Overview
Challenges in Crimson Desert are optional objectives spread across exploration, combat, weapon mastery, life skills, and minigames. The game contains over 350 challenges in total, with the Exploration category alone accounting for more than half of that number.
Most non-exploration challenges are unlocked by collecting Sealed Abyss Artifacts, polygonal objects found resting on rocks along roadsides throughout Pywel. These artifacts are not marked on the world map but appear as purple icons on the minimap when you get close. You can also use the Guiding Light ability (L1+R1 / LB+RB) to reveal a blue glimmer when a Sealed Abyss Artifact is nearby.
Progress Tracking and Rewards
Once you pick up a Sealed Abyss Artifact, its associated challenge requirement appears briefly on the left side of the screen. Progress toward a challenge only counts after you have collected its corresponding artifact; prior actions do not count retroactively in most cases, though some cumulative requirements may track retroactively. When a challenge is completed, the artifact unseals and rewards you with Abyss Artifacts (used to learn or enhance skills), Faded Abyss Artifacts (used for skill respec), or Abyss Cores (used to upgrade weapons and armor).
Challenge progress is tracked under Journal > Challenges in the menu. Completing every challenge in a category awards a corresponding trophy or achievement. Achieving 100% challenge completion is required for the Platinum trophy / full achievement completion.
Challenges are organized into five main categories: Exploration, Mastery, Combat, Life, and Minigame. Each category is further divided into subcategories detailed below.
Exploration Challenges
Exploration challenges are puzzles and discoveries found directly in the open world. Unlike other categories, most exploration challenges do not require Sealed Abyss Artifacts to begin. Instead, they are revealed when you approach areas marked with a white question mark ("?") icon labeled "Mysterious Energy" on the map. Exploration is the largest category, containing over 214 challenges spread across nine subcategories.
Subcategory | Count | Description | Trophy / Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
40 | Restore Abyss locations by completing restoration rituals at Abyss Cressets scattered across Pywel. | Conqueror of the Abysses (Gold) | |
60 | Discover hidden Abyss Cressets at concealed locations. Their general position appears on the map as a "Mysterious Energy" icon when you are nearby. | ||
37 | Solve environmental puzzles at ancient ruin sites to activate their Abyss Cressets. Puzzle types include rotating statues, matching symbols, and deciphering mural clues. | ||
Mazes | -- | Navigate underground mazes with multiple branching paths and dead ends to reach the exit. | Maze Pathfinder (Bronze) |
Constellations | -- | Locate stargazing points and interact with constellation-related landmarks across Pywel. | Navigator of the Stars (Bronze) |
-- | Find and restore corrupted sanctums by solving Axiom Force puzzles. Sanctum access requires recruiting Elowen the witch through her faction questline. | ||
8 | Complete climbing and traversal puzzles at elevated spire locations across the continent. | Conqueror of Spires (Bronze) | |
Puzzles | -- | Solve standalone environmental puzzles found throughout the open world, including lever sequences and multi-step contraptions. | (Included in Expert Explorer) |
(9th subcategory) | -- | Details pending confirmation. | (Included in Expert Explorer) |
Completing all nine exploration subcategories awards the Expert Explorer gold trophy / achievement.
Mastery Challenges
Mastery challenges focus on weapon and equipment proficiency. Each weapon type has its own challenge set requiring you to demonstrate skill with that weapon's combos, timing, and special techniques. There are 10 subcategories with 64 total challenges. All mastery challenges are unlocked through Sealed Abyss Artifacts labeled "Goyen's Advice."
Challenge Set | Count | Weapon Type | Trophy / Achievement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Master of Swords | |||
6 | Blocking, parrying, and shield bashes. Examples: defeat 3 enemies with a shield; hit 3 enemies at once with a shield. | Master of Shields | ||
6 | Precision aiming and timed shots. Examples: take down 5 enemies within 60 seconds; hit 5 enemies at once from over 20 meters. | Master of Bows | ||
5 | Reach attacks, thrusts, and sweeps. Examples: land 15 counterattacks within 30 seconds; hit enemies 50 times within 30 seconds. | Master of Spears | ||
6 | Heavy attacks and stagger combos | Master of Two-Handed Weapons | ||
5 | Explosive shots and area control | Master of Artillery | ||
5 | Quick thrusts and defensive counters | Master of Rapiers | ||
5 | Quick-draw accuracy and reload speed | Master of Firearms | ||
10 | Various | Challenges involving special weapons like the Propeller Spear, Knuckledrill, and Lightning Spear. Also covers the grappling hook and other Axiom Force equipment. | Grand Collector of Arms (Silver) | |
10 | Mounted combat and riding tasks. Examples: hit 7 mounted enemies with a gun while riding; ride from Sunset Valley to Varnia. | Tamer of Legends (Silver) |
Mastery challenge rewards include Abyss Artifacts for learning new skills and Faded Abyss Artifacts for respec. Completing all 10 mastery subcategories awards the Unvanquished Strategist gold trophy / achievement.
