Techland hid a lot of winks and high-value gear in Dying Light: The Beast. The community has already kicked off a full-on hunt, and one of the biggest prizes — Excalibur — is obtainable very early if you know where to climb and what to bring. Below is a clean, spoiler-light route to the sword and a handful of the strongest early easter eggs, with just enough detail to get you there without a map.

Excalibur (EXPcalibur II): where it is and how to actually unlock it

You can reach Excalibur shortly after starting in the Monastery. Head east from the Monastery until the terrain rises into a chain of cliffs. Clear the nearby infected or slip past them, then begin a vertical route using vines, exposed roots, and tree-to-rock jumps. Keep gaining elevation — you’re aiming for the tallest peak in the area, not the first ledge that looks promising. At the summit, the sword rests embedded in stone.

Finding the sword is only half the puzzle. To free it, you’ll need eight Sigils. These aren’t hidden behind elaborate quest chains; they’re placed around Castor Woods in distinctive spots. Expect environmental cues (altars, tucked-away caves, or obvious markers) rather than UI breadcrumbs.

  • The Void — a cave behind a waterfall southeast of the Monastery.
  • Blood — a fountain in the park east of Valentine Asylum.
  • Curse — north of Memorial Hill of Heroes; look for skeletal remains.
  • Death — the catacombs beneath the Old Town church (enter from the main doors).
  • Sacrifice — a ruined structure southwest of the Abandoned House in the national park area.
  • Witch’s Mark — a small shack further southwest of the Abandoned House.
  • The Moon — a narrow path near a waterfall southwest of the Monastery.
  • Shadow — a small altar east of the Municipal Sewage Treatment Plant.

Return to the summit and place the eight stones on the posts bracing the blade. Be ready: placing them triggers a fight. Once you handle the ambush, the sword (referred to in-game as EXPcalibur II) is yours.

Note: In the first Dying Light, EXPcalibur was a novelty with specific attack quirks. The Beast uses a new implementation and placement ritual; don’t assume mechanics carry over one-to-one.

Korek Machete (Strauss & Broda): the 77-knock wall box trick

The fan-favorite Korek Machete returns under a new name, and the way you obtain it is very specific — and easy to miss. Players consistently report the same step that unlocks it: knock on a small wall-mounted stash box exactly 77 times to pop it open.

The precise building can vary by how you approach the area:

  • Industrial Zone report: on the roof level of a tall building, inside a small locked cabinet on the wall.
  • Memorial Hill report: at Nate Market (northwest of Memorial Hill of Heroes), in a small locked room; the white wall box is on the left as you enter.

Either way, bring lockpicks for the door, then interact with the box repeatedly — and keep going until you hit the count. When it opens, you’ll pull the Strauss & Broda machete, a legendary take on the Korek that adds an electric bite.

Tip: The counter doesn’t jump; just keep knocking until the game acknowledges the unlock. If you stop early, nothing happens.

TMNT sewers: pizza boxes, a dead rat, and a weapon payoff

This one is gated behind a side quest. Complete the Hydro Puzzle to gain access to the sewer network. Head to the far end of the unlocked section and you’ll find an unmistakable scene: stacks of pizza boxes, a dead rat, and a weapon as a nod to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s short, straightforward, and worth the detour once you’ve opened the route.

Last Hand of GloVa: 9¾ on the wall, Minecraft in the tunnel

From the Monastery, go southeast to a ruined brick building painted with a “9¾” mark. Walk straight through that wall. Inside the hidden corridor, you’ll hit a blocky, voxel-style barrier; break it to continue. The path opens into an underground platform with a train, supplies, and the Last Hand of GloVa — a legendary weapon that lets you dish out fiery attacks. The setup is part Hogwarts wink, part Minecraft gag, and it ends with a tool you’ll actually use.

Secret bike race: jump-start a timed event with scaling rewards

Travel toward the southwest reaches of the map and look for a lone bike perched on a rock. Interacting with it starts a hidden race. There are three time thresholds to beat, and the loot scales with your performance. It’s a light palette cleanser between hunts, and a way to grab early gear if you’re confident in your lines.

Why these easter eggs matter early

Legendary weapons in The Beast sit at the top of the game’s item ranks, and early access to one or two of them changes how you approach nighttime routes and dense encounters. Excalibur gives you a late-game-caliber blade after a single traversal challenge and a scavenger run; the Strauss & Broda machete adds reliable elemental damage without depending on vendor stock or RNG. The TMNT and GloVa detours each add one memorable moment and one tangible benefit — a pattern Techland leans into across Castor Woods.

How weapons are structured in The Beast (quick refresher)

If you’re coming in fresh, Dying Light: The Beast splits gear into melee and ranged, with rarity tiers (Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary) tied to stat ceilings and perks. Melee classes cover one-handed, two-handed, and long weapons; the trade-offs are exactly what you’d expect — speed versus reach versus raw impact. Ranged options require scrounged or crafted ammo. Mods slot into eligible weapons (up to two) and can add elemental effects such as shock or poison; there’s also a single charm slot for cosmetics only.

Community signals to keep in mind

  • The hunt is active. Players have already found Excalibur and are trading routes for easter eggs across the map.
  • Location details can diverge by landmark names or how you enter a zone, but the actual triggers (eight Sigils for the sword, 77 knocks for the machete, a painted wall for GloVa) have been consistent.

None of these hunts require grinding or quest bottlenecks; they reward curiosity and stamina. If you plan to chase them in one sweep, pack lockpicks, healing, and enough daylight to clear the traversal. And remember: placing the Sigils at the summit turns Excalibur’s pedestal into an arena, so prep like you’re walking into a fight — because you are.