Borderlands 2: Golden Key

A Golden Loot Chest in Borderlands 2. Gives a powerful item, but can be opened only with a special rare golden key

Golden Key icon on the HUD that appears when you get close to the Golden Loot Chest

The Golden Key is a special key in Borderlands 2 that unlocks a golden chest which gives you a very powerful and rare item(s). Golden keys can be obtained by pre-ordering Borderlands 2, registering for a SHiFT account in Borderlands 2, or redeeming SHiFT codes which are released randomly.

SHiFT Code Alerts

RED ALERT

'May 19th: 5 golden Keys

May 15th: ***SECOND*** SET OF SHIFT CODES ADDED!

May 15th: New SHiFT Code for a Golden Key in Borderlands 2: [Active through 5/30]

PSA: Use the list of Shift Codes to stock up on keys for Krieg (coming out May 14th)

Scroll to the bottom to see all codes or click here

We always have all the newest codes posted here so BOOKMARK THIS PAGE AND CHECK OFTEN!!!

Obtaining Golden Keys

• Pre-ordering Borderlands 2 from a Premiere Club retailer
• Winning a code from a Gearbox contest, giveaway, or other special event
• Registering in game for a Gearbox SHiFT account (under Extras -> Shift Code) or at http://shift.gearboxsoftware.com
• Redeeming a SHiFT code on a SHiFT account

Also see: Common Sources and Latest Shift Codes

Trading Golden Keys

You cannot buy, sell or trade Golden Keys; Golden Keys are non-transferable. You can however, trade the items you receive by using the keys.

Using the Golden Key

Locate The Golden Loot Chest in Pierce Station in the city of Sanctuary (i.e. where you respawn when you enter the game in Sanctuary or use a Fast Travel station). A key is consumed every time you open the Golden Loot Chest, and your Golden Key amount is saved across characters.

Loot

You will get a purple or orange rarity item/weapon, an E-Tech Gun (Magenta), or blue rarity relics. Each time you open the chest you can get one or two items, with a very slight chance of a third item.

Items are scaled to your level starting from level 7. For example, if you are level 8, you will get a level 8 weapon. If you use a key at the beginning of the game, you will get a powerful weapon that will give you a good advantage but won't last long. Or you could use a key at a higher level but this may produce more controversial results; such as weapons that are better in specific stats or shields with unusual effects. The items will still be stronger and more interesting/suited to your style of play, at the risk of decreasing the planned difficulty.

Occasionally when multiple keys are used in sequence the chest may give one item (usually a rocket launcher) and remain stuck in the opened state. Don't be alarmed. Simply exit to the main menu and and Continue to resume.

Notification

When you have new Golden Keys available, you get the following notification:

New Golden Key Available. You have x Golden key(s) now available for use! To use a golden key, visit the mysterious loot chest in Sanctuary - the higher your level, the better the loot!

Common Sources

Twitter https://twitter.com/DuvalMagic

Twitter https://twitter.com/GearboxSoftware

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/gearboxsoftware

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/borderlandsgame

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GearboxSoftware

Gearbox Software Forums http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/

Bugs

Many gamers have reported that the recent December 2012 patch added 10 golden keys and 60 badass tokens to their account. The result of this is also said to have reset the amount of golden keys you have to the amount that would be if none had ever been used. i.e. if you had used 2 golden key codes and then opened the chest, after the patch you would have those golden keys back again as if they were never used to open the chest.

Cheats

Old Cheats

IMPORTANT: this exploit does NOT work anymore (tested 27/12/12).. what happens when you try: you get a message that your save data is corrupted..

On September 18, 2012, an exploit was discovered on the PC version, that lets you have Unlimited Golden keys by editing the WillowDLC.ini file and changing the number after "NumKeys" to 255. After you have used your keys, you can do it again and again to get infinite Golden Keys. The location of the Borderlands 2 ini file is: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Borderlands 2\DLC\POPremierClub\Lic or C:\Program Files (x86)\2K Games\Borderlands 2\DLC\POPremierClub\Lic

On September 20, 2012, Gearbox Software patched Borderlands 2 to fix the Gold Key ini file edit Exploit. Editing the ini file to change the amount of keys you have will no longer grant you any additional keys. However, the patch did not remove any keys you have already added using the exploit.

