If you want rewards worthy of a Vault Hunter, aim for Borderlands 4 Boosting platinum here. The Airship event has some of the most satisfying loot drops tied to Order tech destruction.
Rewards and Why They Matter
All three events operate on the same rank-based system: bronze for minimal participation, silver and gold for solid effort, and platinum for near-perfection. Platinum completions guarantee the highest quality loot showers, making these events ideal for farming late-game Borderlands 4 Gear.
Beyond loot, completing these activities also unlocks achievement progress, so if you're chasing 100% completion, you'll need to run each of them multiple times.
Final Thoughts
World events in Borderlands 4 are more than just side distractions-they're high-energy challenges that test your builds, teamwork, and ability to adapt.
The Goredello is about endurance and precision kills.
Creep Impact pushes you to multitask between combat and collection.
The Airship Event rewards sheer destruction and smart use of explosives.
Together, they capture the spirit of Borderlands: chaotic firefights, quirky objectives, and mountains of loot at the finish line.
If you've already wrapped up the campaign and Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode, don't let your Vault Hunter sit idle. Head out into Kairos, tackle these events, and chase that platinum rank. Not only will your inventory thank you, but you'll also experience some of the most entertaining content the game has to offer. Having plenty of Borderlands 4 Money makes the experience more interesting.
The eighteenth main story mission in Borderlands 4, Means of Ascent, takes you deeper into the Dominion storyline and sets the stage for your confrontation with the mysterious Timekeeper. This mission revolves around planning a way to climb Ascension Tower, a heavily fortified structure protected by high-tech defenses. With your allies Zadra and Defiant Calder at your side, you'll fight through waves of Order enemies, acquire a crucial Ordonite capacitor, and prepare for the climb toward the Timekeeper himself.
This step-by-step walkthrough will guide you through every stage of the mission, highlighting key objectives, enemy encounters, and tips for surviving the Dominion's relentless defenders.
Starting the Mission
You'll kick off Means of Ascent by traveling to the Terminus District, located on the eastern edge of Dominion. Once you get close to the objective marker, the Timekeeper will reach out, delivering one of his cryptic monologues as you approach. Zadra then confirms that you're in the right place when the towering structure of Ascension Tower comes into view.
Your path forward is narrow, lined with barricades and crawling with Order soldiers. Expect heavy resistance here-snipers perched along the walkways and shock troops rushing from cover. Keep advancing through the tight corridors until you reach the base of the tower itself.
Running Into Defenses
As you get close to Ascension Tower, a red warning flares across your screen, and your progress grinds to a halt. The tower's defensive systems prevent you from getting any closer. At this point, Zadra identifies the problem: you'll need an Ordonite capacitor to bypass the tower's energy shield. Defiant Calder then suggests heading to a rail depot to the south, where such a device can be found.
Finding the Ordonite Capacitor
Leave Ascension Tower behind for now and head south through the city. The journey isn't direct-you'll need to cut across winding streets and make your way toward a canal. Once you hit the water, turn east and continue along its edge.
The approach to the rail depot introduces a new environmental puzzle. Just outside the front entrance, you'll see a marked power source sitting on the ground. Pick it up and hurl it into the glowing mechanism above the doorway to overload the system and unlock the entrance.
Clearing the Holding Bay
Inside the rail depot, Calder warns that you'll need to clear out Order forces before you can start searching for the capacitor. A wave of standard enemies fills the first chamber-use grenades or area-of-effect skills to thin the crowd quickly.
With the initial wave defeated, focus on the power pylons surrounding the room. In the center of the area sits another glowing power source. You'll need to repeat the earlier mechanic: pick up the power source and throw it into the four marked slots located along the walls. Each successful throw powers one section of the system, eventually unlocking the gate deeper inside.
Once all four pylons are active, approach the large sealed gate and flip the door switch on its left side. This opens the way into the depot's holding bay. Inside, you'll find the Ordonite capacitor resting on a train car near a pile of crates. Grab the capacitor, and prepare for the trek back to Ascension Tower.
Returning to Ascension Tower
The return trip is anything but peaceful. As you approach the tower again, Order forces ambush you along the plaza's central walkway. This ambush features several waves of enemies, including a pair of Badass Order soldiers armed with high-damage elemental Borderlands 4 Weapons.
Pro Tip: Don't rush into the plaza too early. Enemy spawns trigger in the middle of the walkway, so hold back, let the first wave spawn, and pick them off from cover before moving forward.
Elemental Awareness: The Badasses often spawn with fire or shock gear. Keep an eye on your resistances and use corrosive or cryo weapons to break their armor faster.
Once the waves are cleared, move toward the tower. As you step closer, the defensive warning flashes across your HUD once more. This time, you're ready. Place the Ordonite capacitor into the designated slot. A short cutscene triggers, showing Zadra using the device to disable the tower's energy shield.
Mission Completion
With the tower's defenses down, the path is finally open for your eventual climb. The mission ends here, but the cutscene sets the stage for the next chapter of Borderlands 4's story. You're now closer than ever to confronting the Timekeeper, but Dominion won't let you reach him without throwing every obstacle in your path.
Your reward includes standard mission loot-XP, cash, and a random Borderlands 4 Gear drop-along with the satisfaction of unlocking access to Ascension Tower.
Tips for Success
Weapon Variety Matters
Since you'll be facing multiple enemy types, carry at least one corrosive weapon for armored foes and a shock weapon for shields. A reliable shotgun or SMG helps in close quarters inside the depot.
Save Heavy Ammo
Hold onto your rocket launcher or heavy ordnance for the ambush on your return to Ascension Tower. The Badass enemies can soak huge amounts of damage, and a well-placed heavy shot can end them quickly.
Use Cover Smartly
Both the narrow paths leading to the tower and the holding bay fights can overwhelm you if you stay in the open. Use crates, pillars, and walls to your advantage while reloading or recovering.
Keep an Eye on Objectives
Don't forget to interact with environmental switches and pylons. It's easy to get distracted in firefights, but the puzzles are necessary to progress.
Final Thoughts
Means of Ascent is one of Borderlands 4's more tactical missions, blending classic firefights with puzzle-like mechanics and a strong narrative push. While it isn't the final showdown with the Timekeeper, it sets the tone for what's to come by showing just how well-defended Dominion's inner sanctum truly is.
By carefully navigating the rail depot, securing the Ordonite capacitor, and pushing through waves of enemies on your return, you'll overcome one of the key roadblocks in the story. With Ascension Tower's defenses finally lowered, the climb toward the Timekeeper can begin-and the stakes for your Vault Hunter have never been higher.
Borderlands 4 has finally arrived, and it's shaping up to be one of the most exciting entries in the franchise. With new mechanics, endless loot possibilities, and four completely unique Vault Hunters to Borderlands 4 Boost choose from, there's a lot to take in. Whether you're new to the series or a long-time fan returning for more chaos, starting off on the right foot will make the game far more enjoyable. This beginner's guide covers the essentials-Vault Hunter playstyles, elemental damage, farming methods, new systems, and even performance settings-so you can dive into the madness fully prepared.
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