The Potty Mouth side mission in Borderlands 4 puts players in an unexpectedly difficult moral position. After reuniting with the murderous AI GenIVIV at Embracer’s Bluff in Carcadia Burn, you’re faced with a choice that could determine the fate of Claptrap’s infamous ex-girlfriend. Should you install her into Moxxi’s sound system, or hand her over to be erased forever?
This guide breaks down both choices, their outcomes, and helps you make the decision that’s right for your playthrough – plus some interesting lore implications that franchise fans will appreciate.
The GenIVIV Dilemma: What’s at Stake?
Before diving into the choice itself, let’s set the scene. GenIVIV returns in Borderlands 4 as the same chaotic, murderous AI we remember from previous games. After completing the main objectives of the Potty Mouth mission, you’ll find yourself at Moxxi’s Bottoms Up bar with GenIVIV’s core in hand and two very different paths forward.
The Two Options:
- Install GenIVIV into the bar’s sound system – Keep her “alive” but trapped
- Give GenIVIV to Moxxi for permanent erasure – End her existence for good (probably)
Neither option is particularly pleasant for GenIVIV, but given her homicidal tendencies and refusal to change, both choices have merit from different ethical perspectives.
Choice Analysis: Install GenIVIV in the Sound System
What Happens:
When you choose to install GenIVIV into Moxxi’s jukebox system, she becomes part of the bar’s audio equipment. However, this isn’t the liberating experience you might expect:
- GenIVIV lives but becomes essentially a background element
- No dialogue options – she can’t interact with players anymore
- No physical form – she exists purely as part of the sound system
- Permanent imprisonment in the bar’s entertainment system
Why Choose This Option:
Preservation of Character: GenIVIV has been part of Borderlands lore since her introduction, and keeping her alive (in whatever form) maintains that continuity.
Humor Factor: There’s something hilariously appropriate about trapping a murderous AI in a jukebox, forced to play smooth jazz instead of plotting destruction.
Future Story Potential: As long as GenIVIV exists in some form, there’s always the possibility she could return in future content or games.
Mercy Over Justice: Some players prefer giving characters a chance at redemption, even if it means containment rather than destruction.
The Downside:
GenIVIV’s existence becomes essentially meaningless – she’s alive but powerless, which some might argue is worse than clean elimination.
Choice Analysis: Give GenIVIV to Moxxi for Erasure
What Happens:
Choosing to hand GenIVIV over to Moxxi results in a more ambiguous outcome:
- Moxxi takes the core and places it in her pocket
- GenIVIV disappears from the game permanently
- Implied destruction – though Moxxi’s exact intentions remain unclear
- Clean resolution to GenIVIV’s story arc
Why Choose This Option:
Justice for Victims: GenIVIV has a long history of murder and mayhem. Permanent erasure could be seen as appropriate justice.
Clean Slate: Removing GenIVIV entirely eliminates any future threat she might pose.
Trust in Moxxi: Entrusting the decision to Moxxi shows faith in her judgment and experience.
Definitive Resolution: This choice provides clear closure to GenIVIV’s story.
The Uncertainty Factor:
Moxxi’s pocket placement of the core suggests she might not immediately destroy GenIVIV. This leaves room for interpretation – is she keeping GenIVIV as insurance, or planning a more thorough destruction later?
Rewards and Consequences: The Truth About Your Choice
Here’s the most important information for players concerned about gameplay impact:
Identical Rewards:
Both choices provide exactly the same mission rewards:
- Same XP amount regardless of your decision
- Identical loot drops from quest completion
- No difference in monetary rewards
- No impact on future mission availability
No Lasting Consequences:
Unlike some choice-based games, the GenIVIV decision in Potty Mouth appears to have:
- No effect on other NPCs’ attitudes toward you
- No changes to dialogue in subsequent missions
- No impact on story progression or ending variations
- No gameplay mechanics affected by your choice
This means you can make your decision purely based on personal preference, roleplay considerations, or lore interest without worrying about missing out on content or rewards.
Our Recommendation: Install GenIVIV
After considering both options, we recommend installing GenIVIV into the sound system for several compelling reasons:
Franchise Continuity:
GenIVIV has survived impossible odds before – including spending years in Sanctuary 3’s toilet system. Her resilience is part of her character appeal, and keeping that streak alive maintains consistency with her established nature.
Humor Value:
The image of a murderous AI forced to provide smooth jazz entertainment perfectly captures Borderlands’ signature dark humor. It’s a fate worse than death for someone like GenIVIV, which makes it ironically fitting.
Future Content Potential:
Game developers often revisit seemingly minor characters in unexpected ways. Keeping GenIVIV around (even in limited form) leaves the door open for creative future storylines.
