In a move that’s part holiday miracle, part heartfelt apology, publisher 2K Games is delivering an early present to every Vault Hunter on its roster. Following a rocky launch period for the critically acclaimed Borderlands 4, the company has announced it is giving away the game’s first post-launch DLC, Bounty Pack 1: How Rush Saved Mercenary Day, completely free of charge.
This surprise gesture comes directly in response to weeks of constructive—and at times, fervent—feedback from the community regarding game stability and performance issues since launch.
Listening to the Community: From Patches to Presents
The journey to this free DLC began in the trenches of player feedback. For weeks, forums and social media were alight with reports from players experiencing a range of technical hiccups that hampered the looter-shooter experience. Instead of staying silent, 2K Games and developer Gearbox Software embarked on a campaign of fixes.
Multiple technical patches have been deployed, with a recent update notably boosting in-game frame rates by up to 20 percent, a significant win for players across all resolution settings. But the team knew that patching the present could impact the content of the future.
In an official statement, the company explained that its all-hands-on-deck approach to stability made it difficult to include everything they had originally planned for Bounty Pack 1. Rather than release a scaled-back version as a paid product, they decided to give it to the community as a thank-you for their patience and a symbol of their commitment to making things right.
You can read the full official announcement and patch notes directly from the source on the Borderlands 4 news page.
What’s in the Free Bounty Pack 1?
So, what exactly are you getting for free? Bounty Pack 1: How Rush Saved Mercenary Day is a full-fledged content drop, not a simple bundle of consumables.
The headliner is a brand-new, holiday-themed questline centered on Rush, the beloved leader of the Outbounders. Players will join him as he relives a cherished childhood memory of Mercenary Day, setting the stage for a festive firefight against the grumpy Minister Screw. It’s a classic Borderlands tale, blending heartwarming humor with explosive action.
Beyond the story mission, the pack is packed with endgame goodies, including:
- A New Vault Card: Unlock a fresh progression track with 24 new cosmetics, from character skins and weapon trinkets to emotes.
- Rerollable Gear: A new mechanic that allows players to re-roll stats on coveted gear, adding a new layer of depth to the min-maxing grind.
- Hidden Collectibles: Scattered throughout the new mission area are hidden collectibles for lore enthusiasts and completionists to discover.
The best part? You don’t have to lift a finger. The DLC will be automatically delivered to all Borderlands 4 owners as part of the game’s November 20 update.
Honoring Commitments: Deluxe Edition Owners Haven’t Been Forgotten
A immediate question from the community was: “What about the four DLC packs promised to Deluxe and Super Deluxe Edition buyers?” 2K Games has a clear and consumer-friendly answer.
The company has confirmed that anyone who purchased the Deluxe Edition, Super Deluxe Edition, or the standalone Bounty Pack Bundle will still receive the full slate of four premium DLC packs as advertised. To ensure this promise is kept without taking away from the free gift, 2K is planning to develop and release an entirely new, fifth Bounty Pack in 2026, at no additional cost to these players.
The Bounty of Free Content Doesn’t End Here
The free holiday DLC is just the beginning of a renewed content roadmap. Gearbox is already deep in development on a new high-difficulty Takedown mission, slated for a 2026 release, offering the most hardcore players a fresh ultimate challenge.
Before that, however, the endgame is about to get even more intense. This December, players will face Bloomreaper, the game’s first “Invincible” raid-style boss, demanding perfect coordination and builds from a full team of Vault Hunters. This update will also introduce the highly anticipated Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode – Level 6, raising the level cap and unleashing new tiers of powerful loot.
Throughout it all, 2K has promised a steady drumbeat of support, with monthly updates and weekly hotfixes designed to continuously enhance the player experience. For the Borderlands community, this free DLC is more than just a gift; it’s a powerful statement that their voices have been heard, and the future of Borderlands 4 is brighter than ever.
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