There are four playable characters in Borderlands. Each has a unique story and special abilities. A player can improve his character qualities like max health, ammo capacity, and accuracy as he progresses through the game.

Announced Characters

Mordecai - Hunter

Mordecai travelled to Pandora in search of man named Quinn. Quinn is dead so now Mordecai seeks his killer. His skills include "Angel on Your Shoulder" which gives a critical hit boost whenever he headshots an enemy attacking his allies, and others that may simply increase hit percentages for allies. Partway through the game, he will befriend an alien creature that will assist in combat known as Bloodwing.

Mordecai's weapon specialties are snipers and pistols.

Roland - Soldier

Roland is a former soldier of the Crimson Lance, an elite private military group working for the Atlas Corporation. Roland's Leadership, Support and Medical abilities include generating new ammo for both himself and those in his party, increasing experience gained by the party and increasing health regeneration. Roland can gain the ability to shoot 'healing' bullets, which will damage his enemies, but heal his allies. He is also capable of deploying a turret with a shield barrier which can attack enemies or heal allies.

Lilith - Siren

Lilith is one of only six Sirens in the galaxy, a group of people with incredible power, but no way to control it. She came to Pandora because she heard there was another Siren on the planet and wants to find whoever it is in the hope of learning more about herself. She can enter a alternate dimesion in which she can move faster and damage enemies when she exits.

Brick - Berserker

Born a gigantic hunk of muscle and meat with the mass of all three other characters combined who specializes in beating the ever-living crap out of anything he can get his hands on.  He has bolts strapped to his fists and boots for that extra maiming action.  His active skill is to inject himself with some kind of super-steroid for a temporary boost in melee power.  (Source - PC Gamer June 2009, pg. 56)