Revision 14

Overview

Axiom Force is a versatile traversal and manipulation skill in Crimson Desert, available exclusively to Kliff. It belongs to the Health (Red) branch of the skill tree. Powered by the Axiom Bracelet, Axiom Force lets Kliff shoot a spectral claw that latches onto objects and enemies, allowing him to push, pull, rotate, and reposition them at will. Beyond puzzle-solving, the ability expands into a full traversal and combat toolkit once upgraded with Abyss Artifacts.

Axiom Force is one of the most important abilities in the game. It starts as a tool for manipulating objects in Abyss puzzles, but investing upgrade points transforms it into a grappling hook for rapid traversal, a combat engage tool for closing distance on enemies, and even a way to store objects inside a Kuku Iron Pot for later use. Because the game's controls are complex and there can be long breaks between quests where Axiom Force is relevant, many players forget how to activate it. This guide covers every aspect of the ability, from basic activation to advanced chaining techniques.

How to Unlock

Axiom Force is unlocked automatically during the Chapter 1 main quest "Traces". During the quest, Kliff enters an Abyss Nexus and encounters a white crow named Traces, who grants him the Axiom Bracelet. A cutscene plays and the skill is added to Kliff's abilities immediately. The sequence begins after Kliff helps a beggar following an arm-wrestling match and receives a Mystical Key. After retrieving a document from the sewers and examining the key when prompted, the story leads Kliff to Hernand Castle, where the Abyss Nexus is located.

The first real test of Axiom Force comes during the Polar Opposites quest, where Kliff must use the ability to manipulate two large stone discs inside the Axiom Archive, aligning engraved pathways to let energy flow through connecting pipes. This tutorial puzzle teaches the core push, pull, and rotate mechanics that players will use throughout the rest of the game.

No Abyss Artifacts are needed to unlock the base skill. It is a story progression unlock that every player receives at the same point in the campaign.

Skill Details

Controls by Platform

Axiom Force operates in two phases: an aiming phase (hold the activation button to display a targeting reticle) and a manipulation phase (release to fire the claw, then use push/pull inputs to interact with the grabbed object). The ability has a limited range, so if nothing happens when you release the aim input, move closer to the target and try again.

Critical note: You must hold the activation button, not tap it. On keyboard, just pressing Tab will do nothing. On controller, a quick click of L3/LS will cause Kliff to crouch instead of activating Axiom Force. Hold the button until the targeting reticle appears, then release to fire the claw.

PC (Keyboard and Mouse)

PlayStation 5

Xbox

Object Manipulation

Once the Axiom Force claw latches onto a valid object, Kliff enters a manipulation state. A blue circle indicator appears on the target, representing the focal point of your telekinetic grip. In this state, the player chooses whether to pull the object closer or push it farther away. Directional input while holding the push or pull button lets you tilt, rotate, or reposition the object. This is the core mechanic behind most Abyss puzzles, where stone blocks, rotating discs, and pillars need to be moved into specific positions to open paths or activate mechanisms.

On PC, pressing Q after latching onto an object activates direct control mode. In this mode, you control the claw's position directly with your mouse rather than using separate push/pull inputs. This can be more intuitive for fine-tuning the position of objects during complex puzzles, though the standard push/pull controls work perfectly well for most situations.

The push and pull distinction matters because some objects need to be drawn toward Kliff to clear a gap, while others need to be shoved into a slot on the far side. Pay attention to the environment for visual cues: blue lines or grooves on the floor indicate where energy pathways need to connect, and glowing markers show where an object should end up. When working with puzzles that require aligning blue lines or connecting energy paths, the goal is usually to rotate or slide objects until the lines form an unbroken circuit.

The base Axiom Force manipulation does not cost Spirit or Stamina to use. You can grab, rotate, and release objects as many times as needed without any resource drain. This makes it safe to experiment with puzzle solutions without worrying about running out of energy.

