Summary
Gearbox Software’s legendary looter shooter series,Borderlands, is about to enter its next phase. After years of rumors and assumptions,Gearbox recently officially confirmedBorderlands 4is currently in development. With speculation picking up regarding where and how the latest entry will take its gameplay, story, and characters, especially given some of the major cliffhangers and open threads that were left in the wake of the previous tale’s conclusion, it’s an exciting time forBorderlandsplayers as anticipation mounts for the upcoming entry.
One of the more flavorful (and even-keeled) figures featured in the franchise is Sir Alastair Hammerlock. Resembling aBorderlandsversion of Theodore Roosevelt—right down to the stylish safari hat, dashing monocle, and mustache—Hammerlock debuted inBorderlands 2and has subsequently appeared across the breadth of titles and extra content since. And as fans gear up for the fourth main title, it might be time for the studio to let players step into Hammerlock’s shoes as one of the latest Vault Hunters.
Although the announcement ofBorderlands 4brought good tidings, accompanying it was also the news thatGearbox would be experiencing layoffs due to its sale by Embracer Group.
Borderlands 4 Should Finally Make Hammerlock a Playable Vault Hunter
Sir Hammerlock’s Previous Appearances and Adventures in Borderlands
Hammerlock has often appeared amenable to the player and other important Vault Hunters, assisting them at various times during the events of each game’s plot as well as in later DLCs. He has an extensive and storied history, being the brother to Lady Aurelia, the Baroness archetype fromBorderlands: The Pre-Sequeland secondary antagonist inBL3, where she was working with the main villains, the Calypso Twins, to thwart the Vault Hunters.
Aurelia also supported Handsome Jack’s rise to power in the Hyperion corporation. Hammerlock himself, though, is usually shown to be courteous and upstanding, lending a helping hand when not busy indulging in his passion for hunting dangerous game and exploring the universe.
Hammerlock has been a stalwart ally, as he is both an honorable and skilled warrior.
Hammerlock was featured most prominently inBorderlands 3’s Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC. The plot revolved around the wedding ofCEO Wainwright Jakobsand Sir Alistair Hammerlock, which was in danger of being disrupted by a villainous cult. The DLC fleshed Hammerlock’s facets out even more, rounding his personality and history out further while letting players spend more time with him. Throughout his time, Hammerlock has been a stalwart ally, as he is both an honorable and skilled warrior.
Why Borderlands 4 Making Hammerlock Playable Would Be a Perfect Fit
Hammerlock’s largely grounded gentlemanly mannerisms usually humorously contrast withBorderlands' more outlandish figures like Claptrap and Tiny Tina. With his hunting skills and knowledge of the galaxy’s wildlife, he could be seamlessly integrated into thenext batch ofBorderlandsVault Hunter classes, and finally give fans the chance to experience the story as Hammerlock firsthand, bringing him out of the background and into the thick of the action, where he seems to naturally prefer being.
Given that Aurelia was previously playable, it would be a natural next step to include Hammerlock as one of the Vault Hunter protagonists inBorderlands 4.
Hammerlock’s class could perhaps function as something like a cross betweenBL3’s robot mercenary FL4K and sniper expert Mordecai, who was part ofBorderlands' core group of heroes, the Crimson Raiders, after being one of the original Vault Hunters. Combined with his affinity for Jakobs weaponry, it would likely make sense to have Hammerlock receive extra bonuses when using the company’s armaments. More unique Jakobs arms that are specifically tailored to Hammerlock, with an array of related skills and special abilities, would make a great compliment too. The potential for cool and creative skins for him is ripe as well.
Considering all these factors, it would be an incredibly fun and fitting choice for Gearbox to offer Hammerlock as a Vault Hunter in the next lineup, and perhaps it will surprise fans by doing so. For now, though, players will need to wait until theBL4cast is revealed, which hopefully will be sooner now that the fourth title is set.
