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ATAG Mech - Version 22 vs Version 23
May 27, 2026, 08:00 PM
Restored body text in sections that were rendering empty
Jun 8, 2026, 09:31 PM
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11Overview22The All-Terrain Armored Gear (ATAG) is a mechanized combat vehicle in Crimson Desert. Introduced during Chapter 10: Counterattack, the ATAG transforms Kliff into a walking tank loaded with heavy weaponry. The mech first becomes available during the defense of Gorthak, the Ironflame Orcs bastion in the Delesyia region, where mechanized creatures assault the fortress and conventional weapons are not enough to hold them back.55The ATAG comes equipped with a rapid-fire machine gun, a wide-area blast cannon, an EMP discharge, and a ramming maneuver. Multiple variations of the mech exist, with some outfitted with rocket fists, missile launchers, flamethrowers, and even jetpacks. You can check which version you have by looking at the "Mk" status indicator before entering the mech. After Chapter 10, the ATAG can be crafted for free-roam use through Marek at the Zargan Tankworks, provided you have the required parts and fuel.77Story Origin: Marek's Design99The All-Terrain Armored Gear is the brainchild of Marek, an engineer attached to the Ironflame Orcs at Gorthak Ironworks. The defining feature of his design philosophy was to add as many features as possible to a single chassis, machine gun, blast cannon, EMP discharge, ramming maneuver, plus the upgrade tree that later research projects fill out. The result was a unit that, in the orcs' own words, became too complicated for any of their pilots to operate.1111This produced a deadlock inside Gorthak during the lead-up to Chapter 10. Valgash's captains proposed stripping out functions to make the mech usable; Valgash rejected the proposal on the grounds that a stripped-down ATAG might as well not have been built. Kliff's arrival resolves the deadlock without anyone having to compromise on the design. By the time of the Chapter 10 defense sequence, Kliff can operate the full ability set as designed; the orcs do not have to weaken the unit; and the mech does the job it was built for. This is also why the post-Chapter-10 crafting chain runs through Marek personally at Zargan Tankworks: he gates the open-world ATAG so that the same pilot can keep using it after the scripted defense ends.1313Cliff's Role as the First Pilot1515From a story standpoint Kliff is the first pilot in-fiction to operate a fully-featured ATAG in combat. The framing the chapter uses is that he can climb in and charge into battle as though he had piloted the thing multiple times before, which is consistent with how all of his other late-game powers work: his abyssal training has prepared him for unfamiliar tools well past the curve of any in-world apprentice. The mech's full feature set is part of the broader pattern of Chapter 10, Kliff arriving at a Delesyian dead-end and being the variable that breaks it.1717How to Unlock1919The ATAG becomes available during the Secret Weapon portion of Chapter 10: Counterattack, roughly 50 to 60 hours into the main story with minimal side exploration. The unlock sequence follows these steps:2121Progress through the main story until Chapter 10 beginsComplete the quest Master of the Ironworks, which introduces the mech technology built by the Ironflame OrcsComplete the quest Hidden Ace, where Kliff learns to operate the ATAG for the first timeDefend Gorthak against the mechanized creature assault in the Clockwork Insect Clash battle sequence2323During the Chapter 10 story missions, the ATAG is provided automatically for the defense of Gorthak. You do not need to craft it for these scripted encounters.2525Summoning Locations2727Before permanently unlocking the ATAG through crafting, you can still use it in the Gorthak region after completing the Secret Weapon mission in Chapter 10. Look for the mech bay icon on the minimap when exploring Gorthak. Interacting with any of these mech bay points lets you deploy an ATAG for limited use, similar to how the Dragon can be summoned at specific locations.2929After completing the full crafting chain and building your own ATAG, you can summon the mech freely in the open world (subject to cooldown). The mech bay points in Gorthak remain available as an alternative way to spawn a fresh mech, which is useful if your crafted ATAG is on cooldown.3131Crafting Your Own ATAG3333After completing the Chapter 10 storyline and helping the Ironflame Orcs, you can speak with Marek at the Zargan Tankworks to begin a quest chain that unlocks