How to unlock the Buster Sword Heirloom in Apex Legends

You only have a small window to get your hands on it.

Apex Legends Final Fantasy skins
Image via Respawn Entertainment

Apex Legends’ latest crossover is its biggest yet, pairing up the legends with weaponry and cosmetics inspired by Final Fantasy VII Rebirth through a BR Takeover and its complimentary event store. The real draw though is the new Buster Sword R5 Heirloom—Cloud Strife’s signature weapon.

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This Heirloom is unique in a variety of aspects. Not only is it the first with a design pulled from a different franchise, it’s also the first Mythic melee cosmetic which can be equipped by any legend, rather than being tied down to one in exclusivity. That’s a big deal for any player whose legend is yet to receive an Heirloom of their own, as well as those who simply think a huge broadsword suits their style better than their main’s current options.

You will only have a limited time to get it though. The Buster Sword Heirloom will be available for the duration of the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth crossover event, which begins on Jan. 9 and ends on Jan. 30, giving players just three weeks to grab it.

How to get the Buster Sword Heirloom in Apex Legends’ Final Fantasy crossover event

Displays a giant, blocky sword with a wooden handle and a light blue edge.
Inherit the hopes of those who fight. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The Buster Sword R5 is a Mythic melee cosmetic that can be earned randomly via the Apex Legends & Final Fantasy VII Rebirth event packs starting on Jan. 9. It is one of 36 items crossover items available through the event packs, and it does not require completing the collection to unlock, unlike previous Heirlooms.

Upon opening an event pack, players have a 1 percent chance to unlock the Buster Sword R5 as their event item, which will immediately become usable by all Legends in the melee slot. If luck is not on your side, you can still unlock the Buster Sword R5 by conventionally collecting all 36 items, which will award the Heirloom alongside the One-Winged Angel Death Box.

The Buster Sword R5 in the Apex Legends x Final Fantasy event shop
It’s a small chance, but a new way to unlock heirlooms. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The packs can be bought separately, or as part of a “Four-Pack” bundle offer that guarantees a Legendary or Iconic item in each opening. The Reward Shop system from the Post Malone crossover event also makes a return here, with players able to earn Gil to unlock event-limited items. That includes free-to-earn event packs, which can make your chase for the Buster Sword a little bit easier on the wallet.

Cheapest way to get the Buster Sword in Apex

Players who have been saving up Crafting Materials could potentially spend no premium currency in the event shop for the Buster Sword R5, or get lucky on their first try. When entering the event shop for the first time, each player is given one free event pack, and could unlock the universal heirloom with enough luck.

The Event Pack probability rates for the Apex Legends x Final Fantasy event shop.
Spend Apex Coins, or Crafting Materials for a chance at the Heirloom. Screenshot by Dot Esports

Pricing for single packs are heavily discounted when using Apex Coins, with the first purchase after the free event pack only going for 100 Coins, which can easily be obtained through level five in the free battle pass. Although the Apex Coins discount goes down as more items are collected, the price for using Crafting Materials stays the same at 1,650, allowing players who have saved up from previous events to buy up the shop without spending any premium currency.

Unlucky players might have to still unlock the Buster Sword through the standard collection completion criteria, meaning buying all 36 event packs, a price that can cost $360 in total, which is double the normal price compared to past collection events.

If you want to efficiently collect all the items, start by buying the “Four-Pack” bundle after opening your free pack, which will only cost 1,600 Apex Coins. Players can continue buying the four-pack until all Legendary and Iconic skins are unlocked, as players will have 17 items in total, and not qualify for any more discounts. They must buy single packs at the standard 1,000 Apex Coins or 1,650 Crafting Materials price onwards, until the Buster Sword R5 is randomly unlocked, or the collection is completed.

While it is easier to get the Buster Sword R5 Heirloom due to it being an event pack drop this time around, it won’t be going into the Mythic Shop after the event concludes. The Final Fantasy crossover event period is the only time you’ll be able to get this cosmetic, so make sure you buy up the event packs needed before it concludes on Jan. 30.

Author
Image of Alexis Walker
Alexis Walker
Alexis is a freelance journalist hailing from the UK. After a number of years competing on international esports stages, she transitioned into writing about the industry in 2021 and quickly found a home to call her own within the vibrant communities of the looter shooter genre. Now she provides coverage for games such as Destiny 2, Halo Infinite and Apex Legends.
Author
Image of Justin-Ivan Labilles
Justin-Ivan Labilles
Freelance Writer for Dot Esports covering Apex Legends, League of Legends, and VALORANT. Justin has played video games throughout all of his life, starting his esports writing career in 2022 at The Game Haus. When he's not spectating matches, he can easily be found grinding the ranked ladder.