Krieg
A man at war with himself, screaming to keep the monsters inside from eating him alive.
Krieg is a hyper-violent, mentally fractured Siren-hunter and playable Vault Hunter from Borderlands 2. He serves as the game's most tragic and chaotic figure, defined by his severe dissociative identity disorder which manifests as a literal internal war between his personalities. Unlike other characters who seek glory or wealth, Krieg fights to suppress the violent entities living inside his mind while simultaneously relying on them to survive Pandora's dangers.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Vault Hunter; Psycho
- Affiliation
- Eridium Barons (Formerly), Moxxi's Bar
- First appears
- Borderlands 2
- Status
- Alive (Presumed)
- Weapon specialty
- Shotguns and Heavy Weapons
- Unique trait
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
Lore & Background
Despite his instability, Krieg possesses incredible combat prowess, channeling the rage of his inner voices into a berserker fury that makes him nearly unstoppable on the battlefield. His journey in Borderlands 2 is less about finding the Vault and more about maintaining a fragile sanity while fighting alongside friends who often view him with a mixture of fear and pity. He represents the darkest side of Pandora, where survival requires sacrificing one's humanity to become something stronger, yet infinitely more broken.
Reader's Guide
Krieg's backstory is rooted in the horrors of Hypnos, where he was subjected to experiments that destroyed his singular identity. As a playable character, his class skill tree focuses on amplifying his rage and damage output while managing his 'Inner Voices' mechanic. Players can trigger different personalities by using specific skills, which alter his combat behavior from defensive healing to suicidal aggression. His voice is performed with intense, manic energy, often layering multiple tones to simulate the internal debate happening within him. Key moments in his narrative involve him struggling to keep his 'Mom' personality at bay or negotiating with his inner 'General' for permission to use a weapon. In the main story, he acts as a wildcard, often providing comic relief through his absurdity while hinting at deep, underlying tragedy. Krieg's role is pivotal in highlighting the psychological cost of life on Pandora. He serves as a reminder that every survivor carries scars, some visible and others hidden behind a fractured mind. His interactions with other Vault Hunters range from chaotic bonding to moments of genuine vulnerability when his defenses drop.
Did You Know?
- Krieg's internal voices are so distinct that they have their own names and personalities, such as 'The General' and 'Mom'.
- He was originally a prisoner on Hypnos before escaping to become a Vault Hunter.
- His character design features bandages and scars intended to represent the physical toll of his mental state.
- Krieg is one of the few characters whose backstory is explored in depth through optional dialogue trees rather than just cutscenes.
More in Vault Hunters & Notable Figures
Elsewhere in Borderlands
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