free-roam ATAG crafting. Completing this chain lets you build your own ATAG to use whenever you want, as long as you have the required parts and fuel.3535The full ATAG can be crafted at Grimnir's Kuku Shop in Hernand. The crafting recipe requires:3737MaterialQuantitySmall Kuku ATAG1Small Battery300Cogwheel300Power Core - Verse of Sowing2Core of Benediction13939The Small Kuku ATAG is an intermediate form created from the Kuku Iron Pot. Items stored inside a Small Kuku ATAG are retained even after conversion; you just need to dismiss it to access the stored inventory. Note that the Small Kuku ATAG is completely consumed if you later use it to create the Abyssal Fusion armor for the Blackstar Dragon.4040The Kuku Iron Pot4242The ATAG's crafting chain starts with the Kuku Iron Pot, which is obtained during Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge through the Mysterious Pot main quest. This quest sends you to the Kilnden Workshop, located west of Hernand, where you meet a dwarf named Grimnir.4444Grimnir tasks you with repairing three kilns before the workshop becomes operational:4646Kiln 1 (Disconnected): Reconnect the pipe on the left side, then activate the yellow leversKiln 2 (Dismantled): Lift the three broken pieces using Axiom Force (L3), then perform an Aerial Force Palm to fuse them back togetherKiln 3 (Fuel-Depleted): Collect five electrified orbs scattered nearby (two near clay jars, one below the kiln, one from a stone bird's eye socket, and one from a cave along the shore) and insert them into the receptacles4848After repairing all three kilns, return to Grimnir, then pull the yellow lever at the stone pillar to receive the Kuku Iron Pot. The pot stores Abyss-type objects, machine parts, and contraptions in 230 slots (it cannot hold regular items like food or weapons). Use your Axiom Force on valid objects displaying the "Seal" action to store them.5050Battery and Health System5252The ATAG runs on a battery, which doubles as its health pool. Taking damage drains the battery, and when the charge is fully depleted, the mech becomes inoperable. There is no separate health bar and energy meter; they are one and the same. This means sustained combat will eventually force you out of the mech if you cannot manage incoming damage.5454Repairing the ATAG5656When your ATAG's battery runs out and the mech is rendered useless, you can restore it by visiting one of the ATAG factories found around Gorthak in the southeastern area of the map. Pull the lever at any ATAG factory to deploy a fresh mech.5858In the field, the ATAG Welder upgrade (unlocked through research at Dewhaven Keep) allows you to repair the ATAG without returning to a factory. This is especially valuable during extended combat encounters in Delesyia where a factory may not be nearby.6060Cooldown Management6262The ATAG operates on a significant cooldown after each deployment, similar to the Dragon. Once your mech's battery is depleted or you voluntarily exit, a long real-world timer begins before you can summon it again. Two consumable items help manage this restriction:6464ItemEffectSourceA.T.A.G. Emergency Power DeviceReduces cooldown by 10 minutesDispatch mission (Delesyia researcher)A.T.A.G. Power ModuleCompletely resets cooldownRuins dispatch (random recipe drop), crafted at a Witch6666The A.T.A.G. Power Module is the superior option since it fully resets the timer, but its recipe is a random drop from ruins dispatch missions and requires visiting a Witch to craft. The Emergency Power Device is easier to stockpile through regular dispatch missions. Keep both types in your inventory for maximum flexibility.6767Base Weapon Systems6969The ATAG comes equipped with four primary combat systems when you first pilot it:7171WeaponTypeDescriptionMachine GunRapid-fireHigh rate of fire, effective against groups of smaller enemies. Your bread-and-butter weapon for sustained suppression.Blast CannonExplosiveWide-area explosive shot that deals heavy damage in a cone. Best used against clustered targets and larger enemies.EMP DischargeUtilityEmits an electromagnetic pulse that disables nearby mechanical enemies and stuns organic ones. Essential against other mechs.Ramming ManeuverMeleeCharges forward at high speed, flattening enemies in the mech's path. Devastating against infantry formations.7373The machine gun handles general combat, while the blast cannon is heavy artillery for bigger threats. The EMP discharge is situational but critical against mechanized enemies, and the ramming maneuver is the most efficient way to clear a path through enemy formations.7474Upgrades Through Research7676ATAG upgrades