Young and innocent

Borderlands 2’s hotly anticipated fifth character class will release in North America later today – a whole week ahead of schedule. Gearbox gaffer Randy Pitchford announced the surprise arrival on Twitter overnight, prompting an immeasurable outpouring of gratitude from fans of the game. Those of you with a Premiere Club pass will be able to download the newcomer for free, while everyone else will have to pay £7.99/$9.99.

Gaige the Mechromancer is able to call upon the assistance of her robotic accomplice Deathtrap during battle, providing her with some enviable Skag smiting skills. Like most of the other characters in Borderlands 2, she likes to shout a lot too.