Welcome to Pywell
Crimson Desert drops players into the boots of Kliff Macduff, a mercenary leader whose world is shattered by a devastating ambush. This guide covers essential knowledge for your 50-80 hour journey across the continent of Pywell, a world at least twice the size of Skyrim.
Understanding the Story
The game begins with the Drunken Black Bears ambushing the Greymanes, killing many of Kliff's companions and scattering survivors across Pywell. Your primary goals are reuniting with surviving Greymanes (Oongka, Yann, Naira, Marius, Hubert), rebuilding the company, and seeking vengeance against Myurdin.
As you progress, the Abyss and Library of Providence reveal larger threats, beings planning to bring 'everything to nothingness.' Kliff's personal quest becomes intertwined with cosmic stakes. Player decisions affect the narrative, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
Combat Basics
Controls are complex but rewarding. R1/R2 for light/heavy attacks, L1 to block, L2 to aim bow. Square is jump (not X!), Circle is dodge, Triangle is kick/mount. Master dodging, blocking, parrying, and ripostes to create openings.
The Axiom Bracelet grants elemental abilities: fire explodes (great for groups), ice freezes for follow-up shatters (crowd control), lightning paralyzes and disrupts shields. Match elements to situations. Wrestling moves like the Neckbreaker (circle + triangle grab) provide stylish options but don't work on massive bosses.
Exploration Tips
Pywell is massive, use climbing, gliding (Crow Wings from White Crow), grappling hooks, and mounts to traverse efficiently. Force Palm (R3) provides vertical boosts. Press L3+R3 for aerial mode.
Hot Air Balloons access floating Abyss Islands. Look for environmental interactions, pillars to collapse on bosses, ledges to kick enemies from, fire to throw foes into. Hernandian Banquet Attire allows castle infiltration in Hernand.
Boss Encounters
The game features dozens of bosses, each crucial for progression. Defeating bosses grants their weapons AND their moves. Blue health bars mean two phases; red means one.
Boss variety includes conventional fighters (Staglord), stealth assassins (Reed Devil), climb-and-attack creatures (Queen Stoneback Crab), summoner witches (Hexe Marie), mechanical constructs (Golden Star), and more. Some require environmental tactics, others climbing, others pure combat mastery.
Life Skills
Beyond combat: fish, gather herbs, mine ores, cook food, tame horses, interact with pets (dogs, cats, rats). Trading wagons and potential farming add variety. These systems provide breaks between boss fights, even spending time playing dice in taverns.
Gather resources manually at first; bulk collection unlocks as you level up. Materials feed crafting and cooking for consumables and equipment.
Progression Approach
No traditional classes exist, customize through weapons and abilities. Kliff is a warrior, so physical combat is always required, but you have flexibility in approach. Use whatever works best.
Stats (Health, Spirit, Stamina, Attack, Defense, Reputation, Attack Speed, Movement Speed, Critical Chance, Battery) improve through equipment and progression. Defeat varied enemies and bosses to learn new techniques.