Where to Start: Unlocking Carcadia City
The Ultimate Dispenser quest is tucked away in the Old Sump region of Borderlands 4, specifically in the Faction City of Carcadia. To get access to this city, you’ll first need to complete the entire first part of the main quest in this Kairos zone, known as “Wrath of the Queen”. Without completing this section, you won’t get to meet Zane or Levainne, and the quest for the Ultimate Dispenser will remain out of reach.
Getting the Quest and the First Code
Without spoiling any major plot twists, here’s a little tip: at some point, Levainne’s technician will ask you to restore both water and electricity to the city. After completing this thankless task, you’ll finally be able to explore the city in full and receive the quest for the Ultimate Dispenser.
The first step of the quest is fairly straightforward: simply follow the conversation between the reporter and the Vault Gatherer to learn the first vending code. Here’s what to do:
- Look behind the vending machine
- Sell two blue-rarity items, followed by two green-rarity items
- This will reward you with the code 33—keep it somewhere safe!
The Puzzles: Cracking Codes at Other Dispensers
Once you’ve finished up at the Carcadia dispenser, you’ll need to set off for three others scattered across the Old Sump, the Rib of the Worthies, and Crooked Face (don’t worry, the names are just as quirky as the game itself). Each dispenser presents its own mini-puzzle, and solving these is key to uncovering the Ultimate Dispenser’s mysteries.
- The Capricious Dispenser: This one’s a bit… temperamental. Give it a quick smack to get it working again and reveal the sequence of sales you’ll need to make: green / purple / blue / purple. Sell the items in this exact order, and you’ll receive the next code: 1.
- The Ruins Dispenser: No tricks here—simply interact with the machine perched atop the ruins, not far from the dispenser itself, to power it up. Once it’s running, go behind it to find the code: green / purple / blue / green. This time, instead of selling, you’ll need to buy items in the given order.
- The Weaponless Dispenser: Unlike the previous ones, this dispenser stocks no weapons. Here’s what you do: sell weapons matching the specified colors, then buy them back to reveal the code.
- The Flattened Gatherer: You’ll encounter a Vault Gatherer flattened by the machine. On the back of the dispenser, you’ll see two arrows—ignore any instinct to head north, as the arrows indicate the building’s height, not direction. Climb the stairs to find the code: purple / purple / orange / orange.
Once you return to the poor guy squashed by the dispenser, he’ll handle the purchases for you, letting you collect the final code for this long-winded vending machine riddle: 8-W.
Solving the Mystery: The Ultimate Dispenser Awaits
With all your codes in hand, head for the coordinates indicated on your map and you’ll arrive at the Old Hanged Man. Be prepared: hostile enemies await! Clear the area, then make your way to the local dispenser.
This is where things get a touch more complicated: to proceed, you’ll need to provide a legendary weapon. Don’t hesitate to farm for one (or grit your teeth and part with one from your collection) so you can advance this side quest.
Next, simply follow the electric cables that are strung overhead (head north!) to track down the Ultimate Dispenser. To avoid spoiling the quest’s resolution and preserve the thrill, we’ll stop our help here. This way, you get to savor the quest’s twists and turns without knowing every last detail in advance. Happy hunting, Vault Hunter!
