The Unkempt Harold is one of the most iconic and powerful weapons in Borderlands 2, often sought after by players looking to maximize their damage output in both solo and co-op play. Known for its explosive firepower and unique bullet spread, the Unkempt Harold is a Torgue-manufactured pistol that fires multiple projectiles per shot, making it highly effective against mobs, bosses, and raid enemies alike. Farming the Unkempt Harold can be a time-consuming process, but with the right strategy and location, it becomes much easier to obtain this legendary weapon. This guide covers the best methods for Unkempt Harold farming in BL2, including where to go, what to expect, and how to optimize your farming runs.
Why the Unkempt Harold Is So Powerful
Before diving into the farming methods, it’s important to understand why so many players consider the Unkempt Harold one of the best guns in Borderlands 2. Unlike standard pistols, the Unkempt Harold fires seven projectiles in a horizontal spread, consuming only three ammo per shot. When used at close to medium range, most or all of these projectiles can hit the target, resulting in massive burst damage.
Key Advantages of the Unkempt Harold
- Extremely high damage output, especially when all projectiles land
- Synergizes well with characters like Salvador and Krieg
- Can be farmed relatively early in the game
- Available in multiple elements, although non-elemental is most common
Because of these strengths, the Unkempt Harold remains a top-tier weapon choice throughout most of the game’s difficulty levels, including True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM) and Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM).
Best Farm Location: Savage Lee in Three Horns – Divide
The most well-known and reliable way to farm the Unkempt Harold is by defeating Savage Lee, a mini-boss located in the Three Horns – Divide area. This farm is accessible relatively early in the game and doesn’t require any DLC or specific level requirements.
How to Find Savage Lee
- Fast travel to Three Horns – Divide
- Spawn at the Fast Travel station near the Happy Pig Motel
- Head toward the Marrowfield area on the map
- Savage Lee spawns near the bandit camps in the northeast corner of the zone
Savage Lee has a decent chance to drop the Unkempt Harold upon defeat. While the drop rate is not guaranteed, he is easy to reach and respawns quickly, making him the most efficient farming target for this weapon.
Farming Tips and Tricks
To make your Unkempt Harold farm more efficient and less frustrating, consider the following tips:
Play on Normal Mode First
If you’re just starting a new character or are in early levels, farming on Normal Mode is much quicker. The enemies are easier, and Savage Lee can be killed faster, especially with decent gear.
Use a Character with High Damage Output
- Salvador: Can dual-wield and benefit greatly from Gunzerking with another Torgue weapon
- Maya: Can use Phaselock to control Savage Lee and maximize burst damage
- Zero: Use Decepti0n for critical damage and quick kills
Having a high-damage character speeds up farming significantly, allowing more runs in less time.
Save and Quit Method
After defeating Savage Lee, if the Unkempt Harold doesn’t drop, simply save and quit the game, then reload to respawn him. This is the most common method used by players when farming legendary items in Borderlands 2.
Check the Weapon’s Prefix
The Unkempt Harold can drop with different prefixes depending on its parts. The most desirable variant is the ‘Double Penetrating Unkempt Harold’ (DPUH), which fires twice the projectiles for double the damage, but consumes six ammo per shot instead of three. This version is especially effective when combined with skills or gear that reduce ammo consumption or increase damage output.
Alternative Farming Methods
If you don’t want to farm Savage Lee, there are a few other methods you can try to get the Unkempt Harold:
Torgue Vending Machines (Campaign of Carnage DLC)
With the Torgue DLC, you gain access to Torgue Tokens and vending machines that can sometimes sell the Unkempt Harold. This method allows you to buy the weapon if you have enough tokens.
Loot Midgets and Random Drops
In Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode, many enemies including Loot Midgets can drop legendaries. While the odds are lower, it is technically possible to find the Unkempt Harold from other loot sources if you’re lucky.
Handsome Jack Doppelganger Pack (Character Specific)
While this doesn’t directly relate to the weapon’s drop, characters with skills focused on explosive damage or Torgue weapons can amplify the effectiveness of the Unkempt Harold. So even if you get a lower-quality variant, your character’s build can compensate.
Best Gear to Pair with the Unkempt Harold
Once you’ve secured your Unkempt Harold, you’ll want to maximize its power with complementary gear. Here are some top picks:
Class Mods
- Salvador – Gunlust or Rampage Class Mods: Increase fire rate, ammo regen, or damage
- Krieg – Mania or Hellborn Mods: Buff explosive and burn synergy
Relics
- Explosive Damage Relic: Increases the damage of Torgue weapons
- Magazine Size Relic: Helps compensate for high ammo usage
Shields and Grenades
- The Bee Shield: Offers massive amp damage when shield is full, stacking nicely with the Harold’s projectiles
- Bonus Package Grenade: Another Torgue item that complements explosive builds
When to Replace the Unkempt Harold
Even though the Unkempt Harold is incredibly strong, there may come a point when you’ll need to upgrade to a higher-level version. This is especially true in UVHM, where enemies scale with your level. Consider farming a new Harold every few levels to stay competitive, particularly if you’re using it as a primary weapon in your build.
Key Moments to Farm a New One
- When entering True Vault Hunter Mode
- Before major boss fights or raid bosses
- At max level in UVHM to get the best possible stats
The Unkempt Harold remains one of the most reliable and powerful weapons in Borderlands 2. Whether you’re speedrunning, casually exploring Pandora, or taking down raid bosses, it delivers consistent and devastating performance. Farming Savage Lee in Three Horns – Divide is the most efficient method, especially when targeting the Double Penetrating variant. With the right strategy and supporting gear, the Unkempt Harold can carry you through the toughest challenges the game throws at you. Don’t overlook the importance of prefixes and synergy getting the best out of this legendary weapon means understanding how it fits into your overall build. Happy farming, Vault Hunter.