Skill Progression

Axiom Force has a maximum rank of 3. Each rank unlocks a new sub-skill that extends the ability's functionality. Beyond the three core ranks, two additional combat skills (Winch and Ambush) and one utility skill (Mystical Storage) branch off from the Axiom Force node in the Health skill tree. The combat skill Force Current also connects to Axiom Force, though it requires investment in Force Palm as well. All upgrades require Abyss Artifacts.

Core Upgrades

Combat Upgrades

Utility Upgrade

Force Current for Resource Gathering

Force Current (unlocked at Axiom Force level 2) has a significant utility beyond combat: it can mine ore remotely. When Kliff grasps an ore deposit with Axiom Force and triggers Force Current, the energy pulse shatters the rock and the mined materials drop at Kliff's feet rather than at the deposit's location. This saves time on collection and works from a comfortable distance, making it especially useful for deposits on cliff faces or in awkward positions.

Force Current also works on trees, breaking them down for logging materials in the same remote fashion. Aim Axiom Force at a tree, latch on, then activate Force Current to fell the tree and gather its resources without walking over to it.

Note: Force Current does not work on animals. Attempting to use it on wildlife has no gathering effect, so standard hunting methods are still required for animal materials. The technique is strictly limited to mining nodes and trees.

Traversal Usage

Once Axiom Force reaches Rank 2, it becomes one of the primary traversal tools in Pywel. Aerial Maneuver lets Kliff grapple to valid anchor points on cliffs, ledges, and structures, pulling himself to the anchor in a quick burst of movement. This is particularly useful for scaling vertical terrain that would otherwise require a long detour. Unlike the base Axiom Force, which pulls objects toward Kliff, Aerial Maneuver pulls Kliff toward the anchor point.

At Rank 3, Aerial Swing converts the grapple into a pendulum motion, letting Kliff swing across wide gaps and build momentum to cover ground quickly. Aerial Swing generates significantly more horizontal distance than Aerial Maneuver, making it the preferred option when crossing open terrain or clearing large chasms.

Chaining for Maximum Speed

The fastest way to travel across regions like the Hernand countryside is to chain multiple Aerial Swings together across successive anchor points. The technique works as follows: grapple to a point, swing at the peak of your arc, jump or glide mid-swing, then carry that speed into another grapple or glide. For even greater mobility, combine Axiom Force with Flight (for gliding after a swing) and Force Palm (for mid-air directional boosts).

Recommended Traversal Skill Progression

The recommended order for unlocking traversal skills is:

• Axiom Force Lv. 2 to unlock Aerial Maneuver, giving you functional grappling as early as possible.

• Flight Lv. 2 to unlock Swift Flight for better gliding after swings.

• Stamina Lv. 4 to reach approximately 200 stamina points, enough to support repeated grapple uses.

• Axiom Force Lv. 3 to unlock Aerial Swing and complete the full traversal chaining kit.

This order gives you functional traversal as early as possible while building toward the full set of movement options.

Tree Slingshot

Many trees throughout Pywel can serve as human slingshots when targeted with Axiom Force. To perform this technique, aim Axiom Force at a treetop (the exact attachment point matters because physics govern the launch angle). Once the claw latches on, press the pull button, which is the same input used for the fishing reel. Pull the tree back round and round to bend the trunk as far as it will go. When you have built up enough tension, press jump to release and launch Kliff into the air.

The tree slingshot provides both distance and height, making it one of the best methods for reaching cliff faces, elevated ledges, and other spots that would otherwise require a long detour. The trajectory depends on the physics of the bend: attaching higher on the trunk and pulling straight down produces a more vertical launch that favors altitude. Attaching at a lower angle sends Kliff on a flatter arc with more horizontal reach.

From the peak of the launch, transition into gliding to extend the distance covered, or chain into another Aerial Swing if a valid anchor point is within reach. In densely forested areas, chaining tree slingshots together is an efficient way to travel without spending large amounts of Stamina on sustained flight. For more traversal techniques and movement tricks, see the Tips and Tricks page.

