Destiny 2 Magnum Opus Quest guide: How to get the Forerunner Exotic Sidearm

Destiny 2's major new update is, in many ways, a remembrance of Bungie's past, including its work on Halo. A range of Halo-inspired weapons have been added to the game, and while most of them can be earned through the new six-player Dares of Eternity event, one will require a little more effort. That pistol is the Forerunner, an Exotic sidearm that is undoubtedly inspired by Halo's original magnum. Here's how to get started on the Magnum Opus quest and how to complete each step.

Step 1: Strange Coins

The Magnum Opus task will be given to you in the Treasure Hoard, which you can access after completing Dares of Eternity. (You can return to the Director screen by selecting Eternity.) You must first gather seven Strange Coins before returning to the Starhorse, which offers a fresh series of weekly Dares-related objectives in exchange for Strange Coins.

Step 2: Starhorse Bounties

The next phase is to earn and complete three of these Starhorse bounties—keep in mind that you can only hold one at a time, so study the requirements carefully before choosing. Some are tougher than others, however, completing harder bounties will grant you bonus progress toward this quest step. During a single run of Dares of Eternity, you'll need to accomplish all steps of the bounty, so keep focused on what you need to do. You can't repeat a reward, so don't get too hung up on getting kills with pulse rifles, for example.

Normal difficulty should suffice for the lower-difficulty bounties that only require 160,000 points during your run. On Normal, you can acquire the 180,000+ points you need by collecting power-ups and orbs of light, taking out as many foes as possible, and being careful during the wacky obstacle course to ensure you reach as many power-ups as possible.

Step 3: Get A Strange Key

The next step is to secure a Strange Key. Although this is distinct from the treasure keys required to acquire rewards from the Treasure Hoard, it is still rather simple to obtain. Strange Favor will appear as you complete Dares of Eternity. This improves your standing with Xur and earns you numerous gifts. When you reach Rank 4, Xur will give you a Strange Key. Simply speak with him at the Treasure Hoard to view the reward track for what you'll receive as you go through the ranks.

Step 4: Use The Strange Key

When you have a Strange Key, return to Xur and he will give you the next quest stage. You must use the key and follow a path in order to claim an "anomalous thing." You can access the Valley by following a waypoint. This is where the Dares activity begins. (If you don't see the waypoint, there's a portal behind the spawn at the Treasure Hoard that you can use to pass through; simply stand in it for a few seconds.)

Look to your right after entering the enormous circular area ahead of you. Make your way to the outside cliffs till you see the above-mentioned rock formation. You'll be able to use your key to lower a barrier inside a hidden cave on the other side of the Valley (which you might stumble upon first, but the barrier won't let you proceed until you use the key). Once you've used the key, a waypoint will direct you there.

Inside, you'll complete some basic platforming by moving forward through the caves until you reach a ledge surrounded by spheres. Ascend to the ledge and search the area above you for another path. You'll come across what appears to be a dam with little ledges that you can use to climb to the top. Continue platforming, taking care not to fall when the ledges vanish (which happens every few seconds), and you'll eventually come upon a cryopod containing the object. Grab it, but don't forget to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to slide out of the area and back into the Valley.

Step 5: Consult Banshee

The last step is the simplest. Simply go to the Tower and speak with Banshee, who will tell you that you've never been given a gun like this before. After a clever reference to warthogs, you've got Forerunner on your hands.

What is the purpose of Forerunner?

Forerunner is a primary slot sidearm with the innate feature Full Stop. This means the gun can fire "extended-range, heavy-caliber bullets" in full auto mode. It offers additional accuracy damage to unshielded opponents as a reference to Halo. When you merely tap the trigger instead of shooting it fully auto, Forerunner has the Pace Yourself characteristic, which reduces recoil and improves accuracy. From what I've seen in my brief time with it, it's a blast and well worth the effort to achieve.