Which Character Should You Choose in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel? A Vault Hunter’s Guide

Choosing a character in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a crucial decision that significantly impacts your gameplay experience. The “best” character truly depends on your preferred playstyle, whether you favor solo domination, team-based synergy, or a unique approach to combat. However, if you want a direct answer, Athena is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced players alike. Her action skill provides excellent defense and can deal massive damage with the right build, making her a well-rounded and powerful character. That said, let’s dive into a detailed breakdown of each Vault Hunter to help you make the most informed decision.

Athena the Gladiator: The Defensive Powerhouse

Athena excels at close to mid-range combat, utilizing her Aspis shield to absorb incoming damage and unleash it back upon her enemies.

Key Strengths:

• High Survivability: The Aspis is incredibly effective at blocking damage, making Athena exceptionally durable.
• Significant Damage Output: With the right skill tree investments, Athena can convert absorbed damage into powerful offensive capabilities.
• Team Support: Certain skills allow Athena to redirect damage to teammates, making her a valuable asset in cooperative play.

Skill Tree Highlights:

• Phalanx: This tree focuses on enhancing the Aspis’s defensive capabilities and damage absorption.
• Xiphos: Emphasizes melee damage and bleeding effects, creating a brutal close-quarters fighter.
• Ceraunic Storm: Centers on elemental damage, particularly shock, allowing Athena to chain damage between enemies.

Why Choose Athena?

Athena is perfect for players who enjoy a balance between defense and offense. Her Aspis provides a safety net while allowing her to deal substantial damage, making her adaptable to various combat situations. She is a great choice for both new and returning players to the Borderlands franchise.

Wilhelm the Enforcer: The Cybernetic Brawler

Wilhelm transforms himself into a powerful cyborg throughout the game. His action skill deploys two drones, Wolf and Saint, for offensive and support roles, respectively.

Key Strengths:

• Versatile Combat: Wilhelm can excel at both ranged and close-quarters combat.
• Drone Support: Wolf provides offensive firepower, while Saint offers healing and shielding.
• Tanky Build Potential: Wilhelm can become incredibly durable with skill investments focused on health and shield regeneration.

Skill Tree Highlights:

• Hunter Killer: Focuses on enhancing Wolf’s offensive capabilities, turning him into a deadly attacker.
• Cyber Commando: Prioritizes Wilhelm’s survivability and damage output, transforming him into a cybernetic tank.
• Dreadnought: A mix of offensive and defensive skills that enhances both Wilhelm’s and his drones’ capabilities.

Why Choose Wilhelm?

Wilhelm is a solid choice for players who enjoy managing multiple combat elements. His drones provide valuable support, while his skill trees allow for a customizable playstyle, whether you prefer to focus on offense, defense, or a balanced approach.

Nisha the Lawbringer: The Gunslinging Sharpshooter

Nisha is a damage-dealing powerhouse who excels at quickly eliminating enemies. Her action skill, Showdown, grants her increased accuracy and damage output, allowing her to dispatch foes with incredible speed.

Key Strengths:

• Exceptional Damage Output: Nisha is capable of dealing massive amounts of damage in a short amount of time.
• Accuracy and Precision: Showdown significantly improves accuracy, making her a deadly sniper and marksman.
• Rapid Fire: Nisha’s skills allow her to rapidly fire weapons, quickly overwhelming enemies.

Skill Tree Highlights:

• The Rifleman: Focuses on enhancing rifle and sniper rifle damage and accuracy.
• Law & Order: Centers on pistol damage and melee attacks, rewarding aggressive play.
• Fan the Hammer: Emphasizes critical hit damage and gun damage, making Nisha an unstoppable force when Showdown is active.

Why Choose Nisha?

Nisha is ideal for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay. Her damage output is unparalleled, but she requires careful positioning and skillful aiming to maximize her potential. She is best suited for experienced players who can manage her vulnerability.

Claptrap the Fragtrap: The Chaotic Wildcard

Claptrap is the most unpredictable character in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. His action skill, VaultHunter.EXE, randomly activates one of several different combat programs, ranging from offensive to supportive.

Key Strengths:

• Unpredictable Gameplay: Claptrap’s randomness keeps the game fresh and exciting.
• Team Support: Many of Claptrap’s programs focus on supporting teammates, making him a valuable asset in cooperative play.
• Unique Skill Trees: Claptrap’s skill trees offer a variety of playstyles, from melee-focused to elemental damage.

Skill Tree Highlights:

• I Love Explosions!: Focuses on explosive damage and area-of-effect attacks.
• Fragmented Fragtrap: Enhances Claptrap’s action skill programs and provides bonuses to teamwork.
• Boomtrap: Centers on shield regeneration and offensive capabilities.

