Borderlands 2: how to start the Commander Lilith DLC and get a Level Boost
Just in case people weren't already pumped up for a return to the world of Borderlands in Borderlands 3, developer Gearbox has a little hype kick-starting trick out now: one final piece of downloadable content for Borderlands 2, Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary. This DLC bridges the gap to Borderlands 3 and is a great way to remind yourself of what's special about this series - but there's more to it than that.
This is no simple, basic last-ditch piece of DLC, for instance. It adds challenging new super-bosses, a new story quest and even a whole new class of loot, the new rainbow-colored Effervescent Gear, including some sweet new weapons like the Toothpick that are fast becoming fan favorites.
But to get to all that sweet new stuff you need to know how to start the Commander Lilith DLC - and if you don't have an old Borderlands 2 save to hand you might also need the Level 30 Boost option that's now included. Here's how to get and start the DLC - and net a free level 30 character if you need it.
Borderlands 2 Commander Lilith & DLC - how to start this final story quest line
Okay, so - first up, the new Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sancurary DLC requires the copy of Borderlands 2 that's found in Borderlands: The Handsome Collection on PS4 and Xbox One. That version is currently available for the very attractive price of nothing as part of Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, so if you're a subscriber to either of those, you're covered. On PC, a standard old copy of Borderlands 2 will do.
Once the game is reinstalled, you'll need to use your store front of choice to actually find and download the Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sancurary DLC - it comes separately and not as a built-in automatic update for Borderlands 2. The good news is like the game it's a freebie right now - and if you already own Borderlands 2, the DLC is a freebie for everybody regardless of their Game Pass or PS+ subscription status.
How to start Commander Lilith DLC in Borderlands 2
Once you've got the DLC installed, getting it started is actually remarkably easy. Simply load up a save, either by selecting an old, abandoned one from when you were playing Borderlands 2 religiously or simply by starting up a new one (more on this in a second).
Once a save has loaded up, simply head to a Fast Travel Station out in the world of Borderlands 2. At the very top of the Fast Travel Locations menu you'll now have a new option, Fight for Sanctuary. If you hit this, the DLC will kick off with a story sequence before throwing you into the new content proper.
But what if you don't have a character or save to hand? This is a late-game, final DLC, so you can't tackle it at level 1... well - about that...
How to get a Level 30 Boost and start a new character at Level 30
If you don't have a character and save to hand or if you simply want to experiment, Gearbox is being generous there, too. On the main menu screen for Borderlands 2, there's an option to select a character from your list of current saved characters. This varies from platform to platform, but a prompt in the bottom right of the main menu will tell you what it'll be on your system of choice.
Simply hit that. If you have existing characters or not, somewhere on the page it opens will be an option to Create a New Level 30 Character.
This option doesn't just come with a level 30 character - it's ideal. You start off with an empty skill tree and 30 levels worth of skill points to spend. You'll also spawn with some weapons and armor that's suitable for the level and for the DLC. Further, it even starts you off right at the top of the Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary DLC! Once the DLC is over, you can also backtrack and take this character into the rest of Borderlands 2's world.