Borderlands 4 Side Missions featuring Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned DLC bring a fresh wave of weird, creepy fun to the Whispering Glacier. I’ve played through every one of these quests myself, and they perfectly capture that signature Borderlands mix of humor, combat, and oddball storytelling while tying into the bigger cosmic-horror vibe of the story pack. These side missions aren’t just filler—they give you solid XP, cash, and gear drops.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly where to find all eleven Borderlands 4 Vault of the Damned DLC side missions, how to unlock the hidden ones, and straightforward step-by-step walkthroughs so you never get stuck. While you’re gearing up for these quests, Lootbar is worth checking out if you need extra in-game resources or Steam Keys to jump straight into the action.
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How to Access the Mad Ellie and Vault of the Damned DLC
Before you can start any Mad Ellie side content, make sure you own Story Pack 1. If you’re using an existing Vault Hunter, finish the main game mission “A Lot to Process” in the Fadefields, then head to Zadra’s Backup Plan and interact with the tentacle-covered statue. That kicks off the DLC and drops you into the Whispering Glacier.
The entire DLC takes place in this icy, haunted new zone packed with new enemies, rifts, and collectibles. Side missions become available as you push through the main story—most open up around the third mission, “It Grows Below.” I recommend knocking out the story first so fast travel points are active; it saves a ton of backtracking.
All Mad Ellie Side Mission Locations in the Whispering Glacier
Here’s the complete list of the eleven Borderlands 4 side missions tied to Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned. I’ve grouped them by area for easy navigation:
- Ghost Stories – Crooked Teeth (starting region). Look for a man sitting by a gravestone near the water.
- Star-Crossed – South Crooked Teeth, near Ellie’s Garage fast travel.
- Summoner’s Gift – West Crooked Teeth, heading west from the garage.
- A Humble Abode – Speakeasy, north side facing the vending machines (talk to Barney).
- Voices Carry – Speakeasy, south lobby at a table on the right (talk to McKinney).
- Ice Fishing – Hidden quest. Starts in Crooked Teeth/Edge of the World after collecting four ECHO logs (details below).
- Symbiotic Security Part 1 – Bloodstained Hollow, Daphne’s garden right after killing Crazed Earl.
- Symbiotic Security Part 2 – Same area, Daphne’s Homestead fast travel, right after Part 1.
- Doc of the Bay – Inside DCN Feuermann, med bay after taking the elevator.
- Yes, Chef – DCN Feuermann (fast travel to Maelstrom, use the purple rift near the boss room).
- Host in the Shell – Speakeasy, only after finishing the final story mission “Damnation Encroaches.” Talk to Robby in the center.
These locations are all within the Whispering Glacier, so once you have fast travel unlocked you can bounce between them in minutes.
Step-by-Step Walkthroughs for Every Borderlands 4 Side Mission
I’ve completed each one multiple times on different Vault Hunters, so here’s the no-fluff guide that actually works.
Ghost Stories:
Talk to the guy at the gravestone. You help a ghost finish his unfinished business—simple race and ball game. At the end you choose whether to free him or leave him with his ghost buddies. Typing your initials on the computer gives extra loot, but nothing unique.
Star-Crossed:
Grab body parts to rebuild the man’s dead lover. You pick beefier legs, arms, or tentacles—honestly, the choice changes nothing. Easy fetch quest with a funny cutscene at the end.
Summoner’s Gift:
Collect ancient eggs for a demon ritual. Solve the puzzles by ground-pounding the ritual circle from a high point and matching symbols in each area. Follow the glowing markers and you’ll be fine.
A Humble Abode:
Barney needs a new home. It’s a longer one but straightforward—just follow the objectives and clear out a couple of enemy groups.
Voices Carry:
Destroy radio towers, put fallen friends to rest, and burn dog tags. Straight combat and exploration with a satisfying payoff.
Ice Fishing (the hidden one):
This is the tricky one most players miss. In Crooked Teeth near the Edge of the World fast travel, hunt for four fishing spots marked by a chair, bucket, and barrel of dynamite. Look for bubbling water with shiny particles out in the ocean, throw dynamite, and grapple the ECHO logs. Four total logs, then head to the Speakeasy (east side of the lobby) to start the actual mission. You’ll hunt special Threshers afterward. If bubbles don’t spawn, fast travel away and back.
Symbiotic Security Part 1 & 2:
After killing Crazed Earl in Bloodstained Hollow, extract DNA from two creatures. Part 2 has you follow an Alpha to feed on outlaws and then stop it from getting too smart. Short, fun chain with good combat.
Doc of the Bay:
Find the NPC trapped on the operating table inside DCN Feuermann. Line up nodes and shoot them before time runs out (the mission doesn’t fail if he dies, but you still have to kill him afterward). Quick puzzle.
Yes, Chef:
The chef is locked in a hot room. Input the password: Left, Down, Left, Up on the console to free him. That’s it.
Host in the Shell:
Only available post-story. Grab towels, take them to the cleansing circle, and kill Creeps while they’re inside it. Short and sweet.
Wrapping Up Your Mad Ellie Adventure
Tackling the Borderlands 4 Side Missions in the Mad Ellie and Vault of the Damned DLC is easily one of the most enjoyable parts of the new story pack. Whether you’re hunting for the achievement, farming some extra loot, or just soaking in the eerie new zone, these eleven quests deliver exactly what fans expect—fun, funny, and surprisingly deep for side content. I finished them all on my first playthrough and still go back for the unique enemy fights and collectibles.
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