Borderlands 4 Down and Outbound Walkthrough [Step-by-step Guide]

What to know

Down and Outbound is the third main story mission in Borderlands 4.
The mission starts in Kairos’ Fadefields region after Claptrap gives you the assignment.
You’ll face the boss Spymaster Horace during this quest.
The mission introduces contraband collectibles and requires you to scan the Spymaster’s bolt using recovered scanner parts.

BL4 Missions Overview

Previous Mission	Current Mission	Immediately Unlocked Mission
Recruitment Drive	Down and Outbound	A Lot to Process

Down and Outbound Mission Overview

This mission tasks you with helping the Outbounders resist the Order. It unfolds across several distinct phases, each introducing new challenges, from storming an HQ to fighting a boss and recovering key parts. The table below summarizes the phases before diving into the detailed guide.

Phases at glance

Phase	Description
Phase A: Reach Outbounders HQ	Travel through the Fadefields to the HQ and clear Order forces.
Phase B: Secure the HQ	Meet Rush inside, then join Conway outside to obtain a vehicle.
Phase C: Travel to the surveillance center	Drive the digirunner to the Order surveillance center, fighting enemies along the way.
Phase D: Infiltrate the facility	Enter the Order’s stronghold, clear enemies, and prepare for the boss.
Phase E: Defeat Spymaster Horace	Face and defeat Horace, the Spymaster boss.
Phase F: Collect bolt scanner parts	Travel to enemy camps and collect three scanner parts.
Phase G: Install and scan the bolt	Return to Outbounders HQ, install parts, and scan the bolt to complete the mission.

Phase A: Reach Outbounders HQ

Step 1

Start at Claptrap’s outpost in the Fadefields. Follow your map marker toward Plungeford.

Step 2

Expect skirmishes with Order forces along the way. Use cover and conserve ammo.

Step 3

Reach the area called The Howl and fight through ambushes to approach Outbounders HQ.

Phase B: Secure the HQ

Step 4

Eliminate all Order troops outside and inside Outbounders HQ.

Step 5

Enter the building to trigger a cutscene with Rush, one of the Outbounder leaders.

Step 6

Exit HQ and meet Conway. He will provide you with the digirunner vehicle to continue the mission.

Phase C: Travel to the surveillance center

Step 7

Drive the digirunner along the marked path toward the Order surveillance center.

Step 8

Defeat patrols and ambush groups along the road. Use your vehicle weapons for faster clears. You will unlock Hungering Plains and Horace's Oversight during this phase of the mission.

Phase D: Infiltrate the facility

Step 9

Clear enemies around the facility perimeter.

Step 10

(Optional) Collect contraband scattered inside the base for extra loot.

Step 11

Climb to higher floors, using ladders or grappling points, until you reach the main building’s upper area.

Phase E: Defeat Spymaster Horace

Step 12

Defeat the Warhead and enter the Spymaster’s chamber. Be ready for a boss fight.

Step 13

Phase one: Dodge his ranged projectiles while draining his shield. Stay behind cover and attack during reload gaps.

Step 14

Phase two: After losing his shield, he switches tactics. Watch for melee scythe swings. Stay mobile and maintain distance.

Step 15

Continue attacking until his health bar is depleted. Defeat him.

Phase F: Collect bolt scanner parts

Step 16

Head to the nearby camp (e.g., Wreck of Nostalgia). Clear enemies as you progress.

Step 17

Find three scanner parts:

one near the camp entrance
one deeper inside
one in the back or a hidden area

Step 18

Once collected, prepare to return to Outbounders HQ.

Phase G: Install and scan the bolt

Step 19

Return to HQ and climb up to meet Conway and Rush.

Step 20

Install the three scanner parts into the device terminal.

Step 21

Use the terminal again to scan the Spymaster’s bolt. This completes the mission and unlocks the next quest, A Lot to Process.

Down and Outbound Mission Rewards

Common expected drops and loot:

Category	Possible Drops	Notes
Weapons	Rare or Epic Assault Rifle, SMG	Usually blue/purple quality
Shields	Mid-tier energy shields	Occasionally elemental resist versions
Grenades	Standard explosive mods	Chance for corrosive variants
Cosmetics	“Digital Frontier” Vault Hunter skin	Guaranteed unique cosmetic
Currency	Cash, Eridium	Always awarded
Quest item	Spymaster’s Bolt	Mandatory for mission progress

Down and Outbound Mission drops from Horace

Expected legendary drops and loot:

Legendary Name	Type	Special Effect / Perk	Notes
Aegon's Dream	Assault Rifle	Fires both Fire and Cryo rounds simultaneously (“Prophetic”)	References Game of Thrones; rolls multi-attachments
Pacemaker Repkit	Shield Mod	Passively regenerates health; regen rate increases when health is low (“Pulsometer”)	Alters healing for aggressive builds
Lucky Clover	Pistol	On reload, fires two homing rockets (“Kismet”)	Rare drop; great sidearm for mob clearing

Final thoughts on Down and Outbound

This mission balances travel, combat, and puzzle elements. With a steady approach and careful movement during the Horace fight, it’s manageable even at lower levels. Focus on the main objectives first, then sweep for contraband if you want bonus loot.