The Observation Learning system in Crimson Desert lets you permanently unlock skills for free by watching NPCs, enemies, and bosses perform them. Instead of spending Abyss Artifacts, you can hold the observation button (L1 on PlayStation, LB on Xbox, Ctrl on PC) when a learnable move is performed nearby. A "Learning in Progress" bar appears in the top left corner of the screen, and once it fills, the skill is yours.
This page lists every skill in the game that can be learned through observation, organized by character. For each skill you will find the exact NPC, enemy, or boss to watch, where to find them, and any quest or chapter prerequisites. Skills with unconfirmed observation sources can still be unlocked by spending 1 Abyss Artifact through the skill tree.
How Observation Learning Works
When an NPC, enemy, or boss performs a technique that Kliff (or the active character) has not yet unlocked, the screen darkens slightly and time slows down. An observation prompt appears at the bottom of the screen. Hold the observation button for two to three seconds while keeping the camera pointed at the target. You do not need to be in melee range; you only need a clear line of sight.
Some skills require multiple observations before they are fully learned. The counter in the top left (for example, 1/3) shows how many times you still need to watch the move. If you take a hit while observing, progress may be interrupted, so position yourself at a safe distance or dodge between observations.
Every observation skill can also be purchased with 1 Abyss Artifact from the skill tree as an alternative. However, using observation to learn skills for free lets you save those artifacts for stat upgrades, gear refinement, or skills that cannot be observed.
Kliff Observation Skills
Kliff has the largest pool of observable skills across all weapon types and combat styles. The table below is organized roughly in the order you can encounter each skill during a normal playthrough.
Sword Skills
Skill | Observe | Location | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Training soldier with a longsword | Training Yard, Hernand Castle | Hernandian Attire equipped; around 1:00 PM in-game | Observe the soldier practicing on the middle training dummy. Upgrades Forward Slash to Level 2. | |
White-cloaked soldier with a longsword | Training Yard, Hernand Castle | Hernandian Attire equipped; around 1:30 PM in-game | Observe the soldier practicing on the farthest training dummy. Upgrades Spinning Slash to Level 2. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | Can be observed during combat. Alternatively, raise Turning Slash to Level 3 to unlock. Adds a powerful downward strike finisher. | |
Reed Devil (boss) | Mountain of Frozen Souls, Hernand region | Chapter 3 main quest | Watch for the Reed Devil's quick stabbing motion during Phase 2. Hold the observation button when it clutches its blade to its chest. Enables a follow-up attack after charged Stab. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | Can be observed during combat, but the specific source is still under investigation. Spending 1 Abyss Artifact is the reliable unlock method. |
Ranged Skills
Skill | Observe | Location | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wandering Freesword archer | Archery Contest area, Lioncrest Manor | Access to Lioncrest Manor (northwest of Hernand) | Approach the archer training at the contest grounds and wait for the Observe prompt. Increases shot power while aiming. | |
Fort Commander | Fort Warspike, Hernand region | House Alfonso faction quest: The Weight of Legacy | Observe the Fort Commander during the boss fight. If the fight lasts long enough, you can also learn Explosive Evasive Shot from the same encounter. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | Can be observed during combat, but the specific enemy is still under investigation. Allows you to dodge and fire an arrow simultaneously. | |
Fort Commander | Fort Warspike, Hernand region | House Alfonso faction quest: The Weight of Legacy | Learned from the same Fort Commander fight as Multishot. Drag the fight out to give the commander time to use both moves. Launches an arrow that propels Kliff skyward. |
Unarmed and Movement Skills
Skill | Observe | Location | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
City square, Hernand | Chapter 1 main quest | The first observation tutorial in the game. Watch Matthias perform his signature double flying knee kick during the duel. You may need to observe it two or three times for the bar to fill completely. | ||
Children practicing martial arts | Greymane Camp (outside your tent) or Communal Training Grounds southwest of Hernand's capital | Post-Reed Devil at Greymane Camp | Approach the children and wait for the Observe prompt. Upgrades Unarmed Combat to Level 3. Does not automatically raise the parent skill level. | |
Bandits with two-handed weapons (greataxes) | None | Keep the bandits alive and wait for them to use Dropkick during combat. They will eventually perform it if the fight drags on. A double-kick launch attack. | ||
Sir Catfish (boss) | Vellua Fisherman's Guild quests: Vellua in Peril or Shadows in the Mist | Observe Sir Catfish performing Body Slam during either of these encounters in the Beyond the Silent Waves questline. An airborne full-weight slam attack. | ||
Black Bear faction enemies | Chapter 6 main quest (earliest opportunity) | Black Bear enemies frequently use Clothesline during fights in Chapter 6. Keep fighting them and observe when they perform the sprinting hook slam. | ||
