Guardians, prepare to claim a piece of gaming history resurrected within the Destiny 2 universe: the Forerunner Exotic Sidearm. This weapon holds a unique position in the armory, functioning as a potent Kinetic weapon that defies convention by utilizing Special ammunition. More than just a powerful tool, Forerunner is a direct homage, inspired by the legendary M6D Magnum pistol wielded by the Master Chief in Bungie's iconic Halo series. Its inclusion arrived as part of the Bungie 30th Anniversary celebration, an event commemorating the studio's rich development history. Acquiring Forerunner isn't just about adding another Exotic to the collection; it's about wielding a tangible link to Bungie's past.
Access Requirements
Before embarking on this quest, Guardians must ensure they meet the necessary prerequisites. Prospective seekers can rest assured that, unlike many older Exotic quests that have entered the Destiny Content Vault, the "Magnum Opus" quest remains active and available for completion in the current game state. It is important to distinguish that while the Dares of Eternity six-player activity, central to the quest's progression, is free for all players, the "Magnum Opus" quest itself, along with other pack-exclusive content like the Grasp of Avarice dungeon (source of the Gjallarhorn Exotic Rocket Launcher), requires purchasing the 30th Anniversary Pack. This creates a scenario where all players can experience the core anniversary activity, but the marquee Exotic rewards are reserved for pack owners, ensuring engagement with the paid content loop.
Overview of the Journey
The path to mastering the Forerunner unfolds in two distinct phases. First, Guardians must undertake the "Magnum Opus" quest to forge the weapon itself. Following its acquisition, a second, more demanding journey begins: completing the "Magnum Opus II" quest and undertaking a significant reputation grind to unlock the weapon's powerful Exotic Catalyst. Be prepared for a notable time commitment, particularly for the catalyst phase, which demands considerable dedication to the Dares of Eternity activity. The quest structure cleverly blends nostalgia—evoking memories of Halo through the weapon's design and specific encounters like the Cryo Pod—with mechanics that necessitate deep engagement with the 30th Anniversary content loop, particularly the Dares of Eternity activity and Xur's associated reputation system.
Magnum Opus Part I: Forging the Forerunner
Initiating the Quest: "To The Daring Go The Spoils" & "Magnum Opus"
The quest begins not on a battlefield, but in the enigmatic realm of Eternity, a unique destination found on the Director screen. Travel to Eternity and seek out Xur within his Treasure Hoard. Before the main quest can begin, players must complete a brief introductory task: "To The Daring Go The Spoils." This requires completing at least one run of the Dares of Eternity activity. This activity often launches automatically upon first logging in after the Anniversary update, but can otherwise be selected directly from the Eternity destination map. Successfully finishing a Dares run rewards a Treasure Key. Present this key to Xur in his Treasure Hoard and open the nearby chest to satisfy the "To The Daring Go The Spoils" quest objective. With the pleasantries concluded, speak to Xur once more. He will now formally grant the "Magnum Opus" quest, setting Guardians on the path to acquiring the Forerunner.
Step 1: Gathering Strange Coins (7 Required)
The first substantive step requires the collection of 7 Strange Coins, a currency familiar to veterans of the original Destiny. These coins are awarded through various activities across the system.
| Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Dares of Eternity | Rewarded upon completion; Recommended for efficiency as it also progresses Xur Rank. |
| Playlist Activities | Includes Vanguard Strikes, Crucible matches, and Gambit matches. |
| Heroic Public Events | Awarded for successful completion of Heroic-tier public events on various destinations. |
| Bounties | General bounty completions can award Strange Coins. |
Once the 7 Strange Coins have been amassed, return to Xur's Treasure Hoard in Eternity and present them to the enigmatic Starhorse, the celestial equine found near Xur's location.
Step 2: Completing Starhorse Bounties (3 Bounties Worth of Progress)
With the initial coin offering accepted, Starhorse now tasks Guardians with completing its bounties. These bounties, purchased from Starhorse using Strange Coins, come in Daily and Weekly varieties, often categorized by difficulty tiers (referred to as Bronze, Silver, and Gold in some accounts).
