Gearbox Community Badass
Enasni Volz
HEEEYYYOOOO! Welcome back to Gearbox Community Badass! This week’s badass is none other than the incomparable Enasni Volz (@EnasniVolz). Enasni is one of our community’s most accomplished cosplayers, and that’s saying something! She is best known in the Gearbox community as having made multiple Moxxi looks that are all stellar! The life of a cosplayer is busy and fraught with peril- not that different from a Vault Hunter when you think about it. Luckily, I was able to catch up with Enasni in between “quests” and ask her a few questions.
How long have you been playing Borderlands?
I’ve been playing since early 2010. A group of friends had started planning a group cosplay from Borderlands, and since they knew I was a gamer they asked me if I wanted to join in. This led to me picking up the game to see what all the hubub was about and decide if I’d be interested or not and I’ve been hooked ever since.
What is it about Borderlands that has you hooked and coming back for more?
I think the biggest thing is probably the storytelling, and how each character has a fleshed out and believable backstory. There is so much to be told and so much Pandoran history to uncover if you look in the right spots or talk to the right NPCs, I love it! I’m a sucker for good storytelling and the writers behind the series really know what they are doing. Plus I’m a huge RPG nerd, so all of the bazillions of guns, shields, skins and grenade/class mods fulfill my mighty need to loot and customize my vault hunter. I feel like there is always more to discover and get excited about when it comes to Borderlands, even if you’ve played them all inside and out backwards and forwards.
Who is your favorite playable character?
The Siren class has always been my go to, simply because I love your typical mage/spellcaster class. Anything that does crazy elemental damage is right up my alley. Both Lilith and Maya had great elemental skills, but also skills to tie the typical fantasy genre mage into the gun-crazy world of Pandora. Though I do have to say, Gaige is one of my absolute favorites for solo play in BL2, and Mordecai and his gunslinging come in close second in BL1. I actually think I spent more time with Mordecai than Lilith come to think about it. There’s just something crazy fun about being able to snipe the biggest baddie and then finish off his cronies with Blood and your pistols.
You’re well-known for your amazing cosplays. How long have you been cosplaying and how did you get into it?
Aww shucks, you flatterer! I started cosplaying in 2008, but was introduced to it by a crazy talented Batman group called Gotham Public Works a little bit earlier. I was in awe of their costumes, and thought they worked with DC. I was fully convinced cosplay was only for those who were practically working with movie/comic/video game studios even then due to the mind bowing quality of the costumes I would see. It wasn’t until my friend asked for a ride to a local convention and I saw everyone dressed up that I realized “holy crap. ANYONE can cosplay??” and immediately set about getting a costume together. For me, cosplay is just incredible amounts of fun. I get the chance to become my favorite characters and interact with other characters from that world? SIGN ME UP. Not to mention the whole spectrum of friendships and experiences that come from it.
I’d say your most recognizable cosplay is definitely your Moxxi Though I admit, I’m a little biased). How did you settle on her as your “muse”?
I do love me some Moxxi. I think at this point I’ve got about 7 outfits? BL1, BL2, Poker Night 2, Moon Moxxi, Mechanic Moxxi and two original fun outfits (Casual and formal) with two more in the works. She was actually suggested to me by that same group of friends that got me into the game. Lilith was already taken in the group (And while I loved her, I wasn’t in love with her), but the second I saw Mad Moxxi I was smitten. I must’ve watched the opening to the Underdome Riot and her intro in General Knoxx about a billion times before I bought the DLCs, trying to get her inflection and mannerisms down and learn as much as I could. There is just something about her that really draws me in. I don’t know if its her confidence, seductiveness, evil genius level masterminding, or all of the above and more, but I adore her. She’s one of my “defend until the end” characters, and I have wayyyy too many thoughts and theories and general knowledge about her. I’ve done so many of her outfits and have been cosplaying her so long, its crazy to think that with how much more I have planned it feels like I’ve only begun to share my vision and views of her with other fans. Yeah, I’m nuts.
What advice would you have for someone who is looking to get into cosplaying?
Take a deep breath. Always have fun. Cosplaying is fantastic, and is definitely a big thing right now, but its important to remember what matters most: your happiness and health! Do not overstress yourself with your costumes, and do not overstress your wallets. Always make sure that you and your necessities (food, gas, rent, etc) come first! You’ll only end up miserable and hungry in a costume you’re half proud of.
Whether you want to build your own costumes and props or proudly display the work of another, there are so many resources available to you now. The biggest thing is to search around and see if there are already groups or communities of cosplayers of your character or series, because chances are they exist and are more than willing to lend you advice and help show you how to get started. Google is your friend, trust me. There are hundreds upon hundreds of tutorials out there to search through, and if there isn’t one specifically for what you are doing, there is one that is at least enough to get you started and give you ideas. When looking for tutorials try not to search broad things like “Zer0 Cosplay tutorial” and instead try things like “How to make a cosplay helmet” “Lighting up cosplay prop tutorial” and so on. Break it down into pieces and work from there.
What’s your next project?
I have about 6 different things immediately going through my head, and they change places depending on the day, haha. Currently I’ve been head over heels in love with Orendi from Battleborn, and have launched myself into crazy planning mode. I got all creepy with the statue at set up E3 and took at least 40 pictures for reference. I’m going to have to learn a lot of new things to make this costume work and look how I want it to, but I really can’t wait to get started. I’ve also got a Borderlands/Mad Max group in the works, as well as about a dozen Borderlands music video ideas (I know, I know, but seriously, just wait.) that have been stewing for years and a special Mad Moxxi channel on youtube. I’m finally getting to a point where some of these videos can become a reality and I really can’t wait to share them with everyone. 
What are you most looking forward to seeing from Gearbox in the future?
Uh. BATTLEBORN. Come on! I love Borderlands and will always happily eat up anything you guys put out related to it, but Battleborn is a whole new level. We’ve only seen ten characters and a few minutes of gameplay and I’m beyond sold. I’m really looking forward to seeing more about the other styles of gameplay and the other 15 characters. The story sounds incredible (oh god space) and I need to know all about it!
Where can people go to check out the latest from you?
The usual social media outlets! I’m pretty much everywhere… lurking… waiting. You can check out my website, EnasniVolz.com. It’s new and we’re still adding to it but it does its job well and has most of my costumes up. The top bar of my website has all of my social media links, but I’m most active on twitter (@Enasni).