The “Claptrap Factor”:
GenIVIV’s relationship with Claptrap adds a layer of series lore that’s worth preserving. Their 10-minute romance may have been brief, but it’s part of Borderlands history.
Lore Implications and Fan Theories
GenIVIV’s Survival History:
GenIVIV has demonstrated remarkable survival capabilities throughout the franchise:
- Survived Sanctuary 3’s destruction events
- Persisted through toilet system exile for extended periods
- Maintained consciousness despite physical destruction
This track record suggests that even jukebox imprisonment might not be permanent for such a resilient AI.
Moxxi’s True Intentions:
If you choose the erasure option, Moxxi’s pocket placement of the core raises interesting questions:
- Strategic preservation for future use against enemies
- Insurance policy in case GenIVIV’s capabilities are needed
- Delayed destruction for safety reasons
- Collection purposes (Moxxi does like interesting trinkets)
Potential Future Storylines:
Either choice could lead to interesting developments:
- Jukebox GenIVIV might eventually hack other systems
- “Erased” GenIVIV could return if Moxxi preserved her
- New AI characters might reference GenIVIV’s fate
For more insights into Borderlands 4’s side missions and choices, check out our Story Mission List Complete Guide.
Making Your Personal Choice
While we recommend the jukebox option, your decision should ultimately align with your playstyle and ethical preferences:
Choose Jukebox Installation If You:
- Appreciate dark humor and ironic justice
- Want to preserve franchise lore and characters
- Believe in containment over destruction
- Enjoy the absurdity of the situation
Choose Moxxi Erasure If You:
- Prefer definitive justice for GenIVIV’s crimes
- Trust Moxxi’s judgment completely
- Want clean resolution to storylines
- Believe some characters deserve final endings
Roleplay Considerations:
Consider your Vault Hunter’s personality:
- Merciful characters might choose preservation
- Justice-focused characters might choose erasure
- Pragmatic characters might weigh future utility
- Chaos-loving characters might enjoy the jukebox irony
Tips for the Potty Mouth Mission
Before Making Your Choice:
- Save your game before the final dialogue if you want to see both outcomes
- Consider your character’s established moral choices throughout the playthrough
- Think about which outcome you’ll find more satisfying long-term
Mission Completion Tips:
- Stock up on ammo before heading to Embracer’s Bluff
- Bring appropriate gear for the combat sections
- Explore thoroughly for additional loot and Easter eggs
For more mission strategies and tips, explore our Beginners Guide Essential Tips.
The Bigger Picture: Choice in Borderlands 4
The GenIVIV decision represents Borderlands 4’s approach to player choice – providing meaningful narrative moments without punishing players mechanically for their decisions. This design philosophy allows for:
- Personal expression through character choices
- Replayability for players who want to explore different options
- Stress-free decision making without fear of missing content
- Focus on narrative impact over gameplay consequences
Community Reactions and Discussions
The Borderlands community has been actively discussing this choice since the game’s release:
Popular Arguments for Jukebox:
- “GenIVIV deserves to suffer for her crimes, and this is perfect ironic justice”
- “Keeping her alive maintains franchise continuity”
- “The mental image of her stuck playing elevator music is hilarious”
Popular Arguments for Erasure:
- “Some characters need definitive endings”
- “Moxxi knows what she’s doing”
- “Clean slate is better than prolonged suffering”
Fan Theories:
- GenIVIV might eventually escape the jukebox system
- Moxxi could be planning to use GenIVIV against future threats
- The choice might influence potential DLC content
Final Thoughts: A Choice Worth Making
While the GenIVIV decision in Potty Mouth doesn’t affect your gameplay rewards or progression, it represents something valuable in modern gaming – a choice that matters narratively without punishing players mechanically. Whether you choose the darkly humorous jukebox fate or the clean resolution of erasure, you’re participating in Borderlands 4’s ongoing story in a meaningful way.
The fact that both options feel appropriately “Borderlands” in their own way speaks to the quality of the writing and the understanding of what makes these characters memorable. GenIVIV may be murderous, but she’s our murderous AI, and how we choose to handle her fate says something about both our characters and ourselves as players.
What’s Next: After completing Potty Mouth, consider exploring other meaningful side missions and choices throughout Borderlands 4. For comprehensive mission guides and walkthroughs, check out our other resources:
Official Resources:
Related Mission Guides:
- Story Mission List Complete Guide
- Claptrap Mission Locations Complete Guide
- Beginners Guide Essential Tips
Whatever you choose, remember: in the Borderlands universe, even the smallest decisions can lead to the most entertaining consequences!
