Borderlands 4: Rafa Overview

Rafa is the Exo-Soldier Vault Hunter. Born and raised in microgravity, his bone density and musculature were altered so dramatically that surviving on a normal planet became impossible. In exchange for exploring beyond his confines, he joined Tediore’s military and received a cutting-edge exo-suit known as the Deadframe. When Tediore revealed they intended lifelong control rather than freedom, Rafa escaped and now fights as a Vault Hunter, racing against time before his suit’s countdown catches up with him.

Equipped with high-tech weaponry built into his exo-suit, Rafa is lethal at any range:

• APOPHIS Lance – blasts enemies from afar.
• Peacebreaker Cannons – shoulder-mounted armaments ideal for mid-range.
• Arc-Knives – twin energy blades for brutal close-quarters combat.

Note: This guide was written pre-launch, so take everything with a grain of salt.

Overdrive - Whenever Rafa activates an Action Skill, he enters Overdrive. While any Action Skill is active, Overdrive’s duration does not decrease. During Overdrive, Rafa gains increased Movement Speed and Damage from all sources.

Each of Rafa’s Action Skills branches into a unique skill tree where you can invest points to unlock powerful augments and capstones - ultimate upgrades that significantly change how the Action Skills function. Only one augment and one capstone can be equipped at a time per skill. Each tree has 5 augments and 3 capstones to choose from.

People Person (APOPHIS Lance Skill Tree)

Focuses on reducing Overdrive downtime and enhancing ordnance power.

Capstones

• PROJECT: Raiju: Converts the lance into a close-range taser arc that increases damage the longer you hold the activation.
• PROJECT: Basilisk: Fires corrosive blobs that split into multiple segments on detonation.
• PROJECT: Gorgon: Transforms into an incendiary beam that chains between enemies.

Augments

• Sangre por Sangre: Increases Action Skill Cooldown Rate when consuming APOPHIS Lance Charges
• Battery Subscription Service: APOPHIS Lance gets an extra charge and consuming chargers increases Action Skill Potency
• Ojo Rojo: APOPHIS Lance gains increased Critical Hit Chance increasing with each enemy hit.
• Gibistruct Module: Spawn a Grenade on enemies killed by APOPHIS Lance.
• Engorged Bore: APOPHIS Lance gains increased Projective Radius and Speed; PROJECT: Gorgon gains increased Number of Chains.

Remote Agent (Peacebreaker Cannons Skill Tree)

Centers on shield sustain, reduced damage, and DPS buff based on shield levels.

Capstones

• Double-Ought Autoshot: Cannons become shotguns with ricochet capability.
• Beam Team: Replaces cannons with two beams (shock + corrosive) that auto-lock onto targets.
• Volatile Hollowpoints: Replaces cannons with rockets that deal splash damage.

Augments

• Instinto: Peacebreaker Cannons gain higher Critical Hit Chance and Damage but burn Action Skill duration faster; kills restore some skill time.
• Bullet-Buddy Deluxe: Active cannons grant ammo regen. Turret shots deal bonus incendiary damage based on how full Rafa's guns are. At max bullets they shoot Exploding Bullets. Can make Rafa's shots consume no ammo but drain Action Skill faster.
• Hell in a Shell: Reactivate Action Skill to fire incendiary firebombs; enemies killed reduce this skill’s cooldown.
• Insta-Fort Battle System: Rafa and his Cannons deal Ordnance Damage while active. Press Action Skill to detach Cannons into a stationary turret that also throws grenades.
• Unmissable Missiles: Fires a barrage of homing missiles at visible targets at the cost of remaining duration.

This Year’s Gimmick (Arc-Knives Skill Tree)

Boosts mobility, damage, and creates a dynamic risk/reward cycle based on health and ability use.

Capstones

• Huracan Especial: Blade Fury creates a damaging Shock Singularity that draws in enemies. Grants increased Action Skill Cooldown on kills.
• Inferno Protocol: Stores damage taken, instead dealing small Incendiary Damage over time but also granting Melee Attacks bonus Incendiary Damage. Blade Fury consumes stored damage for high incendiary burst and healing.
• Galvanic Panic: Melee attacks spawn acid gliders that deal corrosive splash damage. Kills restore Action Skill Duration. Activating Blade Fury unleashes a volley in front of Rafa.

Augments

• Altered Cabron: Kills with Arc-Knives restore health. When gaining health, Rafa deals bonus Corrosive Damage and Movement Speed stacking.
• Dead Man Walking: Arc-Knives persist after time runs out. Grants Overshield when damaging foes.
• Thundercutter: Arc-Knife attacks trigger shock splash damage. Increases overall splash damage.
• Parting Gift: Dash leaves a grenade behind that marks enemies; applying marks adds an additional one.
• Acid Drop: Dash becomes Caustic Leap, creating a Caustic Hazard wherever he lands. Removing marks causes corrosive novas.