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All Observation Skill Locations - Version 4 vs Version 5
Apr 25, 2026, 10:33 AM
Correct Patch 1.04 entity names (Kuku Cooler, Sotdae, Heuklang, Pororin, Baltheon, Rekhia, Pailunese)
Apr 25, 2026, 03:27 PM
Rewired 5 wikilinks to longer matching article titles
11All Observation Skill Locations2233The 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.4455This 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.6677How Observation Learning Works8899When 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.10101111Some 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.12121313Every 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.14141515Kliff Observation Skills16161717Kliff 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.18181919Sword Skills20202121SkillObserveLocationRequirementsNotesForward Slash ProficiencyTraining soldier with a longswordTraining Yard, Hernand CastleHernandian Attire equipped; around 1:00 PM in-gameObserve the soldier practicing on the middle training dummy. Upgrades Forward Slash to Level 2.Spinning Slash ProficiencyWhite-cloaked soldier with a longswordTraining Yard, Hernand CastleHernandian Attire equipped; around 1:30 PM in-gameObserve the soldier practicing on the farthest training dummy. Upgrades Spinning Slash to Level 2.Turning Slash ExpertiseUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedCan be observed during combat. Alternatively, raise Turning Slash to Level 3 to unlock. Adds a powerful downward strike finisher.Swift StabReed Devil (boss)Mountain of Frozen Souls, Hernand regionChapter 3 main questWatch 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.Blinding Flash FinisherUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedCan be observed during combat, but the specific source is still under investigation. Spending 1 Abyss Artifact is the reliable unlock method.2222Ranged Skills23232424SkillObserveLocationRequirementsNotesCharged ShotWandering Freesword archerArchery Contest area, Lioncrest ManorAccess 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.MultishotFort CommanderFort Warspike, Hernand regionHouse Alfonso faction quest: The Weight of LegacyObserve the Fort Commander during the boss fight. If the fight lasts long enough, you can also learn Explosive Evasive Shot from the same encounter.Evasive ShotUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedCan be observed during combat, but the specific enemy is still under investigation. Allows you to dodge and fire an arrow simultaneously.Explosive Evasive ShotFort CommanderFort Warspike, Hernand regionHouse Alfonso faction quest: The Weight of LegacyLearned 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.2525Unarmed and Movement Skills26262727SkillObserveLocationRequirementsNotesPump KickMatthias (boss)City square, HernandChapter 1 main questThe 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.Unarmed Combat ProficiencyChildren practicing martial artsGreymane Camp (outside your tent) or Communal Training Grounds southwest of Hernand's capitalPost-Reed Devil at Greymane CampApproach the children and wait for the Observe prompt. Upgrades Unarmed Combat to Level 3. Does not automatically raise the parent skill level.DropkickBandits with two-handed weapons (greataxes)Hernand region (Alessio Bounty is a convenient source)NoneKeep 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.Body SlamSir Catfish (boss)VelluaVellua Fisherman's Guild quests: Vellua in Peril or Shadows in the MistObserve Sir Catfish performing Body Slam during either of these encounters in the Beyond the Silent Waves questline. An airborne full-weight slam attack.ClotheslineBlack Bear faction enemiesPailune region or during Chapter 6Chapter 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.Meteor KickUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedUnarmed 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.VaultUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedAllows you to vault over an enemy's back and strike from behind. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.CounterTwo spear-wielding soldiers training togetherHernand Castle (northern training grounds) or behind Lioncrest ManorNone (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.Evasive RollKailok, the Hornsplitter (boss)Hernand region boss arenaChapter 2: The End of GreedMidway 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.Double JumpUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedGrants 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.2828Special and Nature Skills29293030SkillObserveLocationRequirementsNotesFocused Force PalmSpirit guide (holographic NPC)Mountain passage west of Fort Perwin, on the road to ScholastoneChapter 4: Forbidden KnowledgeFollow 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.Nature's SnareHolographic spirit near ancient ruinsAncient 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.Aerial RollCrowcaller (boss)Chapter 5 boss arenaChapter 5: Guest Unbidden (requires Flight Lv. 1)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.3131Damiane Observation Skills32323333Damiane 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.34343535SkillObserveLocationRequirementsNotesSword Flurry ProficiencyUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedUpgrades Sword Flurry with rapid consecutive slashes. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.SkewerUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedPiercing 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.Spinning Scissors ThrowUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedA leg-wrap throw performed while running. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.Quick ReloadUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedDecreases firearm reload time. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.Tornado KickUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedA spinning aerial kick. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.3636Oongka Observation Skills37373838Oongka 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.39394040SkillObserveLocationRequirementsNotesLariat Follow-upUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedAllows multiple consecutive Lariats on a single enemy. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.ChargeUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedA shield charge performed while guarding. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.Rampage ProficiencyUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedUpgrades Rampage so that attacks no longer miss. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.Quaking Fury ExpertiseUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedAn AoE earthquake attack devastating against groups. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.Explosive LeapUnconfirmed (combat encounter)UnconfirmedNone confirmedA leaping slam attack. Can be observed during combat or unlocked with 1 Abyss Artifact.4141Tips for Observation Learning42424343Keep 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.44444545See Also46464747Observation Learning - Overview of the Watch and Learn mechanicSkills - Full list of all skills for every characterAbyss Artifacts - How to find and spend skill pointsKliff - Kliff's character page and skill treesDamiane - Damiane's character page and skill treesOongka - Oongka's character page and skill trees