Cheats & Secrets

Cheats & Secrets Guide for Borderlands 2

This guide covers all known cheat codes, unlock codes, secret commands, hidden features, Easter eggs, exploit-safe secrets, and developer-intended hidden content in Borderlands 2. Note that the game does not have traditional cheat codes (like invincibility or level skip) on any platform without third-party mods or save editors. However, Gearbox Software provided official SHiFT codes for golden keys, and the game is packed with intentional Easter eggs and secrets that are safe to discover and use.

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Official SHiFT Codes (Golden Keys)

SHiFT codes are single-use codes that unlock Golden Keys in the in-game SHiFT menu. Use them in the \"Extras\" menu → \"SHiFT Code\" option. Codes are time-limited and may expire. Below are historically known codes (check official Borderlands social media for active codes).

Tip: Always enter codes exactly as given, including hyphens. Codes are case-insensitive.

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Easter Eggs & Hidden Features

Borderlands 2 is famous for its Easter eggs. These are safe, intentional secrets added by developers.

#### 1. Mysterious Ammo (The \"Ammo Relic\" Easter Egg)

• Location: The Dust, specifically near the entrance to the Lynchwood train station area. Climb up the bleachers behind the vending machine and look for a small, glowing orange ammo pack on the ground. Interact with it to receive the \"Mysterious Ammo\" item (a Relic that grants +50% ammo capacity).


• Note: This is a one-time pickup per character, per playthrough.


#### 2. The Storage Door (Sanctuary)

• Location: In Sanctuary, behind Moxxi's bar, there is a locked door marked \"Storage.\" It cannot be opened normally. To unlock it, you must stand in front of it and type \"OPEN SESAME\" into the in-game chat. Yes, it works. Inside you'll find a small room with a loot chest (often containing a purple or legendary weapon).


• Note: Works on PC; on consoles, you may need a controller keyboard or a specific button combination (try typing via an on-screen keyboard).


#### 3. \"The Backburner\" Reference (Dungeons & Dragons)

• Location: In the Caustic Caverns, after completing the mission \"The Only Way to Be Sure,\" look for a side area with a large stone table and a miniature figurine of a warrior. This references the Dungeons & Dragons adventure \"The Temple of Elemental Evil.\" No loot, but a fun discovery.


#### 4. Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep DLC: Hidden Quests

• In this DLC, there are several hidden quests triggered by specific actions:

- ”The Bunker” Quest: After killing the final boss, talk to Tiny Tina while holding the “Inconceivable!” weapon (also hidden).
- ”Moxxi’s Mallet” Quest: In the Mines of Avarice, shoot all the glowing yellow jars to spawn Moxxi’s ghost, who drops a rare shield.

#### 5. The Vault of the Warrior (Easter Egg Room)

• Location: In The Vault of the Warrior (final area), after defeating The Warrior, instead of leaving, look for a hidden path behind the giant vault door. Crawl through a small tunnel to find a room with a toilet. Flush the toilet repeatedly (interact with it) to hear a voice say “Stop flushing!”. This is a reference to Game of Thrones (the “flushed away” joke).


#### 6. Claptrap’s Secret Stash (Various Locations)

• Throughout the game, you may find Claptrap’s secret stash boxes. These are small, red boxes that appear in hidden spots (e.g., behind waterfalls, on ledges). Opening them yields eridium and sometimes a rare weapon. The most famous is in The Wildlife Exploitation Preserve, behind the waterfall near the center of the map.


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Developer-Intended Hidden Content (Exploit-Safe)



These are not glitches but legitimate hidden mechanics or secrets that the developers deliberately included.

#### 1. The \"Bane\" Weapon (Transformers Reference)

• Quest: Complete the side quest “The Bane” given by Marcus in Sanctuary (requires level 15+). The reward is “The Bane,” a unique SMG that shouts “RELOADING!” when you reload. This is a direct reference to the Transformers character Bumblebee (the voice is a sound effect). The weapon is powerful but annoying to use.


#### 2. Moxxi’s Endowment (Grenade Mod)

• How to get: During the wedding tradition side quest “The Wedding Vows” in the Tiny Tina DLC, choose to side with Moxxi instead of Mordecai. She will give you “Moxxi’s Endowment,” a grenade mod that heals you for 2% health per enemy hit. It also has a chance to drop eridium. This is considered one of the best healing grenades in the game.


#### 3. The “Inferno” Shield (Borderlands 1 Reference)

• Location: In the Caustic Caverns, during the mission “The Only Way to Be Sure,” you can find a hidden cave (accessed by blowing up a cracked wall with explosive barrels). Inside is a loot chest that always contains “The Inferno,” a reference to the original Borderlands’ legendary shield. It has high capacity and a corrosive nova effect.


#### 4. The “Wildlife Exploitation Preserve” Hidden Boss

• After completing the main story mission “Wildlife Preservation,” return to the same area and defeat all the stalkers in the main courtyard. A huge, mutated stalker named “Old Slappy” may spawn. Killing it drops a rare purple weapon and a unique head customization for Axton (Commando). This is a random spawn, so you may need to reload the area.


#### 5. Mining in The Dust (Hidden Eridium Veins)

• In The Dust, there are several eridium veins hidden behind false walls or in hard-to-reach places. Notably, near the entrance to the Lynchwood railyard, there is a cave behind a waterfall that contains a massive eridium cluster (about 20-30 eridium). This respawns over time.


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Exploit-Safe Secrets (No Glitches)



These are legitimate methods that are technically intended but not obvious.

#### 1. The "Shield Regeneration" Exploit (Moxxi's)

• Equip any Moxxi weapon (e.g., Rubi, Grog Nozzle, Bad Touch) and throw a grenade that damages you (e.g., a singularity grenade). The damage taken will be converted to health, and the health gain will also regenerate your shields due to the Moxxi weapon's lifesteal. This is a standard game mechanic, not a cheat.


#### 2. The "Infinite Ammo" Trick (Only Works with Specific Classes)

• Axton (Commando) with the “Pressure” skill: If you have rapid fire weapons, Axton’s Pressure skill (from the Guerilla tree) increases fire rate and ammo regeneration when shields are depleted. This can effectively give infinite ammo if you manage your shields carefully.


• Maya (Siren) with “Fleet” and “Inertia”: While Phasewalking, you regenerate ammo passively. This is not infinite but very efficient.


#### 3. The “Golden Chest” Farming

• Use SHiFT keys to open the Golden Chest in Sanctuary (located near Marcus’s shop). Save your game before opening, then reload if you don’t get the loot you want. This is a legitimate save-scumming technique (not a cheat) and is allowed by the developers.


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Notes on Console Commands & Mods (PC Only)



Borderlands 2 does not have a native console; however, on PC, you can access debug commands via the WillowInput.ini file or third-party tools like the “Borderlands 2 Debug Console.” This is not developer-intended and may be considered cheating. Use at your own risk. Common commands include:

• `god` (invincibility)


• `allweapons` (spawn all weapons)


• `playerspeed` (multiplier)

We do not recommend using these as they can corrupt your save file or get you banned in multiplayer.

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Conclusion

While Borderlands 2 lacks traditional cheat codes, it compensates with a wealth of official SHiFT codes, Easter eggs, and hidden content that enriches the gameplay for thorough explorers. Stick to the secrets listed above for safe, developer-approved fun. Happy hunting, Vault Hunter!