Progression through this quest step is measured by the value of the completed bounties, not just the quantity. Higher-difficulty bounties, such as the Weekly offerings, grant significantly more progress and can potentially complete this step in a single bounty. The quest requires accumulating progress equivalent to completing three standard bounties.
This system introduces a tactical decision: opt for potentially multiple, easier Daily bounties, or attempt a more challenging Weekly bounty for faster progress, risking failure and wasted Strange Coins if the objectives aren't met within the single Dares run. Careful selection based on personal skill and loadout is advised.
Step 3: The Strange Key - Reaching Xur Rank 4 ("Brave")
The next crucial item is the Strange Key, held by Xur himself. Acquiring this key is gated behind reputation: Guardians must reach Rank 4 ("Brave") in Strange Favor with Xur.
Strange Favor is earned primarily by completing Dares of Eternity runs and finishing bounties offered by both Xur and Starhorse. This reinforces the efficiency of grinding Dares of Eternity, as it contributes to both Strange Coin acquisition and the necessary rank progression. Once Rank 4 ("Brave") is achieved, the Strange Key becomes available for collection directly from Xur's vendor inventory.
Step 4 & 5: Unlocking the Path - Using the Strange Key in the Valley
Armed with the Strange Key, the objective is now to locate and unlock a hidden pathway. Return once more to Xur's Treasure Hoard. Locate the purple energy portal—often described as being behind Xur or requiring the player to turn 180 degrees from him—and step through it. This transports the Guardian to the Valley, the snowy, exterior patrol version of the Dares of Eternity opening arena.
Upon arrival in the Valley, look towards the right side of the area. The destination is a distinct cluster of rocks situated at the bottom of a small slope. The specific interaction point is a rock marked by a small, rectangular object or stone slab protruding from its top surface.
Using the key here involves more than a simple button press; it's an environmental puzzle. Players must find the precise spot to stand and orient their view towards the large, distant structure or pillar dominating the landscape across the valley. When viewed from the correct position and angle, the foreground rocks and background geometry will visually align, forming the distinctive Bungie logo or the "Seventh Column" emblem—a nod to both Bungie's history and a Destiny Crucible medal. Successfully achieving this alignment is what triggers the prompt to use the Strange Key. This puzzle element rewards observation and spatial awareness, integrating the developer's identity directly into the quest flow. Some players report the prompt being finicky, requiring slight adjustments in position or even hovering briefly above the rock to activate.
Navigating the Hidden Cave - The Jumping Puzzle
Once the Strange Key is successfully used, the way forward is revealed. A waypoint might appear to guide the player, or Guardians should head towards the large structure used for the alignment puzzle. The entrance to the next area is subtle: a small cave opening or a narrow crack between rocks, located on the cliff face near the structure. Interestingly, some determined explorers discovered this hidden entrance even before solving the Strange Key puzzle, only to be blocked by an energy barrier until the key was used.
Inside lies a jumping puzzle that players must ascend. Descriptions mention various platforming elements, including floating orbs, ascending rock ledges, potentially hazardous moving platforms or energy jets, and even a slippery ice slide. While generally considered manageable, jumping puzzles can present a challenge. Utilizing stable platforms when available and carefully timing jumps onto moving elements are key strategies. Some unconventional methods involving sword flight or Stasis abilities have been mentioned, though these may be unintended shortcuts. This platforming section provides a shift in gameplay focus after the observational key puzzle, testing dexterity before the final reward.
The Anomalous Object - The Cryo Pod
At the apex of the jumping puzzle awaits the prize for this leg of the journey: a Cryo Pod. This object is a direct and unmistakable visual reference to the Halo franchise, reinforcing the quest's nostalgic theme and providing a satisfying payoff for navigating the preceding challenges. Interact with the Cryo Pod to open it. Doing so will yield the final quest item needed for this phase, referred to as the "Anomalous Object". Collect this object to proceed.
