How To Unlock Vault Hunter Mode In Borderlands 4

Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode is the definitive endgame experience in Borderlands 4. It is a tiered system consisting of five ranks (UVH 1 through UVH 5), each progressively more difficult than the last. In this mode, enemies have substantially more health and deal more damage. However, the trade-off is a significant increase in loot quality, experience points, and currency drops.

To access this mode, you must first complete the main story campaign on any character. Once unlocked, you can switch between your standard playthrough and UVHM from the main menu, allowing you to return to the endgame grind at any time.

How to Unlock UVH Rank 1

The first step into the endgame begins after you defeat the final boss and watch the credits roll. Unlocking UVH Rank 1 requires you to complete a series of specific endgame missions to prove you are ready for the greater challenge.

Requirements to Unlock UVH Rank 1:

1. Finish the Main Story: Complete all main campaign missions.
2. Complete Zane’s Firmware Mission: Finish this specific side quest.
3. Complete Maurice’s Black Market Vending Machine Mission: Locate and interact with Maurice’s machine.
4. Complete Moxxi’s Big Encore Mission: Finish this endgame activity.
5. Complete Lilith’s Wildcard Mission: After meeting the above requirements, speak to Lilith at Moxxi’s “Bottoms Up!” bar in the Ruined Sumplands (Carcadia Burn) to receive the final mission that unlocks UVH 1.

Once you complete Lilith’s mission, you will gain access to Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode Rank 1.

How to Unlock UVH Rank 2

Advancing to the next tier requires you to hunt down and defeat four specific named enemies scattered across Kairos while playing in UVH 1. These enemies are tougher than their standard counterparts and will test your initial endgame build.

Requirements to Unlock UVH Rank 2:

• Kill Bramblesong (UVH 1): Located in the “Bittervein” Abandoned Auger Mine in Stoneblood Forest (Terminus Range).
• Kill Bio-Armored Omega Thresher (UVH 1): Found in the Fades District (Dominion). Accessing this boss requires completing the “One Gassy Issue” and “One Slimy Issue” side quests.
• Kill Bio-Bulkhead (UVH 1): The main boss of the Synthetic Nave area in the Dissected Plateau (Fadefields).
• Kill Sydney Pointylegs (UVH 1): Located at “The Prospects” Ripper Drill Site in the Hungering Plain (Fadefields).

After defeating all four bosses, return to Lilith to receive the “Rush The Gate” Wildcard mission. Completing this mission will unlock UVH 2.

How to Unlock UVH Rank 3

Your path to UVH 3 is similar to the previous rank. You must defeat another set of four challenging named enemies, this time while playing in UVH 2.

Requirements to Unlock UVH Rank 3:

• Kill Shadowpelt (UVH 2): Found in the “Whistler’s Maw” Abandoned Auger Mine in Cuspid Climb (Terminus Range).
• Kill Core Observer (UVH 2): Located in the “Blacklime Bunker” Order Bunker in The Howl (Fadefields).
• Kill Rocken Roller (UVH 2): Resides in the “Trinket Crevasse” Abandoned Auger Mine in the Ruined Sumplands (Carcadia Burn).
• Kill Frank the Furnace (UVH 2): Found at “The Pitted Stain” Ripper Drill Site in Idolator’s Noose (Fadefields).

Once you have eliminated these targets, speak with Lilith and complete the “His Vile Sanctum” Wildcard Mission to advance to UVH 3.

How to Unlock UVH Rank 4

The difficulty continues to ramp up as you hunt down the next four formidable foes in UVH 3 to earn your place in the fourth rank.

Requirements to Unlock UVH Rank 4:

• Kill Battle Wagon (UVH 3): Located at “The Lowering March” Ripper Drill Site in Stoneblood Forest (Terminus Range).
• Kill Mimicron (UVH 3): Found in the “Tipping Point” Order Bunker in Idolator’s Noose (Fadefields).
• Kill The Immortal Boneface (UVH 3): Resides at “The Old Scrape” Ripper Drill Site in Cuspid Climb (Terminus Range).
• Kill Skull Orchid (UVH 3): Located in the “Embossed Fault” Abandoned Auger Mine in the Grindstone of the Worthy (Terminus Range).

After defeating these four bosses, your next task is to complete Lilith’s “Her Flaming Vision” Wildcard mission. Success will unlock UVH 4.

How to Unlock UVH Rank 5

The final step to reaching the pinnacle of the endgame is the most demanding. Instead of hunting named enemies, you must prove your mastery over the game’s ultimate challenges: the Primordial Vaults and the final story boss, all while playing in UVH 4.

Requirements to Unlock UVH Rank 5:

• Complete “Primordial Vault: Fadefields” Wildcard Mission (UVH 4): Find the three vault key fragments in The Fadefields and clear the vault.
• Complete “Primordial Vault: Terminus Range” Wildcard Mission (UVH 4): Find the three vault key fragments in the Terminus Range and clear the vault.
• Complete “Primordial Vault: Carcadia Burn” Wildcard Mission (UVH 4): Find the three vault key fragments in Carcadia Burn and clear the vault.
• Complete “The Timekeeper’s Order” Wildcard Mission (UVH 4): Defeat the final campaign boss again on UVH 4 difficulty.

Completing all four of these challenging missions will grant you access to UVH 5, the highest and most rewarding difficulty level in Borderlands 4. This is where the hunt for perfectly rolled gear and the elusive Phosphene (shiny) weapons truly begins.