Quick answer: Two-Handed Weapons of the World, Vol. 1 is located in Beighen, Southern Pailune. Enter the first building on the left (the same room with the grindstone) and steal the book from the table.
Where to find Two-Handed Weapons of the World, Vol. 1
Two-Handed Weapons of the World, Vol. 1 sits on a table inside a wooden building in Beighen, a village in Southern Pailune. The book is in the same room as the grindstone used for weapon reinforcement. When you approach the table, the prompt "Two-Handed Weapons of the World, Vol. 1" appears with a "Steal" option.
NPCs are present in the building, so you must crouch and steal the book without being detected. Once you take it, you unlock several two-handed weapon recipes, including the Rhinard Cannon.
Stepwise directions to Beighen
Step 1: Open your map and navigate to the Southern Pailune region. Locate the village of Beighen on the map.
Step 2: Travel to Beighen. Once you arrive, look for the first building on the left as you enter the village. This building has a red wooden exterior.
Step 3: Enter the building. Inside, you will see a grindstone with a "Reinforce Weapons" prompt. The book is on a table in this same room.
Step 4: Crouch to avoid detection by the NPCs in the room. Approach the table and select "Steal" when the prompt appears. The book will be added to your inventory.
Weapons unlocked by Vol. 1
Reading Two-Handed Weapons of the World, Vol. 1 unlocks recipes for several two-handed weapons. The most notable is the Rhinard Cannon, a hand cannon that delivers area-of-effect damage and works well for crowd control. You can craft the Rhinard Cannon at a blacksmith using 3 Copper Ore and 7 Iron Ore.
Other weapons in this volume include greatswords, spears, and hammers. Two-handed weapons in Crimson Desert can equip up to five Abyss Gears, making them strong choices for offensive builds. Greatswords balance power and speed, while spears offer fast attacks and knockdown potential. Hammers and axes deliver high damage and break enemy poise, though they swing more slowly.
Other volumes in the series
Two-Handed Weapons of the World has at least three volumes scattered across the game world. Vol. 3 is located on the third level of a spire, inside a circular room filled with bookshelves. To access it, burn the thorns blocking the entrance, then pick up a pebble near the entrance and place it in a bowl to unlock the door. The book sits on a bottom shelf slightly to the left of a specific landmark visible in the room. Use your lantern to spot it in the dim lighting.
Each volume unlocks different weapon recipes. Collecting all volumes gives you access to a wider range of craftable two-handed weapons, including unique boss drops and high-tier gear.
Why two-handed weapons matter
Two-handed weapons in Crimson Desert share similar base stats across most weapon types. The real power comes from the Abyss Gears you embed into them. Early in the game, before you unlock the Witch and the ability to customize gear, finding weapons with pre-embedded Abyss Gears gives you a significant advantage. Later, the weapon's base stats matter less than the gears you slot into it.
Greatswords and spears rank among the best two-handed options. Greatswords excel at clearing groups of enemies and dealing heavy damage to single targets. They offer invulnerability frames during certain heavy attacks, which you can use to dodge boss attacks. Spears provide fast combos and strong crowd control through knockdown effects. Mastering the Evasive Slash and Counter Stance combo with a spear makes you difficult to hit.
Axes and hammers deliver the highest raw damage and can break boss poise quickly, but their slow attack animations leave you vulnerable. Dual wielding becomes available at the end of Chapter 2 and lets you stack Abyss Gears on two weapons for double the attack power. Pairing the Sword of the Lord with another blade opens up fast, aggressive combos while still allowing you to block and parry.
Two-Handed Weapons of the World, Vol. 1 is a straightforward pickup in Beighen that unlocks useful recipes early in your playthrough. The Rhinard Cannon stands out as a practical choice for players who want area-of-effect damage from a ranged weapon. Collecting all three volumes in the series expands your crafting options and gives you more flexibility in building your loadout around the Abyss Gears you find.