Combat Challenges
Combat challenges test general fighting ability against progressively tougher opponents and scenarios. There are three subcategories containing 30 total challenges. All combat challenges are unlocked through Sealed Abyss Artifacts labeled "Goyen's Advice."
Challenge Set | Count | Description | Trophy / Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
10 | Introductory combat exercises covering basic mechanics like dodge, parry, and combos. | Relentless Warrior | |
10 | Multi-enemy encounters with specific combat tasks. Examples: hit enemies 30 times with Meteor Kick within 3 minutes (Slam Master); destroy 3 watchtowers within 20 seconds (Sinking Fort); defeat 5 enemies at once with a cannon (Into the Barrage); attack 5 sleeping enemies (Judgment Cast Upon the Sleeping). | Battlefield Conqueror | |
10 | Tactical scenarios requiring strategic thinking, environmental awareness, and objective completion. | Brilliant Tactician |
Life Challenges
Life challenges reward proficiency in life skills, exploration, and interactions with the world. These challenges encourage engagement with gathering, trading, and the social systems of Pywel. The Life category contains at least six subcategories.
Challenge Set | Count | Unlock Source | Description | Trophy / Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | White Crow's Gaze | Track, hunt, and skin various wildlife. Examples: carry 5 birds (Feather of the Earth); obtain multiple hide types through skinning (When Animals Die); hunt and skin a Silver Fang, white bear, white-scaled crocodile, and white bison (The End of Myth). | Ultimate Hunter (Silver) | |
12 | White Crow's Gaze | Complete gathering milestones for mining, logging, fishing, and farming across Pywel. | Natural Collector (Silver) | |
5 | White Crow's Gaze | Build wealth through trading routes and merchant activities. Examples: meet all 8 inn owners (Traveler with Oak Barrels); learn 7 NPC dyeing techniques (Rainbow Mane); deliver trade goods to 4 royal courts (Contract of the Golden Crown). | The Golden Merchant | |
10 | Master Du's Dare | Test the boundaries of the crime system through outlaw activities involving bounties, theft, and other offenses. | Shadowlord | |
9 | Alustin's Trials | Miscellaneous tasks covering camp upgrades, Greymane activities, and world events. Examples: jump from the Abyss and reach the ground within 30 seconds; visit all 12 Greymane Shrines; find 20 Greymanes; travel 2 km by riding the Ironcrawler train; win 3 Thrones matches in a row. | Lord of Honor | |
New Power Challenges | -- | -- | Hunt and defeat powerful beasts tied to the New Power faction across Pywel. | Beast Slayer |
Minigame Challenges
Minigame challenges revolve around the various mini-games found throughout Pywel. Unlike most other challenge types, minigame challenges typically unlock when you interact with a minigame location for the first time rather than through Sealed Abyss Artifacts. Some minigame locations only become accessible later in the story. There are five subcategories.
Challenge Set | Count | Description | Trophy / Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | Compete in arm wrestling at inns and taverns. The first challenge, Hero's Handshake 1, requires a three-opponent win streak in arm wrestling at the inn in Hernand Castle, then defeating the champion. | (Included in True Gamer) | |
5 | Win unarmed duels at fight pits. Steel Fist 1 unlocks automatically during Chapter 4 and requires a three-fight winning streak followed by defeating the champion. Equip only your gloves from the weapon wheel to participate. | (Included in True Gamer) | |
-- | Archery shooting contests where you must hit targets faster than your opponent. | (Included in True Gamer) | |
-- | Firearms shooting contests testing accuracy under time pressure. | (Included in True Gamer) | |
-- | Gambling minigames including Duo (played in Hernand and Tomasso) and Five-Card (played in Beighen). Both games use numbered sticks in yellow and red colors, with hand rankings determining the winner. | (Included in True Gamer) |
Completing all five minigame subcategories awards the True Gamer silver trophy / achievement.
How to Unlock Challenges
Sealed Abyss Artifacts
The primary unlock method for Mastery, Combat, and Life challenges is collecting Sealed Abyss Artifacts. There are 141 Sealed Abyss Artifacts in total. Each one unlocks a single challenge. The artifacts are scattered along roadsides throughout Pywel and can be picked up at any point during the game. They are not visible on the world map, but they show up as purple icons on your minimap when you are within range. Using the Guiding Light ability (sword's L1+R1 / LB+RB) reveals a blue shimmer pointing toward nearby artifacts.
