TL;DR: Borderlands 4 features 21 main story missions across 4 regions (The Fadefields, Terminus Range, Carcadia Burn, and Dominion). After completing “One Fell Swoop,” you can freely explore the first three regions, but Dominion remains locked until you finish all missions in the other areas. No missions are missable thanks to the replay function.
Whether you’re tracking your story progress, planning your next gaming session, or wondering how close you are to that sweet endgame content, having a complete mission breakdown is essential. Borderlands 4’s narrative structure is more flexible than previous entries, giving players meaningful choices about how they tackle the campaign across Kairos.
Here’s your complete roadmap through every main story mission, organized by region with strategic insights to help you make the most of your Vault Hunter journey.
How Borderlands 4’s Story Structure Works
Unlike linear shooters, Borderlands 4 features 21 main missions spread across 4 distinct regions, each with its own storylines, characters, and challenges. The game introduces an innovative narrative approach that balances guided progression with player freedom.
Key Structure Elements:
- Early Linear Section – First few missions establish the core story
- Open Exploration Phase – After “One Fell Swoop,” three regions become available
- Final Region Lock – Dominion remains sealed until prerequisite content is completed
- Mission Replay System – No permanently missable content
This design allows players to switch between regions based on difficulty, interest, or loot needs without breaking narrative flow.
Region-by-Region Mission Breakdown
The Fadefields (6 Missions)
Your introduction to Kairos and the central conflict
- Guns Blazing – Tutorial and world introduction
- Recruitment Drive – Meet key allies and establish base operations
- Down and Outbound – First major story revelations
- A Lot to Process – Character development and world-building
- One Fell Swoop – CRITICAL MISSION – Unlocks regional freedom
- Rush the Gate – Fadefields conclusion and regional boss encounter
Strategic Notes: The Fadefields serve as your extended tutorial region. “One Fell Swoop” is particularly important as it’s the gateway mission that opens up the other regions for exploration. Don’t rush through these early missions – they establish important gameplay concepts and story elements you’ll need later.
Terminus Range (5 Missions)
Mountain region focused on mining conflicts and underground mysteries
- Shadow of the Mountain – Regional introduction and new mechanics
- Crystal Brawl – Resource conflicts and faction dynamics
- Dark Subject – Underground exploration and horror elements
- His Vile Sanctum – Major antagonist encounter
- [Final Mission] – Regional climax and resolution
Strategic Notes: Terminus Range typically features some of the game’s most challenging terrain and enemy encounters. The underground sections introduce unique gameplay mechanics that appear throughout the rest of the game.
Carcadia Burn (5 Missions)
Desert wasteland region dealing with the mysterious Ripper Queen
- Wrath of the Ripper Queen – Introduction to the region’s primary threat
- Siege and Destroy – Large-scale combat encounters
- Unpaid Tab – Character-focused storytelling and moral choices
- Her Flaming Vision – Climactic confrontation setup
- [Final Mission] – Resolution of the Ripper Queen storyline
Strategic Notes: Carcadia Burn often features the most intense combat encounters and introduces advanced enemy types that prepare you for endgame content. The moral choice elements here can affect certain dialogue and interactions later.
Dominion (8 Missions)
The endgame region where all storylines converge
Unlock Requirement: Complete ALL missions in Fadefields, Terminus Range, and Carcadia Burn
- Rising Action – Convergence of all regional storylines
- Another Day, Another Universe – Multiverse elements and major revelations
- The Falling Wall – Large-scale setpiece encounters
- Means of Ascent – Character progression and power scaling
- Plan Z – Preparation for final confrontation
- The Timekeeper’s Order – Major antagonist focus
- Secrets of the Vault – Core mythology revelations
- [Final Mission] – Campaign conclusion and endgame setup
Strategic Notes: Dominion missions are significantly longer and more complex than earlier content. They assume you’ve mastered all gameplay systems and have access to high-level gear. This is where the story payoff happens for all the groundwork laid in previous regions.
