Zer0

Zer0 is the playable Assassin class character in Borderlands 2.

He was revealed on February 21, 2012, in the Borderlands 2 Launch Date Trailer. His origins and real name are as of yet unknown. He works as an assassin, as much for the challenge as for the money; he even tells targets to fight back and give him a challenge. His nickname comes from the "0" hologram displayed over his faceplate when he dispatches a target. Other emotes and text, such as ":D" and "..." appear on his faceplate during different actions. Most of Zer0's phrases are spoken in haiku.

Background
Zer0 is an assassin for hire. According to his wanted poster and his personal ECHO recordings, he performs both political assassinations and common hits. Following a particularly unsatisfying assassination where the target fails to fight back, despite being encouraged by Zer0 to do so, the assassin starts to look for a more challenging environment. He travels to Pandora after hearing of the Vault from a bartender, deeming the hunt as worthy of his skills.

As his face and body are completely covered by his suit, a certain amount of mystery surrounds Zer0's true appearance. In an ECHO recording, Angel remarks that she's not even sure if Zer0 is human; both in-game and promotional material show that he has only four fingers on each hand. 

Skills
Action Skill: Decepti0n

Decepti0n grants Zer0 the ability to deploy a holographic decoy of himself and enter an invisible "stealth mode." While cloaked, he can maneuver about the battlefield dealing amplified damage on his next attack. The longer Zer0 stays cloaked the more damage he can inflict to enemies; however, the shorter Zer0 stays cloaked, the sooner he is able to use the skill again. Zer0 does not enter a separate dimension like Lilith when she Phasewalks, and can still take damage from all sources while cloaked.

Decepti0n has a base cooldown of 15 seconds and gives up to +650% Melee Damage or +200% Gun Damage and +250% Gun Critical Hit Damage.

Sniping
This tree focuses on guns, particularly sniper rifles.

Cunning
This tree focuses on improving Decepti0n, and abilities that benefit both ranged and melee combat.

Bloodshed
This tree focuses on melee attacks.

Melee Weapon
Zer0's basic melee attack uses his sword. The sword cannot be equipped but its effectiveness in combat can be enhanced. It consists of a physical hilt with a blade that digistructs when pulled from its sheath.

Quotes
When joining a game Idle Attempting to Travel while other players are busy
 * Zer0/ECHO Recorders
 * Where is the target?
 * What's the hold up? / Is someone in the bathroom? / Are you on the phone?
 * What is going on? / Why have my limbs stopped moving? / Has my heart stopped?
 * Bor-ed, bor-ed, bored. / Bored bored bored bored bored bored bored. / I am really BORED!!
 * Boredom is my lot, / As I lack autonomy / To move my own feet.
 * An idle mind is / A very dangerous thing. / I think of violence.
 * I am bored as hell / I would like to kill something / Can we friggin go?
 * I sit here and wait / So eager to move onward / But it's all in vain.
 * Can we start moving? / I grow tired of this spot. / I long to explore.
 * The peaceful silence / Penetrates my whole being / It's so very dull
 * Someone is busy. / Now we play the waiting game; / Everyone loses.
 * What is the holdup? / Is someone in the bathroom? / Are you on the phone?

Entering Decepti0n
 * Your eyes deceive you / An illusion fools you all. / I move for the kill.
 * How hilarious. / You just set off my trap card -- / Your death approaches.
 * The true world revealed -- / Weaknesses now known to me. / Time to go to work.
 * And I disappear; / A ghost amidst the combat, / Preparing to strike.
 * I vanish.
 * Stealth!
 * Good bye!
 * Ghosting.

Scoring a critical hit Throwing a grenade
 * A critical hit; / So very satisfying. / I live for such kills.
 * Critical killing / Is an art unto itself; / And I am Rembrandt.
 * A critical kill / Showers me in blood and spit / How enjoyable.
 * That was your own fault / You should have paid attention / And looked through the lie.
 * Sorry, did that hurt? / That "sorry" was sarcasm. / I am not sorry.
 * I enjoy that.
 * Heehee.
 * Ow.
 * Ouch.
 * Sucker.
 * Grenade out!
 * Here! Grenade!
 * Nade!

Affected by an elemental attack
 * I feel the burning / Eating through my equipment! / Must stop, drop, and roll.
 * I'm covered in slag! / I must seek cover quickly, / or pain is coming.
 * Disgusting, this slag / Inelegant chemical / Increases damage.
 * Slagged!
 * My armor!

Spotting items
 * A new instrument, / Waiting for a sonata / That I will conduct.
 * Maybe I'll use you / To blow a midget's head off. / Or maybe I won't.
 * Mine.
 * Nice.
 * Impressive.
 * Well, well...

Comparing items in the menu
 * Comparisons made, / But which is superior? / A tough decision.

Reviving a downed ally
 * Get back on your feet! / I will help you up, and then / We will kill more stuff!
 * Keep Shooting!