After collecting an artifact, the challenge requirement appears briefly on the left side of your screen. You can also review all collected artifacts and their challenge requirements in your inventory. Challenge progress only begins counting after you pick up the artifact, so it is important to collect artifacts early in your playthrough.
Unlocking Exploration Challenges
Exploration challenges follow a different unlock method. Instead of Sealed Abyss Artifacts, they appear as white question mark icons labeled "Mysterious Energy" on the map when you approach their general vicinity. You simply travel to these locations to discover and begin the challenge, whether it is a puzzle, maze, or hidden Abyss Cresset.
Unlocking Minigame Challenges
Minigame challenges unlock when you interact with the relevant minigame location for the first time. Some locations are story-gated and only become available during certain chapters. For example, the first Duel challenge (Steel Fist 1) unlocks automatically during Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge.
Challenge Rewards
Completing challenges rewards the following items, depending on the challenge:
Reward | Use |
|---|---|
Primary reward. Used in the skill tree to learn new skills or enhance existing ones and boost core stats. | |
Used to reset skill points and respec your build. | |
Used as Abyss Gear modifications that provide stat bonuses to weapons and armor. | |
Skill Passives | Some challenges reward specific passive skills like Swift, Destruction, Vigor, Solidarity, and others that provide permanent stat boosts. |
Minigame challenges such as duels and arm wrestling reward silver currency. |
Trophies and Achievements
Every challenge subcategory has an associated trophy / achievement. Completing all challenges across all categories is required for the Platinum trophy (PlayStation) or 100% achievement completion (Xbox / Steam). The following table lists all challenge-related trophies:
Trophy / Achievement | Rarity | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
Gold | Complete all exploration challenges across all 9 subcategories | |
Conqueror of the Abysses | Gold | Complete all 40 Abyss restoration challenges |
Complete all 60 Secret Places challenges | ||
Complete all Ancient Ruins / puzzle challenges | ||
Bronze | Complete all maze challenges | |
Navigator of the Stars | Bronze | Complete all constellation challenges |
Complete all sanctum challenges | ||
Bronze | Complete all 8 spire challenges | |
Unvanquished Strategist | Gold | Complete all mastery challenges across all 10 weapon / equipment types |
Master of Swords | Bronze | Complete all 6 sword challenges |
Master of Shields | Bronze | Complete all 6 shield challenges |
Master of Bows | Bronze | Complete all 6 bow challenges |
Master of Spears | Bronze | Complete all 5 spear challenges |
Master of Two-Handed Weapons | Bronze | Complete all 6 two-handed weapon challenges |
Master of Artillery | Bronze | Complete all 5 cannon challenges |
Master of Rapiers | Bronze | Complete all 5 rapier and shield challenges |
Master of Firearms | Bronze | Complete all 5 gun challenges |
Grand Collector of Arms | Complete all 10 special equipment challenges | |
Tamer of Legends | Complete all 10 horse challenges | |
Relentless Warrior | Bronze | Complete all 10 training challenges |
Battlefield Conqueror | Bronze | Complete all 10 battle challenges |
Brilliant Tactician | Bronze | Complete all 10 operation challenges |
Ultimate Hunter | Complete all 11 hunting challenges | |
Natural Collector | Complete all 12 life challenges | |
The Golden Merchant | Bronze | Complete all 5 trade challenges |
Shadowlord | Bronze | Complete all 10 Above the Law challenges |
Lord of Honor | Bronze | Complete all 9 Challenges and Changes challenges |
Beast Slayer | Bronze | Complete all New Power challenges |
True Gamer | Complete all minigame challenges across all 5 subcategories |
Tips
Collect Sealed Abyss Artifacts early and often. Because challenge progress only counts after you pick up the corresponding artifact, it is easy to miss out on progress if you wait too long. Ride along every road you encounter and keep an eye on the minimap for purple icons.
Use the Guiding Light ability frequently when traveling. The blue shimmer it creates makes it much easier to spot Sealed Abyss Artifacts that would otherwise blend into the environment.
Some exploration challenges, particularly those in the Abyss and Spire subcategories, are tied to story progression. You cannot access certain areas until reaching specific chapters, so do not worry if some challenges remain locked during the early game.
Weapon and Minigame Tips
For weapon mastery challenges, it helps to have the relevant weapon equipped and practice the required techniques in a low-stakes area before attempting the timed challenges. Many mastery challenges require hitting a specific number of enemies within a strict time limit.
Minigame challenges reset your streak if you lose. For arm wrestling and duel challenges, save your game beforehand so you can reload if a match goes badly.
Challenges and Changes challenges are among the most varied. Some, like traveling 2 km on the Ironcrawler or catching someone cheating, require awareness of specific game systems rather than combat skill.