Unlocking the Black Greatsword in Remnant 2

The Black Greatsword stands as one of the most formidable melee weapons available in Remnant 2, particularly following the release of The Dark Horizon DLC expansion. This colossal weapon draws inspiration from iconic oversized blades in popular media, most notably the Dragon Slayer from the manga Berserk. For players seeking to wield this devastating instrument of destruction, understanding the complete acquisition pathway is essential. The process involves multiple stages, strategic resource management, and careful navigation through Ward 13’s various NPCs.

Understanding the Black Greatsword’s Capabilities and Design

Before embarking on the journey to obtain this weapon, players should understand what makes it such a desirable addition to their arsenal. The Black Greatsword functions as a massive melee weapon characterized by its substantial weight and devastating damage output. The weapon can execute both standard attacks and enhanced charged attacks, the latter consuming stamina resources over time to deliver amplified destructive force. This charging mechanism allows skilled players to strategically balance resource expenditure against damage delivery, rewarding those who master its mechanics.

The weapon’s design philosophy emphasizes raw power over speed and agility. Its implementation increases the player’s encumbrance rating by 15 points, meaning users must account for the added weight when planning their character builds. Despite this encumbrance penalty, the weapon’s damage potential makes it an attractive choice for players who prioritize offense and possess sufficient stamina management capabilities.

Prerequisites and Initial Requirements

Acquiring the Black Greatsword requires players to complete several preliminary tasks before the actual weapon becomes available. The primary prerequisite involves crafting the Alpha/Omega Long Gun, a sophisticated firearm that serves as the gateway to accessing the Black Greatsword acquisition chain.

To craft the Alpha/Omega Long Gun, players must first obtain a Forgotten Memory. This crafting material drops exclusively from defeating Annihilation, Remnant 2’s formidable final boss encounter. Players lacking experience with this encounter should prepare thoroughly, gathering appropriate weapons, consumables, and ally support before confronting this powerful adversary. Once obtained, players can take the Forgotten Memory to McCabe, Ward 13’s primary crafting NPC, and commission the Alpha/Omega Long Gun’s creation.

The Brabus Transaction Process

With the Alpha/Omega Long Gun secured, the next phase involves interacting with Brabus, the weapon merchant stationed in Ward 13’s firing range area. This crucial step requires purchasing every weapon currently available in Brabus’s inventory. The financial investment can be substantial, potentially requiring thousands of Scraps depending on players’ current wealth and the number of weapons Brabus currently stocks.

Players facing financial constraints should consider implementing Scrap farming strategies before approaching Brabus. Efficient farming techniques can significantly reduce the time required to accumulate sufficient currency for this major purchase. Once players have procured all available weapons from Brabus’s stock, they must engage him in dialogue to trigger the next story beat.

Upon exhausting Brabus’s dialogue options, he will present players with the Black Metal Bars. This crafting material represents the tangible reward for completing his merchant transactions and serves as the essential component for McCabe’s subsequent crafting process. The Black Metal Bars cannot be obtained through any alternative means, making the Brabus transaction an absolute requirement in the acquisition chain.

McCabe’s Initial Crafting Request

With the Black Metal Bars in possession, players must return to McCabe within Ward 13’s workroom. Upon approaching McCabe, players should select the “I have something for you to look at” dialogue option to initiate the transaction. This dialogue selection specifically designates the Black Metal Bars for McCabe’s analysis and crafting preparation.

McCabe will acknowledge the material’s receipt and communicate that she requires time to assess and work with the Black Metal Bars. Players should not expect immediate results; instead, they must recognize that McCabe needs a temporal gap to complete her preliminary work on the material. This waiting period is integral to the design, preventing players from immediately cycling through the entire acquisition sequence.

