45 articlesBorderlands 4’s world is full of hidden challenges and optional areas, but some of the most rewarding ones are the Auger Mines. These dungeon-style side areas throw mobs at you, test your traversal skills, and end with a boss that can drop exclusive loot. One of the first Auger Mines you’ll come across is The Claim, tucked away in the Idolator’s Noose region. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to unlock The Claim, how to navigate it, and what to expect when you face its boss, The Backhive.
How to Unlock The Claim Auger Mine
Before you can access The Claim, you need to progress through the main storyline. Specifically, you’ll need to:
- Complete the main mission #6: Shadow of the Mountain.
- Once it’s cleared, Auger Mines across Borderlands 4, including The Claim, will unlock.
So if you’re rushing to dive into the mines, keep grinding the story missions until you’ve wrapped up Shadow of the Mountain.
The Claim – Location & Basics
- Region: Idolator’s Noose
- Enemies: Kratches
- Boss: The Backhive
- XP Reward: 1,023 XP
- Completion Reward: 40 SDU
- Machines Inside: Ammo, Meds, and Encore (right before the boss room)
While Auger Mines are technically optional, they’re worth checking out — not just for XP and rewards, but for the chance at legendary drops from their bosses. The Claim isn’t the best farm in the game, but it’s fun to run thanks to its platforming-heavy layout.
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How to Reach The Claim
To get to The Claim:
- Head to the Idolator’s Noose region.
- Go north from The Stubs until you reach a high drop leading into the mine.
- Jump down, and you’re in.
From here, traversal is the main challenge — expect grapples, wall climbs, and plenty of double jumps to make it across rooms.
Navigating The Claim Mine
Here’s a room-by-room breakdown to help you through:
- The Acid Pool Room → Cross the large acid-filled area and head northeast to continue.
- Steel Beam Room → Cross beams and reach the water pool. Grapple from the middle structure (with the light fixture) to get to the southern ledge.
- Climbable Wall Section → Use the climbable wall to reach a higher ledge, then crouch into a tunnel that leads to a fan room.
- Fan Room → Head west to find the path forward.
- Pre-Boss Area → Stock up at the Ammo, Meds, and Encore machines.
- Boss Fight → Slide down the slope to trigger the fight with The Backhive.
The Backhive Boss Fight
The Backhive is the final challenge of The Claim. It’s not the toughest mine boss, but here are some quick tips:
- Clear mobs first so you don’t get overwhelmed.
- Watch for acid pool hazards — they can chip your shields quickly.
- Take advantage of the Encore machine nearby if you want to re-farm The Backhive for XP and potential legendaries.
Loot is randomized, but expect gear upgrades, SDUs, and the occasional legendary.
The Claim Tips & Tricks
- You can ignore mobs in the early areas and just run past them to save time.
- The Encore machine lets you respawn The Backhive for repeat farming.
- Once complete, you can either backtrack, fast travel out, or use the orb in the boss room to teleport back to the machines.
- While not a prime farming spot, it’s a fun run for traversal practice and early-game loot.
Wrap-Up
That’s everything you need to know about unlocking and completing The Claim Auger Mine in Borderlands 4. Once you’ve beaten The Backhive, you can revisit the mine as often as you want for XP and loot — though the real appeal here is the traversal challenge and boss fight rather than farming efficiency.
If you found this guide helpful, check out my other Borderlands 4 breakdowns and keep exploring — the mines might be optional, but they add a lot of flavor (and loot) to the endgame grind. Speaking of, if you want to learn more about Borderlands 4’s endgame, consider checking out my guide on endgame progression in Borderlands 4 and everything you need to know!
