Borderlands 4 Drops Fan-Favorite Gun Brands, Adds New Arsenal Shake-Up

Borderlands 4 just had its big moment in the spotlight during the recent PlayStation State of Play, and while there’s a lot to be hyped about—fresh gameplay, flashy new Vault Hunters, and a closer look at the chaotic world of Kairos—there’s also one detail that’s stirring up a bit of drama.

Gearbox confirmed that Borderlands 4 will feature eight primary weapon manufacturers… but not all the usual suspects made the cut. Fan favorites like Atlas, Dahl, COV, and Hyperion? Nowhere to be seen.

Here’s the confirmed lineup for Borderlands 4 so far:

• Order – High-powered burst weapons
  
• Ripper – Charge to go full-auto
  
• Daedalus – Multiple ammo types
  
• Tediore – Classic “throw to reload” gimmick
  
• Maliwan – Elemental-focused weapons
  
• Jakobs – Ricochets like it’s 2012 again
  
• Vladof – High fire rate and big mags
  
• Torgue – Sticky projectiles and explosive rounds (yes, still loud)
  

Where’s My Hyperion Shotgun?

Naturally, fans have thoughts. Some players are already mourning the absence of Dahl’s sleek fire modes and Hyperion’s precision+shields setup, especially since these brands have become part of the franchise’s DNA. Others, though? They’re rolling with it, especially after learning about the new Licensed Parts system.

This new system allows players to mix and match manufacturer traits, essentially creating Franken-guns with hybrid powers. That means we could still see elements of Hyperion (and maybe Atlas or Dahl) pop up through weapon components—even if they don’t have full-blown brand presence this time around.

Spotted in the trailer? A Hyperion shield, despite Hyperion not being on the official list. So, representation? Maybe. Full comeback? TBD.

Early Launch Means Sooner Looting

In a surprise move, Gearbox also bumped up the release date. Borderlands 4 is dropping on September 12 instead of the originally announced September 23. And no, according to Randy Pitchford, it has nothing to do with dodging GTA 6’s shadow—at least, that’s the official story.

The September 12 launch is for all platforms, so PC, PS5, and Xbox will be joining in the fun early! The rumored Switch 2 port is still floating in limbo, with no confirmation if it’ll join the party on Day One.

Final Thoughts

Borderlands 4 is bringing change—whether fans are ready or not. Losing long-time manufacturers like Hyperion and Dahl is a bold move, but with the new Licensed Parts system in place, Gearbox might be aiming for weapon freedom over brand loyalty. It’s a fresh arsenal for a fresh planet, and if the gameplay is as wild as the trailer, we might forget about Atlas sooner than expected.