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Borderlands 4 Means of Ascent Walkthrough

Complete guide to Mission 18 in Borderlands 4 (BL4)

Means of Ascent Mission Overview

Means of Ascent is the 18th main mission in Borderlands 4 (BL4). This walkthrough will guide you through all objectives of the Means of Ascent Main Quest.

Mission Details

  • Starting Location: Kairos > Dominion > Carcadia District
  • Quest Giver: Zadra
  • Unlock Requirement: Having finished Main Quest 17: The Falling Wall
  • Recommended Level: 30
  • Reward: XP, Money & Epic SMG

Quest Description

Ready to punch the Timekeeper right in his gold-plated face? Start the assault by heading for his creepily-named Ascension Tower, in the Terminus District.

Borderlands 4 Means of Ascent Objectives

  1. Go to Ascension Tower
  2. Go to rail depot & Power up blast door control
  3. Clear enemies
  4. Clear reinforcements & Place pylons
  5. Open rail door
  6. Get Ordonite capacitor
  7. Return to Ascension Tower
  8. Clear enemies
  9. Place Ordonite capacitor

Complete Borderlands 4 Means of Ascent Walkthrough

1. Go to Ascension Tower

Now leave the safehouse and follow the path.

You will reach an area with a bridge in the middle, pull yourself up here, and jump over to the other side.

Bridge crossing in Ascension Tower

After that, turn left and move forward. You will reach a seemingly dead end. Turn left and jump to the platform.

From here jump to the other side. Move further and you will have to pull yourself up twice to reach the top of the platform, then head inside the building and press the button in the middle to open the door behind.

Platform jumping puzzle in Borderlands 4

Just continue on the path, you can ignore enemies. At the end, go upstairs.

Here, move forward and enter the building on the back right side. In the next room, turn right to find the Ascension tower.

Ascension Tower entrance in Borderlands 4

Move forward until you get a red message on the screen, then turn around and get to safety.

2. Go to rail depot & Power up blast door control

Now leave the area and turn right. Then move forward.

At the end of the way, pull yourself up or go up the stairs, then turn left and move further.

You will reach a closed door guarded by some enemies, kill them, and turn left to pick up the canister. Throw it above where you picked it up to open the door.

Rail depot door puzzle in Borderlands 4

3. Clear enemies

Head inside the depot and kill all enemies to proceed.

4. Clear reinforcements & Place pylons

After killing the first wave, a second wave will appear. You can ignore the pylon objective for now. Kill the second wave of enemies first.

Enemy reinforcements in Borderlands 4

You will see four spots where you have to throw the pylon at.

Pick up the pylon from the middle of the area, inside the wagon, and throw it at each location to enable power.

Placing pylons in Borderlands 4

5. Open rail door

Now, interact with the terminal next to the big door to open it.

Opening rail door in Borderlands 4

6. Get Ordonite capacitor

Head inside the now-open area and pick up the device from inside the metal boxes.

Ordonite capacitor location in Borderlands 4

7. Return to Ascension Tower

Get back to the Ascension tower now.

Returning to Ascension Tower

8. Clear enemies

Kill all enemies here.

Final enemy encounter in Means of Ascent

9. Place Ordonite capacitor

After that, place the device in the ground where you got the red message before, this triggers a cutscene.

Placing Ordonite capacitor in Borderlands 4

This finishes Means of Ascent in Borderlands 4.

Borderlands 4 Means of Ascent Tips & Strategies

  • Use corrosive weapons against mechanical enemies in the rail depot section
  • Take advantage of high ground during combat encounters
  • If you're struggling with the platforming sections, consider respeccing into mobility skills
  • The Epic SMG reward is especially effective against shielded enemies
  • Don't forget to loot chests in the Ascension Tower for additional rewards

Means of Ascent Mission Rewards

XP

Experience Points

Substantial XP reward to help you reach level 31

$

Money

Generous cash reward for new equipment

🔫

Epic SMG

"Ascent's Fury" - High fire rate corrosive SMG

Next Mission: Timekeeper's Sanctum

After completing Means of Ascent, your next objective is to confront the Timekeeper directly in his sanctum.

Preparation Tips:

  • Make sure to equip your new Epic SMG for the next mission
  • Stock up on ammunition and health kits
  • Consider completing side missions to gain an additional level before the boss fight