InBorderlands 3, legendary weapons are a major part of the game’s appeal, offering unique perks, explosive effects, and memorable firepower. Among them, the Unkempt Harold is a returning fan-favorite from earlier titles, known for its ability to dish out massive burst damage through its unique projectile pattern. Getting your hands on this legendary pistol can make a noticeable difference in how quickly you melt through enemies. But obtaining it isn’t always straightforward, especially since it’s tied to specific content and requires knowledge of where and how it drops. Understanding how to get the Unkempt Harold efficiently can save players a lot of time and farming effort while ensuring they enjoy one of Borderlands 3’s most iconic weapons.
What Is the Unkempt Harold?
Weapon Overview
The Unkempt Harold is a legendary Torgue-manufactured pistol introduced inBorderlands 3as part of the Bounty of Blood DLC. Known for its high burst damage, this weapon fires multiple explosive projectiles in a horizontal spread that can devastate clustered enemies. Unlike traditional pistols, it behaves more like a heavy weapon in a small package.
Key features include:
- High splash damage due to multiple projectiles
- Uses explosive rounds, making it effective against armor and large groups
- Great synergy with characters who benefit from splash or area-of-effect damage (e.g., Moze)
Why It’s Popular
The Unkempt Harold’s reputation comes from its blend of power and versatility. Its burst pattern can clear mobs quickly and chunk down boss health bars, especially when paired with the right build. Players looking for high-damage output in both solo and co-op play often seek this weapon to amplify their loadout.
How to Unlock the Unkempt Harold
Requirements
Before you can farm the Unkempt Harold, there’s one essential requirement:
- You must own the Bounty of Blood DLC.
The weapon is not available in the base game and only drops within areas specific to this expansion. If you haven’t purchased the DLC yet, you won’t be able to obtain this legendary through standard gameplay.
Location to Farm
The Unkempt Harold drops from the enemyCaber Dowd, who is located in the Bloodsun Canyon area within the Bounty of Blood DLC.
To reach him:
- Head to theBloodsun Canyonmap.
- Advance to thePresentation Roomfast travel point.
- Caber Dowd can be found in a small arena-like section not far from there.
Make sure you’re familiar with the layout of Bloodsun Canyon, as the winding paths and vertical levels can be confusing at first. Once you find the fast travel point nearby, farming becomes much more efficient.
Drop Rate and Difficulty
The Unkempt Harold is not a guaranteed drop, so you’ll likely need to farm Caber Dowd multiple times. The drop rate is relatively low compared to some other legendaries, but since the fight isn’t too difficult, many players consider it worth the effort.
- The estimated drop rate is around 1015% on Mayhem Mode 6 or higher.
- Using Mayhem modifiers can increase drop chances and loot quality.
Best Strategies for Farming
Enable Mayhem Mode
Farming inBorderlands 3is much more efficient when you enableMayhem Mode. This adds a difficulty modifier that also improves the quantity and quality of loot dropped.
- Use Mayhem 6 or higher for the best chances at legendary drops.
- Avoid modifiers that reduce splash damage, as they will weaken the Unkempt Harold’s effectiveness during testing.
Optimize Your Build
Using a build that allows fast clearing of mobs and bosses will speed up your farming runs. For example:
- Mozewith splash damage bonuses and Short Fuse passive
- Zanewith clone damage boosts to handle adds quickly
- Fl4kwith Fade Away builds for consistent critical hits
Clearing out Caber Dowd quickly allows for more farming attempts in less time.
Use the Right Gear
When farming, equip weapons with high burst or AoE damage to deal with enemies efficiently. Shield and grenade mods that boost survivability and clear speed also help.
Good farming gear includes:
- Rocket launchers or splash damage pistols
- Class mods that boost weapon damage or reload speed
- Relics that enhance movement speed or ammo regeneration
Unkempt Harold Variants and Prefixes
Weapon Variants
Like many legendary weapons in Borderlands 3, the Unkempt Harold can drop with different parts and elemental affinities. While it is typically non-elemental, certain versions may come with radiation or other elements depending on your loot settings or modifiers.
Key stats to look out for:
- Magazine size
- Reload speed
- Weapon damage multipliers
Choosing the Best Version
The ideal Unkempt Harold version depends on your build. For Moze, for instance, you might want one with higher splash radius. If you’re running an ammo-hungry build, prioritize magazine size and reload speed.
Try to test multiple rolls to see which one best complements your playstyle. The spread pattern can vary slightly based on weapon parts, so the performance may feel different between variants.
How to Make the Most of the Unkempt Harold
Synergy with Builds
To unleash the Unkempt Harold’s full potential, pair it with skills and perks that enhance splash or explosive damage. This makes Moze an ideal choice, but other characters can benefit too with the right gear.
Example synergies:
- Moze: Fire in the Skag Den, Redistribution, Short Fuse
- Fl4k: Hidden Machine, Megavore (for crit chains)
- Zane: Playing Dirty, Donnybrook for damage boosts
Best Use Cases
The Unkempt Harold excels in crowd control situations and medium-range encounters. It’s not always ideal for sniper builds or long-range play, but for clearing enemy waves and dealing burst damage to bosses, it’s one of the top pistols in the game.
- Use it in mob-heavy areas like Slaughter Domes or Trial maps.
- Pair with ammo regen gear to manage its high ammo consumption.
When to Replace It
Although powerful, the Unkempt Harold might get outclassed in higher Mayhem levels by newer gear. Keep an eye on balance updates or DLC releases that introduce more powerful weapons. However, for a large portion of the game’s content, it remains a highly viable option.
The Unkempt Harold inBorderlands 3is a legendary weapon that lives up to its legacy from previous games. With massive burst potential and explosive projectiles, it’s a top-tier choice for players who want to dominate enemies in both PvE and endgame content. To get it, you’ll need access to the Bounty of Blood DLC and be ready to farm Caber Dowd in Bloodsun Canyon. Enable Mayhem Mode, optimize your build, and target the best prefixes for your character. With patience and the right approach, you’ll soon be tearing through waves of enemies with one of the most satisfying pistols in the game.