MMOexp Borderlands 4: The Vile Ted Transformation
Below the Surface isn't just another side quest - it's a tragic story about survival, corruption, and redemption. With Ted's journey finally ending where it began, you leave the Hydrus Sublab knowing you've put one of Borderlands 4's darkest chapters to rest - and claimed some solid loot in Borderlands 4 Money the process.
Vile Ted and the Experiments is one of the most haunting and emotional encounters in Borderlands 4. Taking place near the end of the Below the Surface side mission in Dominion City, this boss battle puts players face-to-face with Ted - a victim of the Order's cruel experiments - as he transforms into something monstrous. In this walkthrough, we'll cover where to find the fight, how to defeat both the Vile Experiments and Vile Ted, and what Legendary loot you can expect for surviving the ordeal.
Location and Setup
You'll face Vile Ted and the Experiments in the Hydrus Sublab, an abandoned Order research facility beneath Dominion City. This is the same area explored during the Below the Surface mission. After fighting through waves of Creeps and reactivating the elevator, Ted will contact you, saying he's coming down to meet you in the R&D lab. This marks the beginning of the final sequence.
Before Ted arrives, however, you'll need to survive a fight against the Vile Experiments, a group of heavily mutated Creeps that guard the lab's core. Make sure to restock at the nearby ammo vending machine and reload all your cheap Borderlands 4 Weapons before the encounter begins.
Phase One: Defeating the Vile Experiments
While waiting for Ted's arrival, three Vile Experiments will emerge from containment pods around the lab. These enemies are enhanced Creeps with Eridium-infused armor that completely negates health damage until shattered.
Combat Tips:
Target Weak Points:
Each Vile Experiment's Eridium plating has glowing nodes. Focus sustained fire or explosive weapons on these areas to break the armor faster.
Use Corrosive or Explosive Weapons:
Eridium armor is especially weak to corrosive damage, though explosive weaponry works well too. Shotguns with wide spreads or splash damage can break multiple nodes at once.
Isolate and Eliminate:
Try to kite one Creep away from the others to focus your fire. Each one's armor regeneration can make prolonged fights difficult, so burst damage is key.
Once all three Vile Experiments are destroyed, you'll have a brief window to regroup. Ted then approaches, expressing his need to "return to where it all began." The tone shifts dramatically as he steps into a nearby experimental chamber - triggering the transformation into Vile Ted.
Phase Two: The Vile Ted Transformation
When Ted steps into the machine, a surge of Eridium energy engulfs him, mutating his body into a towering, crystalline figure. The fight against Vile Ted begins immediately, and while his moveset mirrors standard Vile enemies, his speed, resilience, and damage output are significantly higher.
Vile Ted's Attacks:
Eridium Slam: A ground pound that creates shockwaves, dealing area damage. Jump or dash to evade.
Crystalline Barrage: Fires shards of Eridium that explode on impact. Take cover behind the lab equipment when he winds up.
Charge Attack: Rushes toward you to close the distance, often followed by a slam. Sidestep and counter while he recovers.
Armor Regeneration: If left undamaged for too long, Vile Ted's armor reforms, forcing you to repeat the breaking phase.
Phase Three: Breaking the Armor
Just like the Vile Experiments, Vile Ted's Eridium armor must be shattered before you can damage his health bar. This is the most critical part of the fight.
Recommended Strategy:
Open Strong:
Start the battle with your highest DPS weapon - such as a rocket launcher or heavy assault rifle - to quickly crack his armor.
Use Action Skills Wisely:
Time your action skill (like Phasecast, Fade Away, or Digi-Clone) to coincide with his armor break, maximizing burst damage during the short vulnerability window.
Maintain Pressure:
Don't let up once the armor breaks. Unload everything until his health drops significantly, or it'll regenerate.
Watch for AoE Attacks:
When the armor begins to cheap Borderlands 4 Money reform, he'll often follow with an AoE slam. Back off and reposition rather than pushing in recklessly.