Abyss Fall Recovery

If Kliff falls off the edge of an abyss, players can save themselves by pressing the Axiom Force button (L3 on PlayStation, LS on Xbox, or Tab on PC). When activated during a fall near a cliff wall, Axiom Force shoots the claw upward and latches onto the rock face. Kliff then dangles from the grapple line and can swing around to reposition.

While dangling, an "Escape" prompt appears on screen. Selecting it respawns Kliff safely back on the abyss edge he fell from. This recovery mechanic makes the Abyss far more forgiving, since a single misstep during platforming puzzles no longer means a full restart from a checkpoint.

Important limitation: the fall recovery only works while Kliff is still near the cliff wall in the upper portion of the drop. It does not work once Kliff passes through the trippy visual layer that separates the abyss from the ground below. If you fall past that distortion barrier, Axiom Force cannot latch onto anything and the normal fall penalty applies. Act quickly when you slip off an edge; the window to trigger the recovery narrows the farther you fall.

Puzzle Solving

Axiom Force is the primary tool for solving Abyss puzzles throughout the game. Most puzzles involve repositioning large objects to open pathways or activate mechanisms. The general approach for puzzle solving is:

• Activate Axiom Force and latch onto the highlighted object.

• Determine whether the object needs to be pushed away or pulled closer based on the environmental context.

• Use directional input to rotate or tilt the object into the correct alignment.

• Release the object once it snaps into position or triggers the mechanism.

Common Puzzle Types

Rotating Disc Puzzles: Found in locations like the Axiom Archive during the Polar Opposites quest. These involve stone discs with engraved pathways that must be rotated until the lines form an unbroken circuit. Grabbing the edge of a disc rather than its center provides better rotational control. Some of these puzzles require rotating multiple discs in sequence, so examine all the interactive elements before committing to a solution.

Power Core Puzzles: These require grabbing glowing energy cores (often blue fuel cells) with Axiom Force and depositing them into specific receptacles or channels. The cores power machinery that opens doors or activates bridges. Look for the designated slots, which usually glow or have a matching visual indicator.

Pillar and Block Puzzles: Involve pushing or pulling large pillars and stone blocks into designated positions. Floor grooves and glowing markers indicate where each piece should go. Pay attention to the order in which objects need to be moved, as some configurations require clearing space before the final piece can be placed.

Alignment Puzzles: Require positioning objects so that blue lines or energy pathways connect across multiple surfaces. The goal is to create an unbroken circuit from a power source to a locked mechanism. Tilting and rotating with precision is essential here, so take your time with the directional inputs.

If a wheel or pillar is not responding to simple push/pull inputs, try using the rotation input instead. Some objects only respond to specific directional manipulation, and the game's tutorial covers this quickly without revisiting the mechanic for long stretches of gameplay.

Combat Applications

While Axiom Force is primarily a traversal and puzzle tool, its upgraded forms provide significant combat utility. The three combat-oriented sub-skills each serve a distinct role:

Winch is the defensive-aggressive option. It pulls dangerous ranged enemies into melee range, disrupts enemy formations, and slams lighter enemies to the ground for a brief stun window. The slam creates an opening for follow-up combos, making Winch particularly effective against archers, mages, and other enemies that try to keep their distance. It requires both Grappling and Axiom Force at Lv. 3, so it is a late-game investment.

Ambush is the pure gap-closer. Instead of pulling the enemy to you, Kliff teleports directly to the enemy's position for an immediate strike. This is extremely powerful for aggressive, melee-focused playstyles. Ambush lets you instantly close on targets that are trying to escape or maintain distance, and it works well as an opener for initiating fights before enemies can react. Since it requires Winch Lv. 1 first, it sits even deeper in the upgrade chain.

