What to know

  • The first Respec Machine is unlocked in The Launchpad during early progression.
  • Respec costs scale with your current level and available cash.
  • You must interact directly with the machine and confirm the fee before reallocating points.
  • Respecs let you reassign all skill points freely, making experimentation easier.

Borderlands 4 allows you to reallocate your skill points whenever you want, giving you room to experiment with builds without being locked into early decisions. The system is simple once you know where to go and what to pay.

Step-by-step guide to respec skill points

Step 1

Navigate to The Launchpad, the first major hub you unlock early in the story.

Step 2

Head into The Howl, the central area of The Launchpad, and look for the Respec Machine marked on your map.

Step 3

Interact with the machine and pay the required fee. The cost increases as your level rises, so higher-level resets will take more of your in-game money.

Step 4

Once payment is confirmed, your skill points are fully reset, letting you reassign them in any skill trees you choose.

What happens after respecing

Once you confirm the reset, every skill point you’ve earned returns to your pool. From here:

  • You’re taken back into the skill tree menu, where you can start reassigning points immediately.
  • No abilities remain active until you’ve placed points again — so don’t leave the menu without assigning essentials like core survival or damage boosts.
  • The game allows complete flexibility, letting you put points into any unlocked tree regardless of your previous choices.
  • The respec fee is consumed only once at the moment of confirmation; you’re free to experiment inside the tree until you exit.
  • Once you exit, your new build is locked in, and you can immediately test it in the field.

After respec, focus first on core survival skills and boosts for your main weapon type. Then, add supportive abilities that synergize with your gear and mods. Finally, experiment with different tree combinations, lock in your build, and test it out in combat.

How respec costs work

Respec costs are tied to your progression. Early in the game, the price is relatively low, making it easy to test out builds. Later, as your Vault Hunter grows stronger, the fee scales up to reflect your increased power and resources.

Why unlimited respecs encourage build experimentation

With no cap on how often you respec—aside from the cash or Eridium cost—you can swap builds for specific bosses or co-op sessions. This keeps gameplay fresh, especially as you uncover new gear that synergizes with untried skills.

Tips to get the most out of respecs

  • Save respecs for when you unlock new gear that favors a different build.
  • Avoid spending all your cash before visiting the machine; you’ll need enough funds to cover the fee.
  • Plan ahead for late-game builds where respec costs are higher.

Wrapping up your respec strategy

Respec Machines make it painless to shift your build in Borderlands 4. As long as you keep some cash in reserve, you can revisit The Launchpad or other hubs to reassign your points and tailor your Vault Hunter to any fight.