The Critical Fast Travel Mechanic

To advance McCabe’s crafting progress and trigger the weapon’s final completion, players must engage Ward 13’s fast travel system. This seemingly simple step holds significant importance within the acquisition sequence. Players should fast travel away from Ward 13 to any available location, then fast travel back to Ward 13. This action effectively simulates the passage of time within the game world, signaling the system that McCabe has completed her preliminary work on the Black Metal Bars.

The fast travel requirement may seem arbitrary, but it serves as the game’s mechanism for temporal progression without forcing players to wait in real-time. Some players have experimented with alternative approaches, such as waiting in-game or completing additional activities, but the most reliable method remains the fast travel cycle. The specific destination for the outbound fast travel does not matter; players can travel to any accessible location before returning to Ward 13.

Final Weapon Collection and Completion

Upon returning to Ward 13 following the fast travel cycle, players should immediately locate McCabe and initiate dialogue. The critical dialogue option at this stage is “Is it done?”, which explicitly queries whether McCabe has completed her work on the Black Metal Bars. Selecting this option triggers the weapon’s delivery, concluding the lengthy acquisition sequence.

McCabe will present the completed Black Greatsword to the player, officially adding this powerful weapon to their inventory. At this point, players can immediately equip the weapon and begin exploring its combat capabilities. The weapon’s substantial weight requires players to adjust their load management strategies, potentially necessitating adjustments to other equipped gear to maintain optimal mobility and stamina regeneration.

Strategic Considerations for Weapon Integration

Once acquired, the Black Greatsword demands careful integration into existing character builds. The weapon’s 15-point encumbrance increase can significantly impact character mobility and dodge-rolling responsiveness if not properly managed. Players should evaluate their current equipment loadout and consider removing unnecessary items or adjusting their armor choices to accommodate this heavy weapon effectively.

The charging mechanic, while powerful, requires strategic stamina management. Players accustomed to fast-paced combat styles may need to adjust their approach, prioritizing careful stamina usage and tactical charging rather than rapid consecutive attacks. Understanding enemy attack patterns becomes increasingly important when wielding such a slow but devastating weapon, as recovery windows must align with the Black Greatsword’s extended animation sequences.

DLC Availability and Installation Requirements

While some reports suggest players may obtain the Black Greatsword without purchasing The Dark Horizon DLC, having the DLC installed ensures reliable access to all related content and mechanics. The DLC formally introduces this weapon and integrates it within the broader expansion narrative. Players seeking a guaranteed acquisition path should confirm their Dark Horizon DLC installation status before beginning the lengthy acquisition sequence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have enough Scraps to buy all of Brabus’s weapons?

Players should farm Scraps before approaching Brabus. Implementing efficient farming strategies can quickly accumulate the necessary currency without requiring extensive grinding.

Does the Black Greatsword require specific character builds?

While not mandatory for any particular build, the weapon benefits most from strength-focused configurations with adequate stamina pools. Players can use the Black Greatsword in various builds with proper equipment adjustments.

Can I obtain the Black Greatsword without defeating Annihilation?

No, defeating Annihilation to obtain the Forgotten Memory is the essential prerequisite for crafting the Alpha/Omega Long Gun, which begins the entire acquisition chain.

How long does McCabe take to craft the weapon?

McCabe’s crafting time is triggered by the fast travel cycle. Players typically receive the weapon within one fast travel sequence.

Summary of the Complete Acquisition Pathway

Performance and Combat Applications

The Black Greatsword excels in scenarios where players can maintain distance from multiple threats while leveraging its charging attack capability for burst damage against priority targets. Boss encounters particularly benefit from this weapon’s design, as players can carefully manage their approach, execute charged attacks during vulnerability windows, and retreat to safety before enemy counterattacks. The weapon’s raw damage output compensates for its slower attack speed in many endgame situations.

Players should practice the weapon’s timing and stamina management in lower-difficulty content before committing to endgame challenges. Understanding the exact duration of charged attacks and their corresponding stamina consumption enables more sophisticated combat tactics and improved survival rates.