Borderlands 1: Level Up Fast – The Ultimate XP Farming Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So you’re looking to maximize your experience gains in Borderlands 1 and become the ultimate Vault Hunter? You’ve come to the right place! Borderlands 1, despite its age, still offers compelling gameplay and addictive loot. But hitting the level cap opens up even more possibilities, allowing you to tackle the toughest challenges with optimized builds and gear. This guide will detail the best locations and strategies for farming XP and leveling up quickly in Pandora.
Prime XP Farming Locations in Borderlands 1
While many areas offer decent XP, a few spots stand out as the most efficient for leveling.
-
Eridian Promontory: As the article mentions, the Eridian Promontory, unlocked near the end of the main story, is a great spot. The Crimson Lance enemies here are plentiful and relatively easy to dispatch, providing a steady stream of experience. The area’s compact layout allows for quick clearing and re-farming. This is a perfect place to get some levels before moving on.
-
New Haven Doctor Zed Zombie DLC Located in the Zombie Island of Dr. Ned DLC, this is one of the more popular XP farms. Just outside the Jakobs company house, you can find zombies constantly spawning and attacking the player, providing unlimited XP while standing still.
-
General Knoxx DLC – Crawmerax the Invincible: This raid boss offers a significant XP reward upon defeat. However, he is challenging and requires a well-optimized build and strategy. While a tough fight, Crawmerax yields a huge XP payout and offers a chance at fantastic loot.
-
The Underdome DLC – Mad Moxxi’s Underdome: Although this DLC is less about pure XP and more about skill points (as the original article points out), the final waves of each arena challenge can provide a good chunk of experience. Keep in mind that completing all rounds in the Mad Moxxi’s Underdome will increase your Badass Rank by +1. However, in BL1 it grants an extra skill point upon completion rather than Badass Ranks.
-
Arid Nexus – Boneyard: Saturn: Saturn is a boss enemy in the Arid Nexus – Boneyard area. It is a Loader enemy with a lot of health. Players above level 50 will get high amounts of XP for taking down Saturn. The area also has enemies like skags and loaders that will give additional XP on kills.
Optimizing Your XP Farming Strategy
Simply going to the right location isn’t enough. You’ll want to optimize your approach for maximum efficiency:
-
Play on Playthrough 2: Enemies in Playthrough 2 scale to a higher level, meaning they’ll offer significantly more XP. This is crucial for efficient leveling beyond level 35. Make sure that you have finished Playthrough 1 before you try to take on Playthrough 2.
-
Use the Right Weapon: Certain weapons are more effective against specific enemy types. For example, corrosive weapons are excellent against armored Crimson Lance soldiers, while fire weapons are great against flesh-based enemies like Skags and zombies.
-
Focus on Efficiency: Don’t waste time looting every container. Prioritize killing enemies quickly and efficiently. If you are struggling to beat enemies, you can always play with friends! A game such as this can really improve social connections. Learn more on improving social skills through games by visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
-
Consider Team Play: Playing with friends can speed up the process, especially if you coordinate your builds and tactics. Remember that in Borderlands 1, everyone gets the same experience, though the killer gets more.
-
Take Advantage of Class Skills: Utilize your character’s unique skills and abilities to maximize your damage output and survivability. For example, Lilith’s Phasewalk can be used for quick escapes and flanking maneuvers, while Mordecai’s Bloodwing can quickly dispatch weaker enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that you might have regarding XP farming in Borderlands 1:
1. What is the level cap in Borderlands 1?
The level cap in Borderlands 1 is 69 with The Secret Armory of General Knoxx DLC. Without the DLC, the cap is 58 after patch 1.4.1 increased it from 50.
2. How long does it take to reach the level cap in Borderlands 1?
The time it takes to reach the level cap varies depending on your playstyle and chosen farming methods. A focused effort can get you there in 20-30 hours from level 50, especially if you take advantage of Crawmerax. If striving for 100% completion of the game, it could take around 62½ Hours.
3. Is it better to farm XP in Playthrough 1 or Playthrough 2?
Definitely Playthrough 2. Enemies scale to higher levels, offering significantly more XP. Playthrough 1 is best used to get to level 30+.
4. What’s the fastest way to kill Crawmerax?
Exploiting his weak spots (the claws and the back) with a powerful weapon and a well-coordinated team is key. Using elemental weapons suited to his vulnerabilities is helpful. There are many guides online detailing specific strategies.
5. Does difficulty affect XP gains?
Yes, higher difficulties, like Playthrough 2, generally offer increased XP gains.
6. What level should I be to start farming Crawmerax?
Ideally, you should be at least level 61+ to effectively farm Crawmerax. However, some players might attempt it earlier with specific builds and strategies.
7. Are there any XP glitches or exploits in Borderlands 1?
While there may have been some glitches in the past, they are often patched out. Focusing on established farming methods is generally the most reliable approach.
8. Which DLC is best for XP farming?
The Secret Armory of General Knoxx is arguably the best, due to the availability of Crawmerax and other high-level enemies.
9. Do class mods affect XP gains?
No, class mods in Borderlands 1 do not directly affect XP gains. However, they can indirectly affect XP gains by increasing your damage output, survivability, and overall efficiency, allowing you to kill enemies faster.
10. Is it worth farming XP before completing the main story?
While it’s possible, it’s generally more efficient to complete the main story first and then focus on XP farming in Playthrough 2 with higher-level enemies.
11. Are there any specific challenges that grant bonus XP?
Completing challenges can offer a small bonus of XP, but it’s not the most efficient way to level. They are better viewed as a way to earn extra cash and slightly increase your Badass Rank in the long run.
12. How does co-op affect XP distribution?
In Borderlands 1, everyone gets the same experience, although the killer gets more experience. This can lead to faster leveling if you can effectively coordinate your team’s efforts.
13. What is the best character class for farming XP?
Each character has strengths and weaknesses for farming XP. Lilith is often considered strong due to her survivability and crowd control, while Mordecai excels at single-target damage. The “best” character is often a matter of personal preference and playstyle. The original article mentions that Mordecai The Hunter is the class most people play for Bloodwing.
14. How many times do you need to beat Mad Moxxi’s Underdome to get all the skill points?
You only get 1 skill point for beating Mad Moxxi’s Underdome.
15. What are SDU’s and why should I buy them?
SDU stands for Storage Deck Upgrade. They are items you can purchase from vendors that increase your inventory size and ammunition capacity. While they don’t directly impact XP gain, they improve your efficiency by reducing the need to return to town to sell loot or restock ammo. Higher Tier Weapon SDUs in particular are important, and they can be farmed by other players.
By utilizing these strategies and locations, you’ll be well on your way to reaching the level cap in Borderlands 1 and unlocking the full potential of your Vault Hunter! Happy hunting!