The Unkempt Harold is one of the most iconic and powerful weapons in Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Known for its high burst damage and explosive power, this legendary Torgue pistol is highly sought after by players seeking to maximize their damage output, especially in mid to late game builds. However, due to its rarity and specific drop conditions, many players wonder what the actual drop rate for Unkempt Harold is, and how they can effectively farm it without wasting countless hours in the process.
What Makes the Unkempt Harold So Popular?
Weapon Mechanics and Strengths
The Unkempt Harold fires a horizontal spread of explosive projectiles. At higher levels, this pistol can shoot up to seven projectiles per shot at the cost of only three ammo, dealing immense damage in a wide arc. It benefits from splash damage boosts and synergizes well with characters that focus on explosive or pistol builds.
Here are some key reasons why the Unkempt Harold is so popular among players:
- High base damage and excellent scaling with level
- Explosive damage ignores enemy resistances
- Strong against both mobs and bosses
- Works well with many Vault Hunter skill trees
Variants and Prefixes
Like other legendary weapons, the Unkempt Harold comes in various parts and prefixes that affect its stats. The Double Penetrating (DP) prefix is the most desirable, as it doubles the number of projectiles fired, leading to unparalleled burst damage. However, getting the exact variant you want adds another layer of RNG on top of the drop rate.
Where to Farm the Unkempt Harold
Primary Drop Location
InBorderlands 2, the Unkempt Harold is primarily dropped by the mini-bossSavage Lee. He can be found in the Three Horns – Divide area, near the fast travel station and close to the Marrowfield region. Savage Lee is known for being a relatively quick and accessible farm target.
Other potential drop sources include:
- Torgue Vending Machines(during the Torgue Campaign of Carnage DLC)
- World dropsfrom loot midgets and random enemies (very low chance)
Farming Savage Lee
Savage Lee has become the go-to method for most players due to his proximity to fast travel points and relatively easy difficulty. After spawning near the Marrowfield gate, players can quickly engage, eliminate him, check for a drop, and reset the instance if needed by quitting and reloading the game.
Drop Rate for the Unkempt Harold
Estimated Percentage Chance
The exact drop rate for the Unkempt Harold from Savage Lee isn’t officially stated by Gearbox, but community data and extensive player testing estimate the chance to be around10% to 15%per kill. This means that, on average, you might expect to see one drop for every 7 to 10 kills.
Variables That Affect the Drop
Several factors can influence how long it takes you to get the Unkempt Harold:
- Random chance (RNG) plays a huge role in each farming attempt.
- Getting the gun to drop doesn’t guarantee the desired prefix like Double Penetrating.
- Weapon parts such as the grip, barrel, and accessory also vary, affecting performance.
Therefore, while the drop rate might seem decent, the odds of getting the exact variant you want (like Double Penetrating with matching grip) are significantly lower due to the many permutations of weapon parts.
Using Torgue Tokens
In the Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage DLC, players can purchase legendary Torgue weapons using Torgue Tokens from special vending machines. These machines have a rotating inventory, and the Unkempt Harold can appear in them. While this method removes the randomness of farming a boss, it still requires time and effort to farm enough Torgue Tokens and hope for the gun to appear in the shop.
Tips to Improve Farming Efficiency
Use a Character with High Mobility
Choose a Vault Hunter with skills or equipment that boost speed. Getting to Savage Lee quickly allows for more kill attempts in a shorter time. Zer0 and Gaige, for instance, have good options for quick travel and farming builds.
Play on Normal Mode for Faster Kills
If your goal is simply to acquire the gun (not necessarily a high-level version), farming Savage Lee in Normal Mode is faster since he has less health. However, the weapon level will match the difficulty, so be sure you’re in True Vault Hunter or Ultimate Vault Hunter mode if you want a max-level version.
Minimize Time Between Runs
Once you know where Savage Lee spawns, streamline your farming path. Some players use the vehicle nearby to get there faster or reload the game to reset him after each kill.
Know When to Stop
Because the drop rate is RNG-based, it’s important to know when to take breaks. Farming fatigue can lead to burnout. Keep track of your runs, and set goals (e.g., 20 runs per session) to avoid frustration.
Is It Worth the Grind?
Performance vs. Time Investment
Despite the RNG involved, most players agree that the Unkempt Harold is well worth the farming time. Its versatility, raw power, and synergy with character builds make it one of the most reliable weapons in the game for dealing with both mobs and bosses.
Comparison to Other Legendary Pistols
Compared to other legendary pistols like the Grog Nozzle, Infinity Pistol, or Logan’s Gun, the Unkempt Harold often stands out due to its explosive damage and projectile spread. While others offer utility or unique effects, few match the sheer destructive power of a Double Penetrating Harold.
The drop rate for the Unkempt Harold sits between 10% and 15% when farming Savage Lee, making it relatively attainable compared to some other legendary weapons in Borderlands 2. However, the odds of acquiring the ideal version with the right prefix and parts are much lower due to the game’s weapon generation system. For players determined to optimize their character builds and dominate both bosses and mobs, the Unkempt Harold remains a top-tier choice. With patience, efficient farming strategies, and a bit of luck, you’ll eventually add this explosive powerhouse to your arsenal.