Borderlands 4 players preparing for a serious endgame challenge will soon have a new target in sight. Beginning on May 28, Vault Hunters can take on Subjugator and Thol the Invincible, a new Raid Boss encounter built around a brutal two-stage fight that becomes more dangerous the longer it goes on.
Subjugator and Thol have spent ages serving the Timekeeper, isolated on an island off the coast of the Fadefields while waiting for someone worthy enough to challenge them. That wait is finally ending as players prepare to step into what looks like one of the game’s toughest encounters yet.
The battle starts with both bosses fighting together in a tag-team setup. Subjugator controls the battlefield from above while hovering through the arena, creating pressure from range. Alongside him stands Thol, a massive opponent built for direct confrontation. Players will not simply be dealing with two enemies attacking at the same time. Throughout the encounter, the pair alternates their attacks and movement patterns before combining forces for a coordinated assault.
Even after taking one of them down, the fight does not end. Defeating either boss triggers the second phase of the encounter, where the surviving enemy becomes empowered and retreats back to its own domain. Once there, the remaining boss returns at full strength in an ascended form.
Each upgraded version comes with different abilities and mechanics, which means players will have to adjust depending on which opponent survives the opening phase. The choice of target may end up changing the entire flow of the encounter. The raid also introduces a collection of new rewards for players capable of surviving the battle.
The headline addition is the Jail-Broken Gatling, a new Pearlescent Ripper SMG that becomes increasingly aggressive with sustained hits. Consecutive shots build bonuses that increase fire rate, damage, recoil, and even add a chance to launch extra projectiles. Subjugator and Thol also have four new Legendary items available in their loot pool:
- Lockjaw (Torgue Assault Rifle), which fires explosive rounds that bounce between targets
- Shammy Kablammy (Tediore Pistol), which coats enemies in Moonshine before triggering Incendiary explosions
- Flak Cannon (Vladof Heavy Weapon Ordnance), designed to flood enemies with bullets
- Collector (Order Shield), a high-capacity Energy Shield with fast recharge potential
Five new Class Mods are also available through the encounter, giving each Vault Hunter their own unique reward to chase. Players hoping to challenge the duo should remember one important requirement before jumping in. However, the main campaign must be completed first before Subjugator and Thol the Invincible become available.