are unlocked through research projects at various institutes across the world. Three institutes in the Delesyia region focus specifically on ATAG enhancements, while additional upgrades are available from institutes in other regions.7878Dewhaven Keep8080Located in the southwestern part of Delesyia. The lead researcher requires 1x Diamond to unlock the project list. The Power Joints System Research (tier 2B) unlocks dispatch missions (130 Silver, 20 hours) to craft:8282UpgradeCategoryDescriptionATAG FistMeleeClose-range mechanical fist attack for devastating melee strikesATAG Machine GunRangedEnhanced version of the base machine gun with higher damage outputATAG FlamespitterRangedShort-range flamethrower attachment for area denial and crowd controlATAG WelderUtilityRepair tool that restores ATAG battery/health in the field without visiting a factory8484Gorthak Ironworks8585Located in the northwestern part of Delesyia, near the Demeniss border. Requires 5x Gunpowder as the entry fee. The Machine Parts Research (tier 2B) unlocks dispatch missions (130 Silver, 23 hours) to craft:8787UpgradeCategoryDescriptionATAG CannonRangedMore powerful version of the blast cannon with increased rangeATAG LaserRangedPrecision energy weapon for long-range targetingATAG PincersMeleeGrabbing mechanism for restraining and crushing enemies8989This research also upgrades Oongka's Rocket Pack with the Vertical Flight ability.9090Delesyia Castle Institute9292Handles defensive and mobility upgrades. Requires 3x Copper as the entry fee. The High-Mobility Power Device Research (tier 2B) unlocks dispatch missions (120 Silver, 21 hours) to craft:9494UpgradeCategoryDescriptionATAG Boots Mk. IIMobilityImproved leg servos for better movement speed and handlingATAG Boots Mk. IIIMobilityFurther enhanced leg servos with top-tier mobility improvements9696Additional Research Institutes9797Institutes outside the Delesyia region also provide ATAG-related upgrades:9999InstituteRegionResearchUnlocksScholastoneHernandAbyss Energy Applicable Device Research (2C)ATAG Thrusterpack Mk. II and Mk. IIIUrdavahCrimson Desert RegionHigh-Capacity Energy Power Device Research (2B)ATAG Plating Mk. II and Mk. III (dispatch: 70 Silver, 22 hours)101101The ATAG Plating upgrades from Urdavah increase armor value and damage resistance, while the Thrusterpack from Scholastone adds enhanced aerial mobility options.102102Mk Variants104104The ATAG has multiple configurations, and you can check which version you are using by looking at the "Mk" status indicator displayed before entering the mech. Several components have tiered Mk upgrades:106106ComponentMk Levels AvailableSource InstituteATAG BootsMk. II, Mk. IIIDelesyia Castle InstituteATAG PlatingMk. II, Mk. IIIUrdavahATAG ThrusterpackMk. II, Mk. IIIScholastone108108Higher Mk levels provide stronger versions of each component. These tiered upgrades are unlocked through research dispatch missions at their respective institutes and require progressively more resources.109109Combat Strategies111111Against Mechanical Enemies113113Open with the EMP Discharge to stun and disable enemy mechanical units before they can attackFollow up with the Blast Cannon (or ATAG Cannon if upgraded) while enemies are stunned for maximum damageSwitch to the Machine Gun to finish off weakened targets at rangeSave the Ramming Maneuver for emergencies or to break through encirclement when surrounded115115Against Infantry117117The Ramming Maneuver is the most efficient tool against groups of foot soldiers, flattening entire squads in a single chargeUse the Machine Gun for sustained suppression of ranged attackers who keep their distanceThe Flamespitter (if unlocked through Dewhaven Keep research) excels at area denial in tight spaces and choke pointsThe ATAG Fist can handle melee threats that get too close to use ranged weapons against119119General Tips121121The ATAG's battery is both power and health. Managing incoming damage is critical to staying operational during long engagements.If your battery runs out in the field, visit an ATAG factory near Gorthak and pull the lever to get a fresh mech. The ATAG Welder upgrade lets you repair without returning to a factory.The mech excels in open terrain where its ranged weapons have clear sightlines. Avoid narrow corridors where enemies can flank you and deplete your battery quickly.Combine the ATAG's firepower with Greymane companion abilities for overwhelming force during sieges.The ATAG is your primary offensive mount between dragon summons, which have long cooldown periods.123123Delesyia Region Context125125The Delesyia region is where players first