Look, if you’re wandering around the Tavern cellar in Citadelle Des Morts staring at a wall of glowing circles and feeling like you need a PhD in astrology, you aren't alone. The BO6 void sword symbols puzzle is arguably the most annoying part of getting the Balmung wonder weapon. It’s not that it's hard; it’s just that the game doesn't exactly hold your hand when it comes to matching ancient alchemy with zodiac signs.
I’ve seen dozens of players burn through five or six rounds just trying to guess the combination. That’s a death sentence when the Manglers start spawning in packs.
Basically, the "Void Sword" (officially known as Balmung, the Raven’s Shadow) requires you to solve a two-ring dial puzzle. You have an inner ring with elemental triangles and an outer ring with zodiac symbols. If you don't align them perfectly at the green arrow on the bottom, nothing happens. Here is the actual, no-fluff breakdown of how to beat this thing without losing your mind.
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The Antiquity dictates everything
Before you even touch the wall in the Tavern, you need the base Bastard Sword from the Raven Knight and the specific "Antiquity" item. This item is the key. It spawns in the Alchemy Room (near the Undercroft/Quick Revive area) on a shelf or desk.
What most people miss is that the item you pick up is the answer. It’s not random. If you pick up a jar with a scorpion in it, you aren't looking for a "fire" symbol. You're looking for the water sign.
Every BO6 void sword symbols combination
You don't need to learn the history of the stars for this. You just need to look at what you grabbed from the Alchemy Room and match it to this list.
- The Raven Skulls (Two skulls): This is Gemini. You need the Air symbol (an upright triangle with a horizontal line through it) and the Gemini symbol (looks like a Roman numeral II).
- The Ram’s Horn: This represents Aries. Use the Fire symbol (a simple upright triangle) and the Aries symbol (looks like a V with curved tops, like ram horns).
- The Fossilized Fish: This is Pisces. You want the Water symbol (downward-pointing triangle) and the Pisces symbol (two curved lines facing away from each other, tied with a bar).
- The Scorpion in Rock: This is Scorpio. Use the Water symbol (downward triangle) and the Scorpio symbol (an 'm' with a pointy tail).
- The Lion’s Jaw: This is Leo. Use the Fire symbol (upright triangle) and the Leo symbol (a circle with a swirly tail).
Honestly, the hardest part is usually just seeing the symbols clearly while a stray zombie is chewing on your shoulder. If you're playing solo, leave one crawler or use a Decoy.
Aligning the rings correctly
Once you have your sword and your Antiquity placed into the wall, you’ll see the rings light up. Use your interact buttons (bumpers on controller, Q/E on keyboard) to rotate them.
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The Golden Rule: The symbols must be aligned at the BOTTOM of the circle, right where that little green arrow is pointing.
Don't align them at the top. I know, every other game in history puts the "active" slot at the 12 o'clock position, but Treyarch decided to be different here. Put your triangle on the inner ring and your zodiac sign on the outer ring right over that green arrow. Then, interact with the center to "submit."
What happens when the symbols don't work?
If you submit and the wall just hums at you without spawning purple orbs, you’ve likely misidentified the Antiquity. Go back to the Alchemy Lab and double-check what you picked up. Sometimes the "Symboless Rock" or "Stag" variants can pop up depending on your quest progress, but for the Balmung specifically, it’s almost always one of the five listed above.
Another common fail point: you actually have to lead the orbs.
After the symbols are correct, three purple orbs will fly out. You need to "catch" them and lead them into the void portals on the floor.
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- First Portal: Right there in the cellar.
- Second Portal: Ground floor of the Tavern.
- Third Portal: Top floor of the Tavern near the pool table.
If you lose the orbs or they hit a wall and vanish, they usually respawn back at the dial. Just stand behind the portal so the orbs fly through the hole to get to you. It's way easier than trying to "push" them.
Actionable Next Steps
To get this done fast in your next match, follow this specific order:
- Grab a Stamp from a heavy zombie (usually around Round 10).
- Go to the Knight statues and take the Raven Knight’s sword (back left).
- Sprint to the Alchemy Room and look at the shelf. Identify your item immediately (Scorpion, Fish, Horn, etc.).
- Go to the Tavern basement, slot the sword, and match the triangle and zodiac at the bottom arrow.
- Lead the orbs through the three floors of the Tavern.
- Return to the basement to claim your Balmung.
Once you have the Balmung, remember that it isn't just a melee weapon. Pressing both triggers (or your special attack key) opens a Dark Aether rift. It acts exactly like a Gersh Device or a Kazimir grenade, sucking in everything nearby. It’s the ultimate "get out of jail free" card for high rounds.