Borderlands 4: Father of the Glide Walkthrough
Master Claptrap's aerial challenges with our complete guide to the Father of the Glide side mission in Borderlands 4.
Mission Overview
Details
- Starting Location: Terminus Range > Stoneblood Forest
- Quest Giver: Claptrap
- Unlock Requirement: After Main Mission 4: A Lot to Process
- Reward: XP, Cash, Pistol (Green to Purple), Eridium
Description
Success guru, aspirational robot idol, universally beloved mentor… Claptrap has been called none of these things. Yet here he is trying to take money for success lessons. All it takes to pass his course is completing three aerial challenges, so you might as well humor him.
Father of the Glide Starting Location
This mission starts in the north of Stoneblood Forest region. It gets marked on the map when unfogging the area.
Look for Claptrap near the northern edge of the forest, where he's set up his "success academy" with various holographic projectors and climbing apparatus.
Father of the Glide Objectives Walkthrough
1. Talk to Claptrap
This portion will autocomplete itself once you approach Claptrap and initiate conversation.
2. Jump, climb, glide
Head over to the green holographic Claptrap ahead. Jump up and glide to that platform.
Complete Challenge 1: Aerial Fundamentals
The first challenge focuses on basic gliding and climbing mechanics. Follow these steps:
- Head to the platform Claptrap reveals by lifting up the cover
- Glide across toward the platform and land on the metal grate
- Climb your way up the metal structure
- Glide over to the ledge to the left
- Locate the yellow markings on the rocks and climb up
- Run across the beam and glide to the metal grate ahead
- Jump straight ahead over Claptrap and grab the metal grating
- Climb to the top and glide to where Claptrap is located
Complete Challenge 2: Advanced Aerial Maneuvers
The second challenge introduces slides and airstreams for more complex navigation:
- Look off the platform to the southeast and drop down to the platform below
- Hop up onto the platform that Claptrap reveals
- Step into the airstream and glide to the platform with the giant glowing Claptrap
- Head into the slide to the west (watch your step!)
- Glide to the platform ahead and grab the grate to climb up
- Go down the slide and glide over Claptrap to the platform on the other side
- Slide down the three consecutive slides and jump into the airstream
- Land on the platform with the giant green Claptrap
- Use the airstream to jump to the next platform
- Head into the slide and navigate carefully without falling
- Use the airstream at the bottom to boost upward to the final platform
Complete Challenge 3: Master Glider Course
The final challenge tests all the skills you've learned in an epic race against Claptrap:
- Hop on Claptrap's thruster for a ride to the starting platform
- Use the airstream to fly over to the challenge 3 start platform
- Use the airstream to the north to fly up to the platform with the giant green Claptrap hologram
- Use the next airstream to jump over the obstacle that Claptrap creates
- Climb up the rocks to the left to reach the top of the platform
- Drop down and glide under the next obstacle using the airstream
- Use the three airstreams to navigate around the bend to the right
- Race Claptrap to the finish line (you won't win but just make it to the platform)
Father of the Glide Mission Rewards
Substantial experience points based on your level
Generous cash reward for completing all challenges
Random pistol from green to purple rarity
Valuable Eridium currency for special purchases
Borderlands 4 Gliding Tips & Strategies
Mastering the Glide Mechanics
The Father of the Glide mission perfectly showcases Borderlands 4's enhanced movement system. Here are some tips to excel at gliding:
- Conserve momentum: Time your jumps to maintain speed between platforms
- Look for visual cues: Yellow markings indicate climbable surfaces
- Use airstreams strategically: They can give you extra height and distance
- Practice directional control: You can steer while gliding to adjust your landing
- Watch your stamina: Climbing drains stamina, so plan your route efficiently
Completing Father of the Glide
Completing this side mission not only rewards you with experience, cash, and loot but also helps you master the new gliding mechanics that are essential for navigating the larger, more vertical environments of Borderlands 4.
The skills you learn in Father of the Glide will be invaluable throughout your journey across Pandora and beyond, helping you reach hidden areas and collectibles that would otherwise be inaccessible.
