Final Call for Vault Hunters: Borderlands 4 SHiFT Code for 3 Golden Keys Expires December 31

The looter-shooter community is currently in a race against time. As the final hours of 2025 tick away, Gearbox Software has issued a critical reminder for the millions of players exploring the dangerous landscapes of Kairos. Today, December 31, marks the absolute deadline to redeem the most valuable Borderlands 4 SHiFT code released during the “12 Days of Mercenary Day” event. This specific code grants players 3 Golden Keys, a vital resource for anyone looking to bolster their arsenal with legendary-tier loot before the New Year.

Since its explosive launch on September 12, 2025, Borderlands 4 has redefined the genre with its move to a seamless open world and enhanced verticality. However, the core loop remains the same: finding the best guns to take down the biggest bosses. With the recent introduction of the Bloomreaper the Invincible raid boss in the December major update, these Golden Keys have never been more essential for endgame progression.

The Urgent SHiFT Code: Claim Your 3 Golden Keys Now

For those who haven’t been keeping up with the social media drops, here is the active code that must be entered before 11:59 PM tonight:

SHiFT CODE: 396J3-6ZJ9J-KRJTW-TJ3BT-XK5H9

Reward: 3 Golden Keys

Expiration: December 31, 2025

In addition to this primary reward, several other “holiday treats” are also set to expire today, including individual keys and cosmetic skins like the “A Winter Borderland” ECHO-4 Drone Skin. To ensure you don’t miss out, players should also check for the codes 3H6JT-3ZJZ3-KXBJK-TB3TB-J33CX and BZ6TT-JBWKB-KX3BK-BJT3T-5FS63, which provide additional single keys to help fill your inventory.

Borderlands 4 Review: How Gearbox Reclaimed the Looter-Shooter Throne

Looking back at the state of the game in late 2025, Borderlands 4 has successfully pivoted away from the narrative criticisms of its predecessor. Set on the mysterious planet of Kairos, the game follows four new Vault Hunters—Vex, Amon, Rafa, and Rush—as they navigate a world fractured by the “Timekeeper’s Order.”

Revolutionary Movement and Combat

The most significant leap forward in Borderlands 4 is the Omni-directional Movement System. Unlike previous titles where mobility was limited to basic sliding, this installment introduces:

• Grapple Hooks: Allowing players to scale vertical cliffs and pull enemies into close-range combat.

• Gliding and Double-Jumping: Necessary for navigating the massive canyons of the Carcadia region.

• Swimming: A first for the series, water is no longer a death trap but an environment for tactical underwater skirmishes and hidden loot caches.

The gunplay has seen a technical overhaul as well. The feeling of “snappiness” in the Maliwan and Hyperion weapon lines is unparalleled, particularly when paired with a high-end gaming mouse or low-latency mechanical keyboard. Each shot feels impactful, especially when utilizing the new “Repkit” system to modify elemental damage types on the fly.

The Open World of Kairos: A Mixed Bag?

For the first time, Borderlands 4 is a truly open-world game. The transition from the dense urban sprawl of The Launchpad to the desolate wastes of Belton’s Bore happens without a single loading screen. While this adds to the immersion, critics and players alike have noted that the world is occasionally marred by “invisible walls” and performance dips in more densely populated areas. However, the sheer density of side quests and world events makes it the most content-rich entry in the franchise to date.

Technical Performance: Optimizing Your PC for Borderlands 4

As an Unreal Engine 5 powerhouse, Borderlands 4 is arguably the most demanding game released in 2025. Technical reviews from outlets like TechPowerUp and Digital Foundry have highlighted that the game pushes even the most modern NVIDIA RTX 50-series and AMD RDNA 4 graphics cards to their limits.

PC System Requirements (Recommended for 1440p/60FPS):

To achieve a stable framerate, players are highly encouraged to utilize DLSS 3.5 Frame Generation or FSR 4. In our testing, enabling these AI-upscaling technologies can provide a performance boost of up to 40% in high-intensity areas like The Lockaway. For competitive players, the game also supports NVIDIA Reflex, which is crucial for timing those frame-perfect parries and grapple-shots.

Endgame Content: The Bloomreaper Update

The timing of this Golden Key expiration is not accidental. On December 11, 2025, Gearbox released the Mercenary Day major update, which introduced the first true “Raid Boss” of the game: Bloomreaper the Invincible.

This encounter requires a level-capped Vault Hunter with a highly optimized build. Players have been flocking to the Golden Chests in Belton’s Bore and The Launchpad to spend their keys in hopes of obtaining “Anointed” gear that can withstand the Bloomreaper’s toxic spores. If you are struggling with the boss’s second phase, these 3 Golden Keys could potentially drop the specific shield or grenade mod needed to survive the arena’s hazardous floor mechanics.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Redeem Your SHiFT Code

If you are new to the Borderlands ecosystem or just haven’t redeemed a code in a while, here is how to secure your rewards:

1. Online via Browser: Visit the official Gearbox SHiFT website. Log in and navigate to the “Rewards” tab. Paste the code 396J3-6ZJ9J-KRJTW-TJ3BT-XK5H9 and select your platform (PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X/S).

2. In-Game Menu: Launch Borderlands 4, open the Social menu, and navigate to the SHiFT tab. Enter the 25-digit code directly.

3. Collecting Your Loot: Once the code is accepted, you must go to your in-game Mailbox (located within the Social menu) and “Accept” the keys. They will then be added to your inventory.

4. Finding the Chest: Head to any major hub like Carcadia. Look for the glowing Golden Chest—each key allows for one opening, and the loot scales specifically to your current character level.

Conclusion: Don’t Leave Loot on the Table

The Borderlands 4 community is entering 2026 on a high note, but missing out on 3 free Golden Keys is a mistake no Vault Hunter should make. These codes are part of a broader strategy by Gearbox to keep player engagement high as they prepare for the first major DLC expansion rumored for Q1 2026.

Whether you are still leveling your first Amon build or you are a seasoned Vex main looking for that elusive legendary sniper rifle, the Golden Chest is your best bet for a quick power spike. Clear your inventory, log in before midnight, and start the new year with a “Badass” rank to be proud of.

Would you like me to analyze the best skill tree synergies for Rafa the Peacebreaker to help you tackle the new Bloomreaper raid boss?