Borderlands 4 Tannis on a Fish Easter Egg: Complete Guide

The Borderlands series has always been known for its hidden secrets and quirky Easter eggs, and one of the most beloved traditions has made its return in Borderlands 4. The "Tannis on a Fish" Easter egg, featuring the eccentric Dr. Patricia Tannis riding a giant fish across the water, is back with a new twist and a hidden achievement to unlock. This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly where to find this Easter egg, how to trigger it correctly, and how to earn the "Cut That Out" achievement.

The History of Tannis on a Fish

For longtime fans of the series, the Tannis on a Fish Easter egg is a familiar sight that has appeared in every main Borderlands title. The absurd image of the brilliant but unhinged Dr. Tannis casually riding a giant fish has become something of an inside joke among the community. Its return in Borderlands 4 continues this tradition while adding new elements that make it worth seeking out once again.

This particular Easter egg is more than just a visual gag—it's also tied to a hidden achievement, making it a must-find for completionists and achievement hunters alike. Whether you're a veteran Vault Hunter or new to the series, discovering this secret is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Location: Finding the Easter Egg in Fadefields

The Tannis on a Fish Easter egg is hidden in the Fadefields region of Kairos. To reach it, you'll need to follow these detailed directions:

Starting Point: Crimson Resistance Safe House

Your journey begins at the first Crimson Resistance Safe House that you capture with Claptrap early in the story. This safe house serves as your reference point and starting location for finding the Easter egg.

Navigating to the Coastal Bonescape

From the safe house, you'll want to follow the shoreline northwest along the Coastal Bonescape toward The Howl. As you travel, keep the water on your left side and stick to the edge of the map. This coastal path will lead you directly to the Easter egg location.

Identifying the Beach Hut

You're looking for a small beach-view hut or shelter located right on the coast. This hut is positioned between two giant turrets, making it a distinctive landmark once you know what to look for. The shelter is right on the rim of the playable area, so it's easy to miss if you cut inland or don't pay close attention to the coastline.

What to Look For

When you reach the correct location, you'll notice:

A small beach hut or shelter
Two giant turrets flanking the hut
A red chest nearby (though this may not always be present)
Five elemental barrels arranged around the area

The area may have enemies wandering through, so be prepared for potential combat while you're trying to trigger the Easter egg. The key feature you're looking for is the collection of five elemental barrels, which are essential to activating the secret.

The Elemental Barrels: Order and Execution

Once you've located the beach hut, you'll see five elemental barrels positioned around the area. These barrels correspond to the different elemental damage types in Borderlands 4: Corrosive, Cryo, Incendiary, Shock, and Radiation. To trigger the Easter egg, you need to shoot these barrels in a specific order.

The Correct Barrel Order

To successfully activate the Tannis on a Fish Easter egg, shoot the barrels in this exact sequence:

Corrosive (green barrel)
Cryo (blue barrel)
Incendiary (red barrel)
Shock (yellow barrel)
Radiation (purple barrel)

Proper Execution Tips

For the best chance of success, follow these tips when shooting the barrels:

Shoot once per barrel: Each barrel only needs to be shot once to trigger. Make sure you let each barrel fully explode before moving to the next one in the sequence.
Position yourself correctly: Stand on or near the shelter so you have a clear view of all five barrels. This will help you maintain the correct order and avoid mistakes.
Use appropriate weapons: Jakobs or Torgue guns work well for this task as they can reliably pop each barrel with a single shot. Avoid weapons that might have splash damage that could accidentally trigger multiple barrels.
Take your time: There's no time limit, so don't rush. Make sure each barrel explodes completely before moving to the next one in the sequence.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. If an enemy accidentally triggers one of the barrels out of order, or if you make a mistake in the sequence, don't worry. You can reset the Easter egg by simply saving your game and reloading. This will respawn all the barrels in their original state, allowing you to try again.

