Vex Is Cool, But Borderlands 4 Needed a Different Siren

The reveal of Vex, the “Dark Siren” and one of the four new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4, has been met with a mix of excitement and skepticism. The character’s aesthetic—a cynical goth with the ability to summon spectral minions and a giant cat named Trouble—is undeniably cool. Her lore, which involves her apathetic response to a corporate dystopia and a painful awakening of her powers, is a unique take on the “chosen one” trope. Her skillset, with a focus on kinetic damage and life-steal, is a welcome departure from previous Sirens. However, despite all these promising features, the game’s official reveal has left a small but vocal part of the community yearning for a very different kind of Siren.

The Borderlands series has always used its Sirens to explore different facets of the universe, and with Borderlands 4 set to explore the aftermath of Lilith’s sacrifice and the lore of the Eridian technology, it seems like a missed opportunity to not introduce a Siren whose powers directly relate to the series’ biggest mysteries.

The Case for a “Space-Time” Siren

The core of the series’ story, especially since the ending of Borderlands 3, revolves around the concepts of space and time. Lilith’s final act was to teleport Pandora’s moon, Elpis, into an unknown location to save the planet. Borderlands 4, set on the new planet of Kairos, will explore the consequences of this cosmic event. With this as the backdrop, a Siren with abilities that manipulate the very fabric of space and time would have been the perfect fit.

Such a character could have offered gameplay mechanics that are a complete departure from what we’ve seen before. Instead of a pet class, this Siren could have been a “controller” class, manipulating the battlefield in ways that no other character could.

• Ability 1: Phase Warp. The Siren could have the ability to teleport herself or her allies a short distance, a perfect tactical tool for navigating the battlefield, getting out of sticky situations, or bypassing enemy defenses. This would be a perfect synergy with the new traversal mechanics, such as the grappling hook.
• Ability 2: Time Stasis. The Siren could create a bubble of altered time, slowing down enemies within it and allowing the player and their teammates to unload a barrage of shots on the helpless targets. This would have made for incredible synergy with high-damage weapons and would have made this Siren a true crowd-control master.
• Ability 3: Chronal Reversion. This would be the ultimate “get out of jail free card.” The Siren could have the ability to rewind a short period of time, resetting her and her team’s health and shields to a previous state, a move that could turn the tide of a difficult boss fight or a chaotic ambush. This would be a powerful, high-cooldown ability that would make the character feel truly divine.

A Missed Opportunity for a Deeper Narrative

Beyond the gameplay, a Siren with time-and-space-based abilities could have had a much more profound connection to the game’s central plot. This character could have had glimpses of the past and future, seeing the echoes of the Eridian civilization and the consequences of Lilith’s actions. This would have made them an integral part of the narrative, a character whose powers are directly tied to the lore of the universe.

While Vex’s abilities to summon spectral minions and a giant cat are visually impressive and fun, they don’t seem to have the same thematic weight as a Siren whose powers are connected to the cosmic forces at play in the story. The “Dark Siren” feels more like a new coat of paint on a necromancer archetype than a truly unique addition to the lore.

Of course, this is all speculation, and Vex may turn out to be one of the most fun and engaging Vault Hunters in the series. Her dark aesthetic and pet-based gameplay will undoubtedly appeal to a large number of players. However, with the series moving to a new planet and exploring a new set of mysteries, a Siren whose powers are tied to the very fabric of time and space feels like a natural and missed opportunity. A Siren who could manipulate the universe’s greatest mysteries would have been a perfect fit for a game that promises to be a new beginning for the franchise.

For more on Borderlands 4 leaks, gameplay breakdowns, and the lore of the Sirens, stay tuned to our website. The release of Borderlands 4 on October 10, 2025, is just around the corner, and the final list of Vault Hunters has only just been revealed.