Borderlands 2 is a title belonging to the series of games initiated in 2009 by Gearbox Software, which constitutes an interesting combination of RPG, first-person shooters, looter shooters, and action games.
These titles are characterized by a dynamic pace, a plot full of humorous accents, and appealing comic-style graphics.
The second part of the game, released in 2012, Borderlands 2, is considered the best main instalment of the entire series. It enjoys higher ratings than its predecessor, and even its successor, which was enriched with new mechanics, improvements, an expanded world, new locations, and improved graphics. The released expansions, in turn, are considered phenomenal.
Would you like to know more about them? Or are you interested in the order to play those games? Today we will tell you all about them!
| DLC | Developer | Main Features | Key Plot Points | New Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty | Triptych Games | - New bosses - New enemies (e.g., sandworms) - Desert setting - Treasure hunt | Vault Hunters search for mythical treasure in Oasis, plagued by Sand Pirates | New bosses, enemies, and challenging fights |
| Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage | The Workshop Entertainment | - New characters and locations - Tournament-style arena - Ritual for accessing Vault | Torgue corporation organizes a tournament to find the Champion of Pandora, introducing new characters and a new Vault | New characters, arena, missions, and returning characters like Tiny Tina and Tannis |
| Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt | Triptych Games | - New continent (Aegrus) - New enemies and bosses - Big game hunting theme | Participate in a hunt for exotic beasts and encounter a tribe that worships Handsome Jack | New continent, new enemies, bosses, and items |
| Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep | Gearbox Software | - Fantasy RPG setting - Dynamic, unstable world - Tiny Tina as Dungeon Master | Tiny Tina creates a magical world for an RPG session, featuring a kidnapped Queen and chaotic realm | Fantasy-themed world, dynamic environment, and a prominent spin-off creation |
| Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary | Gearbox Software | - New locations and characters - Increased level cap to 80 - Precedes Borderlands 3 | Crisis on Pandora with poisonous gas and stolen Vault Map, leading to a journey with Crimson Raiders and Lilith | New locations, characters, missions, and increased level cap |
| Headhunter Packs | Gearbox Software | - Smaller expansions - New missions - Bonus locations - New skins for characters | Various themed short missions, seasonal events | - T.K. Baha’s Bloody Harvest: Halloween-themed missions - The Horrible Hunger of the Ravenous Wattle Gobbler: Thanksgiving event - How Marcus Saved Mercenary Day: Christmas event - Mad Moxxi and the Wedding Day Massacre: Wedding-themed - Sir Hammerlock vs. the Son of Crawmerax: Boss fight |
A Few Words About Borderlands 2
The game Borderlands 2 continues the threads started in the first part of the game. Handsome Jack, an employee of the Hyperion corporation, took credit for all the achievements of the Vault Hunters team we met in BL1.
Enjoying glory and recognition, he took over the corporation and then declared himself the Dictator of the planet Pandora, where he established his insane rule. BL2 is the story of a new team of Vault Hunters whose task is to restore peace on the planet and defeat the tyrant.
BL2 DLCs expand the stories of the characters introduced in the base game and introduce new threads that we can enjoy in the following parts and spin-offs of the series…
Especially one of them, which was considered a true masterpiece and the best part of the entire franchise. But more on that in a moment!
Almost all of the main expansions, except the last one, were released for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
List of Borderlands 2 DLCs
Borderlands 2: Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty
This is the first Borderlands 2 DLC, released just a month after the premiere of the base game. This part was created by Triptych Games, a studio cooperating with 2K Games (the publisher of the Borderlands series).
In it, we again take on the role of the Vault Hunters, who have learned about the existence of the mythical Treasure of the Sands hidden somewhere in the desert.
To find it, they go to the town of Oasis, which, however, has been plundered by Sand Pirates and robbed of the remaining water. On the spot, they find out that the titular Captain Scarlett is also looking for the treasure, with whom they will have to join forces.
This expansion introduces new bosses and completely new, previously unknown enemies (such as sandworms) and the fights pose quite a challenge!
Borderlands 2: Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage
This is the second of five major expansions, this time created by The Workshop Entertainment in cooperation with 2K Games. The team responsible for the series, Gearbox, of course, oversaw the project.
