The eighteenth main story mission in Borderlands 4, Means of Ascent, takes you deeper into the Dominion storyline and sets the stage for your confrontation with the mysterious Timekeeper. This mission revolves around planning a way to climb Ascension Tower, a heavily fortified structure protected by high-tech defenses. With your allies Zadra and Defiant Calder at your side, you’ll fight through waves of Order enemies, acquire a crucial Ordonite capacitor, and prepare for the climb toward the Timekeeper himself.

 

This step-by-step walkthrough will guide you through every stage of the mission, highlighting key objectives, enemy encounters, and tips for surviving the Dominion’s relentless defenders.

 

Starting the Mission

 

You’ll kick off Means of Ascent by traveling to the Terminus District, located on the eastern edge of Dominion. Once you get close to the objective marker, the Timekeeper will reach out, delivering one of his cryptic monologues as you approach. Zadra then confirms that you’re in the right place when the towering structure of Ascension Tower comes into view.

 

Your path forward is narrow, lined with barricades and crawling with Order soldiers. Expect heavy resistance here—snipers perched along the walkways and shock troops rushing from cover. Keep advancing through the tight corridors until you reach the base of the tower itself.

 

Running Into Defenses

 

As you get close to Ascension Tower, a red warning flares across your screen, and your progress grinds to a halt. The tower’s defensive systems prevent you from getting any closer. At this point, Zadra identifies the problem: you’ll need an Ordonite capacitor to bypass the tower’s energy shield. Defiant Calder then suggests heading to a rail depot to the south, where such a device can be found.

 

Finding the Ordonite Capacitor

 

Leave Ascension Tower behind for now and head south through the city. The journey isn’t direct—you’ll need to cut across winding streets and make your way toward a canal. Once you hit the water, turn east and continue along its edge.

 

The approach to the rail depot introduces a new environmental puzzle. Just outside the front entrance, you’ll see a marked power source sitting on the ground. Pick it up and hurl it into the glowing mechanism above the doorway to overload the system and unlock the entrance.

 

Clearing the Holding Bay

 

Inside the rail depot, Calder warns that you’ll need to clear out Order forces before you can start searching for the capacitor. A wave of standard enemies fills the first chamber—use grenades or area-of-effect skills to thin the crowd quickly.

 

With the initial wave defeated, focus on the power pylons surrounding the room. In the center of the area sits another glowing power source. You’ll need to repeat the earlier mechanic: pick up the power source and throw it into the four marked slots located along the walls. Each successful throw powers one section of the system, eventually unlocking the gate deeper inside.

 

Once all four pylons are active, approach the large sealed gate and flip the door switch on its left side. This opens the way into the depot’s holding bay. Inside, you’ll find the Ordonite capacitor resting on a train car near a pile of crates. Grab the capacitor, and prepare for the trek back to Ascension Tower.

 

Returning to Ascension Tower

 

The return trip is anything but peaceful. As you approach the tower again, Order forces ambush you along the plaza’s central walkway. This ambush features several waves of enemies, including a pair of Badass Order soldiers armed with high-damage elemental Borderlands 4 Weapons.

 

Pro Tip: Don’t rush into the plaza too early. Enemy spawns trigger in the middle of the walkway, so hold back, let the first wave spawn, and pick them off from cover before moving forward.

 

Elemental Awareness: The Badasses often spawn with fire or shock gear. Keep an eye on your resistances and use corrosive or cryo weapons to break their armor faster.

 

Once the waves are cleared, move toward the tower. As you step closer, the defensive warning flashes across your HUD once more. This time, you’re ready. Place the Ordonite capacitor into the designated slot. A short cutscene triggers, showing Zadra using the device to disable the tower’s energy shield.

 

Mission Completion

 

With the tower’s defenses down, the path is finally open for your eventual climb. The mission ends here, but the cutscene sets the stage for the next chapter of Borderlands 4’s story. You’re now closer than ever to confronting the Timekeeper, but Dominion won’t let you reach him without throwing every obstacle in your path.

 

Your reward includes standard mission loot—XP, cash, and a random Borderlands 4 Gear drop—along with the satisfaction of unlocking access to Ascension Tower.

 

Tips for Success

 

Weapon Variety Matters

 

Since you’ll be facing multiple enemy types, carry at least one corrosive weapon for armored foes and a shock weapon for shields. A reliable shotgun or SMG helps in close quarters inside the depot.

 

Save Heavy Ammo

 

Hold onto your rocket launcher or heavy ordnance for the ambush on your return to Ascension Tower. The Badass enemies can soak huge amounts of damage, and a well-placed heavy shot can end them quickly.

 

Use Cover Smartly

 

Both the narrow paths leading to the tower and the holding bay fights can overwhelm you if you stay in the open. Use crates, pillars, and walls to your advantage while reloading or recovering.

 

Keep an Eye on Objectives

 

Don’t forget to interact with environmental switches and pylons. It’s easy to get distracted in firefights, but the puzzles are necessary to progress.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Means of Ascent is one of Borderlands 4’s more tactical missions, blending classic firefights with puzzle-like mechanics and a strong narrative push. While it isn’t the final showdown with the Timekeeper, it sets the tone for what’s to come by showing just how well-defended Dominion’s inner sanctum truly is.

 

By carefully navigating the rail depot, securing the Ordonite capacitor, and pushing through waves of enemies on your return, you’ll overcome one of the key roadblocks in the story. With Ascension Tower’s defenses finally lowered, the climb toward the Timekeeper can begin—and the stakes for your Vault Hunter have never been higher.