Learn how to complete No Place Like Home in Borderlands 4 with our detailed walkthrough. Includes bug fixes, tips, and everything you need to help Claptrap on Kairos.
Your First Real Adventure with Everyone’s Favorite Robot
If you’re diving into the chaotic world of Kairos in Borderlands 4, you’re in for a treat with the “No Place Like Home” side quest. This early-game mission perfectly captures what makes Borderlands special – quirky characters, explosive action, and just enough technical hiccups to keep you on your toes.
As someone who’s helped countless vault hunters through this quest, I can tell you it’s both rewarding and occasionally frustrating. But don’t worry – I’ve got all the solutions to the common bugs that might trip you up.
Why This Quest Matters for New Players
Before we dive into the walkthrough, let’s talk about why “No Place Like Home” is worth your time:
- Perfect introduction to Borderlands’ signature humor and storytelling
- Teaches essential mechanics like keycards, environmental puzzles, and traversal
- Great for early-game loot and XP farming
- Sets up recurring character interactions with Claptrap throughout your journey
The quest becomes available right after you meet the Outbounders and snag your first vehicle – basically, as soon as you’re free to explore the wasteland properly.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Helping Claptrap Move On
1. Finding Claptrap in the Hungering Plains
Your robotic buddy has set up camp in the Hungering Plains, and he’s feeling pretty nostalgic about his old life. Head southeast from The Launchpad (the main Outbounders settlement) – it’s literally a stone’s throw away.
Pro tip: This is a great time to practice your driving skills and get familiar with the vehicle mechanics. You’ll need them later!
2. Retrieving Claptrap’s Old Portrait
This is where things get interesting. Claptrap wants his old portrait back, but it’s locked away in an Order depot. Here’s the deal:
The Big Orange Hothead Fight:
- Target his shock and corrosive weaknesses for maximum damage
- Keep your distance – this guy hits hard with multiple health bars
- Watch out for the keycard bug! Sometimes it falls through the ground after the fight
Critical Bug Fix: If the keycard disappears, don’t panic. Just reload your most recent save and fight the boss again. It’s annoying, but it beats being stuck forever.
Getting Inside the Depot: The main door switch is broken (classic Borderlands), so you’ll need to get creative:
- Follow the electrical wire through the wall breach
- Find the hidden switch that actually works
- Grab that portrait and pat yourself on the back
3. The VR-ON1CA Processor Puzzle
This section showcases one of Borderlands 4’s coolest new mechanics – environmental laser puzzles. Here’s how to nail it:
Solving the Solar Panel Puzzle:
- Flip the switch to activate the laser system
- Use your grappling hook to rotate the solar panels
- Angle them so the laser beam hits the locked door
- Head inside and grab VR-ON1CA’s processor
Another Bug Alert: Sometimes the door animation glitches and looks open when it’s actually still locked. If you can’t walk through, reload and try the puzzle again.
Personal note: This puzzle actually reminds me of some of the better environmental challenges from Borderlands 2. It’s great to see the series expanding beyond “shoot everything” gameplay.
4. The Crimson Resistance Asset Hunt
Time to put those traversal skills to work! You’re heading to the top of a tower to grab a… well, let’s just say it’s typically Borderlands weird.
Climbing Strategy:
- Use your grapple hook and glide combo effectively
- Look for panels you can pull down to create makeshift platforms
- Take your time – falling means starting the climb over
The Payoff: You’ll find a psycho hanging out in a porta potty (because of course you will). Grab the mask and try not to think too hard about the logistics.
5. The Grand Finale – Raft Demolition
Claptrap’s ready for his dramatic goodbye, and you’re the demolition expert:
- Load all his belongings onto the raft
- Attach the explosives (Claptrap will guide you)
- Launch the raft into the water
- Wait for Claptrap’s cue before shooting the explosives
This moment is genuinely touching in a weird Borderlands way. It’s a nice character beat that shows the series’ emotional range beyond the chaos.
Rewards and What Comes Next
Don’t expect legendary weapons from this quest – it’s more about the journey than the destination. You’ll get:
- Decent cash reward for early-game purchases
- Solid weapon drops appropriate for your level
- XP boost to help with early progression
- Story continuity with Claptrap for future quests
Essential Tips for Success
Combat Preparation:
- Stock up on shock and corrosive weapons before starting
- Bring plenty of ammo – the Order base can be ammo-hungry
- Consider your build’s strengths when tackling the Big Orange Hothead
Bug Prevention:
- Save frequently throughout the quest
- Don’t rush through quest objectives – let animations complete
- If something seems stuck, try reloading before getting frustrated
Exploration Rewards:
- Check every container in the Order base for bonus loot
- The tower climb offers some nice environmental storytelling
- Keep an eye out for SDU tokens and other collectibles in the area
Why This Quest Sets the Standard
“No Place Like Home” perfectly encapsulates what makes Borderlands special. It’s got heart, humor, and just enough technical complexity to keep you engaged. The fact that it can be buggy is almost part of the charm – very on-brand for a series that’s never taken itself too seriously.
For new players, this quest serves as an excellent tutorial for the kinds of adventures you’ll be having throughout your time on Kairos. It teaches you to expect the unexpected, always keep backup saves, and never underestimate the emotional depth hiding behind all that mayhem.
Ready to Continue Your Journey?
Once you’ve helped Claptrap with his moving day, you’ll have a solid foundation for tackling the bigger challenges ahead. The skills you’ve learned here – environmental puzzle-solving, boss fighting, and bug troubleshooting – will serve you well throughout your vault hunter career.
Ready for more adventures? Check out our complete Borderlands 4 beginners guide for essential tips that’ll help you dominate Kairos from the start.
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Happy vault hunting, and remember – when in doubt, reload and try again!
