Overview
Abyss Artifacts are the primary resource used to unlock and upgrade Skills in Crimson Desert. They function as skill points: each Abyss Artifact spent on the skill tree unlocks or improves an ability for Kliff, Damiane, or Oongka. Because skills are essential for handling increasingly difficult enemies and bosses, gathering Abyss Artifacts is one of the most important tasks throughout the game.
There are four main methods to obtain Abyss Artifacts: liberating enemy camps, completing challenges from Sealed Abyss Artifacts, finishing quests, and completing Greymane Rumor quests. This guide covers all of them.
Method 1: Enemy Camp Liberation
The fastest and most repeatable way to earn Abyss Artifacts is by defeating enemies at camps. When you fight enemies, a yellow meter appears on the left side of the minimap. Once the meter fills completely, you earn one Abyss Artifact. Enemy camps are marked as red buildings on the World Map, and each region of Pywel has multiple camps to clear.
During main quests that feature waves of enemies, you can earn multiple Abyss Artifacts by defeating all enemies rather than rushing to the objective. The liberation meter fills based on enemies killed, so areas with large groups of opponents are the most efficient farming spots.
The Liberation System tracks which camps have been cleared in each region. Liberated camps often become friendly outposts or fast travel points.
Method 2: Sealed Abyss Artifacts
Sealed Abyss Artifacts are collectible items found on stone altars scattered throughout Pywel. There are 141 Sealed Abyss Artifacts in total. Each one is tied to a specific challenge. Picking up a Sealed Abyss Artifact adds it to your inventory and unlocks its associated challenge. Once you complete the challenge, the artifact begins to pulsate in your inventory. Using it at that point converts it into a regular Abyss Artifact that can be spent on skills.
How to Find Sealed Abyss Artifacts
Sealed Abyss Artifacts are not marked on the main map, but they appear as a small purple icon on the minimap when you are nearby. Most are placed on stone altars along roads, at intersections, and near landmarks. They tend to be in plain sight rather than hidden.
You can use the sword's Guiding Light ability to detect nearby Sealed Abyss Artifacts. Activating Guiding Light produces a blue glimmer in the direction of the nearest artifact. This ability is available through Keen Senses.
Tip: Activating all 8 hidden bells to unfog the map first makes locating Sealed Abyss Artifacts significantly easier, since you can see road outlines and landmarks as reference points.
Sealed Artifact Locations by Region
For a detailed list of every individual Sealed Abyss Artifact location with maps and directions, see the dedicated Sealed Abyss Artifact Locations page. Below is a summary of how many artifacts are found in each region and the challenge categories they unlock.
Hernand
Hernand has the highest concentration of Sealed Abyss Artifacts, as it is the starting region and central hub of the game. Artifacts here unlock challenges across many categories including Sword Challenges, Shield Challenges, Bow Challenges, Spear Challenges, Two-Handed Weapon Challenges, Horse Challenges, Training Challenges, Above the Law Challenges, Operation Challenges, Hunting Challenges, Rapier and Shield Challenges, and Challenges and Changes. Notable landmarks near artifacts include the Goldleaf Tradepost, Calphade Outpost, Phoniel Ranch, Fort Warspike, and the Karin Quarry.
Demeniss
Demeniss contains Sealed Abyss Artifacts that unlock Horse Challenges, Spear Challenges, Sword Challenges, Rapier and Shield Challenges, and Challenges and Changes entries. Look near Stonewell Farm, Flame Knight's Castle, Ironwood Farm, and the Spire of Clockwork.
Pailune
Pailune has artifacts that unlock Operation Challenges, Two-Handed Weapon Challenges, and Trade Challenges. Check along the roads near River Breeze Hearth, Torvak Camp, and Skoghorn, as well as in Pailune town itself.
Delesyia
Delesyia features artifacts unlocking Cannon Challenges, Challenges and Changes entries, Life Challenges, and Operation Challenges. Search near Chittering Forest, Redfox Trading Post, Windrose Farm, and Delesyia South Gate.
The Crimson Desert
The Crimson Desert region has artifacts across a wide variety of challenge categories including Bow Challenges, Gun Challenges, Cannon Challenges, Battle Challenges, Special Equipment Challenges, Trade Challenges, Hunting Challenges, Life Challenges, and Above the Law Challenges. Key areas include the Well of Reflection, Tommaso, Isvatu Fortress, Arcosa, and Crimson Mountains Fortress.
Challenge Categories
Each Sealed Abyss Artifact is tied to one of the following challenge categories. Completing the challenge unseals the artifact. See All Challenges for the complete list.
