Oxygen

Oxygen (often represented as ) is an exhaustible resource in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. The airless environments on the surface of Elpis pose a problem for air-breathing humans in that without a portable supply of oxygen they will suffocate and die.

Despite the inherent dangers of running out of oxygen however, oxygen is usually in plentiful supply. Oxygenated areas are frequent where people dwell, and in man-made structures the air is contained by forcefields that hold in the atmosphere while allowing living things to pass. Similarly, there are also field units that when activated will erect a force bubble within which people can breathe freely.

Out on the airless lunar surface, a more portable oxygen supply is needed. This comes in the form of Oz kits, a man-portable breathing apparatus that automatically detects the loss of atmosphere and erects a small air-retention forcefield that acts much like the large immobile units, but with a limited supply of air.

There are several methods of recharging the oxygen available to an Oz kit. Moving into an atmosphere automatically allows natural breathing to resume and also recharges the Oz kit in the process. Boarding a Moon Buggy has the same effect, and has the added advantage of being mobile. Oxygen canisters dropped from fallen enemies are yet another method of recharging an Oz kit, and act as a single-use infusion each time they come into contact with a character.

Oxygen can also offer a tactical consideration in combat where the lack of it can be as lethal as a bullet. A critical hit scored on the head of a scav may damage his Oz kit and cause him to take additional damage as his air vents out. The air supply can also be voluntarily vented to act as downward thrust to affect a ground slam attack.