On September 21, 2012, Gearbox Software announced that they will not ban or otherwise punish those who used the cheat.

Working Cheats

---

On October, 1st, 2012 (Confirmed working as of May 17, 2013) a new exploit was found for PC that lets the player use his gold keys an infinite times. You do this by right clicking on the file Documents\My Games\borderlands 2\willowgame\savedata\(some number)\profile.bin and clicking on "Properties" and setting it to "Read Only".

For Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Borderlands 2/willowgame/savedata/(some number)\profile.bin and click "Get Info" and change to "Read Only"

Then launch the game and use the Golden Keys, quit the game and uncheck the "Read Only" box (This is important, remember to uncheck it after you are done). Then go back to the game and you should still have all your keys and the items. This is because the game saves your golden key info in the profile.bin file and when you set it to read only, it cannot save that you used your keys.

For this to work, you need to completely exit out of the game, not just 'log out' from the character.

Please note that if you receive keys while profile.bin is read-only, these keys will NOT be recorded, but SHIFT will register that you have used the code. Also note that if the character save is set read-only instead of profile.bin your items obtained will not be retained but the use of keys will-you will have completely wasted said keys. Your Badass Ranks and Tokens will also not be recorded, meaning that any challenges you complete whilst using this exploit will be pointless. Be careful.

In short:

• Set profile.bin to Read-Only. Click Apply.
• Enter game, use your keys. Completely exit game when done.
• Re-enter and use keys as many times as you want, completely exiting the game after each time.
• When completely finished, make sure to exit, then uncheck the Read-Only box and hit Apply.
• (You don't have to uncheck the Read Only box after each individual expenditure of keys, only when you are completely done and wish to play the game.)

IMPORTANT: Character swapping and the character shared STASH are tied to this file as well. Thus:

• When profile.bin is locked, if you quit to desktop after manipulating the stash, it will revert to its original content, deleting whatever you placed in it and duplicating anything you've already removed.
• All head and skin unlocks applied while profile.bin is locked, will be lost when quitting to desktop.
• As mentioned above, Badass Ranks and Tokens gained while profile.bin is locked will not be retained, but challenge tiers are still advanced (for example 'Purple Reign' - loot or purchase purple items)
• If you swap characters while the file is locked the game will switch back to your original character when you restart it.

If the above instructions do not work for you, do the following:

• Launch the game and get to the character screen.
• Change the file to read-only.
• Use your keys.
• Exit the game.
• Set the file back to non read-only.

For other cheats, see: Borderlands_2:_Cheats#Infinite_Golden_Keys

SHiFT Code History

During the month of October, Gearbox Software and Randy Pitchford (President of Gearbox Software) wanted to test their Shift Code distribution and redemption system, and gave away lots of codes, often unannounced, on their Facebook and Twitter channels.

On the weekend of Friday, October 26th and Saturday October 27th, Gearbox gave out a total of 10 sets of codes through the Gearbox Facebook and Twitter accounts, plus two bonus codes at the end of the weekend.

Halloween Shift Codes

On October 31st, 2012 Gearbox released a set of five SHIFT codes that unlocked special Halloween Skin Customizations for each character.

On the weekend of Friday, November 30th and Saturday December 1st, Gearbox gave out a total of 10 sets of codes through the Gearbox Facebook and Twitter accounts.

GOTY Award Shift Codes

On the weekend of Friday Dec 7 to Sunday Dec 9 2012, 5 sets of Shift Codes were given out to celebrate the following events:

Dameon Clarke wins Best Performance By A Human Male for Handsome Jack

Borderlands 2 won Best Shooter

Borderlands 2 wins best Multiplayer

Claptrap wins Character of the Year

Borderlands 2 won MANY more awards, for which Shift codes were given. Some might be still active, check the Shift Code Table below.

