Who’s who in Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 is on the horizon, and as we prepare to return to the series, it’s fitting that we all get acquainted with the not-so-friendly looters and vault-hunters of Pandora.

The sequel is introducing a number of new characters into the frame, each with their own attributes, skill-sets (three skill-trees each), and bizarre characteristics that will make each individual an instant-classic.

Axton

Replacing the solider class from Borderlands 1, players can take on the role of Axton for the sequel.

Axton represents the Commando class which encompasses a pretty general and balanced combat skill-set.

Axton can drop a special robot buddy, the Turret 2.0, which gives him some backup on the battlefield.

The turret is completely customisable, allowing players to add extra rocket launchers and machine guns to the autonomous robotic assistant of death.

Zer0

Similar to the Hunter class from Borderlands 1, Zer0 acts as the Assassin class for Borderlands 2.

Long-range and/or close-quarters combat is his speciality, with sniper-rifles being his best friends.

His special ability includes going invisible and deploying a holographic decoy of himself, allowing him to get up close for some melee attacks with his light sabre-like sword.

Maya

Maya is the only character that sticks with the respective class from Borderlands 1 – the Siren.

Her special power is Phaselock – an ability to imprison a foe inside an energy field, allowing you or other players to unleash some serious pain on the suspended victim.

Another ability, Helios, can cause an enemy to explode, setting fire and causing damage to other nearby enemies.

Salvador

Salvador replaces Brick as the brute-force of the crew, but instead of Berseker, he is a Gunzerker class.

He is big, angry and enjoys guns. His special ability includes duel-wielding two different weapons for a short period of time. This ability is called “gunzerking”, and Salvador can also enter a beserker rampage, upping his damage and other abilities.

Gaige (DLC)

Gearbox’s latest reveal has been that of Gaige, the young cyborg girl who will fulfil the Mechromancer class, arriving in the form of post-launch DLC.

Gaige has the ability to control mechs, and can summon a D374-TP (“Deathtrap” – a hulking, floating machine made of scrap parts).

This character will be available to download for free to gamers who pre-order the game, and at a fee for those who pick up the standard edition post-launch.

Who are they trying to kill?

So, now that you’ve met the heroes of the Borderlands, you may be wondering who they are trying to kill this time?

Handsome Jack

Declaring himself as the Dictator of Pandora, Handsome Jack will serve as the main antagonist in Borderlands 2.

Jack has set himself up in a geo-stationary base positioned between Pandora and its closest moon. Handsome Jack will fire mechs and crates down to the surface of Pandora, upping his army and generally trying to squash things.

Handsome Jack does appear to be wearing a mask attached to his face, making us wonder whether he is really handsome at all.