In Borderlands 4, players have the flexibility to reset their skill points and rebuild their character to better suit their preferred playstyle. Respeccing is unlocked early in the game after completing the third mission, and players can use Respec Machines to redistribute skill points either for a single skill tree or for all skills at once. This system ensures players are not locked into a build that doesn’t work for them.
These Respec Machines are found in various key locations throughout the game, such as The Launchpad, Belton’s Bore, Carcadia, and others. Each use of a Respec Machine comes with a cost, which depends on the player’s current in-game currency. This encourages thoughtful planning when adjusting builds but allows for multiple adjustments as needed.
Understanding how and when to respec effectively can help optimize character performance and enjoyment. Familiarity with the costs and locations of these machines allows players to smoothly adapt their Vault Hunter’s abilities without restarting the game.
Key Takeaways
- Respeccing unlocks early, giving players freedom to adjust builds.
- Respec Machines are located at major hubs across the game world.
- Respec costs vary based on available in-game currency.
Unlocking and Using Respec in Borderlands 4
Respeccing in Borderlands 4 requires access to specialized machines that become available upon progressing through specific story missions. Players can selectively reset skill trees or entire skill point allocations, with costs that depend on their in-game currency. The process also involves handling specialization points, which require a different resource.
How to Unlock Respec Machines
Players unlock Respec Machines by completing the third main mission, Down and Outbound. This mission grants access to The Launchpad, the first faction town where the initial Respec Machine is located. After this point, Respec Machines become available in major faction settlements and Safe Houses throughout the game world.
On the map, Respec Machines are marked with a white player silhouette inside a recycle-like triangle symbol. Unlocking them early allows players to experiment with skill points while the fees for respeccing are still relatively low due to limited cash reserves.
Navigating the Respec Menu
Interacting with a Respec Machine requires players to hold the assigned button—E on PC and Square on PlayStation—when prompted. Opening the menu charges a fee, which varies based on the player’s current cash and level.
Inside the menu, players can either respec all purchased skill points or focus on a single skill tree. While inside the menu, they can make unlimited changes without extra charges. However, exiting and reopening will incur the fee again. The refunded skill points return to the player’s pool immediately, allowing reassignment to different skills or trees.
Skill Tree Reset vs. Full Respec
The Respec Machine offers two main options: a full respec or a partial respec limited to one skill tree. A full respec refunds all skill points across every skill tree, giving complete freedom to reassign points from scratch. This is useful for drastically changing builds or testing new strategies.
A skill tree reset refunds only the points invested in the selected tree. Players can then reallocate those points within the same tree or distribute them to other trees. This option is more economical if only minor adjustments are needed, as it targets specific areas without resetting the entire build.
Respeccing Specialization Points
Unlike regular skill points, specialization points require Eridium to reset. These points affect the player’s equipped specializations and action skills. Players must locate Respec Machines as with skill points, but the cost involves the premium resource rather than cash.
Resetting specialization points allows players to adapt their combat style by changing or upgrading action skills and specializations. The use of Eridium as a currency for this process reflects the greater importance and potential impact of these points on gameplay and build performance.
Respec Costs, Machine Locations, and Optimization Tips
Respeccing in Borderlands 4 involves a fee that scales with cash reserves and is accessible at specific machines scattered throughout the game world. Choosing when and where to respec affects cost efficiency and gameplay effectiveness, especially when adjusting for elemental damage and boss encounters.
Understanding Respec Costs and Fees
The cost to respec in Borderlands 4 is a percentage of the player’s current money, often around 10%. This approach keeps respecs affordable early in the game and scales with wealth during late stages. Before confirming a respec, players are shown the exact fee at the respec machine.
There is no incremental fee for multiple skill tree resets during the same session, allowing extensive experimentation. However, if the player is low on funds, respeccing becomes risky, as a high percentage fee could deplete cash needed for ammo or gear repairs.
All Major Respec Machine Locations
Respec machines are found in every key settlement and most major safe houses on the planet Kairos. The first machine is unlocked in the mission Down and Outbound, located inside The Launchpad building near the Golden Key Chest and Lost Loot Machine.
Other notable locations include:
- Lockaway (northeast area)
- Major hubs marked with a white recycling symbol around a player icon on the map
These stations are easy to locate and accessible throughout the campaign, ensuring players can adjust skills as needed without long travel times.
Strategic Timing and Optimization
Players benefit from respeccing before boss fights by reallocating skill points to specialize in effective elemental damage types, such as Corrosive damage against armored enemies. Shifting skills just before tough encounters can increase damage output and survivability.
Avoid respeccing when nearly out of cash to prevent financial strain. Timing respecs during the mid-level range (around 15-25) is cost-effective because players have enough skill points but have not heavily invested in expensive gear.
Build Experimentation and Customization
The respec system supports both selective and full resets. Selective resets target only the skill tree currently viewed, useful for fine-tuning specific abilities. Full resets clear all skill investments, allowing complete playstyle overhauls.
Respec machines encourage players to experiment freely since multiple resets incur no extra fee within one session. This enables rapid testing of builds to find optimal combinations for different combat scenarios without permanent commitment.