Latest Shift Codes

• If you find new golden key codes anywhere please edit the section below to share.
• If you find a key that no longer works, don't delete the key. Indicate that it is possibly expired before deleting it. This rules out user error and flukes. If the key is already marked as possibly expired, then you can delete it after confirming failure. If the code still works, don't put a notice saying that it still works, and leave it as it is.
• CST = GMT -6, except during Daylight Saving Time (March 10-Nov 3 2013), which is GMT -5. For discussion on timezone please see the talk page.
• Some codes are limited quantity, or expire after a few hours. So it is important you bookmark this page and check often, preferably several times a day, for new Shift Codes, so that you do not miss any.
• On the PC and Mac versions, copy and paste works for using codes. If you're having trouble, be sure that you didn't copy a space or new-line character at the beginning or end of the code.

All codes last checked:

• Mac/PC: May 19th 2013 18:00 EST
• PS3: May 11th 2013 16:02 CST (23:02 CET)
• X360: May 19th 2013 12:10 EST

Source	Issue Date	Expected Expiration	Mac/PC	PS3	X360
Scarlett's Lost Pet	Nov 14	Unknown	WTCJ3-SHH3K-KFJT3-JBJ3J-H5965	5BWJB-W5F5J-JKKWT-9JWJT-KCZ99	5JWTJ-JCSSC-6S6TX-5RBTJ-9RZBJ
@ECHOcasts	Nov 16	Unknown	CTWTB-JTBW5-KFTTT-JTB33-JTBWB	KTKJB-3CX5B-3CWK3-ZBCJJ-JJZ9T	WTWBB-ZJ9Z5-69XJ6-KRTBB-ZHBBH
IGN Judgment Day Stream	Dec 5	Unknown	5T5B3-CWJSK-KRTJT-TTJJT-9HW63	K3KBJ-BZKZW-JC5K3-SBC33-TCH3F	WTWBJ-HKZ5H-XHFTF-WX3JJ-6HRS6
Claptrap Web Series Season 2 Ep 2	Dec 13	Unknown	KJ5BT-FBKSK-KXJ3T-3BTJT-FJX5C	5TK3J-HJZHW-B5WKT-SBC3B-KTBC9	5BC3B-KXFZK-BK5C3-HJW3J-T3KBB
Borderlands 2 won @G4TV's Best Game 2012	Dec 17	Unknown	WT5TB-XC5ZC-CX3T3-BBT3B-B35WB	WTWBJ-HKZ9C-TCCWB-ZT5JJ-6HRZS	W3KTJ-FZ9CS-XS6BR-K6JJ3-XCFXT
Doomsday Confession Generator App	Dec 20	Unknown	WTCBB-H5WHC-5F3T3-TBT3T-HR6TJ	CTC33-TZH9K-TW553-STKJ3-RJ3H5	WBKJT-SSZ5S-6S6B6-5FTTB-X5KSC
Gearbox Software Forums	Dec 23	Unknown	5BKBB-TXWS5-WX3BB-TBT33-3SHSB	KJCBB-CXSZC-3WWW3-ZTWBJ-RSHC9	CJ5B3-ST36Z-FHRJ6-5RBTJ-CTZJW
Gearbox Software Forums - 5 Keys	Jan 8	Unknown	K3K33-3W9JT-6XJJT-TB3JB-HWZZF	WBK3B-FKWCT-KWKWB-SJWTB-XCZK3	WBWJ3-JHKSK-ZHXT6-CRTJT-BW59W