Killing an enemy Badass or Boss alert
 * A most confused death / Dead before he even knew / Where I had struck from.
 * Striking from nowhere / Killing with accuracy / This is who I am.
 * Yoo-hoo, Stupid Guy / I was really over here / Too bad you're dead now.
 * I am everywhere / And yet I am nowhere too / I am infinite.
 * Farewell foolish thing / Know that you have been deceived / As your soul moves on.
 * This is how you die / A spectacle of violence / Gorgeous and ugly.
 * I relish your death / You are so unsuspecting / How satisfying.
 * I say, boom biatch! / That's what you get for messing / With the assassin.
 * I have destroyed you / A deadly shot from nowhere / The ghost assassin.
 * Over here you fools / That was but an illusion / I am your true foe.
 * You fought well creature / But I fought so much better / I'll pick your corpse now.
 * Assassinated / What a satisfying word / With five syllables.
 * What happened to you? / So strong, imposing, fearsome... / Oh yeah, I killed you.
 * I witness your death. / You were so unsuspecting. / How satisfying.
 * Assassins never die!
 * Bow to my weaponary!
 * Unworthy opponents.
 * Fear my skills!


 * Warning, badass!
 * Badass approaching!
 * Incoming badass!
 * Greetings, badass.
 * Hello, badass.
 * Badass sighted.

Killing an enemy by running them over
 * That is called roadkill / Not the cleverest of words / but appropriate.
 * This is the story / All about how my life got / Flipped, turned upsidedown.
 * What was that speed bump / that fell under my tires? / Was that thing alive?
 * Idiots.

Crashing a Vehicle
 * System crashed.

Getting Crippled
 * I am nearly dead / It's time for a second wind / Let my aim be true.
 * I will not die here / I still have too much to do / And too much ammo.

Getting a Second Wind
 * I won't die today / Not while I still have ammo / I am a badass.
 * I have arisen / You will regret harming me / My Vengeance at hand.
 * Second Wind achieved / Pulled back from the brink of death / I'm ready for more.
 * I'm back from the dead / To continue to raise hell / Get out of my way.
 * You should now be scared / I don't die so easily / And now I am pissed.
 * Nice try savages / I am not the dying type / You shall die instead.
 * This does not end here / I have much further to go / Before I fall dead.
 * I got Second Wind / Metaphorically speaking / Breath overrated.
 * I am eternal / Death will never capture me / My skills exceed his.
 * I do not think so!

Out of Ammo
 * I'm empty.
 * Well, crap.
 * Curses, empty.
 * No ammo.
 * That's unfortunate.
 * Ammo dry.
 * Ammunition required.
 * Ammo depleted.
 * Munitions dry.
 * Ammo necessary.

Being Revived
 * I thank you for your / Kindness and sincerity / Now let's kill some stuff.
 * Thank you for saving / A not so innocent life / By reviving me.

In menu with a Skill Point left to spend
 * Why, yes. I do have the skills to pay all my bills. ...Figuratively.

With Handsome Jack's voice
 * As my voice changes / I cannot help but feel wrong / I sound like a jerk
 * Now I have Jack's voice, / I truly understand him -- / He is an asshole
 * Since I speak as Jack / I know him, inside and out, / Which sounds kind of gross
 * I miss my old voice; / I sound like a jackass now. / Pun not intended.
 * Beautiful weaponry.
 * Poetic armaments.
 * I feel the wind.

Issuing a duel challenge Accepting a duel Winning a duel Losing a duel Duel ending in a tie
 * Oh, what?! Yeah, what, bitch?! / Yeah, I just slapped you and stuff. / What you gonna do?
 * Let's duel, you and I / So we can compare weapons / And know who is more skilled.
 * Let us fight.
 * Duel. Now.
 * I challenge you.
 * A chance to spar / Is something I adore / I'm ready to fight.
 * Was that a stiff wind? / Or a fly landing on me? / I barely felt it.
 * You sure?
 * Your mistake.
 * Death wish, huh?
 * A victory earned / A hard fought battle that was / I honor my foe.
 * That was a fine fight. / I say that due to your skill / Not because I won.
 * Easy.
 * I win.
 * Victorious.
 * Back on your feet.
 * I lost fair and square. / Whatever that dumb phrase means. / Who loses a square?
 * Well done.
 * Rematch. Now!
 * Surprising.
 * The battle complete / The warriors are equal / Identical skills.
 * A tie?
 * Disappointing.
 * Unexpected.

Emoticon
Zer0 often displays holographs from his faceplate, revealing his emotions through this. Known ones include:
 * :) - a smiley face emoticon, displayed randomly
 * 0 - a large zero, displayed when an enemy is killed with a melee attack
 * :D - a smiley face emoticon, displayed when constructing and/or entering a vehicle at the Catch-A-Ride
 * WTF BRO - an acronym for "what the fuck, bro", displayed when crashing into something in a vehicle
 * &lt;3 - a heart emoticon, displayed while reviving a friendly player
 * FML - an acronym for "for my loss," or "fuck my life," displayed while downed
 * ? - a question mark, displayed when pending actions (such as switching seats with a player in a vehicle)
 * ! - an exclamation mark, displayed when seeing a downed friendly player
 * $ - a dollar sign, displayed when completing a mission
 * &amp;&amp; - twin ampersands, displayed when inspecting items in the menu
 * 勝 - a kanji character meaning "victory", displayed when receiving items by either picking them up or via trading
 * ... - ellipsis, displayed when either inspecting menu items, after killing an enemy, or while reloading a weapon
 * :| - a straight face emoticon, displayed when standing idle
 * ZZZ - three Zs, displayed when standing idle
 * :( - a sad face emoticon, displayed when standing idle
 * B0R3D - the word "BORED" written in leetspeak, displayed when standing idle
 * 嘆く - a kanji character meaning "sigh", displayed when standing idle
 * OWND - acronym for owned, displayed when killing an enemy with a critical hit

