Borderlands 2 / Characters

Borderlands 2 characters: which of the four base classes should you play?

Compare Axton, Maya, Salvador and Zer0 by their action skills and play styles.

Edition covered

Borderlands 2 base campaign with the four original Vault Hunters and a level-50 base-game cap. Gaige, Krieg, DLC campaigns, level-cap upgrades, Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode and Overpower levels require additional content and are identified separately. Pictures are publisher-supplied PC media.

5 characters · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.

Characters

Commando

Axton

Uses a Sabre Turret to add damage and distract enemies. His skills support the turret, gun handling and survival.

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Siren

Maya

Phaselock suspends susceptible enemies and can be modified for damage, crowd control or team support.

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Gunzerker

Salvador

Gunzerking lets Salvador wield two guns at once. His skill trees extend sustained fire and improve survivability.

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Assassin

Zer0

Decepti0n creates a decoy and conceals Zer0 for a stronger follow-up attack. His trees support precision fire, utility and melee.

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Hyperion antagonist

Handsome Jack

Jack controls Hyperion’s forces on Pandora and opposes the Vault Hunters throughout the main campaign.

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Quick notes

Axton: a turret and flexible gunplay. Choose Axton if you want a straightforward firearm-focused character with a second source of damage.
Maya: crowd control and co-op support. Choose Maya if you want to interrupt a dangerous enemy with Phaselock.
Salvador: two guns and sustained attacks. Choose Salvador if simultaneous gunfire is the appeal.
Zer0: decoys and a planned finishing strike. Choose Zer0 for precision or melee-focused play.

FIELD NOTE

There is no single required solo class; choose the action skill you want to use throughout the campaign.

Picture details

Game artwork belongs to its respective rights holders.

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