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11 Overview
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33 Caves and caverns are scattered throughout the continent of Pywel in Crimson Desert, holding valuable secrets ranging from rare ores and equipment to ancient murals and hidden Abyss Artifacts. Underground locations take many forms, from short natural caverns with a single treasure chest to sprawling multi-room labyrinths containing puzzles, enemies, and boss encounters.
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66 Caves appear in every major region of Pywel. The Hernand region alone has over a dozen cave systems, while Pailune and the The Abyss contain additional underground areas tied to the main story and faction quests. Beyond named caves, there are 43 Waterside Caves hidden behind waterfalls across the open world, each containing treasure chests and recovery items.
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88 How Caves Work
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1010 Cave entrances come in several varieties. Some are open passages visible from the overworld, while others are concealed behind waterfalls, sealed by breakable rocks, or blocked by iron gates that require quest progression to open. Key mechanics to keep in mind:
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1313 Waterfall entrances. Many caves are hidden behind waterfalls. To enter, stand on the platform in front of the waterfall and use the Stab attack (R1 + Square on PlayStation, RB + X on Xbox) to pierce through the water. Look for stacked stones near the base of a waterfall as an indicator that a cave lies behind it.Breakable rocks. Some cave interiors have sections blocked by rocks that must be destroyed to proceed. Use your equipped weapon or abilities to break through these obstacles and access deeper chambers.Iron gates and sealed entrances. Certain caves are locked behind iron gates or thick ivy that can only be accessed after completing specific quests or reaching a particular point in the main story.Mysterious Energy markers. When you are near a hidden underground location containing an Abyss Cresset, a "Mysterious Energy" icon appears on your map. Use Blinding Flash while exploring to spot distant glints of light that mark these locations.Mining inside caves. Caves are prime locations for finding rare minerals like Diamonds, Azurite, and Gold. Equip a pickaxe from your equipment wheel to mine ore veins found along cave walls and floors.
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1515 Hernand Region Caves
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1717 The Hernand region is the starting area and contains the largest concentration of caves in the game. These range from short waterfall grottoes holding a single treasure chest to multi-chamber caverns with ore deposits, bandits, and ancient ruins puzzles.
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1919 Cave NameLocationEntrance TypeNotable ContentsAnvil Hill CaveCliffs of Anvil HillBreakable rocksAncient gold mining site, mural of a human figure, ore veinsAzure Moon LabyrinthBelow Phoniel Ranch (hidden ladder in a shack)Hidden ladderMural puzzle, Abyss Artifact, Memory of Tide treasureBlade CavernNorth of Shadowheart Grotto, west of Hernand CityBehind waterfallDark Ringleader's Cloth ArmorCloudmist CaveHernand region, behind a waterfallBehind waterfallDark Ringleader's GlovesDawn CaveMountain of Frozen SoulsBehind waterfallHidden cave where morning sunlight pierces through the waterfallDragon's Stone ChamberBelow Greymane Camp at Howling HillOpen passage (Mysterious Energy marker)Three-dial mural puzzle, Abyss Cresset, fast travel pointDuskwood CaveBeneath the hill of Kilnden WorkshopSealed by iron gate and thick ivyMysterious wall paintings, historically significant chamberEchoing TunnelBehind the Precipice of Echoes, south of Shadowheart GrottoBehind waterfallDark Ringleader's Cloak, layered echoes throughoutGuardian's CaveBehind Bernis River WaterfallBehind waterfall (massive rock at entrance)Hidden chamber guarded by a large boulder at the entranceHernand Highlands CavernSouth of Hernand City, southeast of Howling Hill campNarrow cave opening along cliffsDiamond deposits (up to 10), bandits guarding the areaHernand SewersBelow Hernand City (trap door near a beggar)Trap door (story-gated)Story location for True Wisdom in Kindness quest, NPC encounterMistshard CaveSmoking LandsBehind waterfall (massive rock blocks entrance)Glints of gold visible from the entrance, mineral depositsShadowheart GrottoWest-southwest of Hernand CityBehind waterfallDark Ringleader's Cloth HelmStormtalon Cave of TimeWithin Stormtalon RidgeHidden passageRare ore deposits, strange sensation of altered time flowWhispering GrottoBehind waterfall across from SeniaBehind waterfallWind whistling through narrow crevices, serene atmosphere
2020 Pailune Region Caves
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22-The Pailune region is the frozen northern territory of Pywel, dominated by icy mountains and frigid wilderness. Caves in Pailune tend to be more remote and harder to reach, often nestled within mountain ranges. The cold climate means players should come prepared with recovery items before exploring.
