Borderlands 4 Vex Siren Design Review (March 2026) – My Honest Take

After playing through every Borderlands game since the original launched in 2009, I’ve come to expect certain things from Sirens – they’re powerful, mysterious, and yes, usually have that edgy, goth-girl aesthetic that’s become synonymous with these cosmic warriors. When Gearbox revealed Vex for Borderlands 4 during the PlayStation State of Play in March 2026, I couldn’t help but feel a familiar twinge of disappointment mixed with excitement. Don’t get me wrong – Vex looks incredible, and her necromancer-style gameplay with her companion Trouble seems genuinely innovative. But after watching her character trailer “Purple Friday” and analyzing the gameplay footage, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re seeing another iteration of the same Siren archetype we’ve had since Lilith first phase-walked onto our screens.

The Game Rant article that sparked this conversation made some valid points about Vex following the predictable “cool goth girl” template, and I have to agree. But let me dive deeper into why this matters and what Gearbox could have done differently while still respecting what makes Sirens special in the Borderlands universe.

Understanding the Criticism: Why Vex Feels Too Familiar?

Looking at Vex’s design and personality from what we’ve seen so far, she fits neatly into the established Siren mold. She’s got the dark aesthetic, the mysterious backstory, and that confident, slightly aloof personality that screams “I have cosmic powers and I’m too cool for this.” It’s a formula that’s worked before – Lilith had her punk rock vibe, Maya brought the mystical warrior energy, and Amara delivered the brawling confidence. Even Angel, trapped as she was, maintained that otherworldly mystique.

In my experience analyzing character designs across the franchise (and trust me, I’ve spent way too many hours perfecting my mastering Borderlands 2 Sirens), the issue isn’t that Vex looks bad – she looks fantastic. The purple and black color scheme, the ethereal companion, the kinetic damage focus – it’s all visually striking and mechanically interesting. The problem is that we’ve seen variations of this personality type four times now, and it’s starting to feel like Gearbox is afraid to break the mold.

What really struck me during the State of Play reveal was how Vex’s dialogue and mannerisms felt instantly familiar. That cool confidence, the way she delivers one-liners, even her stance – it all feels like a remix of previous Sirens rather than something genuinely new. And this is where the criticism becomes valid: why can’t we have a Siren who breaks these conventions?

Vex’s Genuine Innovations That Deserve Recognition

Before I continue critiquing, let me be clear about what Vex brings to the table that’s genuinely exciting. According to the official Borderlands 4 website and the developer deep dive from July 2026, Vex introduces several firsts for playable Sirens:

First, she’s the only Siren focused primarily on kinetic damage rather than elemental effects. Her Phase Covenant trait allows her to attune to different elements temporarily, but her core damage type is pure kinetic force. This is a significant departure from previous Sirens who were all about fire, shock, corrosive, or slag damage.

Second, her companion Trouble isn’t just a gimmick – it’s a fully integrated part of her kit. The Phase Phamiliar mechanics allow for strategic positioning and combo plays that we haven’t seen in previous Borderlands games. During hands-on previews, GameSpot noted that Vex requires more tactical thinking than previous Sirens, with weaker defensive capabilities offset by enhanced movement and positioning requirements.

Third, the necromancer-style gameplay with life steal mechanics reaching up to 75% health restoration (according to TechPowerUp’s analysis) creates a risk-reward playstyle that’s unique among Sirens. You’re not just blasting enemies with elemental damage; you’re managing a complex ecosystem of damage, healing, and companion positioning.

When I look at these mechanics, I see genuine innovation in gameplay. My concern isn’t with how Vex plays – it’s with who she is as a character, especially when compared to other iconic popular video game characters who have broken conventions.

What Could Have Been: Alternative Siren Personalities

Imagine, if you will, a Siren who’s absolutely terrified of her powers. Not in a whiny, annoying way, but in a genuinely relatable “holy crap, I can bend reality and that’s terrifying” way. Picture someone who apologizes when their powers activate, who stumbles over their feet during action skills, who celebrates small victories with genuine, unironic enthusiasm. This wouldn’t make them weak – just human in a way previous Sirens haven’t been.

Or consider a Siren with a bubbly, optimistic personality who sees their cosmic horror companion as a cute pet. Someone who names their phase abilities things like “Sparkle Time” and “Friend Maker 3000.” The juxtaposition of immense cosmic power with genuine cheerfulness could create memorable moments and freshen up the franchise’s tone.

