Borderlands 4's Rafa: Ninja Slices and Dice, Hold the Dice – A First Look
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Borderlands 4 is showing off Rafa, the melee-focused Exo-Soldier, and he's bringing Arc Knives and dual-wielded grenade potential to the party. Sounds like a chaotic, close-quarters combat option for those tired of just shooting things (but don't worry, there's still shooting).
Right, vault hunters, buckle up! Gearbox has finally given us a proper look at Rafa, the Exo-Soldier from Borderlands 4, and he's shaping up to be a right brawler. Forget hiding behind cover; this bloke's all about getting up close and personal with his Arc Knives. Think cybernetic ninja meets… well, a Borderlands character.
Game Rant dropped the juicy details, showcasing Rafa's melee-focused gameplay. Apparently, his Arc Knives Action Skill kicks the camera into third-person, letting you dash and slice through enemies like a hyperactive chef with very sharp utensils. It's a far cry from the usual Borderlands gunplay, but reckon it could be a blast for players who like to get their hands dirty (metaphorically, of course – unless you're playing in VR, then maybe literally?).
But what about the boom? Fear not, explosion enthusiasts! Rafa's got "Peacebreaker Cannons" – a remote turret that provides some much-needed ranged support. Think of it as your robotic mate who's got your back while you're busy turning bandits into sushi. The video also hints at customization options, letting you tweak the Arc Knives' damage type and even swap out the Peacebreaker Cannons for shotguns or lasers. Because why wouldn't you want a laser-spewing turret?
One of the developers even mentioned a grenade-centric build for Rafa, letting players dual-wield grenades. Dual-wielding grenades? Bloody hell, that's the kind of beautiful chaos I'm here for! Sounds like Gearbox is encouraging players to get creative with their builds, which is always a plus.
With the game launching later this year (September 12, 2025, according to the interwebs), Gearbox is clearly ramping up the hype. We're still waiting for proper reveals of Harlowe and Amon, so keep your eyes peeled for those in the coming weeks. And, of course, expect the usual cast of Borderlands crazies to make a return, because what's a Borderlands game without Claptrap getting in the way?
So, will Rafa be your first Vault Hunter? I'm cautiously optimistic. Melee in Borderlands sounds like a recipe for either epic awesomeness or frustrating death, but either way, I'm willing to give it a go. After all, what's life without a little bit of controlled (or, let's be honest, uncontrolled) chaos?
Tags: Borderlands 4, Rafa, Vault Hunter, Gameplay, Gearbox
Original article: Game Rant