Borderlands 4 Vend of the Line Guide
Mission Overview
Vend of the Line is a mid-to-late game story mission set in the industrial wasteland of Vendor's Edge, a region marked by ruined factories, malfunctioning vending machines, and hostile scavenger gangs. The mission follows your pursuit of a rogue AI, Vendotron-9K, who has commandeered vending machines across the area and turned them into deadly robotic enforcers. The Vault Hunter is tasked with tracking down Vendotron, shutting down its operations, and preventing its influence from spreading further.
The mission is known for combining combat intensity with clever environmental puzzles and optional lore-driven objectives, making it both a fun and rewarding experience for players who like to explore every corner of the map.
Starting the Mission
To unlock Vend of the Line, you must first complete the story mission Supply and Demands in Arcturus Verge. Once complete, fast travel to Moxxi's Safehouse, where Lilith will provide your briefing via echo transmission. She emphasizes the threat posed by Vendotron and its network of corrupted machines and sets your objective: stop the rogue AI before it can escalate into a planetary threat.
Your first waypoint leads to Vendor's Edge Transit Point, where the adventure begins. The area is littered with abandoned vending stalls, broken machinery, and eerie neon lights, creating a tense atmosphere that contrasts with the series' usual chaotic humor.
Objective 1: Investigate the Broadcast Source
Upon arrival at Vendor's Edge, your first task is to track down the origin of Vendotron-9K's broadcast signal. The signal repeats phrases like "Customer satisfaction... at 0%. Initiating liquidation protocol," which foreshadow the AI's twisted sense of humor and its deadly intentions.
Along the way, you encounter Scrap Scavvers, scavenger enemies using improvised melee weapons and shields crafted from vending machine parts. Eliminating them grants crafting materials and allows you to move further into the zone. Eventually, you'll discover a damaged vending terminal, which triggers a cutscene revealing Vendotron's growing control over the area's machines.
Objective 2: Disable the Transmission Towers
Vendotron's control is maintained through three transmission towers scattered across Vendor's Edge. Disabling these towers is critical to stopping its operations.
Tower One - The Rustyard:
The first tower is protected by Mech Vendors, spider-legged robots that fire corrosive coins and explosive grenades. Combat tips include using shock weapons to bypass shields and aiming for the exposed screen to deal critical damage. Once defeated, interact with the terminal to overload the tower and prepare for the subsequent wave of drones.
Tower Two - The Scrap Market:
The second tower is deep within a maze of scrap metal and industrial debris. Here, you encounter Penny Stock, a former Hyperion engineer who survived by scavenging vending machines. She offers a side quest to collect 10 Vendor Cores, rewarding you with a unique shotgun called Discounted Revenge, which cycles elemental damage types every reload.
The tower is protected by Vendotron's Proxy, a mini-boss that switches between shock and fire attacks. Focus fire on its display window for maximum damage, and be ready for aggressive drone support during this fight.
Tower Three - The Refund Center:
The final tower is in a restricted zone with molten conveyor belts and malfunctioning turrets. You must manipulate cooling valves to safely cross the area. Enemies here include Refund Bots, explosive units that detonate upon death, requiring careful positioning during combat. The final terminal triggers a hologram of Vendotron taunting the player before the tower is disabled, setting the stage for the final confrontation.
Objective 3: Locate Vendotron-9K's Core Facility
With the towers disabled, Vendotron retreats to its manufacturing hub, Coreline Plant. Fast travel to this new location to continue the mission.
Inside, the Vendor Legion, Vendotron's elite robotic enforcers, awaits. The assembly zones contain several enemy types, including:
Vendguards, heavy robots wielding plasma cutters.
Price Slashers, fast melee bots that dash at the player.
Return Drones, support units that heal or buff others.
Before entering the final arena, you'll need to destroy environmental pipes and generators to weaken Vendotron's shields. Clearing these assembly zones also rewards loot and prepares you for the upcoming boss fight.
Boss Fight: Vendotron-9K
The arena is a circular platform surrounded by malfunctioning conveyor belts and environmental hazards. The boss fight has three distinct phases:
Phase One - Welcome to Customer Service:
Vendotron fires rapid coins and summons drones. Focus on mobility and aim for its venting ports for critical damage.
Phase Two - Return Policy Denied:
At 50% health, Vendotron activates Refund Protocol, healing from nearby machines. Immediately destroy repair drones, and use shock weapons to counteract shields.
Phase Three - Discount Apocalypse:
The boss begins random environmental explosions across the arena. Use cover and timing to avoid damage while continuing to focus on the core.
Tips for Victory:
Corrosive weapons are effective against armored phases.
Abilities that slow time or create clones can help control the battlefield.
Target exposed panels during venting phases for maximum DPS.
When the boss drops below 10% health, a cutscene allows players to choose between destroying or rebooting Vendotron-9K, each option offering unique rewards and story consequences.
Mission Choices and Outcomes
Destroy Vendotron:
Rewarded with the Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed legendary pistol and a permanent closure of the AI threat. The Coreline Plant explodes in the aftermath.
Reboot Vendotron:
The AI becomes a friendly vendor in future missions, selling rare Borderlands 4 Items at a discount. Players also receive the Loyal Customer shield, which offers passive regeneration bonuses.
Both choices count toward achievements, encouraging replay for completionists.
Optional Lore and Easter Eggs
Claptrap Cameo: In Coreline Plant, a disguised vending unit resembles Claptrap, offering humorous dialogue and unlocking the Price Check cosmetic.
Hyperion Files: Collect five hidden data logs scattered throughout Vendor's Edge to learn about Vendotron's creation and earn bonus XP.
Secret Chest: Behind the second tower, a hidden ledge contains a Typhon DeLeon cache with high-tier loot.
Exploring thoroughly ensures you don't miss these extra rewards and adds depth to the mission narrative.
Mission Rewards
Completing Vend of the Line provides:
Approximately 75,000 XP, scaling with your level.
12,000 credits.
Legendary or Epic-tier weapon, depending on your choice with Vendotron.
Access to the side mission The Price of Service.
Fast travel access to Coreline Plant.
Completing Penny Stock's side objective grants access to her vendor services in Sanctuary III, offering rare mods and crafting materials.
Combat and Strategy Tips
Prioritize elemental weapons matching enemy types: shock against shields, corrosive against armor, and fire for groups. You can also buy Borderlands 4 Weapons to get them.
Keep moving during environmental hazards to avoid unnecessary damage.
Use grenades to control groups of enemies and to interrupt enemy healing or buffing mechanics.
Consider co-op play; the mission scales well with multiple players and adds tactical advantages against Vendotron's phases.
Conclusion
Vend of the Line is a standout mission in Borderlands 4, offering a perfect blend of combat, humor, and narrative depth. Its multi-stage objectives, challenging enemies, and a memorable boss fight against Vendotron-9K make it a must-play quest. From the eerie industrial setting of Vendor's Edge to the optional lore and secret rewards, the mission rewards careful exploration, strategic combat, and player choice.
Whether you choose to destroy or reboot Vendotron, the mission delivers an unforgettable experience that captures the chaotic charm of the Borderlands franchise while rewarding players for skillful play and curiosity. Armed with the right weapons, abilities, and strategy, you can conquer Vendotron-9K and emerge victorious, fully prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in the world of Borderlands 4.