During my time with the community on Reddit’s r/Borderlands, I’ve seen numerous discussions about wanting more personality diversity in Vault Hunters. The cosplay community, including talented creators like jessilyncupcake, has shown how much fans connect with these characters beyond just their visual design. A Siren with a completely different personality archetype would open up new storytelling opportunities and fan engagement.

Community Reception and the Bigger Picture

The community’s response to Vex has been fascinating to watch unfold. While the overall sentiment is positive – especially regarding her gameplay mechanics – there’s a undercurrent of “been there, done that” when it comes to her personality. Discord discussions and forum threads are full of players excited about the necromancer builds they’re planning but lukewarm about Vex as a character.

What’s interesting is that Gearbox has shown they can create diverse personality types with other Vault Hunters. Look at Claptrap’s annoying enthusiasm, Krieg’s psychotic poetry, or FL4K’s deadpan robot humor. They’ve proven they can write characters that break conventions. So why do Sirens remain locked in this one personality type?

According to developer interviews from the July 2026 reveal, the team wanted Vex to feel “powerful and confident” to match her abilities. But power and confidence don’t have to manifest as cool detachment. Some of the most powerful characters in gaming history have been nervous, excitable, or even comedic while still being taken seriously when it matters.

This reminds me of why I love analyzing Borderlands 3’s cross-platform capabilities – it’s about connecting different player experiences and breaking down barriers, something character design could benefit from too.

The Path Forward: Embracing Character Diversity

As someone who’s planning to play Borderlands 4 on my high refresh rate gaming setup from day one, I’m still excited about Vex. Her gameplay looks phenomenal, and I’m already theory-crafting builds focused on maximizing Trouble’s effectiveness while managing the life steal mechanics. The kinetic damage focus opens up weapon synergies we haven’t had access to before, and the skill trees shown in the State of Play footage suggest deep customization options.

But I can’t help wondering what could have been if Gearbox had taken a risk with Vex’s personality. The foundation is there – a younger, less experienced Siren who’s still learning to control her powers. Why not lean into that inexperience? Give us awkward dialogue, clumsy animations, genuine surprise when abilities work correctly. Make her growth throughout the game feel earned rather than assumed.

The Borderlands franchise has always thrived on its humor and willingness to be weird. Having a Siren who breaks the mold wouldn’t diminish the mystique of these cosmic warriors – it would enhance it by showing that power manifests in different ways. Not every Siren needs to be a cool, confident badass from the start. Some could be works in progress, and that’s okay.

For players looking to experience the full Borderlands series before the new game launches, understanding Borderlands 2’s cross-platform limitations is important for planning multiplayer sessions with friends across different platforms.

Hardware Considerations for the Best Vex Experience

Speaking of preparation, if you’re planning to main Vex when Borderlands 4 launches on September 12, 2026, you’ll want to ensure your gaming setup can handle the enhanced visual effects of her necromancer abilities. Based on the gameplay footage, Vex’s spectral effects and Trouble’s animations are quite demanding. I recommend checking out the best gaming laptops under $1000 if you need an upgrade that won’t break the bank.

For the ultimate Borderlands 4 experience, especially with Vex’s fast-paced companion management gameplay, a high refresh rate display makes a significant difference. The smooth motion helps track Trouble’s positioning and manage the tactical elements of Vex’s kit more effectively.

Final Thoughts: Innovation Beyond Mechanics

Vex represents both the best and most frustrating aspects of Borderlands 4’s approach to character design. Mechanically, she’s innovative and exciting, bringing genuinely new gameplay concepts to the Siren class. But personality-wise, she’s playing it safe, sticking to a formula that’s worked before but is starting to show its age.

As we approach Borderlands 4’s launch, I hope Gearbox surprises us with Vex’s character development. Maybe her confident exterior hides insecurities that emerge through the story. Maybe her relationship with Trouble reveals unexpected depths. Or maybe future DLC will introduce Sirens who break the mold entirely.

For now, I’ll be diving into my comprehensive Vex Siren guide to master her abilities when the game launches. Because regardless of my feelings about her personality, I know the gameplay will be stellar. I just wish Gearbox had been as innovative with who Vex is as they were with how she plays.

The beauty of Borderlands has always been its willingness to be different, to push boundaries, to make us laugh while we’re shooting psychos in the face. It’s time for that same adventurous spirit to extend to Siren character design. After all, in a universe as wild and unpredictable as Borderlands, why should all Sirens fit the same mold?

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, understanding the evolution of gaming characters and their design philosophies helps us appreciate both the successes and missed opportunities in modern game development. Vex may follow familiar patterns, but she’s still part of what makes Borderlands special – a franchise that continues to evolve while maintaining its unique identity.