Axton’s history before and after his appearance in theBorderlandsseries is one of the most tragic compared to the other characters. The second soldier class in theBorderlandsfranchise (despite being called a commando), Axton stood apart from his fellow vault hunters. WhereBorderlands’mysterious Sirens like Maya use their abilities to lock down enemies, or Salvador the Gunzerker sows chaos by mowing down enemies, Axton holds the line with an almost overwhelming amount of cover fire and support. This is ironic considering his background is far from a nurturing, supportive role.
Hailing from the planet Hieronymus, Axton served 10 years as part of one of the most significant conglomerates inBorderlands: the Dahl corporation. Axton’s military career was relatively successful, reaching the rank of staff sergeant and being granted personal access to one of Dahl’s most potent weapons, the Sabre Turret. Moreover, he would meet his wife Sarah, who happened to be his commanding officer. However, while his time with Dahl led the corporation to many victories, the cost of those wins would eventually take a toll.
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Axton’s History in Borderlands
Unlike Lilith’s tragic beginnings orTiny Tina’s backstory inBorderlands 2, Axton’s story begins and ends due to his pursuit of personal glory and disregard for orders. He was dishonorably discharged from the Dahl military after a mission on planet Hestias where he did not protect a dignitary assigned to his command; instead planting a tracker on him, letting him get captured by the enemy, and then blowing up the enemy base with the dignitary inside. Being discharged from the Dahl military meant execution by firing squad, but Sarah let Axton flee before the military police arrested him - after which she promptly served him with a divorce.
Compared to some of thebiggest surprises inBorderlands’overarching narrative, Axton’s story is relatively straightforward. He spent most of his time as a mercenary before the events ofBorderlands 2, hunting bandits and outlaws on border planets for high sums. While he was reasonably successful as a bounty hunter, he felt it was too simple, lacking the glory-filled moments he had as a sergeant in the Dahl military. Fortunately (or unfortunately), Handsome Jack would get wind of Axton’s reputation and lure him to Pandora, where he would meet the other Vault Hunters at the beginning ofBorderlands 2.
What Axton Got up to After Borderlands 2
Axton would make another appearance as a voice communication in thefranchise’s black sheep,Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Under the command of Lilith, he and the other Vault Hunters are assigned to investigate Vaults on other planets. Despite the events ofBorderlands 2,Axton’s glory huntingremains, though inBorderlands 3he’s got a different role. In a funny twist befitting theBorderlandsfranchise, the soldier-turned-mercenary-turned-Vault Hunter would become a model.
ThroughoutBorderlands 3, the player can find signs of Axton’s career choices, from the cover of a relatively risque adult magazine or merch such as body pillows, to being featured as a pin-up model on Moze’s Iron Bear mech. It wouldn’t be until theBorderland 3’s Designer’s CutDLC that Axton, along with Salvador, return as ECHO show hosts for the Arms Race game mode - the galaxy’s premier reality murder show. Axton’s constant search for the next big thing, whatever variation of glory comes with it, can be traced back to his extensive military history. Whether that’s good or bad is up to Axton himself.
Borderlands 3is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