Category | Mentor/Source | Focus |
|---|---|---|
Goyen's Advice | Defeating enemies with sword attacks within time limits. | |
Goyen's Advice | Ranged combat accuracy and timed bow kills. | |
Goyen's Advice | Spear combat proficiency and kill counts. | |
Goyen's Advice | Defensive combat using block and parry techniques. | |
Goyen's Advice | Heavy weapon combat and damage thresholds. | |
Goyen's Advice | Hand cannon combat challenges. | |
Goyen's Advice | Damiane's rapier and shield combat tasks. | |
Goyen's Advice | Pistol and rifle combat challenges. | |
Master Du's Dare | Mounted riding, racing, and combat from horseback. | |
Master Du's Dare | Stealth, deception, and outlaw activities. | |
Alustin's Trials | Physical feats and balance challenges. | |
Alustin's Trials | Varied tasks including mini-game wins and world interactions. | |
White Crow's Gaze | Tracking and killing specific animals or creatures. | |
White Crow's Gaze | Gathering, logging, mining, and other life skill tasks. | |
White Crow's Gaze | Merchant and trading activities. | |
Various | Tactical and strategic combat scenarios. | |
Various | Large-scale combat encounters. | |
Various | Using special equipment like the knuckledrill and lightning spear. | |
Various | One-on-one combat encounters. | |
Various | Strength-based physical challenges. |
Method 3: Quest Rewards
Many main quests and faction quests award Abyss Artifacts upon completion. These are fixed rewards that cannot be missed as long as you complete the quest. Notable quest chains that award Abyss Artifacts include:
The Flames of Greed (Main Quest)
Rumors from the Sawmill (Main Quest)
New Journey (Main Quest, early game)
Multiple faction-specific questlines throughout each region
Check individual quest pages for confirmed Abyss Artifact rewards. Main story quests tend to award them at chapter milestones, while faction quests award them upon completion of each quest in the chain.
Method 4: Greymane Rumor Quests
The Rumor System provides short side quests that involve locating scattered Greymane comrades and bringing them back to Greymane Camp. Each completed Rumor quest rewards one Abyss Artifact. These quests are quick to finish, typically requiring you to travel to a location and talk to an NPC, making them one of the fastest sources of artifacts.
Rumors become available as you progress through the main story and explore new regions. Check the quest board at Greymane Camp regularly for new Rumor quests.
Method 5: Boss Defeats
Defeating bosses and world bosses can also reward Abyss Artifacts. The more powerful the boss, the more likely it is to drop artifacts as part of its reward. Major story bosses encountered during the main walkthrough typically guarantee at least one Abyss Artifact.
Faded Abyss Artifacts
Faded Abyss Artifacts are a special variant used to reset your skill tree. Applying a Faded Abyss Artifact refunds all spent Abyss Artifacts on a character, allowing you to redistribute them into different skills. This functions as the respec system in Crimson Desert. Faded Abyss Artifacts are rarer than regular ones and are typically found as rewards for completing difficult challenges or progressing deep into the main story.
Tips for Efficient Artifact Farming
Clear enemy camps during main quests. When a story mission has you fighting waves of enemies, defeat all of them instead of rushing to the next objective. The liberation meter fills from kills, so you can earn multiple artifacts per quest.
Unfog the map first. Activate all 8 hidden bells to reveal the full map. This makes it much easier to spot road intersections and landmarks where Sealed Abyss Artifacts sit.
Use Guiding Light. Activate the sword's Guiding Light ability while riding along roads to detect nearby Sealed Abyss Artifacts via a blue glimmer.
Check Greymane Camp regularly. New Rumor quests appear on the board as you progress. Each one completed is a guaranteed Abyss Artifact.
Do not skip Sealed Abyss Artifacts. Even if you cannot complete the challenge immediately, picking up the sealed artifact adds it to your inventory. You can complete the challenge later at your own pace.
Prioritize challenges you can complete naturally. Many challenges involve tasks you would do anyway, like killing a certain number of enemies with a specific weapon type or riding your horse a certain distance.
Related Pages
Skills - The skill system where Abyss Artifacts are spent
Skill Acquisition Guide - Detailed guide on unlocking and upgrading skills
All Challenges - Complete list of all challenges in the game
Sealed Abyss Artifact Locations - Detailed map and directions for every sealed artifact
Artifacts and Abyss Fragments - General artifact information
Progression System - How character progression works overall
Collectibles Guide - Guide to all collectible types including artifacts