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | Unarmed Combat Lv. 5 (alternative) | Can be observed during combat. Performed while airborne; slam into the ground for heavy damage. Also unlockable at Unarmed Combat Lv. 5. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | Allows you to vault over an enemy's back and strike from behind. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. | |
Two spear-wielding soldiers training together | Hernand Castle (northern training grounds) or behind Lioncrest Manor | None (accessible during free roam) | Watch as one soldier teaches the other how to counter attacks. Only a single observation is needed. Lets you interrupt an enemy's attack with a well-timed strike. | |
Kailok, the Hornsplitter (boss) | Hernand region boss arena | Midway through the fight, Kailok begins using Evasive Roll. The screen tints blue when he performs it. Observe two or three uses to fill the learning bar. | ||
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | Grants an extra mid-air jump off an enemy. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. Damiane and Oongka have it by default. |
Special and Nature Skills
Skill | Observe | Location | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Spirit guide (holographic NPC) | Mountain passage west of Fort Perwin, on the road to Scholastone | Follow the main road west after clearing Fort Perwin until you reach a narrow mountain passage. A spirit stands before a shimmering rock wall. Observe him to learn Focused Force Palm, which lets you charge Force Palm through walls. Somewhat missable if you take a different route to Scholastone. | ||
Holographic spirit near ancient ruins | Ancient Ruins locations (Cresset area) | Requires Keen Senses Lv. 3 and Focus Lv. 2 (alternative) | Look for the hologram near the Cresset at Ancient Ruins. Observe it to learn Nature's Snare, which creates a wind barrier that blocks projectiles and can drain water from puzzle areas. | |
Crowcaller (boss) | Chapter 5 boss arena | The Crowcaller appears twice during Chapter 5. You can observe Aerial Roll during either encounter. Grab it mid-fight rather than waiting for the post-kill screen, as it is only performed during specific phases. |
Damiane Observation Skills
Damiane becomes playable in Chapter 3 and specializes in speed, dual blades, and firearms. She has a smaller set of observable skills compared to Kliff. The specific observation sources for many of Damiane's skills are still being documented by the community; the table below includes all confirmed and unconfirmed observation skills.
Skill | Observe | Location | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | Upgrades Sword Flurry with rapid consecutive slashes. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | Piercing Light Lv. 2 (alternative) | A sprinting attack that carries an enemy on Damiane's blade. Can be observed during combat or unlocked by raising Piercing Light to Lv. 2. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | A leg-wrap throw performed while running. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | Decreases firearm reload time. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | A spinning aerial kick. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. |
Oongka Observation Skills
Oongka becomes playable in Chapter 7 and fights with a greataxe and shield. Like Damiane, the specific observation sources for most of Oongka's skills have not yet been fully confirmed. All listed skills can alternatively be unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.
Skill | Observe | Location | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | Allows multiple consecutive Lariats on a single enemy. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | A shield charge performed while guarding. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | Upgrades Rampage so that attacks no longer miss. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | An AoE earthquake attack devastating against groups. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. | |
Unconfirmed (combat encounter) | Unconfirmed | None confirmed | A leaping slam attack. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact. |
Tips for Observation Learning
Keep your distance. You do not need to be in melee range to observe a skill. Staying at mid-range gives you more time to react and hold the observation button without getting hit.
Let bosses live a little longer. Some bosses only use observable techniques during specific phases. If you burst a boss down too quickly, you may miss the observation window. Pay attention to phase transitions.
Watch for the blue tint. When the screen darkens and tints blue, an observation opportunity is happening. The prompt appears at the bottom of the screen near the interaction button.
Equip the right outfit. Skills in Hernand Castle require the Hernandian Attire to enter. You can buy it from the Hernand Contribution Shop.
Check the time of day. Some NPC trainers in Hernand Castle only practice at certain in-game times (around 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM). If they are not present, rest at a bench or return later.
Save artifacts for what you cannot observe. Since observation unlocks are free, prioritize spending your Abyss Artifacts on skills and stat upgrades that cannot be obtained through observation.
Multiple observation skills from one fight. The Fort Commander at Fort Warspike can teach both Multishot and Explosive Evasive Shot in a single encounter. Let the fight last long enough for the commander to cycle through both abilities.
See Also
Observation Learning - Overview of the Watch and Learn mechanic
Skills - Full list of all skills for every character
Abyss Artifacts - How to find and spend skill points
Kliff - Kliff's character page and skill trees
Damiane - Damiane's character page and skill trees
Oongka - Oongka's character page and skill trees