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Banner Pikes
April 3, 2026 at 07:28 AM
Added pole vault double jump replacement detail, advanced traversal combo (pole vault to aerial force palm to Crow's Wing), unbreakable Hernand Contribution Shop pike, and combat humor note
Banner pikes are a category of two-handed weapons in Crimson Desert that function as both combat tools and traversal aids. Unlike standard weapons that remain permanently in a player's inventory, banner pikes are temporary polearms with limited durability that break after extended combat use. They occupy the secondary weapon slot alongside other two-handed weapons and can be swapped to via the equipment wheel.
Banner pikes are found throughout the world of Pywell, appearing in bandit encampments, military outposts, major towns, and as world loot scattered across the landscape. In friendly settlements such as Hernand, players must equip a Mask and steal the pikes. In hostile faction camps controlled by groups like the Bleed Bandits or the Black Bears, pikes can be picked up freely without consequences.
Each banner pike is associated with a faction, region, or mercenary company, and its name reflects that origin. Pikes come in three size categories: Small, Medium, and Contribution variants. The size affects the base Attack Power, with Medium variants generally offering higher damage than Small ones. Contribution banner pikes are special variants tied to regional contribution shops.
One of the most distinctive features of banner pikes is the pole vault ability. While holding a banner pike, performing a double jump will cause Kliff to plant the pike into the ground and launch himself into the air instead of performing his normal second jump. This pole vault launches Kliff significantly higher than a standard double jump, allowing players to vault over walls, clear gaps, and reach elevated areas that would otherwise require abilities like Aerial Force Palm.
Pole vaulting does not consume the pike's durability, so players can vault repeatedly without worrying about the weapon breaking. This makes banner pikes a valuable traversal tool even when their combat durability is nearly depleted. The mechanic is also central to several challenges, including the "Rainbow Across the Sky" challenge, which requires performing multiple consecutive vault jumps.
The pole vault can be chained with other movement abilities to cover extreme distances. After pole vaulting, players can perform three Aerial Force Palm strikes in sequence to gain additional height while airborne. At the peak of the third palm strike, switching into Crow's Wing glide mode extends the total distance well beyond what any single ability could achieve. This pole vault to aerial palm strike to Crow's Wing sequence is the optimal technique for maximum-distance traversal in the open world.
In combat, banner pikes function as long-reach polearm weapons. Their extended range makes them effective for crowd control in large-scale battles and mercenary operations. Because banner pikes have very low durability, they are best treated as disposable weapons meant for aggressive use during the encounter where they become available.
Banner pikes cannot be refined at a Blacksmith, and they do not have Abyss Core slots. Their Attack Power is fixed at acquisition. Players should use them offensively during battles and switch to their primary weapon once the pike breaks.
Despite their limited effectiveness compared to dedicated melee weapons, banner pikes have a distinctly humorous quality in combat. Swinging the oversized pole to bonk enemies produces exaggerated animations that many players find entertaining. Their low damage output and fragile durability make them impractical for serious encounters, but their comedic appeal has earned them a devoted following among players who enjoy the absurdity of charging into battle with a flag on a stick.
Banner pikes can be acquired through several methods across Pywell:
Bandit camps and hostile outposts: Found leaning against walls, stuck in the ground, or near guard posts. Can be picked up freely.
Friendly towns and settlements: Available in towns like Hernand, but require wearing a Mask to steal them without alerting guards.
World loot: Some banner pikes spawn randomly at various locations across the open world.
Contribution shops: Regional contribution banner pikes can be purchased from Contribution Shops using region-specific contribution points. Notably, the banner pike available from the Hernand Contribution Shop is unbreakable, meaning it never loses durability in combat. This makes it the only permanently reusable banner pike in the game and ensures the pole vault technique is always available without needing to find replacements.
Story events: Certain quests and mercenary contracts provide banner pikes as temporary weapons during specific encounters.
Banner pikes come in three general size categories. The size directly correlates with the weapon's base Attack Power.
Size | Attack Power Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Small | 17 - 33 | Smaller polearms; lower base damage but same pole vault capability |
Medium | 17 - 33 | Standard size; most common variant found in the world |
Contribution | 20 | Purchased from regional Contribution Shops; fixed stats |
The following table lists every confirmed banner pike in Crimson Desert, sorted alphabetically. All banner pikes are classified as two-handed weapons and occupy the secondary weapon slot.
Name | Attack Power | Faction/Origin |
|---|---|---|
17 | Generic | |
17 | ||
19 | ||
24 | ||
24 | ||
24 | ||
27 | Delesy | |
24 | ||
24 | ||
27 | Dewhaven | |
24 | Dusksong | |
24 | Faceless | |
33 |
Name | Attack Power | Faction/Origin |
|---|---|---|
17 | ||
19 | ||
24 | ||
24 | ||
21 | ||
27 | Delesy | |
24 | ||
24 | ||
27 | Dewhaven | |
24 | Dusksong | |
24 | Faceless | |
33 | ||
19 | ||
19 | Heavy Silence | |
19 | Hellhounds | |
19 | ||
27 | Ironflame Orcs | |
27 | ||
17 | ||
21 | ||
24 | ||
24 | Tommaso | |
24 | Twilight Messengers | |
24 | Varnia | |
19 | Vellua Pirates | |
24 | ||
24 | Wyvernflames |
Name | Attack Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
24 | A signboard repurposed as a polearm | |
17 | Decorated variant with a hanging tassel | |
17 | Bladed on both ends | |
17 | Named legendary banner pike | |
21 | A worn Calphadean pike with reduced durability |
Contribution banner pikes are special variants available for purchase at regional Contribution Shops. Each region offers its own faction-themed pike. All contribution variants have an Attack Power of 20.
Name | Attack Power | Region |
|---|---|---|
20 | ||
20 | Delesy | |
20 | ||
20 | ||
20 |
Banner pikes are involved in several challenges throughout the game:
Rainbow Across the Sky: Requires performing multiple consecutive pole vault jumps. This challenge teaches the pole vault mechanic and rewards players who master the timing.
Night of the Silent Banner Pike: A Life Challenge under the Above the Law category that involves stealth and banner pike acquisition in Hernand.
Below the Banners: A main quest in Chapter 6 that involves banner pike combat during a pivotal story event.
Always keep at least one banner pike in your secondary weapon slot for traversal. Even a nearly broken pike can still pole vault.
When approaching a large battle, grab fresh banner pikes from nearby camps before engaging. Their high reach and damage make excellent opening weapons.
For maximum distance traversal, pole vault and then immediately chain three Aerial Force Palm strikes to gain extreme height, then switch to Crow's Wing at the apex. This combo covers more ground than any other traversal technique in the game.
Flame Knights Banner Pikes (both Small and Medium) offer the highest Attack Power at 33, making them the most powerful banner pikes in the game.
Contribution banner pikes are a reliable source since they can always be repurchased from Contribution Shops, unlike world loot variants that may only spawn once.
Purchase the unbreakable banner pike from the Hernand Contribution Shop to have a permanent pole vault tool that never breaks. This eliminates the need to scavenge replacement pikes from camps.
