With a brand new dangerous lands of Pandora feature a wide variety of unique and memorable personalities, known especially for having great writing and surprisingly deep lore to their backstories.
Some characters span across the entire series, while others make brief appearances throughout. No matter their involvement in the story, Borderlands certainly creates some amazing and thoughtful characters, especially given their contrast against the dystopian world of Pandora.
Kreig
As a fan-favorite in of both gameplay and character, it's not that surprising that many gamers are drawn to Kreig. Choosing to rampage around Borderlands 2 is already incredibly fun, but doing so as Kreig adds an entirely new layer of likeability to the character.
Sure, his methods are questionable at best (and brutal at worst), but Kreig's demeanor and energy is contagious. His inner conflict also serves to give him a bit of depth, and being able to step in the shoes of Kreig allows players to understand him better. If for nothing else, he sure is good for a pep talk.
Mr. Torgue
Explosions and guns are all things that have become synonymous with not only the Borderlands series, but Mr. Torgue himself. While his appearances are relatively small compared to that of other characters in the series, few have made the impact that Mr. Torgue has in such a short time.
He is such an exciting character on the surface but still has some depth to his tough exterior. It is very cool to see his character not just enthused to blow things up, but simultaneously overcome his fear of such things. He's a respectful, resourceful, and hilarious companion in a world full of miscreants.
Sir Hammerlock
As a self-proclaimed student of the world around him, Sir Hammerlock is a refreshing and welcoming face in the Borderlands series. Not only is he helpful towards the player's main quest, but he is also well-mannered while doing so.
As a hunter and scholar, Hammerlock's intelligence, paired with his keen instinct, makes him a very endearing companion throughout the second and third installments in the game. Paired with quippy dialogue and a polished presentation, Sir Hammerlock represents the pinnacle of civility among the deadly wastelands of Pandora.
Handsome Jack
As the main antagonist of Borderlands 2 and the pseudo-narrator of the player's journey in it, Handsome Jack is regarded among the best video game villains of all time. So how is it that he is also one of the most appealing in the series?
Handsome Jack's charisma, charm, intuition, and humor help make him an iconic villain of the series. His constant taunting of the playable characters and unparalleled dialogue makes him so captivating to hear, no matter how evil he may be. If it wasn't for his twisted means to an end, he could have made an even bigger impact on some other gamers.
Roland
Roland is a character from the first entry of the series, known as "the soldier." He is a tough, tactical man with expert knowledge in military-grade weaponry and the lessons of war itself.
Given his background as a soldier, Roland represents the best of humanity in Pandora (so much so that many other characters in the series look up to him). He is portrayed as kind, fair-hearted, and strong-willed in the face of Pandora's worst evils. His heroism inspired the eventual defeat of Handsome Jack, so it makes sense that even the in-game cast would dedicate a statute in iration of him. Thankfully, fans will get to see his character return in the 2022 movie adaptation.
Amara
Introduced in Borderlands 3, Amara is as deadly as she is popular. She's a siren known famously as the "Tiger of Partali," wielding a unique power while dedicating her efforts towards taking out criminals around Pandora.
It's not often that such a powerful and famous figure remains uncorrupted, but Amara is the exception. She remains steadfast as a crime-fighting rogue, and it's endearing to see how she always goes the extra mile to lift up the poor and oppressed. Her snappy dialogue, sociable attitude, and unwavering confidence are nothing short of contagious.
Athena
Not much is known about Athena's past, other than the fact that she was raised to be an assassin-for-hire. For a woman whose life was stolen by a greedy corporation, she turned out to be a shockingly endearing character.
What makes Athena so likable amongst the Borderlands cast is her arc from a vengeful killer to a level-headed, wisened warrior for those in need. Her morals aren't as unshakable as other characters in the series, but her attempts to reconcile with her past and make amends with those she cares about make her story among the most memorable.
Maya
Maya made her first appearance in Borderlands 2 as the playable siren class, blessed with the ability to control incredible magic power. Having trained as a disciple and warrior to monks in her childhood, she emerged into adulthood as an incredible character.
While power in Pandora is often used for selfish gain, Maya dedicates herself to helping others. From making amends with Krieg, vowing to protect Athena, to taking Ava under her wing, she's always willing to put herself on the line for others. Naturally, it was devastating to fans when she fell at the hands of the Calypso Twins in Borderlands 3, as she had effortlessly worked her way into the hearts of many.
Tiny Tina
It's hard not to feel bad for Tina given her tragic backstory, which shaped the bombastic and unpredictable character portrayed in the series. On the other hand, "the world's deadliest 13-year-old" also turned out to be an instant fan favorite.
Her unpredictable personality is what makes her so likable over the series. Sure, she's a deadly explosives expert and Tina has also shown that she is wicked smart, but she's also just a kid. She's hilarious, mischievous, and absolutely endearing to every character she meets during the course of the second and third game. With some of the best dialogue and sidequests in the series, it will be exciting to see Tina in the next Borderlands spin-off.
Claptrap
Without a doubt, Claptrap is the most iconic character of the Borderlands series. Introduced in the original Borderlands, he's a robot assistant designed by Hyperion with an overenthusiastic personality and knack for finding trouble.
As a character, Claptrap embodies the perfect combination of comic relief and a pestering companion. Having been in all Borderlands games thus far, Claptrap's antics are part of what makes his presence so special. He may break down, lose countless items, and need constant rescue, but there is no doubt that the Borderlands series would be the same without him.
