Borderlands 4: Unlock the Fadefields Vault Fast — Beat Primordial Guardian Inceptus with These Tricks
The Fadefields Vault — also called the Vault of Inceptus — is the first primordial Vault you can clear in Borderlands 4. It needs three key fragments to open, hides its door in the Dissected Plateau, and finishes with a tough fight against the Primordial Guardian Inceptus. Below you’ll find where to get the fragments, where the Vault entrance is, and how the two phases of the boss fight work.
- Fadefields Vault key fragment locations
- Fadefields Vault door location
- How to defeat the Primordial Guardian Inceptus
Fadefields Vault key fragment locations
Fragment #1 — The Howl (northeast of The Launchpad)
Find the first fragment northeast of The Launchpad in The Howl. Climb the rocks until you reach a small cave; the fragment sits inside.
Fragment #2 — Idolator’s Noose (southeast of Someday Rise Safehouse)
The second fragment is in Idolator’s Noose, southeast of the Someday Rise Safehouse. The area is populated with enemies, so be ready for a fight.
Importantly, you must use your grappling hook to reach the room that contains the fragment. Plan your approach accordingly and clear nearby foes if you need a safe window to traverse.
Fragment #3 — Coastal Bonescape (southwest side)
The last fragment sits southwest of Coastal Bonescape. Start at the Abandoned Post Safehouse and head toward the Stillshore village.
Follow the main corridor northwest, then turn left. Glide to a small corridor behind one of the houses; the fragment is on top of a box.
Fadefields Vault door location
After you collect all three fragments, head to the Dissected Plateau to find the Vault door. Look for the debris of the Arch of Inceptus.
Specifically, the console where you place the fragments is at the top of the highest area southwest of the “Zadra’s Backup Plan” fast travel station. Inside the Vault you’ll push forward through areas and clear enemies; vending machines appear between sections so you can restock.
How to defeat the Primordial Guardian Inceptus
Overview
The boss fight has two alternating phases: the main phase and the cocoon phase. You’ll rely heavily on your grappling hook and glide pack, because mobility is key. Also note: the boss is scaled to be two levels above you, so it’s meant to be a challenge whenever you encounter it.
Primordial Guardian Inceptus — main phase
In the main phase, Inceptus uses a predictable attack rotation. Its sweep tail attacks are well telegraphed, so dodge with your glide pack: sidestep or glide over the aimed area to avoid most hits.
Destroy the spores it releases — they explode when they get close. Meanwhile, use your grappling hook to rip off parts of Inceptus’ armor. Exposed weak spots take extra damage, so focus fire there.
Later in the fight it will jump to the ceiling and rain projectiles, then thrust its tail; don’t stay still under it while it’s on the ceiling. Under ~50% health it may push its two tails into the ground so the tips emerge from underneath; keep moving and use your glide dash to avoid those sudden strikes.
Primordial Guardian Inceptus — cocoon phase
At times Inceptus lifts itself by its tails and becomes a giant cocoon while the arena fills with poisonous green goo. To escape ground poison, jump to the hanging plants and use your grappling hook to latch onto them; each plant only holds briefly before falling, so keep moving from plant to plant.
The cocoon releases poisonous spores that you can either shoot or avoid by changing plants. While on the plants, target the top of the cocoon: fully depleting the cocoon’s health will drop and stun the boss, creating a short burst window to deal heavy damage. If you don’t break it, Inceptus returns to the main phase.
Rewards and replay
Defeating Inceptus completes the Vault and rewards cash, Eridium, and a glide pack upgrade that reduces regeneration time. You can repeat the fight; note that at higher levels replaying may cost in-game cash — for example, re-entering the arena cost $27,200 at level 34 during testing.
