Crimson Desert's systems run deep — many players discover mechanics dozens of hours in that they wish they'd known from the start. This guide compiles 30 essential tips covering every major system to get you up to speed fast.
Image credits: GamerSky.com
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PART 1: UI, HUD & FIRST STEPS
- THE LOADING TUNNEL ISN'T A BUG
When you first launch the game, you'll get stuck in a time-space tunnel for a few minutes. Don't worry — it's compiling shaders. Just wait.
- EXPERIENCE & TEMPERATURE BARS
The minimap has two bars on its sides:
- - Left: Experience bar — fills from combat. When full, you earn an Abyss Artifact (skill point).
- - Right: Temperature bar — fluctuates with the environment. Outside the comfort zone, your stamina drains faster. Equip gear or eat food with fire/cold resistance to counter extreme temperatures.
- EXPLORE TOWN FIRST
After entering Hernand, visit every shop (marked with "?" on the map) and check the bulletin boards for quests before heading out.
- BULLETIN BOARDS = FREE QUESTS
Read the notices on bulletin boards in town to pick up villager requests and bounty hunts. A purple icon appears on the minimap when new quests are available.
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PART 2: SHOPS, CRAFTING & FOOD
- STOCK UP ON HEALING FOOD
There are NO health potions in Crimson Desert. You heal by eating cooked food. Buy cooking recipes from the inn and always carry healing meals.
- MYSTERY ITEMS IN SHOPS
Items showing "???" as their name need you to hover the cursor over them for a moment to reveal their actual name.
- WEAPON CRAFTING BOOKS
The equipment shop sells weapon crafting books. The blacksmith next door can forge weapons and upgrade them via Tempering.
- UNLOCK TEMPERING EARLY
Complete the faction quest "Turnali's Request" at the blacksmith to unlock the Tempering function for upgrading weapons and armor.
- CAMPFIRES FOR COOKING
Campfires (like the one near the butcher shop) let you cook raw ingredients into meals. Homemade food is stronger than store-bought. Remember campfire locations — you'll return often.
- BUTCHER SHOP RECIPE
Accept the faction quest "Layne's Request" at the bulletin board, then talk to Layne at the butcher shop to get a free Fish Porridge recipe.
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PART 3: INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
- EXPAND YOUR INVENTORY THROUGH QUESTS
Your starting inventory is tiny. Many main and side quests reward inventory expansion — prioritize these before exploring. Check quest rewards to find which ones give bag upgrades.
- USE THE CATEGORIZE FUNCTION
When your inventory gets cluttered, use the "Categorize Items" option at the bottom to group similar items (tools, weapons, etc.) into folders. This doesn't save space but makes things organized.
- SELL USED DOCUMENTS & RECIPES
Completed quest documents and read recipes still take up inventory slots — one per item. Sell them at any merchant to free up significant space.
- STORAGE AT GREYMANE CAMP
After reaching Howling Hill (Greymane Camp) in early quests, you'll find a storage chest in one of the tents.
- MANUALLY INSPECT ITEMS
Many items require you to open your inventory and manually examine them after pickup. If you skip this, some quests will seem stuck for no reason.
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PART 4: MAP & EXPLORATION
- RING BELLS TO REVEAL THE MAP
Climb bell towers and ring the bell to clear fog in that region — like Assassin's Creed viewpoints. There are 8 bells total across the world.
- KEEP YOUR LANTERN ON WHILE EXPLORING
The lantern reveals hidden secrets, collectibles, and fast travel points as glowing spots in the environment. Always keep it active.
- FIND FAST TRAVEL POINTS WITH THE LANTERN
Raise your lantern (or reflect light with your sword) from high ground to spot glowing points in the distance. Many of these are Abyss Nexus pressure plates that activate fast travel.
- SKY ISLAND FAST TRAVEL
You can also use sky island teleport points and skydive down to reach surface locations quickly.
- PALMAR PILLS = REVIVE ITEMS
Collect Palmar Pills (items with glowing particles around them) while exploring. They instantly revive you on death and restore 30% HP. Use sparingly — respawning at a checkpoint is free and restores full health.
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PART 5: TOOLS & LIFE SKILLS
- SWITCH TOOLS VIA WEAPON WHEEL
Life tools (pickaxe, broom, axe) are selected from the weapon wheel. Aim at the target object before using — point the pickaxe at ore, the axe at trees.
- FISHING
You'll get a fishing rod from the faction quest "Anbella's Request." Avoid rocky waters (snags break the line). When a fish bites, pull AGAINST its direction to tire it out — don't reel in while it's fighting.
- HOW TO ENTER HERNAND CASTLE
Complete the quest "Trials of Kindness" (help Alan clean the chimney with a broom). You'll receive the "Hernand Formal Attire." Wear it to enter the castle — guards block entry without it. You can also buy one at the clothing shop near the blacksmith.
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PART 6: STEALING & CRIME
- GET THE MASK FIRST
Complete the bounty quest "Wanted: Jeffrey" at the guard station west of Hernand to earn a Mask. You MUST wear the mask to steal. You can also buy one from the black market merchant.
- CRIME ESCAPE MECHANICS
After committing a crime, a search zone appears. Sprint out of the red circle before being reported. If caught, you'll be jailed and fined — pay your full bounty to clear the wanted status.
- LIVESTOCK FENCING
Stolen animals (cows, sheep, pigs, chickens) can be sold to the livestock fence southeast of Hernand for quick cash.
- BLACK MARKET MERCHANT
Located near the livestock fence. Sells keys (for locked doors), prison keys, masks, rare minerals (Celestite), advanced fishing rod recipes, disguise outfits, and the Abyss Gear "Wind Cleaver."
- BREAKING INTO HOUSES
Many doors are locked. You can either climb through windows or buy keys from the black market merchant.
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PART 7: COMBAT & PROGRESSION
- EARLY COMBAT STRATEGY
When outnumbered, don't charge in. Kite enemies apart, then rush isolated targets with heavy attacks for quick kills. Heavy attack kills stagger nearby enemies. When stamina is drained, retreat to recover.
- AVOID THE QUARRY BOSS EARLY
The faction quest "House Roberts — Turbulent Territory" sends you to a quarry with the Excavatron boss and a massive enemy swarm. This fight is very hard early on. Skip it, explore elsewhere, gear up, stock up on food, then return later. Completing it rewards a Gold Vein Map that marks all gold ore deposits on your world map.
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BONUS TIPS
- - MEMORY FRAGMENTS: While wearing the Visione Sensing Helmet, if your lantern glows blue, a memory fragment is nearby. Shine the lantern at it to collect.
- - HORSE HEALING: Use Force Palm (middle mouse / R3) then follow the on-screen prompt to heal your injured horse without visiting a stable.
- - HORSE DOUBLE JUMP: Your starting horse Appaloosa unlocks double jump at level 5 after riding enough.
- - PETS: Pet cats and dogs to build affection. At 100 affection, they become your pet and auto-collect loot.
- - CHARACTER SWITCHING: Some map activities (minigames, etc.) require switching to specific characters.
Image credits: GamerSky.com