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Armed Combat
April 4, 2026 at 09:24 AM
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Armed Combat is a melee combat skill in Crimson Desert, available to all three playable characters (Kliff, Damiane, and Oongka). It belongs to the Stamina (Blue) branch of the skill tree. Perform a basic weapon attack with your melee weapon. Further investment increases melee damage.
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Character | |
Skill Tree | Stamina (Blue) |
Category | Melee Combat |
Cost | No cost |
How to Unlock | Abyss Artifact x1+ |
Input | R1 |
Armed Combat has 4 upgrades that branch from it as you invest more Abyss Artifacts.
Skill | Effect | How to Unlock | |
|---|---|---|---|
Evasive Slash | Strike while dodging backward. Cost: 40 Stamina. | Raise Armed Combat to Lv. 2 | R1 + Circle / RB + B |
While guarding, sprint to charge forward and smash an enemy with your shield. Cost: 30 Stamina/sec. | Raise Armed Combat to Lv. 3 | X twice while guarding / A twice while guarding | |
While dodging forward, fend off an enemy's attack. Cost: 70 Stamina. | Raise Armed Combat to Lv. 4 | R2 while dodging forward / RT while dodging forward | |
Rapidly switch between primary and secondary weapons to perform an attack. | Raise Armed Combat to Lv. 5 | L1 + L2 / LB + LT |
Armed Combat is unlocked by default for all three playable characters: Kliff, Damiane, and Oongka. It is the foundational melee skill in the Stamina (Blue) tree and serves as the gateway to most weapon-based combat abilities. Armed Combat can be leveled up to Lv. 5, with each level costing 1 Abyss Artifact. Investing in Armed Combat also increases base melee damage at each level.
Armed Combat performs a basic weapon attack with whatever melee weapon is currently equipped. The attack is executed by pressing R1 on PlayStation, RB on Xbox, or Left Click on keyboard. It has no Stamina cost, making it the most accessible combat action available. Each level invested in Armed Combat permanently increases melee damage output for that character.
Because Armed Combat is shared across all three characters, each one must level it up independently. The animations differ between characters based on their weapon types and fighting styles, but the underlying mechanics remain the same. Kliff uses swords and spears, Damiane uses rapiers and daggers, and Oongka uses great axes and war hammers.
Armed Combat has four branch upgrades that unlock as the skill is leveled:
Evasive Slash (Lv. 2): Slash while backstepping to evade enemy attacks. Costs 40 Stamina. Activated by pressing R1 + Circle (RB + B). This gives every character a safe retreat option that also deals damage.
Charge (Lv. 3): Sprint forward with your shield and smash into enemies. Costs 30 Stamina per second while active. Activated by pressing X twice while guarding (A twice while guarding). Charge knocks down smaller enemies caught in its path.
Rush (Lv. 4): While dodging forward, fend off an enemy's attack. Costs 70 Stamina. Activated by pressing R2 while dodging forward (RT while dodging forward). Rush provides an aggressive forward dash with defensive properties.
Quick Swap (Lv. 5): Rapidly switch between primary and secondary weapons to perform an attack. Activated by pressing L1 + L2 (LB + LT). Quick Swap allows instant weapon switching without opening the radial menu, letting you combo between different weapon types seamlessly.
Prioritize Armed Combat to at least Lv. 2 on every character to unlock Evasive Slash. The ability to deal damage while retreating is essential for survival against aggressive enemies.
Lv. 5 Quick Swap is a high-priority late-game investment. Switching weapons mid-combo without the radial menu dramatically increases combat fluidity, especially during boss fights where pausing to open a menu is dangerous.
Charge at Lv. 3 is particularly strong for Kliff since it uses his shield to knock down groups of enemies while covering ground quickly.
Rush at Lv. 4 provides a forward-moving defensive action. Use it to close distance against ranged enemies while absorbing their attacks during the approach.
Since Armed Combat investment increases base melee damage at every level, it provides passive power growth even if you primarily use other skills for dealing damage.
Forward Slash: A heavier melee attack that branches from the Stamina tree.
Shield Bash: Kliff's shield strike that provides simultaneous offense and defense.
Turning Slash: A special melee attack activated by pressing both attack buttons.
Marksmanship: The ranged equivalent of Armed Combat for bow and gun attacks.
Unarmed Combat: The bare-fisted combat skill for fighting without weapons.
Invest in Armed Combat early to unlock its full progression chain.