@DuvalMagic	Jan 19	Unknown	5B533-HJZKC-SKX3J-BBTBB-HBCBK	WBKTJ-C56K3-CWCWB-ZBCB3-XWJC3	KBCTT-TSFZC-HSXBX-WFTTT-KWK5T
Claptrap's Love Machine (Valentine's Day App)	Feb 14	Unknown	WTC3B-Z5ZWC-HW6JT-JJJBJ-9FWXR	C3WJ3-56FKB-W5WCB-SBKBJ-9R5KC	W35BB-SC5S5-3JSBF-C63JT-TFHKC
Claptrap's Love Machine Reward (Borderlands Page)	Feb 18	Unknown	K3WTJ-TXZWW-SCRJJ-33BTJ-933ZS	5BCTT-XX6KB-WKWKT-SBKBJ-66RJB	5B533-TR5ZW-TTHBR-WF3J3-KWZK9
@GearboxSoftware Late Texas Independence Day (5 Keys)	Mar 3	Unknown	KJWJ3-SCBFK-S5F3J-JBBB3-BHCJ3	5JKJJ-CXZ53-5WWKT-H3WBJ-ZZ55X	WB5TJ-9KF95-3TZ3X-KR3JJ-FW9R3
@GearboxSoftware	Mar 22	Unknown	WTWT3-CXSKC-9KFT3-TBBJT-ZX5FF	5TC3B-9F653-5WW5J-9BCJT-J5T3T	KJWTT-5RC95-TB9TR-W63JJ-FHJWS
Pax East Candy Bar Wrapper - 3 Keys	Mar 24	Unknown	W3WJ3-3JXTT-6RW5T-SB53B-XJBX9	5JKBJ-H5WCF-KWST6-K6BJB-FZ9BJ	K3KJT-6HRT5-BHRTT-3BBTJ-RBWJ9
GDC Talk	Mar 29	Unknown	KBWJJ-WTXB9-C59J6-WFBTJ-TK6BJ	C35BB-SJFJS-WCZTR-KR3T3-BWZBW	KTWBB-XBRT9-WWZ3R-WXTT3-S3SX9
Gearbox Software Community - 5 Keys	Apr 2	"Longer than Normal"	K3WJT-BFBRW-S5RTT-TBBB3-9XWZ5	C3KTB-F6ZKB-KC5WJ-ZTKJ3-XC569	KBWTB-T6XSC-JJHBF-WXBJJ-WRWKF
@GearboxSoftware	Apr 11	Unknown	KJ5BT-FX9CW-H5XJ3-TTJBB-WH559	KBCTT-TSFWB-CKWCT-ZBWTT-KWKX9	5BKBB-RXKHW-3THBR-CFT3T-J963H
Facebook	Apr 12	Unknown	5JC3B-HRS5W-HC6B3-J3TJJ-ZRCKB	K3CT3-WZRK3-5CKKT-SJK33-39XHW	WBKTT-SX5Z5-B39J6-KX3TT-9JXWK
MajorNelson.com - 3 Keys	Apr 18	Unknown	N/A	N/A	KTW3T-ZXXS5-JBSJF-5FJT3-6TB9X
Facebook	Apr 25	Unknown	WT533-J99WW-ZC6JJ-TBJT3-SWKTB	KTCBJ-ZZRCJ-W5WCT-ZB5BJ-BKKJK	KBWJT-5SKSK-BBZBR-56JJ3-5KHB9
@GearboxSoftware	Apr 25	Unknown	CTKTJ-WHSKC-Z56BJ-BTB3B-9C6FT	CB53J-FZFKB-5W5KB-ZJCTB-B5S5T	WT5JJ-BHC95-33HJR-W6TJ3-B5WKS
@GearboxSoftware	May 3	Unknown	5TK3B-Z9SWC-SWRT3-TJ33T-HZW3B	W3W33-KJZKT-KKWCJ-9TCT3-BKX33	5J5B3-99K9K-J3HBR-5FJBJ-HK9FF
Facebook	May 3	Unknown	CJC33-F9Z5C-ZCRJJ-JB3TT-J5HSR	KJ533-TTS5J-5WWWJ-SBCBJ-ZB6Z3	KJC3J-XZWSK-BJS3F-K6T33-9RTRF
@GearboxSoftware	May 15	May 30	CT53B-K3BX5-H5FTB-BTT3J-J995C	WBWTT-HJSC3-CW5K3-SJ5JJ-BJF69	K3CBB-5JFZC-J3S3R-5FTT3-W5RBR
Facebook	May 15	May 20	KBCJT-JJJ6W-9WXJB-BTBTJ-XJWTF	CB53J-XJZCB-5CC5B-H3WTJ-WX95B	K35T3-TJR95-TBS36-WXBT3-T35CS
Twitter - 5 Keys	May 19	Unknown	WB5TJ-J5BCC-BHXJB-J3BTJ-RRFHK	WJKBB-R593T-X6KKT-STKBJ-CFCX5	CBC3T-X6ZJH-WKH3R-W63B3-XSZWB