Force Current takes a different approach. Rather than repositioning Kliff or the enemy, it sends an energy pulse along the Axiom Force grapple line that triggers an explosion at the target point. Beyond combat damage, Force Current can destroy mineral deposits and trees faster than manual gathering, and it pushes blocks and objects from a distance (functioning like a ranged version of Force Palm). It requires both Force Palm Lv. 2 and Axiom Force Lv. 2, plus one additional Abyss Artifact.

Stamina Requirements

The base Axiom Force object manipulation does not cost Stamina to use. However, the traversal sub-skills have significant stamina requirements. Both Aerial Maneuver and Aerial Swing require approximately 200 Stamina per use. Most players will not have enough stamina to use these skills reliably until they have invested in stamina upgrades through the skill tree.

Before investing Abyss Artifacts into Axiom Force Rank 2 and 3, consider raising your stamina pool to at least Stamina Level 4 (roughly 200 stamina points). Without sufficient stamina, you risk becoming exhausted mid-grapple, which can be fatal during platforming sections over bottomless pits. This is more important than it might seem: tight platforming sections and surprise combat encounters both demand stamina reserves, and running dry at the wrong moment can end a run.

If you have already invested in Axiom Force upgrades but lack the stamina to support them, Faded Abyss Artifacts can be used to reallocate your skill points. Access the respec option through the skills menu. The Faded Abyss Artifact slot is located in the second position from the right in the artifact interface.

Tips and Recommendations

• Invest in Axiom Force early. Aerial Maneuver alone makes exploration significantly faster. It is one of the best skills to get first.

• Always hold, never tap. The most common mistake is tapping Tab or clicking L3 instead of holding the button. On controller, a quick L3 press causes crouching. Hold the button until the targeting reticle appears, then release.

• Spirit regenerates while in Focus mode, so pair this skill with Focus for sustained use during puzzle sequences.

• Axiom Force has a limited range. If the claw does not connect, move closer to the target object and try again. There is no penalty for missing.

• When rotating discs in puzzles, grab the edge rather than the center for better rotational control.

• Chain Aerial Swing with Flight for maximum distance. Swing to build momentum, then glide to extend your trajectory.

• Ambush is one of the best gap-closers in the game for melee builds. It lets you teleport directly to ranged enemies or fleeing targets without any travel time.

• If you lack the stamina for Aerial Maneuver or Aerial Swing, use Faded Abyss Artifacts to respec your skill points into stamina upgrades first.

• The Kuku Iron Pot (via Mystical Storage) can hold up to 230 Abyss-type objects. Use it to stockpile puzzle components or machine parts for later use.

• Use Force Current to break mineral deposits and trees at range. It is faster than manual gathering and works well when you cannot reach a resource node directly.

• If a puzzle object is not responding to push or pull, try the rotation input instead. Some objects only react to specific directional manipulation.

• On PC, pressing Q after latching onto an object lets you take direct control of the Force for more precise adjustments during puzzles.

• Use trees as slingshots. Aim Axiom Force at a treetop, pull it back using the reel button (same as fishing), and press jump to launch. The trajectory depends on physics, so attach higher for more altitude and lower for horizontal distance.

• Recover from abyss falls with Axiom Force. If you slip off an edge inside the Abyss, press L3/Tab immediately. Axiom Force shoots upward and catches the cliff, letting you dangle and escape. This only works before you pass through the distortion layer between the abyss and the ground.

• Mine and log remotely with Force Current. At Axiom Force level 2, use Force Current to shatter ore deposits and fell trees from a distance. The resources drop at your feet. This does not work on animals.

See Also

• Kliff Skills

• Skills

• Best Skills to Get First

• Combat System

• Axiom Bracelet

• Grappling

• Force Current

• Force Palm

• Focused Force Palm

• Flight

• Abyss Artifacts Farming Guide

• Kuku Iron Pot

• How to Store Items

• Controls

• Stamina