What to know
- Lilith is not a playable character in Borderlands 4; her role is central to the story but limited to cutscenes, missions, and narrative events.
- Her status remains ambiguous and drives much of the game's story, with players tasked with uncovering her whereabouts.
- The Firehawk symbol and references to Lilith appear throughout trailers, cutscenes, and questlines.
- Lilith's powers and legacy significantly impact events on new planets and the motivations of new characters.
Borderlands 4 continues directly after the events of Borderlands 3, keeping Lilith’s fate unexplained. She sacrificed herself by teleporting the moon Elpis, saving Pandora but vanishing in the process. Her presence is felt throughout the newest game via quest objectives and plotlines that revolve around finding her or learning from what she left behind.
Lilith’s pivotal role in the narrative
Gearbox Studios chose not to make Lilith a playable character for Borderlands 4, instead weaving her legacy into the unfolding story. While you encounter new Vault Hunters, Lilith remains a guiding figure through cutscenes, character dialogue, and missions with objectives like "Find Lilith." Her leadership, sacrifice, and Siren abilities remain central to ongoing events and the emotional backbone of the campaign.
Table: Lilith’s appearances through Borderlands games
| Game | Playable | Story Role |
|---|---|---|
| Borderlands 1 | Yes | Vault Hunter, Siren |
| Borderlands 2 | No | Crimson Raiders leader, NPC |
| Borderlands 3 | No | Key NPC, central to story’s climax |
| Borderlands 4 | No | Central figure in quests, not playable |
Missions and questlines involving Lilith
Though not directly controlled, players pursue mission objectives that track Lilith’s fate—her psychic echoes and Firehawk symbol. Side characters, especially Tannis, suggest Lilith’s Siren powers persist, fueling speculation she's alive but transformed or hidden. These quests offer surreal landscapes, mindscapes, and dramatic boss encounters, fitting Borderlands’ signature style.
How her powers shape the storyline
Lilith’s unique Siren abilities remain a major influence. Her phasewalking and moon teleportation abilities create ripples across the new planets, spawning enemies and unlocking mysterious locations. These talents link her deeply to the evolving narrative, intertwining her fate with planetary crises and new antagonists.
Can you play as Lilith? Explained
Despite her significance, Lilith is not on the playable roster for Borderlands 4. The game introduces four new Vault Hunters, focusing gameplay on their stories rather than returning to Lilith as a direct protagonist. Past fan speculation suggested potential DLC or remastered content could bring her back as playable, but this is not available at launch. Lilith’s story arc plays out in cinematics, conversations, and lore-filled missions.
Wrap-up: Lilith’s mystery, not playable
Borderlands 4 places Lilith’s fate and legacy at the core of its story, intertwining main quests and emotional beats with her enduring influence. However, the chance to play as Lilith remains exclusive to earlier games; in Borderlands 4, her impact is felt from behind the scenes rather than in player hands.
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