During Decepti0n with the B0re Skill active various other Emotes can been seen on the Enemies weak points.


 * 00110000 - Which is binary encoded ASCII for 0
 * :(_8(1) - Sad_Dead
 * &gt;_&lt; - Which symbolises a person who is frustrated as an emoticon
 * :-P - Which symbolises a person sticking out their tongue as an emoticon
 * :-D - Which symbolises a person smiling as an emoticon
 * &gt;:-] - Which symbolises an evil look as an emoticon
 * [O][O] - Which symbolises wide eyes as an emoticon
 * [.][.] - Which symbolises breast as an emoticon
 * ^5 - Which symbolizes a high five
 * D13 - The word "DIE" written in leetspeak
 * K1LL - The word "KILL" written in leetspeak
 * 1337 - The word "LEET" written in leetspeak, which means Elite
 * PA1N -The word "PAIN" written in leetspeak
 * W34K - The word "WEAK" written in leetspeak
 * 3MTA3 - The words "EAT ME" written backward, Made Famous by the Beastie Boys
 * 4SS4SS1N - The word "ASSASSIN" written in leetspeak
 * &lt;-SHOOT - Shoot here
 * WTF - An acronym for "What The Fuck"
 * OMG - An acronym for "Oh My God"
 * LOL - An acronym for "Laugh Out Loud"
 * GTFO - An acronym for "Get The Fuck Out"
 * \M/ - Sign of the horns
 * \0/ - Which symbolises a person with his arms in the air
 * 42 - "The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything"
 * 666 - The number of the Beast
 * 31415 - The first five numbers of Pi
 * 8675309 - "867-5309/Jenny" a song preformed by Tommy Tutone
 * 8===D - ASCII representation of male genitalia, often used by trolls with a penchant for the vulgar.
 * 8===D - ASCII representation of male genitalia, often used by trolls with a penchant for the vulgar.

Trivia

 * Gearbox concept designer, Scott Kester, credits Zer0's inspiration to "loner characters" like Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe and Gray Fox from the Metal Gear video game series.
 * Zer0's Class Mod is represented by an attachment on his elbow.
 * The bounty on Zer0's head is $32,000,000,000.


 * Most of Zer0's dialogue is spoken as a haiku, something that is noticed by Handsome Jack in an ECHO recording.
 * One of the lines of dialogue spoken by Zer0, "This is the story / All about how my life got / Flipped, turned upside down." is a referrence to the intro theme of Fresh Prince of Bel Air, featuring Will Smith.


 * One of Zer0's heads, known as "Alienati0n" is a reference to the Alien franchise.
 * One of Zer0's heads, known as "C0al Train" is a reference to a character named Augustus Cole in the Gears of War franchise, who was a former football player and he was known by his fans as "The Cole Train."
 * One of Zer0's skins, called "Why so Serious?"(a black and green color swap of his default costume) is a reference to an iconic line in the movie The Dark Knight.
 * One of Zer0's skins, called "Leaf on the Wind". (Mostly green hues) is a reference to the character Hoban 'Wash' Washburne's coined phrase from the Joss Whedon movie Serenity. Also from the series Firefly.
 * One of Zer0's skins, called "Mutant" (a green and yellow color swap of his default costume) is a reference to the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. The blue highlight on some of his faceplates is a reference to Leonardo, the de-facto leader of the turtles who is also known for his katana.
 * One of Zer0's skins, called "Vault Suit" is a reference to the Fallout video game series. The yellow and blue colors are the trademark colors that the Vault Boy wears on his vault suit.
 * Another of Zer0's skins, Toad of Battle, shares the color scheme of the main characters of the game Battletoads.
 * After obtaining the voice modulator from Angel, Zer0 improvises a haiku about his new voice, mentioning that it makes him sound like a jerk. "As my voice changes / I can not help but feel wrong / I sound like a jerk."
 * Zer0's personal back story ECHO recordings can be found in Sawtooth Cauldron.
 * Zer0's version of "Slayer of Terramorphous" is currently bugged, since it displays one of Salvador's skills among the boosted skills.
 * When using the Handsome Jack Voice Modulator, Zer0 will become far less talkative. Many of his lines are replaced with lines that are cut short, as though Zer0 was about to say something, heard his own voice, and decided against it.
 * Zer0 stands at a 1 metre 93, which stands him as the tallest playable character in Borderlands 2.