The Unkempt Harold is one of the most iconic and powerful legendary pistols in Borderlands 2. Known for its explosive damage and unique bullet pattern, it’s a fan favorite among Vault Hunters of all levels. Farming this weapon efficiently can drastically boost your firepower, especially in mid to late-game scenarios. Whether you’re running Salvador, Zer0, or Maya, the Unkempt Harold can fit into nearly any build. Knowing how to farm the Unkempt Harold effectively is essential if you want to maximize your damage output and take down tough bosses or mobs quickly.
What Makes the Unkempt Harold So Powerful?
Unique Bullet Spread and Damage
The Unkempt Harold fires a horizontal spread of seven explosive projectiles, consuming only three ammo per shot. This allows it to deal extremely high burst damage, especially at close range. The gun is part of the Torgue manufacturer lineup, meaning it deals splash damage and benefits from grenade damage boosts.
Great for All Characters
Its versatility makes it a must-have in many character builds. Salvador can dual-wield it with great effect, Gaige can abuse the ricochet mechanics, and even Maya can use it effectively for mobbing and bossing alike. The Unkempt Harold is also excellent in Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode due to its ability to scale well with damage-boosting skills and equipment.
Where to Farm the Unkempt Harold
Farming Savage Lee in Three Horns Divide
The most well-known farming location for the Unkempt Harold is Savage Lee, a rare spawn found in Three Horns – Divide. This method is accessible fairly early in the game and is great for getting an early powerful weapon.
How to Get to Savage Lee
- Travel to Three Horns – Divide from Sanctuary or Fast Travel Station.
- Spawn at the Three Horns – Divide entrance, not the Snowbound Crossroads.
- Head toward the Marrowfield area where the Bullymong camps are located.
- Look for Savage Lee in the group of bandits around the northern area of the field. He may spawn near the bandit tower or in nearby camps.
Once you find him, kill him quickly. If he drops the Unkempt Harold, great! If not, save and quit the game, then reload to respawn him and try again.
Drop Rate and Variants
Savage Lee has about a 10% chance to drop the Unkempt Harold, making it relatively easy to farm compared to other legendaries. Keep in mind, it may take several attempts before you get one. Additionally, the gun can spawn in different variants: double penetrating, rustler’s, deep, etc. The most sought-after version is theDouble Penetrating Unkempt Harolddue to its double projectile effect, significantly increasing its DPS.
Alternative Methods to Farm the Unkempt Harold
Using Torgue Vending Machines
Another method to farm the Unkempt Harold is through the Torgue DLC, Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage. Torgue vending machines often sell the Unkempt Harold, though you’ll need Torgue Tokens to purchase it.
Steps to Use the Torgue Vending Machine
- Access the Torgue DLC and reach any vending machine location.
- Check the items in the Torgue machine it refreshes daily or upon quitting and re-entering the game.
- If the Unkempt Harold appears, make sure you have enough Torgue Tokens to buy it. Tokens are earned by completing missions or winning battles in the arena.
- Farm tokens if necessary by completing side quests and repeatable arena challenges.
This method allows more control over the variant and level of the weapon, especially in UVHM where you want it to match your current level cap.
Tips to Speed Up Farming
Use a Character with High Mobility
Using characters like Zer0 with speed boosts or Salvador with short kill times can make the process faster. The goal is to kill Savage Lee as quickly as possible, check for the drop, and reset if needed.
Play on Normal for Quick Spawns
While the weapon won’t scale as high in damage, farming on Normal Mode is significantly faster if you just want to get the item and test it out. For UVHM players, it’s best to farm at max level to ensure the gun remains viable.
Check Bullet Pattern
Not all Unkempt Harold variants perform the same. Always check the gun’s prefix and stats. The Double Penetrating prefix is by far the best, firing two projectiles per shot for 14 bullets total per trigger pull. Be sure to inspect the weapon after each drop.
Using the Unkempt Harold Effectively
Pair with Skills that Boost Splash Damage
Since the Unkempt Harold deals splash damage, pairing it with skills and gear that increase explosive or grenade damage will greatly enhance its performance. For example:
- Salvador: Skills like Steady and Money Shot work excellently.
- Gaige: More Pep and Anarchy can make each shot even more devastating.
- Axton: Impact and Grenadier further boost Torgue weapon effectiveness.
Use Close to Mid-Range
The Unkempt Harold’s horizontal bullet spread makes it most effective at close to mid-range, especially when all seven (or fourteen) bullets hit the target. Avoid using it for sniping, and instead get up close to large bosses or groups of enemies.
Combine with Slag Weapons
In UVHM, enemies have increased resistance. Using a slag weapon before firing the Unkempt Harold will significantly increase the damage dealt. Many players use a slag weapon to prime the enemy, then switch to the Harold for the finishing blow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring the Prefix
Not all Unkempt Harolds are created equal. Players who settle for non-optimal prefixes often miss out on the gun’s true power. Hold out for a Double Penetrating version if possible.
Farming at the Wrong Level
Make sure you’re farming at or near your level cap if you want the gun to remain viable throughout endgame content. A level 30 Harold won’t cut it in UVHM unless you’re just using it for a short burst.
Forgetting About Torgue Tokens
Many players overlook the Torgue vending machine method. While slower in early-game, it can be a reliable way to get the gun with the stats you want later on.
Farming the Unkempt Harold in Borderlands 2 is a rewarding process that can provide your character with an incredibly powerful tool for both mobbing and boss fights. By targeting Savage Lee or checking Torgue vending machines, you can get your hands on this legendary pistol with the stats and level you need. Combine it with the right build, skills, and strategy, and you’ll quickly understand why it remains one of the most popular weapons in the game. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned Vault Hunter, learning how to farm the Unkempt Harold efficiently is a game-changing step in your BL2 journey.