Mastering Crawmerax: Easy Cheesing Strategies For Borderlands Victory

how to cheese crawmerax

Crawmerax the Invincible, a formidable boss in *Borderlands*, is notorious for his challenging fight, but players have discovered strategies to cheese him, making the battle significantly easier. Cheesing Crawmerax involves exploiting specific mechanics or glitches to minimize risk and maximize damage output. One popular method includes using the Rocket Launcher Glitch, where players position themselves on a ledge near the arena's entrance, allowing them to safely shoot Crawmerax with high-damage rocket launchers while avoiding his devastating attacks. Another tactic involves using the Melee Exploit, where a well-timed melee attack can stun Crawmerax, preventing him from summoning minions or performing his deadly ground slam. These strategies, while not intended by the developers, have become go-to methods for players seeking efficient farming of Crawmerax's legendary loot, such as the Pearl of Ineffable Knowledge. Mastering these techniques requires precise timing and positioning but can drastically reduce the difficulty of the fight, making it a favorite approach for both solo and co-op players.

Characteristics Values
Boss Name Crawmerax the Invincible
Game Borderlands 2
Cheese Strategy Use the "Faster Laser" glitch
Required Level 50+ (preferably 72 for maximum effectiveness)
Required Gear 1. Unkempt Harold (high damage shotgun)
2. Bee Shield (amplifies damage)
3. Sand Hawk (optional, for additional damage)
Glitch Mechanics 1. Shoot Crawmerax's left toe with the Unkempt Harold.
2. The Faster Laser glitch causes the toe to take massive damage, bypassing his shields.
Recommended Class Gunzerker (for high damage output and survivability)
Team Size Solo or small group (1-4 players)
Difficulty Significantly reduced due to the glitch
Time to Kill ~1-2 minutes with optimal gear and execution
Patch Status Not officially patched as of latest updates (verify current game version)
Risk Level Low, as the glitch is consistent and easy to execute
Additional Tips 1. Ensure Crawmerax is in the correct position before starting the fight.
2. Use the Bee Shield to maximize damage output.
3. Stay at a safe distance to avoid his attacks.

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Gear Setup: Equip the Bee shield, a high damage weapon, and health regen gear

To effectively cheese Crawmerax in Borderlands 2, your gear setup is pivotal. The Bee shield, a high damage weapon, and health regen gear form the core of this strategy. The Bee shield amplifies your weapon damage when its effect is active, turning every shot into a potential one-hit kill. Pair this with a high damage weapon like the KerBlaster or a slagga to maximize your output. Health regen gear, such as the Re-Generator class mod or artifacts with health regeneration bonuses, ensures you stay alive during the fight, especially when Crawmerax’s devastating attacks connect. This combination isn’t just about dealing damage—it’s about creating a synergy that exploits the game’s mechanics to trivialize the boss.

Consider the timing and application of this setup. Equip the Bee shield just before engaging Crawmerax to ensure its damage boost is active when you need it most. For weapons, prioritize those with high single-shot damage or elemental effects that complement your build. Slag weapons, for instance, increase damage taken by enemies, further amplifying the Bee shield’s effect. Health regen gear should be optimized for both passive and active recovery. A Re-Generator class mod paired with a Rough Rider shield provides both immediate health restoration and sustained regen, giving you a buffer against Crawmerax’s high-damage attacks.

The persuasive argument for this setup lies in its efficiency. Cheesing Crawmerax isn’t about playing the game as intended—it’s about leveraging mechanics to achieve a specific outcome. The Bee shield’s damage amplification turns even mid-tier weapons into boss-melting tools, while health regen gear ensures you can withstand the fight’s unpredictability. This approach isn’t just effective; it’s reliable, allowing players to farm Crawmerax for loot without the usual frustration. Critics might argue it lacks skill, but the real challenge lies in optimizing the setup and executing it flawlessly.

Comparatively, other strategies pale in efficiency. Traditional methods, like kiting or using specific glitches, require precise timing or exploit outdated mechanics. The Bee shield setup, however, remains consistent across patches and platforms. It’s accessible to players of all skill levels, provided they have the gear. While it may not be the most glamorous approach, it’s undeniably practical. For those farming Crawmerax for specific drops, this setup is a time-saving necessity, not a shortcut.

In practice, here’s how to execute this setup: Start by ensuring your Bee shield is equipped and its effect is ready. Position yourself at a safe distance from Crawmerax, ideally on elevated terrain to avoid his melee attacks. Switch to your high damage weapon and begin firing, focusing on slagging him first if possible. Keep an eye on your health and activate any health regen abilities or items as needed. With the Bee shield’s damage boost, Crawmerax’s health will plummet rapidly, often before he can unleash his most dangerous attacks. This method isn’t just about beating the boss—it’s about doing so with minimal risk and maximum reward.

