Dominating the Fadefields Vault: Your Complete Guide to Crushing Inceptus in Borderlands 4

Before you can even dream of facing Inceptus, you’ve got to collect three vault key fragments scattered across the Fadefields region. This isn’t your typical treasure hunt—these babies are hidden in some seriously creative spots that’ll make you scratch your head.

Fragment #1: The Stockroom Surprise

Your first fragment adventure begins after capturing The Stockroom Silo, sitting pretty northeast of the Abandoned Post Safehouse. This little gem is tucked away in the Coastal Bonescape region’s southwestern corner, and getting there feels like a mini-quest in itself.

Head down to Stillshore Point where those two large houses are chilling by the shore. Clear out those annoying Rippers first—nobody likes getting shot in the back while hunting for treasure. Circle around to the back of the bigger house, drop into the water like you own the place, and hop onto that small dock below.

Boom! There’s your fragment, sitting on a crate stamped with “32” like it’s been waiting just for you.

Fragment #2: The Kit Hole Challenge

The second fragment becomes available after you’ve captured The Kit Hole Silo, which you’ll find northwest of The Launchpad (that’s the Outbounders’ stomping ground, by the way). This one’s hiding in The Howl region, and it’s going to make you work for it.

Trek northeast past those peaceful farmhouses and fields—enjoy the scenery while you can because things are about to get rocky. Follow the hill down past those Mangler burrows (they’re as charming as they sound), then work your way around to the northeastern side of that massive rock formation.

You’re looking for a large alcove with those distinctive grey rock formations sporting glowing yellow centers. The fragment is attached to a smaller formation right by the wall, practically glowing with “come and get me” energy.

Fragment #3: The Deep Seven Discovery

Your final fragment appears after claiming the Deep Seven Silo in the Dissected Plateau—and this one’s got some serious drama attached to it. You’ll be heading to Rosemary’s Reserve point of interest, past that broken wall surrounded by hay.

First things first: clear out that horde of Rippers terrorizing the farm. These guys are particularly aggressive here, so come prepared. Once you’ve restored peace to the neighborhood, find that large platform at the farm’s back with all the machinery and that ominous radioactive tank.

Here’s where your Grapple comes in clutch—use it to rip away that vent door sitting next to two ammo crates. Crawl through the broken wall into the room below the platform, and you’ll find your prize in the outstretched hand of a dead Ripper in the corner. Talk about dramatic storytelling!

Navigating the Fadefields Vault Like a Boss

Once you’ve collected all three fragments, the vault’s general location magically appears on your map in the Dissected Plateau region, conveniently south of the Deep Seven Silo. The broken Vault sitting on that hill is impossible to miss.

Walk up to that altar like you own the place and interact with it to transform your fragments into a complete Vault Key. The vault repairs itself with some seriously cool visual effects, then interact with the altar again to officially start the side mission.

The Four-Arena Gauntlet

Inside, you’re facing four distinct combat challenges, each taking place in its own arena with increasingly difficult enemies. The first three arenas throw special versions of Order enemies at you, building up to that epic boss fight in arena four.

Pro tip: These Seneschal Order enemies use the same movesets as their Kairos counterparts, so your existing strategies still apply. Each arena is loaded with ammo crates for mid-fight resupplies, and you can’t advance until every single enemy is down.

Between arenas, you’ll hit rest areas with ammo crates and active checkpoints—perfect for catching your breath and strategizing for the next challenge. The specially named enemies (The Lathe, the Great Void, and Perturbalon) each bring unique mechanics that’ll keep you on your toes.

Perturbalon deserves special mention—this Warden variant has a shield that can only be damaged by destroying those floating Vile Ordonite orbs around its head. Take out all three orbs to drop the shield, then go to town with everything you’ve got.

Crushing Primordial Guardian Inceptus: The Ultimate Showdown

After surviving three arenas and one final rest station (complete with vending machines for last-minute upgrades), you’ll face the vault’s guardian: Inceptus. This massive, draconic humanoid combines devastating power with surprising speed, dealing primarily untyped and Corrosive damage.

