Wilhelm is a cyborg who serves Handsome Jack, and who nearly killed the original Vault Hunters after the events of Borderlands. He is one of the bosses in Borderlands 2, and is the "Enforcer" class playable character in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

Quick Answers

What led Wilhelm to develop an addiction to cybernetics?

Diagnosed with Bone Waste as a child, Wilhelm was implanted with cybernetics, sparking his addiction. His desire to become a robot grew over time. His aggressive nature led him to a career as a mercenary, gaining fame across the galaxy. Despite his high kill count, his inability to protect a president and an orphanage hindered job prospects in the inner worlds. Eventually, he was employed by Jack.

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How did Wilhelm almost kill the original Vault Hunters in Borderlands?

Wilhelm, a servant of Handsome Jack, nearly defeated the original Vault Hunters in Borderlands with his Hyperion robot abilities. He launched missiles and grenades as his main ranged attack and could spin his upper body, potentially knocking Vault Hunters off cliffs. However, he was susceptible to corrosive damage, and shock weapons could rapidly deplete his shield.

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What role does Wilhelm play in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel?

Wilhelm, a cyborg, is the 'Enforcer' class playable character in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. He serves Handsome Jack and is known for his direct, stern responses. Investing in the 'Cyber Commando' skill tree alters Wilhelm's voice and appearance, introducing audible distortion and robotic enhancements.

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What is the backstory of Wilhelm's cybernetic implants?

As a child, Wilhelm suffered from Bone Waste, leading to the early installation of cybernetic implants. His fascination with cybernetics grew into an addiction, driving him to replace his right eye, left arm, and right leg. By the events of Borderlands 2, Wilhelm had transformed into a part Hyperion loader.

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Who does Wilhelm serve in the Borderlands series?

Wilhelm, a cyborg character in the Borderlands series, serves Handsome Jack. Notably, he almost defeated the original Vault Hunters post-Borderlands events. He is a boss in Borderlands 2 and the 'Enforcer' class playable character in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

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Background

As a child, Wilhelm had a mild case of Bone Waste that required him to get cybernetic implants at an early age, which would develop into a full-out addiction to cybernetics and a desire to become a full-on robot later in his life. With his aggressive tendencies he became a mercenary and would go on to become the galaxy's most famous mercenary, having fought for every corporation. His kill count was on par of a small country's population, though his failure to protect either a president or an orphanage made it harder to get jobs in the inner worlds.

Involvement

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Wilhelm joined Jack's Vault Hunters after being promised a lucrative reward of several million dollars. At this time, Wilhelm was a tall muscular man, sporting a thick beard and slicked back hair, both containing white streaks due to his advanced age. He wore a Hyperion uniform with one of the sleeves missing. His right eye was replaced with a cybernetic one, and during this time he also replaced his left arm and right leg.

After the events of The Pre-Sequel, Wilhelm continued to work for Handsome Jack and received further augmentations. He participated in Hyperion's assault on New Haven, easily defeating Roland, Lilith, Brick and Mordecai.

Borderlands 2

Wilhelm is first referenced during Handsome Jack Here!, where he slaughters a train of civilians on orders of Handsome Jack.

Angel mentions Wilhelm with considerable trepidation in A Dam Fine Rescue and A Train to Catch before he ultimately emerges at End of the Line after the Vault Hunters derail the Hyperion train to steal the Vault Key, revealing he was there to ambush them. Despite Roland and Lilith's orders to retreat, Angel encourages the Vault Hunters to fight on, and they eventually kill Wilhelm, retrieving a power core dropped by him in the process. This however proves to be yet another trap laid by Handsome Jack, as Angel was then able to disable Sanctuary's shields with it.

Appearances

• Borderlands 2
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Skills

Action Skill: Wolf and Saint.

Base Cooldown is 42 seconds, base Duration is 35 seconds. Activation of this skill will deploy Wolf, a floating red combat drone, and Saint, a white support drone. The robots can be recalled, and both of them can receive various upgrades from skills.

Wilhelm has three skill trees:

• Hunter-Killer
• Cyber Commando
• Dreadnought

Strategy

Main article: A Train to Catch

Quotes

Main article: Wilhelm/Quotes

Notes

• Wilhelm may drop these items at the following chances:
  • Logan's Gun Pistol (5%)
  • Rolling Thunder Grenade Mod (5%)
• Wilhelm dropped the Fremington's Edge Sniper Rifle on Day 5 of the Borderlands 2 $100,000 Loot Hunt.

Trivia

• In Borderlands 2, Wilhelm has no intro cutscene, as he is meant as a surprise during the mission.
• Defeating Wilhelm unlocks the "Wilhelm Screamed" achievement, a reference to the stock sound recording used in many movies, television shows, and video games.
• Wilhelm is first mentioned in the mission Handsome Jack Here!, when he is heard murdering a train full of refugees on their way to Sanctuary under orders from Handsome Jack.
• An unused ECHO recording from Handsome Jack exists in which Jack says that he poisoned Wilhelm prior to his fight with the Vault Hunters, weakening him in order to ensure the power core he carried would be recovered without making the find seem too easy.
• Wilhelm is the German version of the name William.
• Wilhelm is revealed to be from the planet Hera, as briefly mentioned by Moxxi in The Pre-Sequel when first met in Concordia. This planet was also mentioned by Krieg in one of his idle voice clips.
• Investing in skills in the "Cyber Commando" tree changes Wilhelm's voice and his appearance, adding audible distortion to his voice and robotic upgrades to his body.
• In Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Wilhelm tends to reply to statements made to him with stern, to-the-point responses. He is known for stating a single "No." when asked questions he dislikes.

Gallery

Promo-art to Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Wilhelm, in the intro of the Pre-Sequel

Wilhelm in the Pre-Sequel credits

Concept art

Wilhelm the boss in End of the Line

Wilhelm the boss in the End of the Line

References

v • e Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Player Characters Athena • Claptrap • Nisha • Wilhelm • Aurelia • Jack Features Missions • Weapons • Gear • Locations • Skills • Achievements • Challenges Add-On Content Shock Drop Slaughter Pit • The Holodome Onslaught • Claptastic Voyage Category