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.
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.
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
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:
- One Fell Swoop Mission Guide & Zadra Bug Fix
- Story Mission List Complete Guide
- Beginners Guide Essential Tips
Remember: in Borderlands 4, being a hero sometimes means mastering the mechanics as much as making the right moral choices!
