Revision 7

Overview

Axiom Force is a traversal and manipulation skill in Crimson Desert, available 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 versatile 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.

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. 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.

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.

PC (Keyboard and Mouse)

PlayStation 5

Xbox

Object Manipulation

Once the Axiom Force claw latches onto a valid object, Kliff enters a manipulation state. 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.

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 about which direction an object should go.

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. All upgrades require Abyss Artifacts.

Core Upgrades

Combat Upgrades

Utility Upgrade

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.

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. Chaining Aerial Swings together across multiple anchor points is the fastest way to cross regions like the Hernand countryside. For even greater mobility, combine Axiom Force with Flight (for gliding after a swing) and Force Palm (for mid-air directional boosts).

Puzzle Solving

Axiom Force is the primary tool for solving Abyss puzzles throughout the game. Most puzzles involve repositioning large objects (stone blocks, rotating wheels, pillars, or power cores) to open pathways or activate mechanisms. The general approach for puzzle solving is:

1. Activate Axiom Force and latch onto the highlighted object.

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

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

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

When working with rotating discs (as in the Polar Opposites quest), grabbing the edge of a disc rather than its center provides better rotational control. Some puzzles require moving multiple objects in sequence, so look around the area for all interactive elements before committing to a solution.

Combat Applications

While Axiom Force is primarily a traversal and puzzle tool, its upgraded forms provide significant combat utility. Winch is effective for pulling dangerous ranged enemies into melee range, disrupting enemy formations, and slamming lighter enemies to the ground for a brief stun window. Ambush takes this further by teleporting Kliff directly to the target for an immediate strike, making it an excellent gap-closer against enemies that try to maintain distance.

The related skill Force Current also activates through the Axiom Force grapple. It sends an energy pulse along the 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).

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 level 4 (roughly 200 stamina). Without sufficient stamina, you risk becoming exhausted mid-grapple, which can be fatal during platforming sections over bottomless pits. 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.

Tips

• Invest in Axiom Force early to unlock its full progression chain. Aerial Maneuver alone makes exploration significantly faster.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

See Also

• Kliff Skills

• Skills

• Best Skills to Get First

• Combat System

• Axiom Bracelet

• Grappling

• Force Current

• Force Palm

• Flight

• Abyss Artifacts Farming Guide