22+The Pailune region is the frozen northern territory of Pywel, dominated by icy mountains and frigid wilderness. Caves in Pailune tend to be more remote and harder to reach, often located within mountain ranges. The cold climate means players should come prepared with recovery items before exploring.
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2424 Cave NameLocationEntrance TypeNotable ContentsEchoing Waves CaveMountain of Frozen SoulsOpen passageSunset Reed Leather ArmourSecond-Finger CaveFive-Finger MountainExtremely well-hidden entranceGold ore veins hidden in deep shadowsSilverwolf CaveSilver Wolf Mountain, near the Witch of KindnessOpen passage at the foot of the mountainBat swarms, golden-tinted cavern walls suggesting gold deposits
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2626 The Abyss Underground Areas
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2828 The The Abyss is a mysterious otherworldly realm accessed through portals scattered across Pywel. While not traditional caves, these underground areas contain some of the most challenging puzzles and rewarding loot in the game. The Abyss is first discovered during Chapter 1 when Kliff enters Hernand Castle and uses the Mystical Key to open a portal.
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3030 Location NameAccess MethodNotable ContentsCorridor of the VoidEntered during the Prologue after defeating MyurdinMovement tutorial area (jumping, vaulting, wall climbing)Axiom ArchivePortal in The AbyssAncient knowledge repository, Abyss-related lore
3131 Sanctums
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33-Sanctums are underground temple-like structures scattered across Pywel that serve as key locations for the Witches faction questline. Each Sanctum must be cleansed by solving puzzles involving Fusion Reactor Cores and the Kuku Pot. Completing a Sanctum activates an Abyss Cresset that serves as a fast travel point and yields Abyss Artifacts.
33+Sanctums are underground temple-like structures scattered across Pywel that serve as key locations for the Witches faction questline. Each Sanctum must be cleansed by solving puzzles involving Fusion Reactor Cores and the Kuku Pot. Completing a Sanctum activates an Abyss Cresset that is a fast travel point and yields Abyss Artifacts.
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3535 Sanctum NameRegionNotable DetailsSanctum of TemperanceSoutheast of Hernand City, near Goldleaf settlementFirst Sanctum quest from Elowen; contains Odex Protector's Plate Boots behind a crouching passageSanctum of BenedictionHernand regionStatue lantern puzzle; Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom in a chestSanctum of DeliveranceSoutheast of Stormtalon Ridge, HernandRequires two Fusion Reactor Cores (LII-VI and IV) to cleanseSanctum of AbsolutionPywel (exact location varies by progression)Part of the Witches faction questlineSanctum of AtonementPywelPart of the Witches faction questlineSanctum of PenitencePywelPart of the Witches faction questline
3636 Waterside Caves
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3838 There are 43 Waterside Caves scattered across Pywel, each hidden behind a waterfall. These are smaller than the named caves listed above, but every one contains a treasure chest with armor or weapons, along with Palmar Pills (sometimes Golden Palmar Pills that restore 100% health upon revival).
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4040 Not every waterfall conceals a cave. The telltale sign is a small stone platform in front of the waterfall with stacked stones nearby. If you see these markers, stand on the platform and use the Stab attack to pierce through the water and enter the hidden cave behind it.
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4242 How to enter: Stand on the platform before the waterfall and press R1 + Square (PlayStation) or RB + X (Xbox) to perform a Stab. This pierces through the water and grants entry to the cave.What to expect inside: Each Waterside Cave is small, typically containing a single room with one treasure chest and recovery items on the ground.Exploration strategy: Follow rivers and streams as you explore the open world. Waterfalls along these waterways frequently hide Waterside Caves. Prioritize checking waterfalls you encounter early, as the Palmar Pills and equipment upgrades provide meaningful progression benefits.
