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Hunter Hellquist: The Ultimate Guide to Farming The Bee in Borderlands 2

The legendary item Hunter Hellquist is most known for dropping in Borderlands 2 is The Bee, a shield renowned for its massive amp damage capabilities. While he can drop other items, The Bee is the primary reason players repeatedly farm this Hyperion radio host. This article will delve into everything you need to know about farming Hunter Hellquist for The Bee, including drop rates, strategies, and related information to maximize your loot acquisition.

Understanding The Bee Shield

The Bee is a unique legendary shield that provides an amp damage bonus to every shot fired while the shield is full. It has very little capacity and a considerable recharge delay, but the upside of providing a damage buff with no shield drain per shot makes it extremely powerful for specific character builds and playstyles. A ‘perfect’ Bee Shield, boasting the highest amp damage alongside the shortest shield delay, comes with a Maliwan capacitor and a Maliwan battery.

Farming Hunter Hellquist

Location and Availability

Hunter Hellquist can be found within the Arid Nexus – Boneyard at the top of the Hyperion Truth Network radio tower. Accessing him requires starting the optional mission called “This Just In” acquired in the main storyline. However, Hellquist will not respawn once defeated until the mission is turned in to Mordecai.

Farming Techniques

The most common strategy is the save-quit farming method. After accepting the mission but before turning it in, kill Hellquist, check his drops for The Bee, and then save and quit the game if he doesn’t drop it. This will respawn you near the Fast Travel station, allowing you to run back and repeat the process as many times as desired. This can be done at any level that you can kill him.

Drop Rate and Probability

While the exact drop rate can vary, players generally report a drop rate around 1:18. This is only an estimation based on players’ reports. It also means that killing Hellquist 25 times gives you close to a 59% chance of acquiring The Bee.

Optimizing the Farm

Weapon Choice: Use weapons with high critical hit damage such as sniper rifles or pistols to take down Hellquist quickly.
Level Scaling: The Bee will scale to your level until an unknown level cap.
Exploits: While not officially supported, some players have used save exploits or other techniques to more efficiently farm Hellquist. However, these can often be inconsistent.

Related Items and Loot

While The Bee is his most famous drop, Hellquist can also drop other items, including various weapons and gear. These items will, like the bee, scale to your level.

Hunter Hellquist FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Hunter Hellquist and The Bee to further enhance your understanding:

1. What other items can Hunter Hellquist drop?

While primarily known for The Bee, Hunter Hellquist can also drop other weapons and gear from the game’s general loot pool. These are typically of varying rarities, and the focus for most farmers remains on obtaining The Bee.

2. How do I unlock Hunter Hellquist as a farmable boss?

You unlock Hunter Hellquist by starting the side quest “This Just In” located in the Arid Nexus – Boneyard. Be sure to not finish the mission if you want to farm him for drops.

3. Does difficulty affect the drop rate of The Bee from Hunter Hellquist?

There is no confirmation that difficulty affects the drop rate. Most players recommend farming him on whatever difficulty they can reliably defeat him quickly.

4. What makes The Bee shield so good in Borderlands 2?

The Bee’s primary appeal is its immense amp damage boost without any shield drain per shot. This allows for massive damage output with specific weapon and skill combinations, making certain builds incredibly powerful.

5. What are the best parts for a ‘perfect’ Bee shield?

A ‘perfect’ Bee Shield comes with a Maliwan capacitor and a Maliwan battery. This will give you the best amp damage along with relatively short shield delay.

6. Is there a level requirement to farm Hunter Hellquist for The Bee?

You can farm Hunter Hellquist for The Bee at any level as long as you have started the “This Just In” quest and can reliably defeat him.

7. Can I farm Hunter Hellquist with friends?

Yes, farming with friends can make the process more efficient, especially if you coordinate your builds and strategies. More players in the game may also improve the overall loot drops.

8. What weapons work best with The Bee shield?

Weapons with high base damage and critical hit bonuses typically synergize well with The Bee. Examples include sniper rifles, shotguns, and certain pistols with high burst damage.

9. Where can I find more information on Borderlands 2 builds and strategies?

You can find valuable resources on websites like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org), as well as various Borderlands 2 forums, Reddit communities, and YouTube channels. These sources often feature detailed guides, build recommendations, and farming tips.

10. What is the average time it takes to farm The Bee from Hunter Hellquist?

The time it takes to farm The Bee varies depending on your luck and efficiency. However, most players report spending anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to get the shield. One report estimates a rate of 31 minutes and 15 seconds for a 59% chance to get The Bee after killing Hunter 25 times.

11. What does amp damage mean on The Bee shield?

Amp damage refers to the extra damage added to each shot while the shield is full. This bonus damage significantly increases the weapon’s overall damage output.

12. How do I reset Hunter Hellquist after killing him the first time?

To reset Hunter Hellquist, you must save and quit the game after killing him (but before turning in the quest). When you load back in, you’ll be at a checkpoint prior to the fight, allowing you to attempt it again.

13. Does Hunter Hellquist have any unique dialogue or behaviors?

During the mission, Hunter Hellquist will often deliver Hyperion propaganda and talk about the importance of following Hyperion. He also calls in reinforcement loaders when the fight begins.

14. What other legendary shields are worth farming in Borderlands 2?

Besides The Bee, other notable legendary shields in Borderlands 2 include The Sham, the Antagonist, the Evolution, and the Rough Rider, each offering unique benefits and synergies with different builds.

15. Is there a best character to use for farming Hunter Hellquist for The Bee?

Any character can effectively farm Hunter Hellquist, but those with high DPS and critical hit damage buffs, such as Zer0 or Salvador, may be particularly efficient.

Conclusion

Farming Hunter Hellquist for The Bee can be a time-consuming but rewarding endeavor in Borderlands 2. With the right strategies, knowledge of drop rates, and a bit of luck, you can significantly improve your chances of obtaining this powerful shield. Remember to consult resources like the Games Learning Society website (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) for additional insights and strategies on Borderlands 2. Happy farming, Vault Hunter!

What legendary does Hunter Hellquist drop?