Not Just For Swinging: Borderlands 4’s Grappling Hook Reveals Unexpected “Fishing” Mechanic!

Not Just For Swinging: Borderlands 4’s Grappling Hook Reveals Unexpected “Fishing” Mechanic!

Vault Hunters, prepare to cast your lines (and your grappling hooks!) into the murky depths of Kairos, because Borderlands 4‘s new grappling hook isn’t just for stylish traversal and explosive combat – it also lets you fish for loot! This unexpected, yet delightfully Borderlands-esque, hidden feature was recently stumbled upon by Twitch streamer TweetyExpert during the Borderlands Fan Fest event on June 21, 2025, much to the surprise and amusement of the community.

While the grappling hook has been prominently featured as a game-changer for movement and offensive tactics, allowing the four new Vault Hunters to swing across chasms, rappel down cliffs, and even hurl explosive barrels at hapless foes, its aquatic application introduces an entirely new dimension to the looter-shooter’s gameplay loop.

Reel It In: How Fishing Works in Borderlands 4

TweetyExpert’s gameplay footage from the pre-release event showcased the surprising mechanic. When hovering over certain bodies of water, players will notice a distinctive ripple effect on the surface, indicating that there’s something lurking beneath that can be “grappled.” Once a grapple is successfully deployed, a shower of lootable items erupts from the water, momentarily suspended in the air for players to snag before they fall back down.

While not every “catch” will be a legendary weapon or a vital piece of gear, this unique form of fishing adds another layer to the series’ relentless pursuit of loot. It’s a whimsical nod to the franchise’s often absurd humor, recalling the original Borderlands‘ optional mission “Wanted: Fresh Fish,” where players had to grenade-fish for rewards. This time, however, the grappling hook makes the process far more engaging and integral to the new movement system.

More Than Just a Hook: Borderlands 4’s Traversal Revolution

The grappling hook is a core component of Borderlands 4‘s revamped movement system, designed to make exploration and combat more fluid and dynamic than ever before. Gearbox Software, the developers, have emphasized a shift towards “less borders; more lands,” with larger, more seamless zones on the new planet Kairos and fewer loading screens.

Players will be able to combine the grappling hook with other new traversal abilities such as:

• Double Jumping: Providing increased verticality and evasiveness.
• Gliding: Allowing for sustained air time and strategic positioning.
• Dodging: Offering quick evasive maneuvers in combat.
• Ground Pounds: Enabling devastating area-of-effect attacks from above.

These combined mechanics aim to create a fast-paced, “run-and-gun” experience that allows Vault Hunters to deal death from every direction, whether zipping around enemies, closing distances rapidly, or raining down fire from above. The addition of the grappling hook to pull in environmental objects like explosive containers or even distant enemies for a melee finisher further enhances its versatility.

Other Major Borderlands 4 Innovations

The grappling hook and fishing mechanic are just a taste of the numerous new features coming to Borderlands 4 when it launches on September 12, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version confirmed for a later date. Gearbox has been revealing a steady stream of information, highlighting their ambition for the latest installment:

• Unreal Engine 5: The game is the first in the series to be developed on Unreal Engine 5, promising larger zones, fewer loading screens, and enhanced graphical fidelity. While some fans have noted a “cleaner” art style that might diverge slightly from the series’ grittier aesthetic, the technological leap is undeniable.
• Deeper Skill Trees & Build Options: Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has boasted that Borderlands 4 will feature “more skills per character than in Borderlands 3 and 2 added together.” This suggests an unprecedented level of build customization, allowing players to tailor their Vault Hunters to highly specific playstyles.
• Manufacturer Part System: A significant change to weaponry allows guns to have parts from multiple manufacturers (e.g., a Jakobs shotgun with a Torgue magazine or Maliwan elemental switch), leading to billions of truly unique and wild weapon combinations.
• New & Returning Characters: The game introduces four new Vault Hunters and takes players to the new planet Kairos, ruled by the oppressive Timekeeper. Familiar faces like Amara, Zane, and Moxxi from previous installments are confirmed to appear as mission givers or allies.
• Revamped Healing & Loot: New “Repkits” offer tactical healing with temporary buffs, and while legendary weapons will be rarer, the overall loot system aims to be smarter and less cluttered.
• Seamless Open World Events & Cross-Play: The world of Kairos will feature dynamic events, and cross-play will be available at launch, fostering a thriving multiplayer experience.
• Optional Combat Radar: A quality-of-life improvement, an optional combat radar will be available upon release, addressing player requests for enhanced situational awareness.

Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be a true evolution of the beloved looter-shooter franchise, blending its signature chaotic action and irreverent humor with significant gameplay enhancements and a commitment to player choice. The grappling hook, in its surprising dual role as both a traversal tool and a fishing rod, perfectly encapsulates this blend of innovation and classic Borderlands charm. Get ready to swing, shoot, and fish your way to legendary loot when the game launches this September!