You're running through the rain-slicked cobblestones of Citadelle des Morts, panicking because a Mangler is breathing down your neck, and you realize your starting weapon is basically a pea shooter by round 20. We’ve all been there. You want the big guns—or in this case, the big blade. Specifically, the Raven Sword.
Honestly, it’s arguably the coolest-looking melee wonder weapon in Black Ops 6. It’s purple, it’s edgy, and it literally sucks zombies into a void. But getting it? That's where people start pulling their hair out. This raven sword guide bo6 is going to break down the process without the fluff, focusing on the weird astrology logic that usually trips everyone up.
Starting the Hunt: The Bastard Sword and the Stamp
You can't just find this thing in a box. First, you need to prove you’re worth the metal.
Step one is simple but round-dependent. You need a Stamp. These drop from the Knight zombies (those armored guys with the shields and swords) that start spawning around Round 10. Once you kill one and grab that purple Stamp, head to the Dining Hall. Look for the statue of the Raven Knight. Interact with it, and he’ll hand over the Raven Bastard Sword.
Don’t get too excited. It’s just a regular sword for now. It’s the "before" picture in a fitness commercial.
Solving the Antiquity Puzzle (The Part Everyone Hates)
To turn that basic blade into the Void-powered monster it’s meant to be, you have to head to the Alchemical Lab. You’re looking for a specific item—an Antiquity. It’s usually sitting on a shelf or a table, looking like a dusty bone or a rock.
🔗 Read more: Among Us Spider-Man: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With These Mods
Here is the critical part: The item you pick up dictates the code you need for the next step. If you don't pay attention to what you grabbed, you're going to be guessing for twenty minutes while zombies chew on your ankles.
Once you have your bone or rock, head down to the Tavern basement (near the Perk-a-Cola machine). You’ll see a large circular dial on the wall. This is the Raven Sword ritual site. Insert your sword and the Antiquity. Now you have to align the outer ring (Zodiac) and the inner ring (Element) to match your item.
The Cheat Sheet for the Ritual Dial
I’m not going to make a pretty table because those are boring. Just look for your item here:
- Raven Skulls: Align the outer ring to Gemini (the "II" symbol) and the inner ring to Air (triangle pointing up with a horizontal line).
- Lion Jawbone: Use Leo (the squiggle with a circle) and Fire (plain triangle pointing up).
- Fish Fossil: Go with Pisces (the two curved lines joined) and Water (plain triangle pointing down).
- Scorpion Fossil: This one is Scorpio (the "m" with a tail) and Water (triangle pointing down).
- Ram Horns: Set it to Aries (the "V" with curled ends) and Fire (triangle pointing up).
Basically, if you match the item to its natural vibe, it works. Lion = Fire. Fish = Water. It’s almost poetic if you aren't currently being chased by a screaming horde.
The Orb Chase
After you input the code and hit submit, the wall is going to spit out some purple orbs. Do not run away from them! You need to "lead" these orbs. They aren't trying to kill you (mostly), but they are lazy.
💡 You might also like: Why the Among the Sleep Mom is Still Gaming's Most Uncomfortable Horror Twist
A black hole portal will open on the floor. You need to stand near it so the orbs get sucked in. Once you've fed the portal three orbs, it moves.
- First spot: Right there in the basement.
- Second spot: Upstairs in the main Tavern bar area.
- Third spot: Further up by the pool table.
My advice? Leave one crawler or a slow zombie alive. Trying to do the "orb-herding" dance in the middle of a full round is a great way to end up in a YouTube fail compilation. Once all three portals are satisfied, head back to the basement. Interact with the dial one last time.
Congratulations. You now hold Balmung, the upgraded Raven Sword.
What Makes the Raven Sword Actually Good?
So you did all that work. Was it worth it? Sorta depends on your playstyle.
The Raven Sword (or Balmung) isn't just a sharp stick. It has a "Shadow Rift" ability. When you're swinging it normally, it has a random chance to trigger a mini-void that sucks a zombie in and drops them from the sky. It’s funny, but not necessarily a game-changer.
📖 Related: Appropriate for All Gamers NYT: The Real Story Behind the Most Famous Crossword Clue
The charged attack is the real star. It creates a massive rift in front of you. It eats everything. If things get really hairy, you can actually jump into the rift. It teleports you a short distance away, which is basically a "get out of jail free" card when you're cornered in a narrow hallway.
Pro Tip: You can also use the sword to parry. If those annoying Parasites are spitting at you, or an Amalgam is trying to tongue-grab you, hold the parry button. It negates the damage and reflects the spit back at the enemies. It even works against the main boss of the map.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re planning to go for a high-round run using this raven sword guide bo6, make sure you prioritize Melee Macchiato. Without that perk, your swing speed is going to feel like you're moving through molasses.
Also, don't forget that Max Ammo power-ups completely refill your sword's special meter. If you see one on the ground, burn your Void rift immediately to clear the area, then grab the ammo. It's essentially two free board-clears for the price of one.
Grab your blade, match your symbols, and stop letting those Knight zombies have all the fun. The void is waiting.
To make your next run even smoother, try memorizing the Lion Jaw and Raven Skull combinations first, as they are the most common Antiquity drops players see in early rounds. This saves you from having to check a guide mid-match while your teammates are yelling at you to open the next door.