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4444 Ancient Ruins with Underground Sections
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4646 Several Ancient Ruins challenges across Pywel involve entering underground chambers to solve puzzles and activate Abyss Cressets. While not strictly caves, these locations share the same underground exploration experience and reward players with Abyss Artifacts and fast travel points.
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48-Drakesfall Gorge: Located on the plateau near the camp with Hernand soldiers, on the border of Demeniss. Contains an Ancient Ruins puzzle.Halssius Conflux: Found southeast of St. Halssius's House of Healing. Features a sundial puzzle that requires aligning dials to match a statue's positioning.Duskwood Waterside Ruins: Located near a river west of Hernand City, between a cave and the Kilnden Workshop. Contains a checker/Go stone puzzle.Spire of Insight: Located in the southern Steel Mountains. Players must clear red vines and solve puzzles to complete this spire. Rewards include Gold Bars.Icemoor Castle Ruins: Contains the Fallen Kingdom's Rapier, located near a barrel inside a cave section blocked by wooden planks.
48+Drakesfall Gorge: Located on the plateau near the camp with Hernand soldiers, on the border of Demeniss. Contains an Ancient Ruins puzzle.Halssius Conflux: Found southeast of St. Halssius's House of Healing. has a sundial puzzle that requires aligning dials to match a statue's positioning.Duskwood Waterside Ruins: Located near a river west of Hernand City, between a cave and the Kilnden Workshop. Contains a checker/Go stone puzzle.Spire of Insight: Located in the southern Steel Mountains. Players must clear red vines and solve puzzles to complete this spire. Rewards include Gold Bars.Icemoor Castle Ruins: Contains the Fallen Kingdom's Rapier, located near a barrel inside a cave section blocked by wooden planks.
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5050 Notable Cave Loot
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5252 Several caves contain unique equipment pieces that cannot be found anywhere else. The Dark Ringleader's Set is spread across four waterfall caves in the Hernand region, and other caves hold rare weapons and gear worth seeking out.
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5454 ItemCave LocationItem TypeDark Ringleader's Cloth HelmShadowheart GrottoHead armorDark Ringleader's Cloth ArmorBlade CavernBody armorDark Ringleader's GlovesCloudmist CaveHand armorDark Ringleader's CloakEchoing TunnelCloakSunset Reed Leather ArmourEchoing Waves CaveBody armorOdex Protector's Plate BootsSanctum of TemperanceFoot armorLeather Helm of the Fallen KingdomSanctum of BenedictionHead armorFallen Kingdom's RapierIcemoor Castle RuinsOne-handed swordHollow VisageWaterfall cave near Sanctum of TemperanceHead armor
5555 Tips for Finding Caves
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5757 Follow waterways. Rivers and streams frequently lead to waterfalls, and waterfalls are the most common hiding spots for cave entrances. Make a habit of following water downhill whenever you spot a stream on your map.Watch for stacked stones. A small pile of stacked stones near the base of a waterfall is the most reliable indicator that a Waterside Cave is behind it. If you do not see stacked stones, the waterfall likely has no cave.Check Mysterious Energy markers. When your map displays a "Mysterious Energy" icon with a question mark, it indicates an underground area nearby that contains an Abyss Cresset. Use Blinding Flash outdoors to spot distant glints that reveal these markers.Bring a pickaxe. Many caves contain ore veins that can only be harvested with a pickaxe. Keep one equipped in your tool wheel at all times so you do not miss valuable mining opportunities underground.Carry recovery items. Deeper caves and Sanctums may have enemies or environmental hazards. Stock up on Palmar Pills and food before venturing into caves you have not explored yet.Explore during the main story. Some caves are only accessible after reaching certain story milestones. The Hernand Sewers open during the True Wisdom in Kindness quest, and several Sanctums become available after meeting the Witch of Wisdom, Elowen.Break everything. Destructible rocks, wooden planks, and boarded-up walls can conceal additional chambers within caves. Use weapons or abilities on any suspicious-looking obstacle you encounter underground.Look for environmental clues. Golden glints on cave walls suggest mineral deposits deeper inside. Murals and paintings on cave walls often indicate puzzle-related areas that lead to Abyss Artifacts.