encounter advanced mechanical technology in the game. The Ironflame Orcs faction based in Gorthak are responsible for building the ATAG mech, and their territory in the southeastern part of the region is the hub for all mech-related activities.127127The region's southeastern area features active railroad tracks, and players can find the Delesyia Train, which can be grappled onto and ridden as an alternative form of transportation.129129Three research institutes in Delesyia (Gorthak Ironworks, Delesyia Castle Institute, and Dewhaven Keep) form a triangle of ATAG upgrade facilities, each specializing in different enhancement categories. Visiting all three and funding their projects gives you access to the full range of ATAG weaponry and modifications.131131High-Mobility Variant133133In addition to the standard ATAG, a lightweight variant called the High-Mobility A.T.A.G. can be crafted. This variant trades armor plating for enhanced agility, featuring only 500 Health (half the standard models) but offering superior repositioning speed. It requires different crafting materials, including the Core of Temperance from the Sanctum of Exaltation and 400 Small Batteries. The High-Mobility model is designed for hit-and-run tactics and rapid reconnaissance rather than sustained bombardment.135135Connection to Other Vehicles137137The ATAG sits within a broader ecosystem of mounts and vehicles in Crimson Desert. While horses serve as your primary mode of travel and dragons dominate aerial combat, the ATAG fills the role of a heavy ground assault platform. It is particularly useful during the long cooldown periods between dragon summons.139139The Small Kuku ATAG also is a crafting ingredient for the Abyssal Fusion, a mech armor designed for the Blackstar Dragon (unlocked in Chapter 11 through the Whispers in the Wind quest). Be careful when converting your Small Kuku ATAG for this purpose, as the mech is completely consumed in the process.141141Dyeing and Customization143143The ATAG can be dyed using the Dye System, allowing you to customize its color scheme to match your personal style. Like other equipment, the mech has multiple dyeable zones that can each be assigned different colors. You can access the dyeing interface at any Dyehouse or through the camp facilities.145145Popular color combinations include red and gold for an Iron Man/Hulkbuster aesthetic, or matching the mech to your character's existing armor color scheme. The dye options are purely cosmetic and do not affect the ATAG's stats or performance. While regional Dyehouses are limited to their regional color families, Oliver at Greymane Camp can apply dyes from every region in a single location, making him the best option for customizing your mech. Oliver is recruited after completing the third camp expansion.147147Patch History149149Patch 1.07.00151151Patch 1.07.00 addressed two persistent ATAG bugs that had blocked players from deploying the mech reliably in certain situations.153153IssueFixedATAG could not be summoned when switching to Kliff in certain situations.Summon now succeeds across the previously affected character-swap sequences.ATAG would occasionally not appear in the hangar.Hangar deployment now spawns the mech consistently.155155These fixes apply to the standard ATAG deployment flow. The crafting chain through Marek at Zargan Tankworks, the cooldown-management consumables, and the upgrade trees at each Delesyia research institute were not changed by the patch.156156Related Articles158158MountsDelesyiaWeaponsDragon RidingResearch ProjectsKuku Iron PotKilnden WorkshopCraftingIronflame OrcsCompanion Dispatch Guide160160Research Institute Upgrades162162Once you have the A.T.A.G. Mech blueprint from the Iron Flame Orcs side quest in Delesyia, you can take it to various research institutes (but not Porin) to unlock upgrades. Most of the upgrades are disappointing: boots and jetpack modules just add defense rather than changing how the mech plays.164164Laser and Flame Spitter Standouts166166Two upgrades are worth chasing: the A.T.A.G. Laser and the Flame Spitter. The laser is the real showpiece, one-shotting most enemies inside liberation points and turning clear runs into a formality. Once the research is done, you craft the laser itself through the Gorthak Iron Works dispatch.168168Cooldown Reduction170170The mech has a long real-time cooldown between uses. Mane's Masterium dispatch produces an Emergency Power Device after the Delissian researcher's High Mobility Power Device Research is finished. Each Emergency Power Device shaves 10 minutes off the mech's cooldown, and you receive 3 per dispatch run.
