The Mind-Blowing Potential of Tannis in Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 is surrounded by numerous questions, including speculation about Patricia Tannis' role in the upcoming game. Despite her previous lack of importance in the Borderlands series, Borderlands 3 brought forth a significant revelation about her character. Consequently, Borderlands 4 presents an opportunity for the series to redefine her role after shedding new light on her character. What Tannis does in this installment could potentially shape her trajectory for the remainder of the series.

Although Tannis has been a character since the early days of Borderlands, introduced in the first game, she has primarily served as a secondary character throughout the series. Initially introduced through a collection of audio logs, Tannis is portrayed as a brilliant scientist who experienced a disastrous expedition with lasting effects. When players finally encounter her, they discover she is remarkably anxious, socially awkward, and possesses qualities reminiscent of a mad scientist. However, her greatest development occurs in Borderlands 3, where it is revealed that she has inherited Angel's Phaseshift ability and has become a powerful Siren.

Becoming a Siren Could Bring Big Changes for Tannis in Borderlands 4

Tannis' elevation as a character in Borderlands 4 opens up new opportunities for her compared to her previous roles. One potential idea is for her to assume a more active role within the Crimson Raiders. With her Phaseshift ability, which grants her control over a wide range of technology, Tannis already possesses remarkable power. While she may need time to further develop her skills, her initial display of power suggests that she could potentially step into a major leadership position, especially if Lilith did not survive the events of Borderlands 3.

Another possibility for Tannis lies in her connection to the Siren whose power she now possesses. Among the Sirens featured in the Borderlands series, Angel held significant importance and her demise was a tragic event. Despite her ties to Handsome Jack, she played a crucial role in the first two games, guiding the Vault Hunters and communicating directly with them through her Phaseshift ability. With Tannis now wielding the same power, she could potentially take up a similar role, providing guidance and serving as a presence of importance in Borderlands 4.

The most far-fetched, yet highly exciting idea for Tannis in Borderlands 4 is to make her the new playable Siren. This would give players the opportunity to experience one of the most powerful abilities in the series. Tannis already has a rich history and would be one of the few characters to transition from non-playable to playable status, possibly rivaling Claptrap in this aspect. It would be a significant departure from the norm, but also a fulfilling conclusion to Tannis' character arc if she succeeds as a Vault Hunter.

Tannis finds herself in an intriguing position as an interesting character, particularly after becoming a Siren. It would be a missed opportunity for Borderlands 4 not to explore this development further, especially considering how impressive her initial showcasing of her powers was in the previous game. There are multiple directions that could be taken with this development, offering numerous possibilities for Tannis' future role. Borderlands 4 has the chance to create a satisfying character arc for Tannis in a new capacity.

Borderlands 3 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.