Final Step - Visit Banshee-44
With the Anomalous Object secured, the final step is straightforward. Travel to the Tower, the main social hub, and seek out Banshee-44, the Exo Gunsmith. Present the Anomalous Object to him.
Reward: Forerunner Exotic Sidearm
Upon receiving the object, Banshee-44 will reward the Guardian's efforts with the Forerunner Exotic Sidearm. Congratulations, the base weapon is now yours!
Familiarize yourself with its intrinsic perk, Full Stop: "Oversized Sidearm with extended-range, heavy-caliber rounds. Fires full auto with increased rate of fire. Deals increased precision damage to unshielded targets". Key characteristics include its exceptional range for a sidearm, fully automatic firing mode, significant bonus damage on precision hits against unshielded enemies, and its unique status as a Special ammo weapon in the Kinetic slot.
Magnum Opus Part II: Enhancing the Forerunner
The Long Road: Reaching Xur Rank 16
Acquiring the Forerunner itself is only half the battle for dedicated Guardians. Unlocking its Exotic Catalyst requires embarking on a significantly longer journey: achieving Rank 16 in Strange Favor with Xur.
This represents a substantial grind, demanding extensive and repeated engagement with the Dares of Eternity activity. Player estimates suggest this could take anywhere from 70 to 90 Dares completions, depending on activity streaks and bounty efficiency, or simply "a lot" of playtime. Locking the catalyst behind such a high rank serves as a long-term objective, encouraging players to continue interacting with the 30th Anniversary content well beyond the initial weapon acquisition. While rewarding dedication, this level of grind can be perceived as demanding by some players.
The Anomalous Access Card: Catalyst Quest Starter
Upon finally reaching the lofty heights of Rank 16 Strange Favor, visit Xur one last time. He will now offer the "Anomalous Access Card". This item serves as the key to unlock the next stage of the questline. Acquiring the Anomalous Access Card automatically grants the follow-up quest: "Magnum Opus II".
Magnum Opus II - The Legend Challenge
"Magnum Opus II" presents a significant step up in difficulty compared to the first part of the quest, testing player skill and coordination. The quest consists of two primary objectives that must be completed within a single activity run:
- Complete the Dares of Eternity activity on Legend difficulty. Legend difficulty features tougher enemies, potentially more challenging modifiers, and typically requires a coordinated fireteam.
- Achieve an "outstanding score" of 225,000 points or more during that Legend Dares of Eternity run.
This phase shifts the focus from grinding and basic puzzles to high-level combat execution and score optimization.
Catalyst Claim: Return to Banshee-44
After successfully conquering the Legend Dares of Eternity challenge and achieving the required score, the final step is to return to the Tower and speak once more with Banshee-44.
Reward: Forerunner Exotic Catalyst
Banshee-44 will recognize the Guardian's accomplishment and bestow the Forerunner Exotic Catalyst.
Masterworking and "The Rock" Perk
Catalyst Completion: 700 Kills
Possessing the catalyst is not the end; its power must be unlocked. To fully masterwork the Forerunner catalyst and enable its unique perk, Guardians must achieve 700 eliminations using the Forerunner itself. This can be a time-consuming objective, but certain locations are particularly efficient for farming weapon kills.
| Location | Notes |
|---|---|
| Dares of Eternity | Good enemy density, synergizes with the weapon's origin activity. |
| Altars of Sorrow (Moon) | Very high density of Hive enemies; Requires Shadowkeep expansion ownership. |
| Shuro Chi (Last Wish Raid) | Extremely high density of Taken enemies; Requires raid access & checkpoint. |
Choosing the most suitable location depends on player access and preference, but focusing on activities with high concentrations of enemies will expedite the completion of this final objective.
Perk Deep Dive: "The Rock" Explained
Completing the 700-kill objective unlocks the Forerunner catalyst's signature perk: The Rock.
- Activation: After securing a final blow with Forerunner, a brief window opens during which the perk can be activated. This is typically done by holding the reload button or performing an "Alternate Reload" action.
- Functionality: Activating The Rock consumes a portion of the player's Special ammo reserves. In exchange, it transforms the player's next thrown grenade ability into a powerful Fragmentation Grenade.
