Using the golden key in Borderlands 2

[wabbbit]

I've been playing BL2 a little bit now and just hit level 21. I decided to take advantage of getting 1 gold key free by registering for "Shift". I have a few questions on what/how to use the golden key:
- Is the only place to use it in the Sanctuary? If so, can it be opened multiple times (If you had multiple keys that is)

- Am I right in thinking that you get a pretty decent gun out of the chest? or is it completely random?

- Is it best to use it now at level 21 or wait a few more levels? I know its leveled to you but I just keep thinking "But, it may be better later". This is more of a personal preference, but I'm interested if you decided to do it early or not.

 

[hazabaza1]

-Only usable in Sanctuary
-Always give purple level appropriate guns
-I used one of my two around level 25 and got some shitty pistols. Not sure about higher level stuff.

 

[yuval152]

-Yes, and only if you have multiple keys.

- Likely to be good, sometimes it might be crap.

-I suggest you wait untill 45-50.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

The guns are always purple. Good purples or bad purples, it's all random-ish. I opened mine at level 32 and got two useless grenade mods.

They've been tweeting Golden Key codes for a few weekends though. If you pay attention, you can snag a few free keys.

 

[WoW Killer]

You only get purple weapons, which are eventually replaced by legendaries. Also, towards the later levels you'll find weapon damage starts to scale much faster than it did in BL1. In other words a green can be replaced by a white just 1 or 2 levels higher, and it doesn't take that long to replace blues and purples either.

Basically, I would use a key the moment you find yourself struggling. Don't worry about optimal times to use it, because it will all be replaced before long. You'll actually get more mileage out of it using it sooner rather than later. But if you're not having any problems at that point in the game, you might as well save it until you are.

 

[squid5580]

The first time I used a key i got a sniper that made me a god for quite a while (lvl 10 Zero). The second time (lvl 20 mechro) I got some shields which were replaced pretty quick in Oasis

 

[Cerebral Force]

I used my first key accidentally at level 9, but ended up with an explosive shotgun, which I used while in a mate's game and I was able to deal considerable damage to level 30+ (at first) counterparts.

The second time were 2 piece of shit grenade mods.

*Queue Irrelevant Story*

I've been in a bit of a BL2 rut, as a victim of the badass rank glitch, having lost around 10k ranks and losing 4 orange items in Claptrap's Stash. The Mechromancer came out 2 or 3 days later so I wasn't too annoyed by this, but I'm still kicking myself for downloading an update (which seems to have caused the problem. I'm of this assumption because my game was fine 2 hours before downloading it), from Xbox Live. I've gotten it to about level 10 in a co-op campaign with my younger brother.

 

[Louie Clark]

To clarify, you don't only get weapons. You can get any type of item. I've also been unlucky enough to get a blue relic.

You usually get two of the same type of item, but can get one item by itself if it is something like a rocket launcher.

I would not use any of them until way late in the game, on the second playthrough. Otherwise you will replace the item fairly quickly.

Of course, if you are playing on PC you could always abuse the system and use your key a million times..

 

[chadachada123]

I used mine and got two absolutely horrible grenade mods. That was quite annoying.

However, the items are always purple or above (at least the vast majority of the time), so statistically you have a good chance of getting something good.

My next character, however, I'm saving my key until max level, just because I don't really care that much.

Unless I somehow get an extra key...

 

[Louie Clark]

Getting them isn't hard, you just have to pay attention to Gearbox on twitter and stuff for right now. Usually it's the weekend when they post key codes, and they only last a few hours or until they get used so many times (the codes, not the keys). The whole Shift thing is still in a beta of sorts, so it's come and go.

 

[-Dragmire-]

It's completely random, I got stuff like class mods for zer0(haven't even started a game with him yet) when opening it with Maya.

Keep your expectations down when opening it, hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Loop Stricken]

I accidentally used my golden key the very first time I reached Sanctuary. Got a decent grenade mod, but nothing phenomenal.

... so naturally I now have infinite keys and the stuff I get is basically vendortrash.
But that's okay! It's not like I can play online anyway! Borderlands 2 hates wireless internet connections!

 

[New Troll]

I recommend using your keys during your first playthrough as things seem to be getting a little tough. Probably around level 20-25. If you use it earlier, you'll end up with guaranteed items you'll replace soon or possibly even just "rare" loot since it's always level appropriate (as in no purple relics at low level.) If you wait till you're level 50, you are guaranteed to only get garbage since by that level you should be farming legendary items.

I also highly recommend you open the chest right after leveling since the loot is always your same level. If you're thinking of opening it but are almost that next level, just wait till then.

 

[wabbbit]

I used my first key accidentally at level 9, but ended up with an explosive shotgun, which I used while in a mate's game and I was able to deal considerable damage to level 30+ (at first) counterparts.

The second time were 2 piece of shit grenade mods.

*Queue Irrelevant Story*

I've been in a bit of a BL2 rut, as a victim of the badass rank glitch, having lost around 10k ranks and losing 4 orange items in Claptrap's Stash. The Mechromancer came out 2 or 3 days later so I wasn't too annoyed by this, but I'm still kicking myself for downloading an update (which seems to have caused the problem. I'm of this assumption because my game was fine 2 hours before downloading it), from Xbox Live. I've gotten it to about level 10 in a co-op campaign with my younger brother.

I had a similar issue, me and my friend were in coop the day before the update and had an awesome shotgun each.
After the update neither of us can find it in the inventory/stash/bank
Shame as now I just seem to have a million sniper rifles of varying damage.

 

[Kapri]

Huh, I keep reading a lot of people got purple weapons. When my friend opened it he got an orange weapon but I don't remember what it was except that it was awesome. He was level 40-45.

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

I have 3 and I still haven't even considered using them.

If I can grab a few more Shift codes I'll probably try it out.

Otherwise, I'll save one for my main character at high level.

And I'll use them if I get to a point where I NEED a new gun to progress.