Blindsided

Defending Blind, Defenseless Claptrap

Now that you’ve gotten the gun from Claptrap’s cabinet, it’s time to head out onto the ice in search of Knuckle Dragger. Raid the cabinets near the Fast Travel Station while Claptrap opens the rear door leading out onto the ice. Follow Claptrap onto the glacier and continue to scavenge for loot. The source of those frozen piles of bones and fur will be evident soon enough.

A number of creatures known as Monglets suddenly leap from the ice-covered cliffs and attack. These four-armed, two-legged critters are the weakest of the bullymong species, but can still prove hazardous to a fresh-faced Vault Hunter like you. Aim for their tiny heads to inflict critical damage from afar, and don’t hesitate to unleash a melee strike if they get too close. The last group of bullymongs creates a tunnel in the ice, allowing you and Claptrap to continue on to the chasm known as Frostbite Crevasse.

Open fire on the Monglets and Brat Bullymongs in the distance and drop into the snowy canyon below. The Brat Bullymongs may throw rocks at you if given the time—bullymongs love to do this. Try shooting the smaller rocks out of the air, but always side-step the larger ones. Return to Claptrap, who has since fallen head-first into the snow, and dig him out. He’ll open the rear hatch in the slanted cargo box across the ice, thereby creating a ramp to the next section. Take a moment to open all of the containers before continuing on.

Knuckle Dragger

Knuckle Dragger’s Vitals

Knuckle Dragger appears as soon as you exit the tilted Hyperion shipping container. With Claptrap’s blue eye dangling from his necklace, this beast clearly puts the bully in bullymong!

Do your best to strafe the perimeter of the area while firing at Knuckle Dragger’s head. He’s far tougher than the bullymongs you encountered previously and can withstand significant damage. Knuckle Dragger relies on a combination of ranged and melee attacks, but primarily sticks to throwing smaller rocks during the opening moments of the battle. Shoot these projectiles out of the air and continue firing at him. Smash the many debris piles scattered around the area and keep your eyes open for any additional Insta-Healths.

Continue to pepper Knuckle Dragger with headshots until his health is cut in half, at which time he’s likely to leap out of reach and summon a pack of minions into the fray. Scan the summoned bullymongs for any Brat Bullymongs and target those first—you do not want to chance having multiple rock-throwing bullymongs attacking simultaneously! It also pays to leave one or two of the Monglets alive in case you get drained of health and need a Second Wind. Downed Vault Hunters are instantly revived if they score a kill before bleeding out.

Alternate attacks on the minions and Knuckle Dragger until the latter returns to the battlefield, then focus solely on the boss. Pay close attention to the objects he plucks from the ice to toss your way. Knuckle Dragger has a tendency to lob a full-size car at you during the second half of the battle. He will also perform several charge attacks, along with a powerful leaping swipe attack that can inflict heavy damage if you don’t step out of its reach. Monitor your health closely and don’t hesitate to retreat through the Hyperion container to the Insta-Healths in the previous area.

One virtually foolproof tactic is to take shelter inside the container and open fire on Knuckle Dragger from within. Although he’ll still be able to throw smaller rocks at you inside the container, you’ll be safe from his melee attacks, as well as his larger vehicular projectiles. Knuckle Dragger will periodically leap onto the icy ledge above the container in an attempt to lure you out. Consider hunting him down if your health is good or just stay inside the container and wait a couple seconds for him to leap back down to attack.

Onward to Sir Hammerlock

Gather up the loot dropped by Knuckle Dragger—you may even find a rare legendary weapon—along with Claptrap’s Eye, then head up the slope to the Hyperion Barge. Not just anyone can repair Claptrap’s severed eye—this calls for the skills of the reputable Sir Hammerlock, who resides in Liar’s Berg. After all, your expertise lies in hunting vaults and firing boom-sticks, not sentient robotic surgery.

Loot the containers inside the barge, then feast your eyes on the red chest in the center. Chests such as this are relatively rare on Pandora and are often tucked away in hard-to-reach places. This one’s a freebie. Gather up the weapons inside and consider assigning the shotgun to either of your weapon slots so you’ll have both a pistol and shotgun readily accessible. Speak to Claptrap to complete the mission and collect your reward.

Southern Shelf

The frozen expanse of Southern Shelf is no place for mankind, but that didn’t stop Pandora’s hardiest souls from eking out existence atop the shifting sea ice. Unfortunately, the Crimson Raiders that once protected this place have long vacated their rebel camps. The region’s lone full-service town, Liar’s Berg, lies empty and dormant. Now only bandits and other assorted unsavories make their home amongst the bullymongs atop the ice. Southern Shelf is considerably larger and far more dangerous than Windshear Waste, but life on the continent’s edge has a way of rewarding those who survive the journey to the sea. Conquer the region’s reigning lord, Captain Flynt, and passage to warmer climes will be just a boat ride away.

The Districts of Southern Shelf

Dangerous Beasts

High Value Targets

Cult of the Vault

Complete the “Shielded Favors” optional mission to access the old shop on the upper floor of the base on the ice. Run along the tilted siding and leap to the lift support, then carefully jump back onto the arched roof. Drop onto the balcony above the multi-colored lights to find this Cult of the Vault symbol and a chest.

Fight your way up the freighter toward the stairs leading to the crane controls, then turn and leap onto the empty floor above the toilets. Sprint and jump across the platforms ringing the level in a counter-clockwise direction to reach a large area that contains the Cult of the Vault symbol and a red chest.

Additional Challenges

Make Boom Go Boom: Kill Boom and Bewm without any players taking a direct shot from Big Bertha (see “Best Minion Ever” for details).

Fireproof: Kill Flynt without any players taking damage from his dragon breath (see “Best Minion Ever” for details).