What to know

  • Dr. Patricia Tannis appears as a cardboard cutout in a returning “Tannis on a Fish” Easter egg.
  • The cutout is triggered by shooting five elemental barrels in a precise order.
  • The location is along the western coast in the Fadefields (near Harper’s Hideaway / Sarrett’s Jetty).
  • Successfully triggering the sequence grants the Cut That Out trophy / achievement.

One of the fun recurring secrets in the Borderlands franchise is a gag involving Dr. Patricia Tannis riding a fish (or interacting with a cutout version of her). In Borderlands 4, this tradition continues via a hidden Easter egg tied to the Cut That Out trophy. If you know where to go and how to trigger it correctly, you’ll see a quirky scene and unlock the achievement. Below is a full walkthrough.

Who is Dr. Patricia Tannis in Borderlands lore

Dr. Patricia Tannis is a longtime NPC / scientist character in the Borderlands series, known for her eccentricity, obsession with Eridians, and tendency toward odd experiments. In earlier games, she appears as a researcher, and her “Tannis on a Fish” cutout gag has been a tongue-in-cheek reference in previous titles. The Borderlands 4 version is a playful nod to that legacy.

Location of the Tannis cutout/Easter egg

  • The cutout is located in the Fadefields region of Kairos, along the western coastline.
  • Specifically, you travel to a small peninsula west of Harper’s Hideaway and north of Sarrett’s Jetty.
  • There is a small hut or gazebo by the seaside, next to a large Order turret.
  • Around the hut are five elemental barrels arranged in a semicircle.

As a helpful guide, you can follow the coastline walk from a Safe House, hugging the water’s edge until you reach the hut between two turrets.

How to trigger the cutout/unlock “Cut That Out”

You must shoot the five barrels in a specific order. If the order is wrong, the sequence won’t trigger, and you’ll need to reload.

Correct barrel order

Here is the required sequence (each element corresponds to a barrel’s elemental type):

  1. Corrosive (green)
  2. Cryo (light blue / turquoise)
  3. Incendiary (red)
  4. Shock (blue)
  5. Radiation (yellow)

Be sure to wait for each barrel’s explosion before shooting the next.

Step-by-step guide: Cut That Out Achievement

Step 1

Reach the coastline hut and note the five barrels around it.

Step 2

Shoot the Corrosive (green) barrel first.

Step 3

Then shoot the Cryo (light blue) barrel.

Step 4

Next, shoot the Incendiary (red) barrel.

Step 5

Then shoot the Shock (blue) barrel.

Step 6

Finally, shoot the Radiation (yellow) barrel.

Once you’ve shot them in that order (and waited for each explosion), the cutout / theatrical sequence plays out: a cardboard cutout of Handsome Jack emerges, and Dr. Tannis riding a fish appears, interacting with Jack’s cutout in a humorous animation.

At the end of the animation, the game awards you the Cut That Out trophy/achievement.

If something goes wrong (e.g., a wrong barrel shot or misfire), reload and retry.

Tips and caveats for success

  • Use weapons that reliably detonate barrels (single-shot / precise guns help avoid accidental chain detonation).
  • Clear enemies around the area first so they don’t accidentally blow barrels.
  • If a barrel is prematurely triggered, reload or restart from near the hut.
  • This Easter egg can usually be redone by revisiting the spot in a new session.

Is Tannis cutout worth your time?

The Tannis on a Fish gag has been a fun, tongue-in-cheek recurring Easter egg in the Borderlands franchise. In Borderlands 4, it returns via the Cut That Out trophy. Finding the seaside hut, lining up the shot order on the five elemental barrels correctly, and watching the quirky cutout animation is a delightful nod to longtime fans. It’s not overly difficult — it requires knowing where and when to do it.