It wouldn’t be a Borderlands game without a healthy dose of bizarre humor, hidden secrets, and elaborate Easter eggs, and Borderlands 4 proudly continues this tradition. One of the first secret achievements that players have discovered is titled “Cut That Out,” a classic puzzle that involves the series’ most beloved and eccentric scientist, Dr. Patricia Tannis. This achievement is a fantastic nod to the long-standing traditions of the franchise and can be unlocked relatively early in your adventure on Kairos.
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This guide will provide you with the complete, step-by-step solution to the puzzle required to unlock the achievement and trigger this fun Easter egg. The community is still working to pinpoint the exact location of the puzzle, but with this guide, you’ll have the solution ready for the moment you stumble upon it.
The Legacy of Tannis and Borderlands Secrets
For those new to the series, Dr. Patricia Tannis is a brilliant xenologist, a leading expert on the mysterious Eridian civilization, and a profoundly socially awkward recluse who often prefers the company of her ECHO recorders to that of other people. Throughout the Borderlands series, she has been at the heart of the main story’s biggest discoveries and some of its weirdest and most memorable side quests. Her unique personality and often-hilarious, rambling audio logs have made her an absolute fan-favorite character.
It’s fitting, then, that she is the subject of one of the game’s first discovered secrets. The Borderlands franchise has a rich history of hiding Easter eggs for dedicated players to find. From pop culture references and hidden bosses to complex environmental puzzles, Gearbox has always rewarded players who take the time to explore every nook and cranny of the world.
The “Cut That Out” achievement falls into a classic category of Borderlands secrets: the elemental barrel puzzle. Veteran players may recall similar puzzles from past games, which require shooting specific objects in a precise order to reveal a hidden reward. This achievement is a delightful continuation of that tradition, testing your observation and your knowledge of the game’s elemental properties.
The Puzzle Solution: The Elemental Barrel Sequence
To unlock the “Cut That Out” achievement, you need to find a specific cluster of five elemental barrels and shoot them in a precise order. Getting the order wrong will likely reset the puzzle, but you can try again as many times as you need.
Finding the Puzzle Location (Work in Progress)
The puzzle is reportedly located in one of the game’s earlier zones, meaning you can unlock this achievement long before you finish the campaign. The key thing to look for is a group of five distinct elemental barrels clustered together in a single area, likely somewhere slightly off the beaten path. As soon as the community confirms the exact, repeatable location of this puzzle, we will update this guide with a map and screenshots. For now, keep your eyes peeled for this environmental setup as you play.
Preparing for the Puzzle
Before you attempt the sequence, it’s a good idea to prepare.
- What You’ll Need: It is highly recommended to use a simple, accurate, non-elemental weapon like a basic pistol or assault rifle. Using a weapon with splash damage (like a Torgue shotgun or a rocket launcher) or one that fires elemental projectiles could accidentally detonate the wrong barrel, forcing you to start over. A precise, single-shot weapon is your best bet.
- Clear the Area: The last thing you want is a stray Skag or Psycho wandering in and ruining your attempt. Before you start shooting barrels, take a moment to eliminate any enemies in the immediate vicinity to ensure you won’t be interrupted.
The Correct Order: Step-by-Step
You must shoot and detonate the five barrels in the following specific order. Pay close attention to the color and symbol on each barrel to ensure you’re targeting the right one.
Step 1: CORROSIVE (Green Barrel)
- Find the barrel with the green liquid and the biohazard-like symbol. This is your starting point. Aim and fire to detonate it.
Step 2: CRYO (Light Blue Barrel)
- Next, locate the light blue barrel marked with the snowflake symbol. This is your second target.
Step 3: INCENDIARY (Red Barrel)
- Your third target is the classic red barrel, marked with the flame symbol. These are common throughout the world, but you need to shoot this specific one in the sequence.
Step 4: SHOCK (Dark Blue/Purple Barrel)
- Fourth in the sequence is the dark blue or purple barrel, which features the lightning bolt symbol for shock damage.
Step 5: RADIATION (Yellow Barrel)
- Finally, locate the yellow barrel marked with the nuclear/radiation symbol. Detonating this barrel last will complete the puzzle.
What Happens Next? The Tannis Easter Egg
Upon successfully shooting the fifth barrel (Radiation), the Easter egg will trigger, and the “Cut That Out” achievement will immediately unlock.
While we are still confirming the exact details of the event, the name of the achievement offers a massive clue. Given the title and its direct connection to Dr. Tannis, it is extremely likely that a life-sized cardboard cutout of Dr. Tannis will pop into existence at the puzzle location. This is often accompanied by a special sound effect or a brief, humorous audio log from Tannis herself, played through your ECHO device.
This type of quirky, fourth-wall-breaking reward is the bread and butter of Borderlands secrets. It serves no gameplay purpose but acts as a fun, hidden nod to a beloved character and a great trophy for dedicated explorers. So keep your eyes open, Vault Hunter, and good luck finding this fantastic secret!
By Croky
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