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Positioning: Stand near Crawmerax's left leg to avoid most attacks

Crawmerax's arsenal of attacks can be overwhelming, but one strategic position offers a surprising amount of safety: his left leg. This seemingly vulnerable spot becomes a sanctuary for savvy players due to the boss's attack patterns.

Understanding the Blind Spot: Crawmerax's primary attacks—his tail swipe, ground pound, and frontal laser—all originate from his right side or center. His left leg, however, remains largely unused for direct assaults. By positioning yourself close to this leg, you effectively minimize your exposure to his most damaging abilities.

Imagine a clock face over Crawmerax, with his head at 12 o'clock. The area between 7 and 9 o'clock, directly adjacent to his left leg, becomes your safe zone. This positioning allows you to dodge the sweeping tail attacks that arc from his right side, the devastating ground pound that targets his immediate vicinity, and the laser beam that emanates from his mouth.

Practical Application: Maintaining this position requires constant awareness and quick reflexes. Crawmerax's movements are unpredictable, and he may occasionally shift his weight or perform a full body turn. Be prepared to adjust your position accordingly, always staying within the 7-9 o'clock zone. Utilize short bursts of movement and take advantage of any brief pauses in his attack patterns to reposition yourself.

Maximizing Damage Output: While safety is paramount, this positioning also allows for effective damage output. From this vantage point, you can target Crawmerax's weak points—his legs and underbelly—with relative impunity. Focus on dealing consistent damage while maintaining your safe distance. Remember, patience and precision are key to successfully cheesing Crawmerax from this strategic position.

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Distraction: Use a decoy or second player to draw aggro

In the high-stakes battle against Crawmerax, one of the most effective strategies to minimize damage and maximize efficiency is leveraging distraction through a decoy or second player. This tactic hinges on the principle of aggro management—redirecting the boss’s attention away from the primary damage dealer. By forcing Crawmerax to focus on a less threatening target, the main player can exploit this window to deal uninterrupted damage, significantly reducing the fight’s duration and risk.

To execute this strategy, position a decoy or second player in a way that naturally draws Crawmerax’s aggro. This can be achieved by having the decoy initiate combat with a high-threat action, such as using a siren’s Flesh Stick or a melee attack. The decoy should prioritize survivability, equipping shields with high absorb/recharge rates (e.g., Turtle Shield) and maintaining distance to avoid instant death. Meanwhile, the primary damage dealer should stay out of Crawmerax’s line of sight, focusing on critical hit zones like the eyes or weak points, ensuring every shot counts.

A comparative analysis reveals that this method is particularly effective in solo or small-group runs, where managing aggro is more challenging. Unlike brute-force approaches, distraction allows players to conserve resources and avoid unnecessary damage. For instance, a solo player using a decoy (via a second controller or split-screen) can reduce the fight’s complexity, turning a typically chaotic encounter into a controlled, methodical takedown. This contrasts with traditional strategies that rely on high DPS and constant movement, which often lead to mistakes and wasted ammo.

However, this tactic is not without its cautions. Coordination is key—poor timing or miscommunication can result in the decoy dying prematurely, leaving the main player exposed. Additionally, Crawmerax’s AI may occasionally reset aggro, requiring the decoy to re-engage. Players should also be mindful of environmental hazards, such as the arena’s narrow spaces, which can complicate positioning. To mitigate these risks, practice runs are essential, allowing players to refine timing and positioning until the strategy becomes second nature.

In conclusion, using a decoy or second player to draw aggro is a nuanced yet powerful technique for cheesing Crawmerax. It demands preparation, coordination, and a clear understanding of the boss’s mechanics, but the payoff is a safer, more efficient fight. By mastering this distraction method, players can transform one of Borderlands’ most daunting encounters into a manageable—even enjoyable—challenge.

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Damage Window: Shoot the exposed eye during his slam attack

Crawmerax's slam attack presents a critical opportunity for players seeking to exploit his vulnerabilities. During this move, the boss rears back before slamming his massive body onto the ground, temporarily exposing his weak point—a glowing eye. This damage window is fleeting, typically lasting only 1-2 seconds, but it offers a chance to deal massive critical damage. Timing is paramount; players must anticipate the slam animation, position themselves directly beneath Crawmerax, and unleash their highest-damage attacks as the eye becomes visible. Missing this window forces players to rely on less efficient damage phases, significantly prolonging the fight.