Understanding Inceptus’s Attack Patterns

This boss alternates between several devastating attacks that’ll test every skill you’ve developed:

• Tail grab and slam combo: Inceptus grabs you with its tail, pulls you close, then slaps you away for massive damage
• Arena-wide tail whip: That tail sweeps across the entire arena (twice in a row once Inceptus hits 25% health)
• Poison spore cloud: Inceptus stands still and releases exploding Corrosive spores
• Double tail slam: Jumps back, turns, and slams both tails down
• Ceiling acid bombardment: Hangs upside down and unleashes acid projectiles that leave damaging pools
• Cocooned state: Transforms into a large cocoon hanging from the ceiling while the floor becomes a sea of acid

Phase One: The Main Assault

Keep moving constantly while shooting at Inceptus—standing still is a death sentence. When you see that tail whip coming (it’s well-telegraphed), jump over it with style. For the tail slam, use your jump and air-dodge to either side.

If Inceptus tries to grab you, air-dodge sideways immediately. If you can’t escape the grab, be ready to heal the instant it slaps you away.

Game-changing tip: Use your Grapple to rip armor off Inceptus’s shoulders and kneecaps. This exposes glowing weak spots that take significantly more damage—focus fire on these exposed areas for maximum impact.

Phase Two: The Cocoon Challenge

At 50% shield health, Inceptus enters its first Cocooned State, and this is where things get seriously intense. The boss hangs from the ceiling while the entire floor becomes a damaging acid bath.

Your salvation comes from the large pods hanging from the ceiling. Grapple onto these pods and hang from them while shooting the pustules around the cocoon’s top. But here’s the catch—these pods die off after a few seconds, so you need to keep grappling to fresh ones.

When Inceptus releases projectile spores (and it will), use air-dodge or grapple to another pod to avoid them. Once you empty the cocoon’s health bar, Inceptus drops to the ground and gets stunned for several precious seconds.

This stun period is your golden opportunity—unleash your Action Skill and any devastating Ordnance you’ve been saving. Go absolutely wild with damage while it can’t fight back.

The Final Phase: Victory or Defeat

Once Inceptus’s shield bar disappears entirely, it enters the Cocooned State again. Repeat the pod-jumping, pustule-shooting strategy until you destroy the cocoon a second time.

Critical warning: Inceptus won’t be stunned after exiting its second Cocooned State, so be ready for immediate attacks if you’re low on health or shields.

At 25% health, Inceptus unleashes its most dangerous attack pattern—standing in place and driving its tails into the ground, causing them to jab upward randomly around the arena. These attacks deal damage both from direct hits and shockwaves, but they can be air-dodged with proper timing.

Victory strategy for the final stretch: Keep circling the arena and dodging attacks. If you need recovery time, stay at the arena’s edge to force Inceptus to approach you. Watch for Inceptus lowering its body and shoulder to the ground—that’s your cue that a tail is about to emerge from below, so air-dodge to either side immediately.

Your Epic Rewards Await

When Inceptus finally falls, it explodes in a spectacular shower of loot scattered across the arena. A rift appears—use your Grapple to fling yourself into it and reach the final platform.

Your permanent reward is a serious game-changer: your Glide Pack gets upgraded with longer glide time, making future exploration and combat significantly more dynamic. You’ll also unlock two Red Chests packed with premium loot.

The mission itself rewards you with 6,000 Cash, 10 Eridium, and either a Rare or Epic Submachine Gun—not bad for a day’s work!

Pro Tips for Fadefields Success

Preparation is everything: Stock up on Ordnance with large AOE damage and anything featuring the Singularity perk. These are absolute game-changers for clearing grouped enemies efficiently.

Use the environment: Every arena provides massive amounts of cover—walls, rock formations, ledges. Use them strategically when you need to heal or let your shields regenerate.

Don’t ignore the small enemies: The Creep enemies that spawn continuously during the Inceptus fight might seem insignificant, but they’re lifesavers if you go down during Fight For Your Life.

Master your mobility: Your Grapple and Glide Pack aren’t just transportation—they’re survival tools. Practice using them defensively to avoid damage and position yourself for counterattacks.

The Fadefields Vault represents one of Borderlands 4’s most satisfying challenges, combining puzzle-solving, strategic combat, and pure adrenaline-pumping boss fights. With these strategies in your arsenal, you’re ready to dominate Inceptus and claim those sweet, sweet rewards.

Now get out there and show that vault who’s boss!

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