- Ammo Cost: Research presents conflicting information on the exact ammo cost. Some sources state it consumes "part of" the reserves, while others specify exactly 4 rounds or 6 rounds. This discrepancy might stem from game updates or differing test conditions post-release. Guardians should be aware that the cost is significant, likely between 4 and 6 Special rounds per activation.
- Grenade Details: This catalyst-generated grenade boasts unique properties:
- It is a direct homage to the fragmentation grenades from the Halo series.
- It deals Kinetic damage, unlike standard elemental grenades.
- It temporarily replaces the player's currently equipped grenade ability for a single use.
- Crucially, using The Rock does not consume the player's standard grenade ability charge; the regular grenade continues to recharge independently.
- It possesses a very large blast radius (estimated around 8 meters, with maximum damage within 3 meters) and inflicts substantial damage (around 50,000 within the max damage radius).
- It features an extremely short fuse time (exploding roughly 0.5 seconds after impact).
- Kills achieved with The Rock count as both grenade and ability kills for bounty or objective progress.
- The explosion can launch enemies considerable distances and potentially enable grenade-jumping maneuvers (with caution advised regarding self-damage).
The decision to use The Rock hinges on balancing its unique utility against the significant Special ammo investment required.
Troubleshooting and Final Checks
Common Hurdles & Solutions
Guardians encountering issues during the Magnum Opus questline should consider these common solutions:
- Quest Not Progressing / Strange Key Not Working: The most frequent cause is attempting to use the key before the quest directs it. Ensure the step requiring completion of 3 Starhorse bounties is finished in the quest log before trying to obtain or use the Strange Key. Double-check the alignment puzzle positioning if the prompt is missing.
- Lost or Missing Quest: If the Magnum Opus quest vanishes from the inventory (perhaps due to accidental deletion), check the Quest Archive terminal located near the Postmaster in the Tower. Abandoned quests can often be recovered here.
- General Difficulty: While the overall quest isn't considered exceptionally difficult, certain steps can be frustrating. The grind to Rank 16 for the catalyst is undeniably lengthy. The Strange Key alignment puzzle can be confusing until the perspective trick is understood, and the jumping puzzle may test some players' platforming skills. These are intended parts of the acquisition process.
Availability Check & Requirements Recap
To summarize the essential requirements and current status:
- Requirement: Ownership of the Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack is mandatory to start and complete the "Magnum Opus" quest.
- Availability: The Forerunner Exotic Sidearm and its associated quest, "Magnum Opus," are currently available in Destiny 2 and have not been vaulted.
- Core Loop: Dares of Eternity -> Collect 7 Strange Coins -> Complete Starhorse Bounties (3 worth) -> Reach Xur Rank 4 -> Obtain Strange Key -> Solve Alignment Puzzle & Use Key -> Navigate Hidden Cave/Jumping Puzzle -> Collect Anomalous Object from Cryo Pod -> Visit Banshee-44 -> Receive Forerunner -> Grind Dares to Xur Rank 16 -> Obtain Anomalous Access Card -> Complete Legend Dares with 225k+ Score -> Visit Banshee-44 -> Receive Catalyst -> Achieve 700 Kills with Forerunner -> Masterwork Complete.
Conclusion: Wielding a Legend
Guardians who persevere through the challenges of the Magnus Opus questline will be rewarded with the Forerunner, a unique and powerful Exotic Sidearm steeped in Bungie's storied history. Its exceptional range, potent precision damage against unshielded foes via the "Full Stop" perk, and its status as a Special ammo Kinetic weapon make it a standout choice in many engagements.
For those who undertake the further grind and trials to unlock its catalyst, "The Rock" perk adds another layer of utility—a powerful, Halo-inspired fragmentation grenade available outside the standard ability cooldown, albeit at a significant ammo cost. Mastering the Forerunner, with or without its catalyst, involves understanding its unique firing characteristics and leveraging its strengths in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Congratulations on adding this legendary firearm to your arsenal. May it serve you well.