Gearbox showed off a new set of skins coming to Borderlands 3 during the studio's Borderlands Show live stream this week. Titled the "Final Form" set, the skins each radically change the look of players' Vault Hunters to fit what the characters would be like in an alternate universe where they never went down the path of treasure and adventure. The studio showcased the new looks alongside the game's new Arms Race mode, coming as part of the Designer's Cut DLC.
Longtime fans of the Borderlands franchise will probably remember the multitude of different heads and skins Gearbox sold for Vault Hunters in Borderlands 2, but the studio is taking a different approach with these. All four packs switch out the character models for Zane, Amara, Moze and FL4K entirely, and work with the game's existing skin system but give players the chance to try a completely different look for their favorite mercenary.
Of the four playable characters, the one with maybe the least resemblance to his original self would be Zane Flynt. The Operative trades his leather jacket in for a suit of full armor and a helmet, giving him a look that's close to Zer0's cyborg ninja aesthetic. Meanwhile, Amara gets a beastly helmet and a set of monk-like robes, while Moze leaves most of her body armor behind in favor of a Vladof commander's uniform. Beastmaster FL4K rounds out the group without their trademark jacket, revealing the more skeletal robot within.
Players can get the pack in one of several ways. Existing owners of the first Season Pass for Borderlands 3 will get it for free, but it will also be included with the Season 2 Pass, the game's Ultimate Edition, or with the Next Level edition for the PS5 and Xbox Series X & S. However players choose to get the skins, they'll be available alongside the Designer's Cut DLC next month.
Gearbox's approach to cosmetic DLC seems better thought out than most here, giving players a peek at what could have been for the characters themselves while also just providing new and distinctive options. The strategy for actually releasing the skins themselves is somewhat confusing, but on paper, it seems like it'll give more players the chance to check out the new looks for the characters.
Vault Hunters can also look forward to new skill trees and abilities in Borderlands 3's Designer's Cut DLC, as well as the Arms Race mode, which adds a few roguelike elements into the classic Borderlands formula fans already know and love. Gearbox seems to be focused on refining and expanding on the experience with the game's existing Vault Hunters rather than adding more playable characters into the mix. The approach has gotten some pushback from fans, but it does appear to still have exciting gameplay ramifications. We'll know for sure when the DLC releases on November 10.
Borderlands 3 is out now for PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One, with upcoming releases for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X & S.
MORE: Borderlands 3 Might as Well Deem The Pre-Sequel as Non-Canon
Source: Borderlands.com