Farming the Unkempt Harold in Borderlands 2 is a goal for many players seeking one of the most powerful and satisfying pistols in the game. Known for its explosive rounds and multi-projectile spread, the Unkempt Harold is an essential part of high-damage builds, especially for characters like Salvador. Whether you’re new to the game or returning for another playthrough, knowing how to farm Unkempt Harold efficiently can save you hours and significantly improve your gameplay experience. In this guide, we’ll break down the locations, drop mechanics, best farming methods, and tips to get the perfect variant of this iconic Torgue pistol.
What Makes the Unkempt Harold So Powerful?
The Unkempt Harold is a legendary Torgue-manufactured pistol that fires a horizontal spread of explosive bullets. Instead of a single projectile, each shot fires seven explosive rounds in a wide arc, dealing massive damage to enemies, particularly in close to mid-range combat. It benefits from Torgue’s explosive bonuses and synergizes well with character skills that amplify splash or gun damage.
Key Features
- Fires 7 projectiles at the cost of 3 ammo per shot
- Explosive damage scales with weapon damage boosts
- Excellent synergy with Gunzerker and explosive builds
- Comes in multiple prefixes, with Double Penetrating being the best
Where to Farm Unkempt Harold
There are two main methods to farm the Unkempt Harold in Borderlands 2: through a world drop from a specific enemy and by purchasing it from Torgue Vending Machines. Each method has its pros and cons depending on your playstyle and available in-game currency.
Farming Savage Lee
The most common method is farmingSavage Lee, a bandit mini-boss located in Three Horns – Divide. He has a relatively high chance to drop the Unkempt Harold, making him the go-to source for many players.
- Location: Three Horns – Divide, near the Marrowfield area
- Route: Fast travel to Three Horns – Divide, spawn at the Catch-A-Ride, then head northwest
- Spawn Rate: Savage Lee usually appears in one of the three bandit camps in the area
Kill Savage Lee, check for the drop, and then quit and reload your game to reset the area if he doesn’t drop it. This method is fast, requires no special currency, and is available early in the game.
Using Torgue Vending Machines
Another reliable way to farm the Unkempt Harold is through the Torgue Vending Machines found in the Campaign of Carnage DLC. These machines sell Torgue-brand weapons for Torgue Tokens and rotate stock every 20 minutes or when reset via save/quit.
- Requirement: You must own and access the Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage DLC
- Token Farming: Earn Torgue Tokens by completing missions or Torgue Arena challenges
- Machine Location: Moxxi’s Bar in Badass Crater of Badassitude is a good starting point
This method ensures you can purchase the Unkempt Harold with guaranteed stats when it appears, though it may take time and effort to gather tokens and wait for restocks.
Best Prefix: Double Penetrating Unkempt Harold
While there are multiple versions of the Unkempt Harold, the Double Penetrating Unkempt Harold (DPUH) is the most sought-after. It doubles the projectile output from 7 to 14 per shot, drastically increasing damage. However, it also consumes 6 ammo per trigger pull, making ammo management more important.
How to Get DPUH
- Farming Savage Lee can result in any variant, including DPUH
- Torgue Machines occasionally sell DPUH directly
- Look for the Double Penetrating prefix in the weapon name
Be prepared to farm repeatedly to get the right combination of prefix, parts, and element (though Unkempt Harold is always explosive). Using a character with farming perks like Salvador or Gaige can speed up the process.
Farming Tips and Efficiency
When you’re farming Unkempt Harold, especially for a specific prefix or level, it’s essential to be efficient. Minimize loading times and keep your inventory organized to quickly compare drops.
Tips for Faster Farming
- Use a fast-travel point as close as possible to the target location
- Clear out inventory space before each session
- Turn off unnecessary loot pickups to avoid distractions
- Use a character build that can quickly dispatch Savage Lee or other targets
If using Torgue Machines, set a timer for restocks and focus on token collection in the meantime. You can speed up vending refreshes by dashboard resetting or quitting and reloading.
Character Builds That Benefit from Unkempt Harold
While any character can use the Unkempt Harold effectively, some Vault Hunters benefit significantly more due to their skill trees.
Salvador (Gunzerker)
- Dual-wielding two Unkempt Harolds creates massive damage output
- Skills like Money Shot amplify its burst damage potential
- Ammo regeneration skills help mitigate high ammo usage
Krieg (Psycho)
- Bloodsplosion benefits from splash damage
- Use Unkempt Harold to set off chain explosions
Gaige (Mechromancer)
- Anarchy stacks work well with the Harold’s high base damage
- Explosive AOE helps compensate for reduced accuracy
What Level Should You Farm?
Unkempt Harold scales with your level, so it’s important to farm it at the right time depending on your game mode:
- Normal Mode: Farm around level 3035 if you want a strong mid-game weapon
- True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM): Aim for level 50
- Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM): Farm at level 72 or 80 for endgame builds
Using the highest level version ensures it remains viable throughout the hardest parts of the game, especially in UVHM where scaling is intense.
The Unkempt Harold is a legendary weapon in more ways than one. Its unique mechanics, explosive power, and ability to melt enemies make it a must-have for any serious Borderlands 2 player. Whether you’re farming Savage Lee or watching vending machines, persistence and preparation are key to getting the perfect variant. Make sure to match it with an optimized build and the right level to maximize its potential. Once you secure the Double Penetrating Unkempt Harold, you’ll understand why it remains one of the most beloved weapons in Borderlands history.