Strategic Mission Planning
For Story-Focused Players:
Recommended Path:
- Complete Fadefields entirely (establishes foundation)
- Alternate between Terminus Range and Carcadia Burn based on difficulty preference
- Save Dominion for when you’re ready for the endgame challenge
For Loot-Focused Players:
Optimization Strategy:
- Switch regions when you need specific loot types or elemental weapons
- Use mission variety to prevent gameplay fatigue
- Target regions that match your current character build needs
For Completionists:
Systematic Approach:
- Clear each region entirely before moving to the next
- Complete side content between main missions for optimal pacing
- Use the replay system to perfect challenging encounters
Mission Replay System: No Pressure, All Options
One of Borderlands 4’s best quality-of-life features is the comprehensive mission replay system accessible through your inventory screen. This means:
Zero Missable Content:
- Replay any completed main mission at any time
- Revisit side quests for additional rewards or different choices
- Perfect your strategies on challenging encounters
- Farm specific missions for unique loot drops
Strategic Applications:
- Difficulty adjustment – Replay easier missions if you’re stuck
- Loot farming – Target missions with desirable reward pools
- Build testing – Try different approaches with respec’d characters
- Cooperative play – Help friends through content you’ve already completed
Progression Tips by Region
Early Game (Fadefields):
- Take your time – These missions teach essential skills
- Experiment freely – Low stakes environment for trying different approaches
- Collect everything – Early gear and currency will serve you throughout the campaign
Mid Game (Terminus Range & Carcadia Burn):
- Match your approach to difficulty settings appropriately
- Pay attention to elemental matchups – becomes more important here
- Plan your route between regions based on your current needs
Late Game (Dominion):
- Prepare thoroughly – These missions assume mastery of all systems
- Optimize your build – Consider respecs before tackling this content
- Stock up on resources – Longer missions require more preparation
Timeline and Pacing Expectations
Typical Mission Completion Times:
- Fadefields: 3-4 hours (includes tutorial elements)
- Terminus Range: 4-6 hours (terrain challenges extend playtime)
- Carcadia Burn: 4-6 hours (intense combat encounters)
- Dominion: 6-8 hours (longest and most complex missions)
These estimates align with the overall playtime expectations for different player types, with story-focused players completing the campaign in 16-18 hours total.
Setting Yourself Up for Endgame Success
Completing the main story isn’t just about rolling credits – it’s about preparing for Borderlands 4’s extensive post-game content. The mission structure is designed to gradually introduce all the systems and challenges you’ll need to master for Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode and beyond.
Key Preparation Elements:
- Master all weapon types and elemental combinations
- Understand enemy patterns from each region
- Build familiarity with different combat scenarios
- Collect diverse gear for different situations
For players new to the series, our beginner’s survival guide provides essential context for making the most of each mission’s learning opportunities.
Final Thoughts: Your Roadmap to Vault Hunter Glory
Borderlands 4’s mission structure represents the series at its most refined – offering both guided progression for newcomers and flexible exploration for veterans. Whether you’re rushing toward endgame content or savoring every story beat, this roadmap ensures you’ll never lose track of your progress.
Remember: with the replay system in place, there’s no pressure to perfect every encounter on your first attempt. Focus on forward progress, experiment with different approaches, and don’t hesitate to switch regions if you need a change of pace or different challenges.
The path to becoming the ultimate Vault Hunter starts with these 21 missions – but where it leads depends entirely on how deep you’re willing to dive into Kairos’s mysteries.
Related Guides:
- Complete Respec Guide – Master the art of resetting skills and specializations
- Difficulty Settings Guide – Choose the right challenge level
- Elemental Damage Guide – Master combat effectiveness
- Character Guide – Choose the perfect Vault Hunter
- New Player Survival Guide – Essential tips for beginners
- Level Cap & Progression Guide – Master character advancement
Official Links:
