.
- 5Follow Lilith again to enter The Droughts, the game's first large open area.
- 6Upon entering The Droughts, open your map. Note the area's size and the new types of activities available.
- 7Look for Side Missions, indicated by a yellow exclamation mark on your map. It's recommended to accept and complete these.
- 8Press right on the D-PAD to see Crew Challenges, which include finding hidden Dead Claptraps and collecting three Typhon Logs. Collecting the logs will lead you to a Dead Drop with rewards.
- 9Most areas will also feature a Legendary Hunt or Target, which reward useful weapons upon completion.
- 10Press [L3]/[LS] to access Zone Completion details. This requires completing all missions in the zone, finding all named locations (tied to Achievements), activating Fast Travel Stations, and completing Crew Challenges. It also includes finding Red Chests and Eridian Writing.
- 11Keep these objectives in mind as you explore, but be aware you might need to revisit areas later to complete everything. A 'Full Area Coverage' section in the guide can help locate everything.
- 12Your current objective is to find the Sun Smasher chief. Head up the stairs to the right of your starting position to reach the Crimson Command, your base on Pandora.
- 13In Crimson Command, you can speak with Lilith for Borderlands lore. You'll also find lootable containers.
- 14In the next room, there's a Quick Change station for character customization. Outside, you'll find two Vending Machines: an Ammo Dump (to refill ammo and buy Grenade Mods) and Dr. Zed’s Meds (to refill health and buy shields and Class Mods later).
- 15Sell any unwanted gear to free up inventory space for better loot.
- 16Head north from Crimson Command. You'll see a Fast Travel Station to your right and an inactive Catch-a-Ride to your left.
- 17Your main objective is north, but it's recommended to go to the nearby junkyard to find a Side Mission called 'Powerful Connections'. This can be completed alongside your other tasks and offers good rewards.
- 18Regardless of the Side Mission, head north to find ledges to climb and a Respawn machine. Then, head east to assault the Sun Smashers Camp.
- 19In the camp, you'll encounter Tinks, small and potentially dangerous enemies, especially with Shotguns. Use the barrels above in the initial encounter to take out enemies. Use your Action Skill.
- 20Continue east, using cover and looting containers. Beware of Badass variants, which are tougher but offer better loot.
Tips
- Use the opportunity to test your new Grenade Mod and Action Skill against the initial COV enemies.
- Pay attention to the map and available activities in new areas like The Droughts.
- Prioritize completing Side Missions and Crew Challenges as you encounter them.
- Utilize the Vending Machines at Crimson Command for essential supplies and gear upgrades.
- Don't hesitate to use your Action Skill in combat, especially against groups of enemies or tougher variants.
- Completing the 'Powerful Connections' Side Mission rewards useful items.
- Defeating Badass variants yields increased loot.
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