Borderlands 4 is set to unveil its highly anticipated update 1.7 at the end of May, bringing with it an exciting new challenge for players: the second raid boss encounter. This time, adventurers will face not one, but two formidable foes, both of whom have been dubbed ‘Invincible.’ Drawing inspiration from the legendary double battle of Ornstein and Smough from Dark Souls, this new encounter promises to elevate the gameplay experience.
Introducing the Raid Bosses
Known officially as Borderlands 4 Raid Boss 2, the duo consists of Subjugator and Thol the Invincible. Subjugator takes to the skies, launching aerial assaults, while Thol, a robust and imposing figure, restricts player movement on the ground. Initially, these two will engage in a tag-team style of combat, but as the battle progresses, they will begin to coordinate their attacks, creating a dynamic and challenging encounter.
What truly excites players is the aftermath of defeating one of these bosses. Following the defeat of either foe, the survivor will gain a significant power boost and retreat to their own lair for a final confrontation. If Thol is taken down first, Subjugator will ascend to the sky, transforming into a giant that players must confront from floating platforms. Conversely, if Subjugator falls first, Thol will crash through the floor, leading players into the depths below, where he sheds his armor to reveal scorched flesh.
Rewards Await
The rewards for overcoming this challenging duo are equally enticing. Players can look forward to the introduction of the new Pearlescent Ripper SMG, known as the Jail-Broken Gatling. This weapon enhances fire rate, damage, weapon recoil, and increases the chance for additional projectiles with each hit. The fresh firmware Active Fire feature offers a significant damage boost for full-charge shots when timed perfectly.
In addition to the new weaponry, four legendary items will join the loot pool. The Lockjaw assault rifle bounces explosive projectiles between targets, while the Shammy Kablammy, a Tediore pistol, douses enemies in moonshine before exploding upon being thrown, with damage scaling based on the number of targets ignited. The Flak Cannon heavy weapon promises to wreak havoc on foes, and the Collector energy shield features a large capacity with a quick recharge rate, though it comes with a long delay. Each of the five Vault Hunters will receive a unique class mod, with an additional mod planned for the sixth character in the upcoming Story Pack 2.
New Features and Discounts
Alongside the thrilling new raid, update 1.7 will introduce a toggle for the shared character progression feature. By default, players’ progress—including map exploration, collectibles, activities, SDU tokens, Vault powers, vehicle skins, and hover drives—will carry over across all characters. However, Gearbox recognizes that some players may prefer a fresh start, allowing them to create a new Vault Hunter with a clean slate if they choose to disable this feature.
Borderlands 4 update 1.7 is set to release for free on Thursday, May 28. Currently, players can take advantage of a 40% discount on Steam, bringing the base game price down to .99 / £35.99, or the super deluxe edition to .99 / £71.99. For those eager to experience the new raid boss ahead of time, a Gearbox developer stream on Tuesday, May 26, will provide an exclusive preview.
Looking ahead, version 1.8 is scheduled for late June and will introduce the free Takedown challenge, touted as Borderlands 4’s “toughest endgame content yet,” along with the Bounty Pack 3 DLC.
