The Next Borderlands 3 Story DLC Could Bring Back [SPOILER]
In 6 days' time, Borderlands 3 fans will be treated to the official reveal of the next story DLC. Gearbox is currently slated to show it off at PAX East on February 27, 2020, and while fans are eager for confirmation, rumors and leaks have been as rampant as ever. Perhaps the biggest rumor at this point is that the story dlc is titled Bar Man and the Second Stars, but before moving forward, it's worth highlighting that this is, indeed, just a rumor. All information here should be taken with the proper grain of salt, as this could be cut content or any number of things besides story DLC.
Reportedly, this Borderlands 3 DLC will take place on an asteroid and involve players helping a bartender rescue his some from the Second Stars, who have suspicious cult-like beliefs. There's trials involving setting themselves on fire, and it turns out that the Second Stars is led by a Vault Hunter. This is likely the biggest hint at it being genuinely being DLC, as Mad Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot brought back Timothy, the vault-hunting doppelganger of Jack from The Pre-Sequel.
Based on this rumor, there's only one living vault hunter who really fits the bill: Borderlands 2's Axton. Saving him for last, here's why Axton is the logical choice.
By process of elimination, the vault hunters of the first game are the easiest to rule out. During the events of Borderlands 2, Roland dies, leaving Brick and Mordecai all but attached to the hip of Tiny Tina (who is not so tiny any more). With them working with her, it's easy to say they're not leading a cult on their own. This just leaves Lilith, who based on the ending of Borderlands 3, probably won't appear, but more on that later.
Based on the events of Borderlands 3, Maya and Zero are simple enough to rule out. Krieg sounds like a good fit: a cult, fire, and more, but there's reason to believe it won't be everyone's favorite psycho. Namely, files indicated that Krieg was originally in Borderlands 3 and cut, with his appearance now rumored to be on a new planet explored later. Of course, this could mean nothing, but for now, it seems safe to count Krieg out.
At best, Salvador can be classified as Chaotic Neutral, meaning that he sows chaos for chaos' sake and doesn't really follow a defined order. This makes him suddenly leading a cult somewhat unlikely, unless the character has severely changed since the events of the second game. Gaige the Mechromancer would be a huge Vault Hunter to make a comeback, but perhaps more so than others, Gearbox has maintained a strong radio silence on Gaige. As such, that doesn't rule her out, but the silence combined with her not really being tied to a cult in any real way, it may be best to place her in the same caegory as Salvador and Krieg. This leaves Axton...and for good reason.
As far as The Pre-Sequel is concerned, Nisha, Wilhelm, and Aurelia are all dead, easily ruling them out. Timothy appear in Mad Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, Claptrap is still on-board the Sanctuary 3, and Athena has already served a narrative purpose in the overarching Borderlands universe.
Ever since Rhys was confirmed for Borderlands 3, many have asked where Fiona was. It would make some sense for her to be leading a stir-crazy cult with her con artist skills, but given this story sounds like it would be removed from Rhys, it doesn't seem like the most plausible scenario. Rhys doesn't define her character, of course, but that would be like seeing Mordecai without Brick nowadays -- it just doesn't happen.
All of this is to say that Axton sounds like the most likely character to be leading the Second Stars. Beyond the process of elimination, though, there are a few reasons Axton makes the most sense. Namely, the asteroid and space where the Borderlands 3 DLC reportedly takes place is said to be owned by Dahl, a company in which Axton has an extensive background. He worked in the Dahl military force for 10 years before going AWOL, so if Dahl does have some presence here, it would make sense for Axton to take on his standard leadership role and have a military force beneath him.
The Second Stars may be very cult-ish, but that doesn't mean they can't be organized. Axton is the best man for that, and given the background, seems like a safe bet. Of course, as aforementioned, this only qualifies him as the only living character...
If a cult who believed it could create fire with its mind were to follow someone, the easiest answer would be the Fire Hawk. It could be that reports of Lilith made it to the vault hunters who then traveled to this asteroid, learned of the Second Stars, and joined up with Bar Man to infiltrate the quote. This doesn't sound all too different from Lilith's initial role in Borderlands 2 and could easily be used to set up the return of the Fire Hawk.
It's worth mentioning that many do not believe Lilith is dead, and many think that Tannis was trying to track her down. That begs the question as to how Lilith even made it to the asteroid and why she hasn't return to the vault hunters, but it would be a good way to bring this character back into the fold. On the other hand, all of this could be true with someone claiming to be the Fire Hawk, but then it turns out to not be her. That would be a harsh troll, but it would fit in with Borderlands 3's signature style.
That said, there's one big reason that makes Axton more likely than Lilith: involving her too soon, living or dead, would undermine the main campaign. It hasn't been a full year yet since Borderlands 3 released, with many still reeling from its end, and even if she is canonically still alive, it's too soon. Content like this seems more befitting of the final story DLC, in which could somehow bring her back or set up her role in the next game.
Ultimately, the very existence of the Second Stars is just rumor at this point, and all of this mere speculation. If it does turn out to be true, however, then Axton may finally get some well-deserved screentime in Borderlands 3.
Borderlands 3 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
Post a Comment