Gearbox Software has unleashed Horrors of Kairos, the first limited-time Seasonal Mini-Event for Borderlands 4, bringing a mix of blood-soaked visuals, rare loot drops, and exclusive cosmetics for daring Vault Hunters. Running from October 23 to November 6, 2025, the event is free to all players and transforms the chaotic world of Kairos into a macabre playground filled with nightmarish weather effects and new Legendary weapons.
First revealed during the PAX Australia post-launch content panel, Horrors of Kairos marks the debut of Borderlands 4’s ongoing live event schedule. Unlike larger DLC expansions, this event focuses on temporary world alterations and thematic loot—designed to keep players returning for fresh rewards throughout the season.
Blood Rain, World Bosses, and Legendary Rewards
During the Horrors of Kairos event, every world boss encounter now triggers an unsettling blood rain effect across the battlefield. Beyond the visual overhaul, world bosses drop exclusive Legendary loot that reflects the event’s gruesome tone. Players can hunt for:
- “Murmur” Legendary Tediore Assault Rifle – Delivers guaranteed critical hits on targets below 35% health, instantly executing weakened foes.
- “Skully” Legendary Order Grenade – A spectral explosive that homes in on enemies, releasing deadly projectiles before detonation.
These event-exclusive items are automatically delivered to players’ Reward Center under the Equipment section of the inventory, eliminating the need for manual pickups. The new loot provides a temporary meta shift—encouraging players to challenge familiar bosses under far deadlier conditions.
Redeem Free SHiFT Code for “Gourd Your Loins” and “Hex Appeal”
In addition to combat rewards, Gearbox is giving all players two limited-edition cosmetics through a redeemable SHiFT code. The rewards include:
- “Gourd Your Loins” Vault Hunter Head – A pumpkin-themed cosmetic headpiece available for Vex, Rafa, Amon, and Harlowe.
- “Hex Appeal” Weapon Skin – A sleek, event-themed skin usable on any weapon in the game.
Players can claim both rewards by redeeming the following SHiFT code before December 31, 2030:
3S6BB-ZXT93-KRT3W-BT3T3-JW6TZ
(Requires a copy of Borderlands 4, a SHiFT account, and an active internet connection. Only one redemption is permitted per SHiFT account.)
Event Duration and How to Participate
The Horrors of Kairos event is live from October 23, 2025 (00:00 UTC) through November 6, 2025 (23:59 UTC). Participation is automatic for all players—no special quest or DLC download is required. Simply log in during the event window, challenge world bosses, and collect the exclusive loot from your Reward Center.
This short-lived event emphasizes replayability and experimentation. The atmospheric overhaul and new enemy modifiers give players an opportunity to experience Kairos in a different, more sinister light. It’s a reminder that even a world already filled with chaos can get a little darker when the skies start to bleed.
Released on September 12, 2025, Borderlands 4 continues Gearbox’s legacy of bombastic gunplay, irreverent humor, and procedural loot systems. Set on the sprawling, seamless planet Kairos, the game follows four new Vault Hunters who must unite to overthrow a time-controlling tyrant known as The Timekeeper.
The latest entry introduces new movement mechanics—including gliding and a grappling hook—to complement the classic looter-shooter formula. The game is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), with a Nintendo Switch 2 release scheduled for a later date.
