Gearbox Software has released Bounty Pack 1: How Rush Saved Mercenary Day as a free update for all Borderlands 4 players, effective immediately. While originally part of the paid content pass, this holiday-themed drop is now available to the entire community, ensuring everyone can jump into the new festivities regardless of which edition they own.
This move signals a shift in how Gearbox is handling post-launch support for this iteration of the franchise. By making the first content drop free, they avoid splitting the player base early in the game's lifecycle. However, this change required an adjustment for players who purchased the Deluxe, Super Deluxe, or Bounty Pack Bundle editions. To maintain the value of those premium purchases, the developers announced the addition of Bounty Pack 5, a new premium content drop scheduled for 2026.
Endgame Expansion: Takedowns and Invincibles
For the min-maxers and build crafters, the most significant news isn't the holiday event, but the confirmation of upcoming endgame challenges. A new Takedown is officially in development for release as a free update in 2026. If you played Borderlands 3, you know Takedowns are effectively the raids of the Borderlands universe—content designed to push cooperative synergy and optimized builds to their breaking point.
Before we get to 2026, however, we have a date with a raid boss. The first Invincible Boss, Bloomreaper, arrives this December. This update will also introduce Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM) Level 6, likely raising the level cap or difficulty scaling to match the new threat. This is where the meta will truly be tested; raid bosses historically dictate the viability of weapons and skill trees for months after their release.
When is the new Vault Hunter releasing?
The roadmap confirms that the first major Story Pack is slated for Q1 2026. This expansion features a darker narrative tone compared to the base game and introduces a brand new playable character: C4SH. While details on C4SH's skill trees are scarce, the name suggests a mercenary or corporate-themed kit, potentially focusing on resource management or high-risk, high-reward gameplay mechanics.
With Bounty Pack 1 available now, players can jump in immediately. The shift to free seasonal content combined with paid substantial expansions seems to be the model moving forward, keeping the casual player base engaged while offering deep dives for the hardcore veterans.