Why Choose Claptrap?

Claptrap is perfect for players who enjoy a chaotic and unpredictable gameplay experience. His random action skill can lead to surprising and hilarious moments, while his skill trees offer a variety of playstyles. Be warned, though, that his randomness can also be a hindrance in certain situations.

Jack the Doppelganger: The Strategic Tactician

Jack, also known as Handsome Jack, deploys two Digi-Jacks that fight alongside him. These digital copies mimic Jack’s weapons and tactics, providing valuable support in combat.

Key Strengths:

• Strategic Combat: Jack’s Digi-Jacks allow for strategic positioning and flanking maneuvers.
• Damage Amplification: Jack’s skills can significantly increase his and his Digi-Jacks’ damage output.
• Team Support: Some skills allow Jack to share bonuses with his teammates, making him a valuable asset in cooperative play.

Skill Tree Highlights:

• The Hero Do What Hero Do: This tree focuses on keeping your clones up and running as much as possible.
• Greater Good: Emphasizes team-based tactics and increased damage with your clones.
• Free Enterprise: A well-rounded approach to Jack’s overall damage output.

Why Choose Jack?

Jack is ideal for players who enjoy strategic combat and managing multiple combat elements. His Digi-Jacks provide valuable support and allow for creative tactical maneuvers. He offers a satisfying gameplay experience for both solo and cooperative players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which character is the easiest to play solo in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel?

Jack is often considered the easiest character to play solo, especially with a build focused on keeping his Digi-Jacks active. His clones provide additional damage and distract enemies, allowing him to survive and deal significant damage.

2. Who is the best character for cooperative play?

Claptrap shines in cooperative play due to his supportive action skill programs and team-oriented skill trees. However, Athena and Jack also provide excellent support through damage redirection and team-wide buffs, respectively.

3. Is Nisha difficult to play?

Yes, Nisha can be tricky to play, especially for beginners. Her effectiveness relies heavily on accurate aiming and skillful use of her Showdown action skill. She is also less durable than other characters, requiring careful positioning and awareness.

4. Can you change your character mid-game in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel?

No, you cannot change your character mid-game. Each character has their own save file, and switching characters requires starting a new game.

5. Is Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel easier than Borderlands 2?

Many players find Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel more challenging than Borderlands 2. Enemies tend to be more aggressive and mobile, requiring greater skill and strategic thinking.

6. Who is the main villain in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel?

Colonel Tungsteena Zarpedon is the main antagonist of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. She leads the Lost Legion and seeks to destroy Elpis to conceal the Eridian vault.

7. What is the storyline of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel about?

The game focuses on Jack’s rise to power as the leader of Hyperion. Players follow him and a group of Vault Hunters as they navigate the events leading up to Borderlands 2.

8. How important is character choice in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel?

Character choice is crucial as it significantly impacts your gameplay experience. Each character has unique strengths, weaknesses, and playstyles, affecting your ability to handle different combat situations.

9. Is Claptrap a good character to play as?

Claptrap can be a strong character in the right hands, but he is also unpredictable and requires a specific skill build to maximize his potential. He is not recommended for beginners due to his random nature.

10. Do I need to play Borderlands 2 before The Pre-Sequel?

It is highly recommended to play Borderlands 2 before The Pre-Sequel. Understanding the events and characters of Borderlands 2 will enhance your appreciation of The Pre-Sequel’s storyline and context.

11. Which character is the most OP in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel?

There is no universally agreed upon “most OP” character. However, Nisha, with a well-optimized build, can deal incredible amounts of damage, making her a formidable force.

12. Is Borderlands beginner friendly?

Borderlands is generally considered beginner-friendly, though the depth of its systems can be overwhelming. The core gameplay loop is easy to pick up, and the game provides ample opportunities to learn and experiment.

13. What is the best order to play the Borderlands games?

The best order to play the Borderlands games is:

1. Borderlands
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
3. Borderlands 2
4. Tales from the Borderlands
5. Borderlands 3

14. What makes Athena a good choice for new players?

Athena’s Aspis shield provides a high level of survivability, making her forgiving for new players who are still learning the game’s mechanics. Her ability to absorb damage and unleash it back at enemies makes her a potent damage dealer as well.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and development?

For more information about game design, development, and learning through games, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. They offer resources and insights into the educational aspects of gaming.

Choosing a character in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel ultimately comes down to personal preference. Experiment with each Vault Hunter to find the playstyle that resonates with you, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure on Elpis!