The Reward: Tannis on a Fish

When you successfully shoot all five barrels in the correct order, you'll trigger the full Easter egg sequence. Dr. Tannis will suddenly appear, riding a giant fish across the ocean horizon. This absurd and delightful sight is exactly what Borderlands fans have come to expect from the series' unique sense of humor.

The New Twist

This time around, there's an extra layer to the Easter egg that longtime fans will appreciate. As Tannis rides the fish, she's swiping at a cardboard cutout of Handsome Jack, the series' iconic antagonist. This callback adds an extra layer of humor and nostalgia for players who have followed the series throughout its various installments.

The Scene

The entire scene plays out as a brief but memorable moment that captures the quirky spirit of Borderlands. It's the kind of hidden content that rewards players for exploring the world and paying attention to environmental details, rather than just following the main quest.

Unlocking the "Cut That Out" Achievement

The Tannis on a Fish Easter egg isn't just for entertainment—it's also tied to a hidden achievement called "Cut That Out." Unlocking this achievement is straightforward once you've triggered the Easter egg correctly.

How to Unlock the Achievement

There's nothing extra you need to do beyond triggering the Easter egg. Simply shoot the barrels in the correct order to witness the Tannis on a Fish sequence, and the "Cut That Out" achievement will unlock automatically. You don't need to complete any additional steps or challenges.

Achievement Details

While the exact achievement value may vary depending on your platform, "Cut That Out" is typically a standard achievement or trophy that adds to your overall completion percentage. For achievement hunters, this is a relatively easy one to miss if you don't know where to look, making this guide particularly valuable.

Repeating the Easter Egg

If you want to see the Tannis on a Fish sequence again or show it to friends in co-op mode, you're in luck. The Easter egg can be repeated as many times as you like. To trigger it again:

Save and quit your game
Reload your save file
Return to the same beach hut location
Shoot the barrels in the correct order again

This repeatability makes it easy to share the fun with friends or simply enjoy the absurdity of Dr. Tannis riding a fish whenever you want a laugh.

Additional Tips and Considerations

To make your Easter egg hunting experience as smooth as possible, keep these additional tips in mind:

Timing Your Visit

While you can access this Easter egg relatively early in the game, you might want to wait until you have weapons that can reliably trigger each barrel type. Having a variety of elemental weapons in your inventory will ensure you can complete the sequence without issues.

Co-op Considerations

If you're playing in co-op mode, coordinate with your teammates to ensure only one person is shooting the barrels, and that they're following the correct order. Communication is key to avoiding accidental triggers that would require a reset.

Exploring the Area

While you're in the Fadefields region, take some time to explore the surrounding area. Borderlands games are known for hiding additional secrets and valuable loot in out-of-the-way locations, so you might discover other interesting content while searching for the Easter egg.

Conclusion: A Worthy Tradition Continues

The return of the Tannis on a Fish Easter egg in Borderlands 4 is a testament to the series' commitment to its unique brand of humor and hidden content. This particular secret combines visual humor, series nostalgia, and achievement hunting into one satisfying package.

Whether you're a completionist looking to unlock every achievement, a longtime fan eager to see how this tradition has evolved, or simply a player who enjoys discovering the quirky secrets hidden throughout Borderlands 4, the Tannis on a Fish Easter egg delivers on all fronts.

Follow this guide, and you'll be watching Dr. Tannis ride off into the sunset on her giant fish while swiping at Handsome Jack in no time. And don't forget to claim your "Cut That Out" achievement while you're at it!

Have you found the Tannis on a Fish Easter egg yet? What did you think of the Handsome Jack twist? Share your experiences and any other secrets you've discovered in Borderlands 4 in the comments below!

Tags: Borderlands 4, Easter Egg, Tannis on a Fish, Cut That Out Achievement, Fadefields, Secret, Guide, Elemental Barrels, Dr. Patricia Tannis, Handsome Jack, Achievement Guide