Borderlands 4: How to Destroy the Jamming Device & Save Quent

The Unpaid Tab main quest in Borderlands 4 puts players in a race against time while helping Zane seek revenge against Callis. Beyond the standard combat encounters, this mission features two critical challenges: solving a jamming device puzzle and executing a high-pressure rescue sequence to save Quent from a horrific fate.

This guide breaks down both challenges with step-by-step instructions, timing tips, and the consequences of your actions during these crucial mission moments.

Table of Contents

Destroying the Jamming Device: Complete Puzzle Solution

After clearing the Rippers from Queen’s Cradle alongside Zane, you’ll encounter a DAHL machine that’s causing interference. This isn’t your typical “shoot everything” Borderlands solution – it requires specific environmental interaction.

Step 1: Access the DAHL Machine

Locate the DAHL machine in the Queen’s Cradle area
Look for the vent cover on the machine itself
Use your grapple hook to pull off the vent cover
Attempt to hack the jamming device (this won’t work initially)

Step 2: Find the Ground Pound Solution

The DAHL machine requires “a heavy hand” to shut down properly. Here’s the exact process:

Move behind the DAHL machine to the south wall
Locate the grapple point on the wall structure
Grapple up to reach the platform above the machine
Position yourself directly over the device’s raised circular section
Execute a ground pound by holding Circle (PS), B (Xbox), or Ctrl (PC) while airborne
Aim for the raised circle on the device

Ground Pound Execution Tips:

Timing: Release the ground pound button just as you’re above the target circle for maximum accuracy.

Positioning: Make sure you’re high enough for the ground pound to generate sufficient force.

Visual Cue: The raised circular section is your specific target – hitting other parts of the machine won’t work.

Success Indicator: The device will shut down completely and the jamming effect will cease.

This puzzle demonstrates Borderlands 4’s environmental interaction mechanics beyond simple grappling and shooting.

Saving Quent: 60-Second Rescue Mission

After defeating the Driller Hole boss in the Ripping Room, you’ll face one of the game’s most intense timed sequences. Quent’s life depends on your speed and precision during this challenge.

Destroying the latches to save Quent in Borderlands 4

The Setup: What’s at Stake

60-second timer begins immediately after boss defeat
Quent will die if you fail to complete the sequence in time
He’ll be converted into a Ripper if you’re too slow
No gameplay rewards difference but significant moral/story impact

The Rescue Sequence: Step by Step

Phase 1: Pull the 5 Levers

Look up to identify grapple points around the central platform
Follow the circular platform systematically to avoid missing levers
Use grapple hook on each of the 5 levers in sequence
Work clockwise or counterclockwise – consistency helps prevent confusion
Don’t panic – there’s enough time if you work efficiently

Phase 2: Destroy the 3 Pipes

Identify the central pillar connected to the platform
Locate 3 pipes attached to this pillar structure
Shoot each pipe with any weapon until destroyed
Target systematically – don’t waste time switching between distant pipes
Use automatic weapons for faster destruction if available

Destroying the Pipes to Save Quent in Borderlands 4

Time Management Strategy:

Priority Order: Complete levers first, then pipes – the levers require more movement time.

Movement Efficiency: Plan your grapple route to minimize travel between lever points.

Weapon Selection: Have a reliable automatic weapon ready for pipe destruction.

Panic Prevention: Practice identifying all targets before starting if you’re replaying the mission.

Consequences of Your Choices

Successfully Saving Quent:

Quent survives the Ripper conversion process
Zane expresses relief and gratitude
Moral satisfaction from preventing an innocent death
Story continuity with Quent potentially appearing later
Same mission rewards as the failure scenario

Failing to Save Quent:

Quent dies in the conversion machine
Zane experiences rage and grief with additional dialogue
Emotional weight added to the story
No mechanical penalties – rewards remain identical
Permanent story consequence that can’t be undone

Reward Analysis:

Both outcomes provide identical gameplay rewards:

Same XP amount
Same loot drops
Same story progression
No impact on future mission availability

The choice is purely moral and narrative-focused, allowing players to engage with the story’s emotional stakes without mechanical punishment.