To maximize damage during this window, prioritize weapons with high single-shot damage and fast projectile speed, such as sniper rifles or pearl-handled revolvers. Elemental matching is crucial; Crawmerax is weak to corrosive damage, so equip weapons with corrosive prefixes or use elemental artifacts to amplify effectiveness. Players should also ensure they have full ammunition and health before engaging, as the slam attack often follows a pattern of area-of-effect damage that can catch unprepared characters off guard. Coordination in multiplayer is essential; one player should focus on drawing Crawmerax’s aggro while others position for the slam, ensuring no one wastes the opportunity with poorly timed attacks.

A common mistake players make is attempting to shoot the eye prematurely or from an incorrect angle. The eye only becomes targetable at the apex of the slam, and shots fired too early will deal minimal damage. Additionally, standing too close to Crawmerax during the slam can result in being knocked back or taking unnecessary damage, disrupting the damage window entirely. Practice recognizing the subtle cues in his animation—a brief pause before the slam—to refine timing. For solo players, using a shield with knockback resistance can help maintain position, while multiplayer teams should designate roles to avoid overcrowding the area.

Comparing this strategy to other cheese methods, such as exploiting line-of-sight mechanics or using vehicle turrets, the slam attack window is more reliable but demands higher precision. While turret exploits can deal consistent damage over time, they require specific setups and can be patched out in updates. The slam attack, however, is an inherent part of Crawmerax’s AI and is unlikely to be altered. This makes mastering the timing a valuable skill for players across all platforms and updates, ensuring long-term effectiveness in farming runs.

In conclusion, exploiting Crawmerax’s slam attack damage window is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that hinges on precise timing, optimal loadouts, and positional awareness. By focusing on corrosive damage, anticipating the animation cues, and coordinating team efforts, players can turn this brief opportunity into a fight-ending moment. While it requires practice, the payoff in efficiency and consistency makes it a cornerstone of any Crawmerax cheese strategy.

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Phase Management: Focus on killing Minions first to reduce chaos

Crawmerax's minions are the silent architects of chaos in this fight, spawning in waves to overwhelm even the most seasoned players. Their ability to distract, damage, and disrupt makes them a priority target, not just an afterthought. By focusing on eliminating these minions first, you effectively dismantle Crawmerax's support system, reducing the overall complexity of the battle. This phase management strategy transforms a frenzied, multi-front war into a controlled, step-by-step takedown.

Begin by positioning yourself in a location that allows for both minion aggro and quick retreat. The ledge near the entrance to Crawmerax's arena is ideal, as it provides a natural choke point for minion waves. Equip weapons with high splash damage, such as the Hellfire or Bunker, to clear groups efficiently. When the fight starts, ignore Crawmerax’s initial attacks and concentrate solely on the minions. Prioritize Crawmerax Jr., the most dangerous of the trio, as its rocket attacks can deal massive damage and knock you off your footing.

A common mistake is underestimating the minions’ cumulative damage. Each type—Crawmerax Jr., Craw Worms, and Craw Maggots—has unique abilities that stack chaos. Craw Worms, for instance, can stun-lock you, while Maggots swarm and drain health rapidly. By eliminating them swiftly, you prevent these abilities from compounding, ensuring your survival. Use area-of-effect skills like Axton’s turret or Maya’s Chain Reaction to maximize efficiency, but avoid getting cornered. Always leave an escape route, as Crawmerax’s slam attacks can still catch you off-guard.

The takeaway is clear: minion control is not just a phase—it’s the phase. By treating this step as a separate, critical objective, you minimize randomness and create a predictable environment. Once the minions are down, Crawmerax becomes a solo target, significantly easier to manage. This methodical approach not only increases your chances of success but also reduces the fight’s duration, conserving ammo and health resources. Master this phase, and the rest of the battle falls into place.

Frequently asked questions

The Crawmerax cheese strategy involves exploiting a specific spot in the map where players can attack Crawmerax without being hit, making the fight significantly easier.

The best spot is on the rocks to the left of the entrance to Crawmerax’s arena, where players can shoot him while remaining out of his attack range.

High-damage sniper rifles or weapons with good range, such as the Lyuda or Pimpernel, are ideal for maximizing damage from a safe distance.

If positioned correctly, Crawmerax’s attacks should not reach you. However, his minions can still pose a threat, so it’s best to clear them before engaging him.

The cheese strategy works in most versions, but some updates or patches may have altered the map or mechanics, so it’s worth verifying in your specific version.

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