What to know

  • Order contraband appears as an optional objective in the early main quest Down and Outbound, rewarding extra XP and loot without advancing the core story.
  • You'll need to clear Order enemies with shock and corrosive weapons, then use ECHO Location to scan for the four pieces inside the Spymaster's building.
  • Pieces are tucked in side rooms and alcoves, so backtrack carefully to avoid missing them before progressing upstairs.
  • Completing this nets a rare assault rifle and Vault Hunter style, enhancing your early-game build on the planet Kairos.

As you dive into Borderlands 4's chaotic world on the planet Kairos, the Down and Outbound mission kicks off your Vault Hunter journey right after escaping prison with Claptrap. This early main quest, recommended for level 3 players, introduces you to the Outbounders faction and pits you against the antagonistic Order enemies. While the primary goal is to reach the Spymaster and install a bolt scanner, you'll get a chance to snag some valuable Order contraband along the way. This optional collection adds depth to your exploration, helping you gear up faster in the Fadefields region. If you're playing solo or in co-op, keep an eye out—these items can make a big difference in your first few hours.

Starting the down and outbound mission and unlocking the contraband objective

You begin Down and Outbound at the Abandoned Post in The Fadefields after completing the Recruitment Drive main quest. Claptrap serves as your quest giver, briefing you on heading to the Outbounders HQ. As you follow the path from Claptrap's home, the mission marker leads you toward the surveillance center where the Spymaster lurks.

Once you approach the building, your companion Rush chimes in with the optional objective: recover four pieces of Order contraband scattered inside. Accepting this doesn't lock you out of the main path, but you'll want to tackle it before confronting the Spymaster, as progressing too far might require backtracking. No special unlocks are needed beyond reaching this point, and it's available from the mission's start on September 12, 2025 launch.

Prepare your loadout with a shock weapon for shields and corrosive for armor, since Order foes here pack both. If you're low on ammo, check nearby vending machines or loot crates en route.

Step-by-step guide to locating and collecting each contraband piece

Clearing the surveillance center involves fighting waves of Order enemies while navigating its multi-level layout. Use cover, your action skills, and mobility tools like double jumps or grapples to stay agile. Activate ECHO Location periodically—it's your key to highlighting interactable items like the contraband, which glows faintly without it.

Follow these steps to recover all four pieces efficiently:

Step 1: Enter the surveillance center and clear the initial area:

After dispatching the outdoor guards, head inside. Battle through the first room filled with patrolling Order soldiers. Once cleared, activate ECHO Location. The first piece marks at the back of the area, sitting on a crate in a small side room to the right. Interact to pick it up—it's a quick grab before moving on.

Step 2: Proceed to the contraband room and grab the second piece:

Exit the first room and turn right to follow the main path upward. You'll enter a larger chamber with more enemies; take them out methodically. Before ascending the stairs, veer left into the building's side area. The second contraband piece is in plain sight on a table amid surveillance equipment. Collect it here to keep your momentum.

Step 3: Climb the stairs and hunt the third piece:

Continue up the staircase, engaging Order reinforcements along the way. At the midway landing, peek into adjacent rooms for loot, but stay focused on the path. After the next enemy wave, the third piece appears in an alcove off to the left, near some destructible crates. Use ECHO if it's not immediately visible—shoot the crates if needed to access it.

Step 4: Reach the top and secure the fourth piece:

Near the end of the climb, just before vending machines and the Spymaster's chamber, look left at the final staircase's top. The fourth contraband is tucked against the wall in a shadowed corner. Grab it swiftly, as this spots intense fighting. With all pieces collected, your objective updates automatically.

If you miss any, you can backtrack before killing the Spymaster, but save-scumming isn't necessary—the game autosaves frequently. In co-op, assign one player to scan while others handle combat.

Dealing with challenges and tips for smooth recovery

Order enemies in this area scale to your level but hit hard with shields, so prioritize shock damage to strip them quickly. If you're underleveled, grind nearby side activities or fast-travel to farm Eridium. The contraband pieces don't despawn upon mission failure, so respawning at a nearby New-U station lets you retry without loss.

For visibility issues in darker rooms, equip any light-emitting gear or use your Vault Hunter's abilities. Co-op players should communicate via voice chat to call out piece locations. This objective boosts your XP by about 10-15%, helping you hit level 4 faster for better skill unlocks.

Rewards and why recovering the contraband matters early on

Upon collecting all four pieces, you'll earn bonus XP, money, and Eridium to fuel upgrades. The standout reward is a rare assault rifle tailored for mid-range fights, plus the Digital Frontier Vault Hunter style for cosmetic flair. These items integrate seamlessly into your inventory, giving you an edge before the mission's boss fight.

In the broader context of Borderlands 4's 25 main missions and 98 side quests, this early collectible sets a tone for thorough exploration. It encourages using ECHO Location habitually, which reveals hidden loot across Kairos' regions like Terminus Range or Carcadia Burn. Plus, it contributes to 100% completion without replaying the entire quest—missions remain accessible post-story.

Wrapping up your contraband hunt on Kairos

You've now mastered recovering Order contraband, turning a simple optional task into a loot-boosting adventure that sharpens your skills for Borderlands 4's endless mayhem. With these pieces in hand, push forward to install that bolt scanner and uncover more of the planet's secrets—happy hunting, Vault Hunter.