The Golden Key is an item which unlocks the Golden Chests in Sanctuary or Concordia. These chests contain weapons of purple or magenta rarity, and relics may be blue or purple. All loot is scaled to the character used to open the chest at the time. Golden Keys are single use, impossible to trade, and are not dropped as part of loot in Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

In the case of Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, the equivalent item is named Skeleton Key.

Golden Key Acquisition

Borderlands 2

• Pre-ordering Borderlands 2.
• Buying the "Mechromancer Pack" DLC.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

• Pre-ordering Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Either Game

• Signing up for Gearbox Software's SHiFT service.
• Entering a SHiFT code periodically distributed by:
  • Gearbox Software's Twitter
  • Randy Pitchford's Twitter
  • Borderlands on Facebook
  • @ECHOcasts on Twitter
  • Youtube

Notes

• Golden Keys are stored at the profile level. All characters controlled by that profile will share a common pool of Golden Keys.
  • The Mechromancer Pack gives new profiles a small supply of Golden Keys when they are created. It is possible to create a second profile, level them using the Rock, Paper, Genocide: Fire Weapons! quick leveling technique, and have them open the chest. However it is generally more efficient to farm other reliable loot sources, such as chests and Butt Stallion.
  • PC version allows player to have virtually infinite number of keys. The way to this is to claim your keys and backup the profile.bin file stored in savegame directory. Whenever player runs out of keys, they can restore previously saved profile file and spend the keys over and over again.
  • Console players can also gain virtually infinite keys by disconnecting from the internet before claiming the keys from the mail. Once reconnected, the keys will be back in the mail, which allows the player to reclaim them again an infinite number of times as long as the keys are not claimed while connected to the internet.
• If, after taking only one item from the Golden Chest, the player leaves Sanctuary then comes back and picks up the remaining item(s), the chest will remain open and unusable for the duration of that session. Restarting the game is the only workaround.