Strategic Approach for Success

Pre-Mission Preparation:

Practice ground pound timing in safe areas if unfamiliar
Ensure grapple hook proficiency – this mission heavily relies on grappling
Bring reliable weapons for pipe destruction during rescue sequence
Clear inventory space if needed for mission rewards

Combat Phase Tips:

Clear all enemies thoroughly before attempting puzzles
Save health/ammo for the timed sequence rather than the boss fight
Position strategically for quick transition from boss fight to rescue

Timed Sequence Execution:

Stay calm – panic leads to mistakes and wasted time
Move purposefully rather than frantically
Double-check each lever/pipe to confirm destruction
Practice makes perfect – replay if necessary to master the sequence

Mission Context and Story Impact

Zane’s Character Development:

The Unpaid Tab mission showcases Zane’s personal investment in protecting innocent people while pursuing his vendetta against Callis. Your success or failure in saving Quent reflects the broader theme of whether revenge can coexist with heroism.

Carcadia Reconstruction:

This mission represents efforts to rebuild and protect Carcadia from the chaos that has consumed it. Saving Quent symbolizes hope for the region’s recovery.

Player Agency:

While the rewards remain the same regardless of outcome, the mission gives players meaningful narrative choice through skill execution rather than dialogue selection.

Technical Tips and Troubleshooting

Common Jamming Device Issues:

Wrong ground pound location: Ensure you’re targeting the raised circle specifically
Insufficient height: Grapple higher up the platform for more impact
Timing problems: Hold the ground pound button while airborne, don’t tap it
Platform positioning: Make sure you’re on the elevated platform, not ground level

Rescue Sequence Problems:

Can’t find all levers: Look up and around the entire circular platform
Grapple hook issues: Ensure you’re within range and have clear line of sight
Pipe destruction difficulty: Use sustained fire rather than single shots
Timer pressure: Focus on accuracy over speed – rushing causes mistakes

Mission Reset Options:

If you fail the rescue sequence, you can:

Restart from checkpoint if you want to attempt saving Quent again
Continue with the consequences and experience the alternative story outcome
Replay the entire mission later for completion purposes

For players struggling with grapple hook mechanics throughout the game, our Beginners Guide Essential Tips covers movement fundamentals.

Moral Considerations and Player Choice

The Value of Virtual Lives:

While Quent is a fictional character, the mission raises questions about player responsibility for NPC welfare when mechanical rewards don’t differentiate between outcomes.

Skill vs. Story:

The rescue sequence makes story outcome dependent on player skill rather than dialogue choice, creating a unique form of narrative engagement.

Replay Value:

Players might replay the mission to experience both outcomes, adding replayability through moral curiosity rather than mechanical optimization.

Integration with Broader Borderlands 4 Experience

Character Building:

Success in this mission builds confidence for other timed challenges and environmental puzzles throughout the game.

Gameplay Skills:

The jamming device and rescue sequence teach valuable techniques used in other missions and endgame content.

Story Preparation:

Understanding the moral weight of player actions in Unpaid Tab prepares you for other consequential moments in the campaign.

For more mission guides and story walkthroughs, check out our Story Mission List Complete Guide.

Advanced Strategies for Speedrunners

Optimal Route Execution:

Pre-plan lever sequence before timer starts
Position optimally after boss fight for immediate transition
Use movement abilities to minimize travel time between objectives
Practice the route to achieve consistent sub-45 second completion

Equipment Optimization:

High-damage automatic weapons for pipe destruction
Movement speed bonuses if available in your build
Grapple hook range improvements through gear or skills

Final Thoughts: Heroism Under Pressure

The Unpaid Tab mission exemplifies Borderlands 4’s evolution beyond pure shoot-and-loot gameplay. By combining environmental puzzles, timed challenges, and moral consequences, it creates memorable moments that test both player skill and values.

Whether you successfully save Quent or witness his tragic fate, the mission demonstrates that heroism in the Borderlands universe often comes down to split-second decisions and precise execution under pressure.

Key Takeaways:

Ground pound the raised circle to destroy the jamming device
60 seconds to save Quent via 5 levers and 3 pipes
Same rewards regardless of Quent’s fate
Moral choice through skill rather than dialogue selection

What’s Next: After completing Unpaid Tab, continue your journey through Borderlands 4’s campaign with confidence in your environmental puzzle-solving abilities.

Official Resources:

Related Mission Guides:

Remember: in Borderlands 4, being a hero sometimes means mastering the mechanics as much as making the right moral choices!