Complete walkthrough for One Gassy Issue in Borderlands 4. Learn how to activate Locust Gas, defeat the Station Defender, and unlock Beth’s basement lab on Kairos.
Meeting Beth: Your New Favorite Optimist in the Slums
When you reach the Fades District and head north to Lakeside Properties, you’ll encounter Beth – one of those wonderfully naive NPCs that makes Borderlands so memorable. This sweet, fragile optimist living in the slums has big dreams about her lab, but there’s one tiny problem: she needs Locust Gas flowing to make it happen.
What starts as a simple favor quickly escalates into typical Borderlands chaos involving industrial sabotage, bio-armored monsters, and enough explosions to make Michael Bay jealous. If you’re feeling stuck on the confusing objectives or struggling with that pesky Station Defender boss, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.
Why This Quest Chain Matters
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, here’s why “One Gassy Issue” (and its follow-up “One Slimy Issue”) deserves your attention:
- Unlocks new areas including previously inaccessible Order Bunkers throughout Dominion
- Introduces Locust Gas mechanics that you’ll use throughout your Kairos adventure
- Great early-game XP and loot for players still building their arsenal
- Environmental storytelling that adds depth to the world-building
- Practice with grappling hook mechanics before tougher challenges
The quest becomes available once you reach the Fades District, making it perfect for players who’ve gotten comfortable with the basics but want more complex challenges.
Part 1: Infiltrating the Locust Production Facility
Finding the Sorting Station (It’s Trickier Than It Looks)
Head south from Lakeside Properties until you spot the imposing Locust Production Facility. This industrial complex looks intimidating, but the real challenge isn’t the enemies – it’s figuring out how to actually get inside.
The Elevator “Problem”: When you hit the elevator button, you’ll quickly discover it’s jammed tighter than a vault door. Here’s the solution that stumps most players:
- Use your grapple hook to yank the gear mechanism
- Immediately grapple the second node to pull yourself up the elevator shaft
- Look for the vent on the east wall once you’re inside – it’s easy to miss!
Pro tip: This is one of those classic Borderlands moments where the obvious solution (fixing the elevator) isn’t actually the intended path. Embrace the chaos!
Clearing the Facility and Activating Gas Engines
Once you’ve ventilated your way inside, it’s time for some good old-fashioned fast leveling through enemy elimination. Clear out all the hostiles – they’re not particularly tough, but there are quite a few of them.
The Upper Floor Puzzle: The gas engine activation sequence is actually pretty clever:
- Spot the hanging box on the right side of the upper floor
- Jump across using the box as your platform
- Pull the first lever to activate the eastern engine
- Use your grapple hook to yank the box to the left side
- Repeat the process for the western engine
- Activate the terminal to get those gas lines flowing
This puzzle teaches you to think vertically – a skill that becomes crucial in later areas of Kairos.
Part 2: Breaching the Command Center
The Bio-Armored Door Strategy
With the Locust Gas now online, return to that intimidating bio-armored door you probably noticed earlier. Here’s where the quest gets really interesting:
Using Locust Gas as a Weapon:
- Locate the gas station to the right of the door
- Grapple a canister and chuck it at the bio-armor
- Watch the door dissolve – it’s oddly satisfying
Hidden Bonus Chest: Before moving forward, check the west side of the room for another bio-armored door. There’s a Locust Gas station nearby that you can use to unlock a free chest – always worth the extra thirty seconds!
Command Center Terminal Hacking
The Command Center phase tests your multitasking skills:
The Double Terminal Challenge:
- Hack both terminals (east and west sides of the back room)
- Prepare for enemy waves after each hack – they spawn immediately
- Protect ECHO-4 while the hacking completes
- Stay mobile – standing still gets you killed
This section can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s actually great practice for the endgame activities you’ll face later.
Part 3: Conquering the Station Defender Boss
Understanding the Bio-Armored Bulkhead
The Station Defender is where this quest goes from “interesting” to “genuinely challenging.” This Bio-Armored Bulkhead has a nasty habit of being completely immune to all damage until you figure out the gimmick.
The Immunity Mechanic Explained:
- The boss starts completely immune – don’t waste ammo
- Locust Gas canisters are scattered around the arena corners
- Throw gas at the boss to strip away bio-armor temporarily
- Focus on corrosive and cryo damage while the armor is down
Combat Strategy Breakdown:
Phase 1 – Armor Stripping:
- Collect Locust canisters from around the room
- Aim carefully – missed throws waste precious time
- Hit the boss center mass for maximum effect
Phase 2 – Damage Window:
- Switch to corrosive weapons for maximum armor damage
- Keep moving to avoid stomp attacks and laser charges
- Watch for the rotating shield – it blocks significant damage
Phase 3 – Reapplication:
- The immunity returns after 30-45 seconds
- Repeat the gas process – don’t panic, this is normal
- Stay patient – rushing leads to mistakes
Personal insight: This boss fight is actually brilliant game design. It forces players to engage with environmental mechanics rather than just relying on raw DPS. It’s a preview of the more complex encounters you’ll face in late-game content.
Post-Victory Rewards
After defeating the Station Defender, head to the newly unlocked south room and flip the switch. This action has far-reaching consequences:
- Locust Gas flows freely across all of Kairos
- Order Bunkers become accessible throughout Dominion
- New exploration opportunities open up across multiple zones
- Progress toward unlocking advanced areas and boss farming locations
Part 4: One Slimy Issue – Beth’s Basement Access
The Confusing Objective (And How to Solve It)
After completing “One Gassy Issue,” Beth immediately offers the follow-up quest “One Slimy Issue.” The first objective – “Get into Beth’s Basement” – is notoriously unclear and trips up tons of players.
The Solution Everyone Misses:
- Drop down from Lakeside Properties (don’t stay on the main platform)
- Look for the bio-armored door at the lower level
- Find the Locust station directly opposite the door
- Grapple a canister and throw it at the bio-armor
The key insight here is that “Beth’s Basement” isn’t actually inside Beth’s house – it’s a separate facility below the properties. Classic Borderlands misdirection!
Essential Tips for Success
Combat Preparation:
- Stock up on corrosive weapons before starting the quest chain
- Bring plenty of ammo – the Station Defender fight can be ammo-intensive
- Consider your character build – mobility helps tremendously
Exploration Rewards:
- Check every corner for SDU tokens and collectibles
- The facility contains several weapon caches worth looting
- Don’t rush – the environmental storytelling is genuinely interesting
Bug Prevention:
- Save before the Station Defender fight – occasionally the immunity mechanic glitches
- If gas canisters disappear, exit and re-enter the area
- The grappling hook can sometimes fail – try different angles
Why This Quest Showcases Borderlands at Its Best
“One Gassy Issue” perfectly demonstrates what makes Borderlands special. It combines environmental puzzles, creative combat mechanics, and genuine character moments into a cohesive experience that feels both challenging and rewarding.
The quest also serves as excellent preparation for more complex challenges ahead. The skills you develop here – environmental awareness, resource management, and adaptive combat tactics – will serve you well throughout your journey on Kairos.
Ready for More Adventures?
With Beth’s lab accessible and Locust Gas flowing across Kairos, you’ve unlocked a significant portion of the game’s content. The Order Bunkers you can now access contain some of the best early-game loot and provide excellent cash farming opportunities.
For players looking to optimize their builds after gaining access to new areas, check out our comprehensive Borderlands 4 beginners guide for advanced strategies that’ll help you dominate the wasteland.
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Remember: in Borderlands, if something seems too straightforward, you’re probably missing something. Embrace the chaos, and happy vault hunting!
