"The future's so iridescently bright!"
This article references Borderlands 4, a game that is currently unreleased. Content may change as more information becomes available. Please do not add unsourced speculation.
This Borderlands 4-related article is under construction as more information about the upcoming game becomes available. You are welcome to assist by editing it as well.
Rafa is the playable Exo-Soldier class in Borderlands 4. He was born and raised in microgravity, which severely altered his bone density and musculature, making it impossible for him to survive elsewhere. Desperate to explore the universe beyond his confined existence, he signed up to Tediore's military force.
In exchange for a tour of duty, his body was altered for a new kind of exo-suit called a Death Frame as part of Project Liveframe. This experimental technology was meant to enhance soldiers beyond their natural capabilities, but came with unforeseen consequences.
"That one! He's not busy! He can create my MASTERPIECE!"
During a live demonstration of the new exo-suit to Tediore shareholders, Rafa was introduced as DF-191 by the commander of the project along with two other prototype volunteers. The commander then activates a dead man's switch that causes Rafa to fall down in pain gasping for breath.
After reactivating the suit, the commander promptly reveals the Tediore Board of Directors shut down the program for being too expensive & thus going against Tediore's cost saving ideology; upon shooting the scientists behind the discovery, the commander reiterates Tediore's commitment to savings by shooting one of the volunteers in the head.
As Rafa, the other volunteer and the audience look on in horror, the dead volunteer is brought to life as a result of the suit and butchers the other volunteer as the commander explains how cheaper it is to use dead soldiers for the program instead of live ones.
The commander asks Rafa to come quietly as the two dead soldiers corner him; Rafa fights back and ends up killing the two soldiers and several shareholders are caught in the crossfire while they try to flee. The commander reactivates the dead man's switch and as Rafa gasps in pain, grabs a nearby walking Tediore shotgun and blows apart the commander's upper body in a shower of gore.
While on the run, Rafa decides to become a Vault Hunter and plans to enjoy whatever time he has left before his Tediore Deadframe ends him for good.
Rafa appears as one of the four main playable Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4. His unique abilities revolve around his Death Frame exo-suit, allowing for enhanced mobility, heavy weapons usage, and specialized combat techniques.
His skill trees are speculated to focus on:
Rafa's personal questline in Borderlands 4 is expected to explore his past with Tediore and his race against time as his Deadframe slowly consumes him.
The Beastmaster
Commands loyal beasts to tear enemies apart while providing tactical support.
The Siren
Wields otherworldly powers to manipulate phases and control the battlefield.
The Soldier
Specializes in heavy weaponry and tactical deployments with automated support.
The Operative
Uses advanced tech and gadgets to outsmart enemies with tactical precision.
