How to Get the Arben Greatsword in Crimson Desert

TL;DR

The Arben Greatsword is a two-handed weapon hidden in a secret cave near Horseshoe Lake
Head to the small island between Demeniss and Delesyia
Use Blinding Flash (or a fire arrow) to burn the vines near a large tree
Open the hidden trapdoor and descend into the Horseshoe Lake Burrow
Grab the sword from the south end of the cave — it’s leaning against the wall
It has 5 Abyss Gear Slots (inactive by default) and a base attack of 23 at Refinement Level 3

If you like heavy weapons that hit hard and stagger enemies, the Arben Greatsword is one of the best early finds in Crimson Desert. It’s not tied to a quest. It’s not sold by any merchant. And it’s not sitting in a plain chest by the road.

It’s hidden. That’s why so many players miss it entirely.

This guide tells you exactly where to go and what to do — step by step.

Table of Contents

What Is the Arben Greatsword?

The Arben Greatsword is a two-handed weapon in Crimson Desert. The lore describes it as a folding greatsword made by House Spencer — a house that faded into history, leaving its weapons scattered across Pywel.

It has strong base damage and great stagger potential. That makes it very useful against shielded enemies and tough bosses that need their posture broken. The heavy handling does mean you need to time your swings carefully, but the payoff is worth it.

It’s a particularly strong pick for Damiane, one of the three playable characters. You unlock her after clearing Chapter 3. If you’re planning to use her, picking this sword up early is a great move.

For a full breakdown of characters and companions, check our Crimson Desert all characters and companions guide.

Arben Greatsword Location

The Arben Greatsword is found at Horseshoe Lake, on a small island sitting between the Demeniss and Delesyia regions.

The island looks like nothing special from the outside. It’s a small forested patch surrounded by water. Most players swim or ride past it without a second look. That’s exactly why the sword stays hidden for so long.

To reach the island, you can swim across, glide over, or use a boat. Set a custom waypoint between the two region names on your map. You’re looking for the horseshoe-shaped lake with a forested island in the middle.

Note: You need to have progressed far enough into the story to safely reach the Demeniss border area. Going there too early means dealing with high-level enemies that can one-shot you.

How to Get the Arben Greatsword — Step by Step

Step 1: Travel to Horseshoe Lake

Open your map and find the area between Demeniss and Delesyia, just above Gorthak. Head to Horseshoe Lake and make your way onto the central island. Before you do anything else, clear any wolves or roaming enemies nearby. Fighting while trying to open the hatch can cause problems.

Step 2: Find the Large Tree With Vines

Large Tree With Vines arben greatsword in crimson desert

Once you’re on the island, look for a cluster of vines and thorny growth gathered around a large tree. This is what’s blocking the entrance to the cave below. It blends in with the surroundings, so walk around the center of the island until you spot it.

Step 3: Burn the Vines

Burn the Vines arben greatsword in crimson desert

Use Blinding Flash to burn through the vines. The controller input is L1 + R1 + L1. On PC, check your keybinds under the Flash or Light skill category.

If you don’t have Blinding Flash ready, a fire arrow works just as well. Either method clears the vines quickly.

One thing to watch: make sure your Stamina bar isn’t empty before using Blinding Flash. The skill costs Stamina. If you just sprinted to the island, give it a moment to recover first.

Need help with Blinding Flash? Check our guide on how to use Blinding Flash in Crimson Desert.

Step 4: Open the Hidden Trapdoor

Once the vines are gone, look at the ground in the center of the cleared area. There’s a wooden hatch set into the dirt. It blends into the forest floor, so stand directly over it.

Press your interaction button — Square on PlayStation, X on Xbox, or F on PC — to open it. This leads you down into the Horseshoe Lake Burrow.

Step 5: Collect the Arben Greatsword

Drop down into the cave. The Horseshoe Lake Burrow is small and linear, so you won’t get lost. Head toward the south end of the cave.

You’ll see a pile of gold coins and scattered treasure. The Arben Greatsword isn’t locked in a chest — it’s leaning against the cave wall. Walk up to it and interact to pick it up. It goes straight into your inventory.

Arben Greatsword Stats

Here’s a quick look at what you’re working with:

Stat	Value
Weapon Type	Two-Handed (Giant Greatsword)
Base Attack	23 (at Refinement Level 3)
Attack Range	17–45 (across all refinement levels)
Refinement Levels	11
Abyss Gear Slots	5 (all inactive by default)
Rarity	Rare

The five Abyss Gear Slots are the big selling point here. Five slots is an end-game tier feature. However, every single one of them is inactive when you first find the sword. To use them, you need to visit a Witch and spend Silver Coins to unlock each socket individually.

The closest Witch is usually found in Hernand or the Demeniss capital area — look for the purple icon on your city map.

If you’re low on Silver, read our guide on how to make money fast in Crimson Desert or how to farm Silver with the five-card game before you visit the Witch.

To learn more about unlocking and using Abyss sockets, see our full Abyss Gear unlock guide.

Is the Arben Greatsword Worth Getting?

Yes — especially early to mid-game.

The raw damage is solid. At Refinement Level 3, the base attack sits at 23, which is competitive for this stage of the game. The stagger potential on heavy swings makes it great for breaking enemy posture, which comes up a lot in boss fights.

The five Abyss Gear Slots are the real long-term value. Once unlocked, you can load it with effects like life-steal, elemental damage, or increased stagger — turning it into a highly customized weapon that fits your build. Most weapons at this stage of the game only offer two or three slots.

That said, it’s not a forever weapon. As you push into the late game, you’ll find greatswords with better base stats and pre-activated effects. Think of the Arben Greatsword as a powerful bridge — excellent for a big chunk of your playthrough, but eventually replaced.

For comparisons and alternatives, see our best items early in Crimson Desert guide or our best early build for full loadout advice.

If you’re looking at other strong two-handed options alongside this one, check out:

How to Upgrade the Arben Greatsword

Once you have it, take it to any Blacksmith to begin refining it. Each refinement level raises the attack stat. Materials are required at each stage. Check out our full guide on how to reinforce equipment in Crimson Desert for what you’ll need.

After visiting a Witch to unlock the Abyss slots, you can socket Abyss Gears for extra power. Pairing this with elemental attack imbuing can make it even more effective in the right situations.

If you want to increase your overall combat effectiveness, also check:

Quick Tips Before You Go

Clear the island of enemies before opening the hatch to avoid getting stuck in animations
Don’t try to reach this area in the prologue — the surrounding enemies are too strong
Carry a few Repair Kits. Two-handed weapons take durability damage faster when blocking
You need Silver to unlock the Abyss slots — don’t neglect farming before visiting the Witch
If you’re using Damiane, grab this sword as soon as Chapter 3 is done

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For more guides, walkthroughs, weapon locations, and tips, visit our full Crimson Desert hub.