The plot of this expansion focuses on a newly discovered Vault, which is hidden in the middle of a huge crater. The only way to get to it is to perform a certain ritual that must be conducted by the Champion of Pandora.
The contents of the mysterious Vault interest the Torgue corporation, so its management decides to organize a tournament (to find the Champion) in a specially prepared arena.
This add-on again introduces new characters and locations, as well as several new, interesting missions. However, we will also see characters known from the series again, including Tiny Tina and Tannis.
Borderlands 2: Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt
Another expansion, again created by the Triptych team, under the watchful eye of Gearbox. Like the previous DLCs, this one also enjoys great acclaim from fans and high ratings.
The very title of this Borderlands 2 DLC – Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt – perfectly summarizes the plot and what awaits us in the game.
In this part, we participate in a hunt organized by Sir Hammerlock for intriguing beasts inhabiting the mysterious corners of Pandora. However, this expedition quickly turns into a much more serious adventure – during the journey, our group encounters a tribe that worships Handsome Jack.
This add-on introduces a completely new continent – Aegrus, which consists of many fascinating, previously unknown locations. Again, we will have the chance to fight new enemies and bosses, as well as acquire completely new items.
Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep
This is the fourth and, in the developer’s initial strategy, the last of the planned DLCs for Borderlands 2. According to us and many other players and critics, it is the most interesting and craziest of the created expansions.
It is also worth adding that the story told in it gave life to an outstanding spin-off of the series – Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands (2022).
This title is set in a magical, fantasy land created by the titular Tiny Tina. The girl, as the Dungeon Master, built this world for the purpose of an RPG session she is playing with her friends. However, it is worth adding that Tina is not a completely stable teenager… the world we are transported to is also not stable – locations can change beyond recognition in an instant, the attributes and strengths of enemies can skyrocket out of the blue, and the course of events can reconstruct seemingly senselessly.
The plot, in turn, focuses on the kidnapping of the Queen, which contributed to the chaos in the realm she ruled. The only hope for the ruler and the kingdom is a group of brave Vault Hunters.
Borderlands 2: Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary
The fifth, newest DLC, released many years after the premiere of Borderlands 2, which this time came to newer generation consoles – including previously unconsidered hardware from Nintendo (Switch).
This expansion preceded the release of Borderlands 3, but it did not enjoy the best ratings (compared to the previous four).
The plot of this expansion focuses on another crisis on Pandora, which is shrouded in poisonous gas. Additionally, the Vault Map has been stolen, and Sanctuary has been attacked.
Once again, we take on the role of one of the heroes known from the base game and, together with a group of Vault Hunters and Crimson Raiders, led by the titular Lilith, set off on a journey. Its goal is to find out who is behind the attack.
The game, like all previous expansions, introduces new locations and characters, as well as a range of new missions. Moreover, Borderlands 2 Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary increases the maximum level that can be reached during the adventure to 80.
Headhunter Packs
In addition to the major DLCs, Gearbox Software also released a series of much smaller expansions introducing new, short missions and bonus locations, as well as new skins for playable characters. These expansions were named Headhunter Packs.
Initially, the developer planned to release only 3 such packs, but they enjoyed very high interest (mainly due to their low price) and positive reviews from players, so ultimately, there were 5. Here they are:
- T.K. Baha’s Bloody Harvest (2013)
- The Horrible Hunger of the Ravenous Wattle Gobbler (2013)
- How Marcus Saved Mercenary Day (2013)
- Mad Moxxi and the Wedding Day Massacre (2014)
- Sir Hammerlock vs. the Son of Crawmerax (2014)
In each of the expansions, we could meet characters known from the franchise – both as playable heroes and side NPCs.
Summary
And here we conclude our list of Borderlands 2 expansions. As you can see, each of them introduces a range of interesting missions and completely new locations that allow you to thoroughly explore Pandora.
We also get to know a lot of interesting characters, whose stories were continued in the following installments of the game, and we also meet those we already know and love again!
In what order to play these expansions? Preferably in the order in which they were released – especially since they address certain issues that were continued and developed in later installments of the franchise!
The Headhunter Packs, in turn, constitute a great expansion and diversification of the gameplay for all fans.
Do you have a favourite expansion?