Francis Oddman is one of the most unusual characters you’ll encounter in Borderlands 4. He appears in the side mission Exit Through the Rift Shop, and at the end of the questline, you’re faced with a choice: do you punch Oddman or do you shoot him? The decision seems small, but it carries weight for both story implications and achievements.
Who Is Francis Oddman?
Francis Oddman is introduced during Exit Through the Rift Shop, a side mission that becomes available after Main Mission 25: Ultimate Vault Hunter – Wildcard Missions.
- He’s a scientist formerly employed by The Order.
- Obsessed with the idea of “paradise,” he experiments on the people of Kairos by teleporting them through rifts repeatedly.
- His “paradise” turns out to be bizarre—he envisions a land ruled by sentient lizard overlords.
When the Vault Hunter arrives, Oddman enlists your help to fix his machine and journey through rifts. But eventually, you uncover the truth and must put a stop to his dangerous work.
See also: How to Level Up in Borderlands 4 – Fast XP Farming & Leveling Guide
Exit Through the Rift Shop – Quest Walkthrough Highlights
This mission has multiple objectives spread across the Fadefields and other regions:
- Find Oddman – He can be located in The Fadefields, inside the “Deep Seven” Order Silo.
- Collect Machine Parts – You’ll need three parts from an Order encampment in Coastal Bonescape.
- Fix the Machine & Enter the Rift – Using the collected parts, Oddman’s device opens a portal.
- Fight Through Enemies & Release Prisoners – Inside the rift, you’ll battle Order forces and free captives.
- Confront Oddman – Returning from the rift, you finally confront Oddman and face the moral choice.
The Final Choice: Punch or Shoot Oddman?
At the end of the mission, Oddman must be stopped. Your options are:
- Punch Oddman
- He falls through the rift and vanishes.
- This outcome leaves the door open for him to possibly reappear later.
- It ties into the “Rift Incompatible” trophy/achievement, which requires finding Oddman’s final resting place (location still unconfirmed).
- Recommended if you want to ensure you don’t miss this achievement.
- Shoot Oddman
- He dies instantly on the spot.
- He slumps over at his machine, and the mission ends.
- This choice provides closure but may prevent progress toward the Rift Incompatible achievement.
Which Choice Should You Pick?
For most players, punching Oddman is the safer and more rewarding option:
- It keeps the door open for Oddman’s fate to be explored in future content.
- It aligns with the current best path for unlocking Rift Incompatible, since his final resting place is only confirmed if he falls through the rift.
- Shooting him provides immediate justice but risks missing out on an achievement if the developers tie his ending specifically to the rift outcome.
If you’re cautious, make a backup save before making the decision. That way, you can revisit both outcomes later.
See also: SHiFT User Guide Borderlands 4 – Redeem Codes & Link Accounts
Rewards for Completing the Mission
Finishing Exit Through the Rift Shop gives:
- XP
- Money
- Grenade Mod (Green or Purple rarity)
- Eridium
- Cosmetic: Vault Hunter Style
Francis Oddman is one of those side characters who perfectly embody the mix of dark humor and moral ambiguity that Borderlands is known for. Whether you choose to punch or shoot him, the mission delivers a memorable twist. But if you’re chasing achievements or simply curious about what lies beyond the rift, punching Oddman is the way to go. Play Now!
