Bounty System

Overview

The bounty system in Crimson Desert allows players to track down wanted outlaws and capture them in exchange for Silver and Contribution reputation. Bounty notices are posted by House Celeste on notice boards, walls, and lamp posts throughout the Hernand region. Each notice provides detailed information about the target, including their name, appearance, crimes committed, and last known location.

The system becomes available at the start of Chapter 2: Golden Greed, when Kliff first arrives in the City of Hernand. The first bounty, Jeffrey's, is a tutorial that introduces the capture mechanics. From that point onward, additional bounty notices appear on posts and boards around Hernand. There are eight confirmed bounty notices available through the House Celeste Quests faction quest line, with targets spread across the Hernand region and surrounding areas.

Bounty hunting is one of the best ways to earn both Silver and Hernandian Contribution in the early and mid game. Contribution points unlock exclusive items at the Hernand Contribution Shop, including armor sets and horse bardings.

Finding Bounty Notices

Bounty notices are scattered across the Hernand region on notice boards, lamp posts, and walls. They are marked on the minimap with a distinctive purple letter icon, making them easy to spot while exploring. Most of the initial bounty posters can be found on posts and boards around the City of Hernand and nearby locations such as the Hernand Farmhouse area.

To pick up a bounty, approach a notice board or poster and interact with it. Hold L1 (PlayStation) or LB (Xbox) to inspect the details on the poster. The notice displays the target's name, bounty price, race, age, gender, and a description of their crimes. Once you accept the bounty, the target's last known location is marked on your world map. The bounty notice itself is stored as a Key Item in your inventory and cannot be sold.

New bounty notices appear as you progress through the main story. Check notice boards regularly when visiting towns, as later bounties become available in later chapters. Some bounties also require completing prerequisite quests or liberating specific locations before the notice spawns.

How to Capture Bounties Alive

Capturing a bounty target alive earns the full Silver reward. Killing the target, whether intentionally or by accident, results in only half the bounty payout. The Contribution EXP is awarded regardless of whether the target is alive or dead. The standard capture procedure works as follows:

1. Travel to the target's location: Open your map and follow the bounty marker to the target's last known area. Ride your horse to cover the distance quickly.

2. Locate the target: The target will be identifiable by matching the poster description. When you get close, they will appear as an icon on your minimap. Most bounty targets attempt to flee the moment they spot you.

3. Chase and tackle: Sprint after the target and wait for the tackle prompt to appear. Press Cross (PlayStation) or A (Xbox) to tackle them to the ground.

4. Subdue with punches: After tackling, punch the target repeatedly. Each hit builds up a stagger meter. After several punches (usually two to four), the "Tie Up" option appears. Press the button immediately to restrain them. Be careful not to continue punching after the prompt appears, as excessive hits can accidentally kill the target and reduce your reward.

5. Load onto your horse: Pick up the bound target and summon your horse. Load the prisoner onto the horse's back. Kliff will automatically hold the prisoner while riding.

6. Deliver to the constabulary: Ride to the guard station (constabulary) listed on the bounty notice. The bounty notice specifies which constabulary accepts the target. For most Hernand bounties, this is the Hernand Constabulary located just outside the city walls along the western edge. Dismount, pull the prisoner off the horse, and approach the guards to turn them in.

You cannot fast travel while carrying a bounty target, so plan your route back to the constabulary before heading out. If your horse takes damage or gets spooked, both Kliff and the prisoner will fall off, and you will need to pick the target up again and remount.

Important Notes

• The constabulary where you turn in the outlaw does not always match the area where you found them. An outlaw may be located outside Hernand City but still needs to be turned in at the city's constabulary. Always read the bottom of the bounty notice for the correct turn-in location.

• Some targets are surrounded by hostile companions. Deal with nearby enemies first before attempting to tackle the bounty target.

• If the target does not appear at the marked location, rest at a nearby bonfire or bed and wait several in-game hours. Some targets are time-sensitive and only appear during certain periods.

• Wearing a Mask (obtained from the Jeffrey bounty) can prevent certain enemies from becoming immediately hostile, giving you more time to approach.

• Capturing each bounty target yields a "Note with a Suspicious Symbol" item alongside the standard Silver and Contribution rewards.

Bounty Targets

The following bounty targets are part of the House Celeste faction quest line. All bounty notices become available starting in Chapter 2 unless otherwise noted. The Silver amounts listed are for capturing the target alive; killing the target pays half.

Individual Bounty Details

Jeffrey (Tutorial Bounty)

Jeffrey is a pickpocket who steals money from townspeople in Hernand City. This is the first bounty available and is a tutorial for the entire bounty system. The quest begins when you speak with Pedro, the Hernand Guard Captain, at the constabulary outside the city. After reading the bounty notice, locate Jeffrey on the city streets using the bounty icon on your minimap. Tackle him, punch him three times, and tie him up. Deliver him to Guard Antoni at the constabulary to complete the quest and receive 1 Silver, 1 Mask, and +100 House Celeste Contribution EXP. The Mask unlocks the ability to commit crimes while disguised.

Billy

Billy is a mid-40s pickpocket last spotted near Hernand's Inn. His bounty notice can be found around the City of Hernand. Track Billy using the minimap icon and look near Rhett's Shop. He may attempt to hide or run away when you approach. Tackle and subdue him, then deliver him to the constabulary outside the city plaza. Rewards 2 Silver and +100 Contribution EXP.

Bianca

Bianca is a professional killer who pretends to need help so her victims lower their guard, then stabs them with a blade. Her bounty notice can be found on notice boards and lamp posts around Hernand, including near the Hernand Farmhouse. She is located at the Church of Hernand. Rather than going inside the church, circle around the building on the narrow dirt path to find her standing in a corner at the back. She flees immediately upon seeing Kliff, so be ready to sprint after her. Capture her alive for 5 Silver and +300 Contribution EXP.

Simon De Montfort

Simon de Montfort is wanted for theft and can be found at Scholastone in the Everfrost Basin region. His bounty poster is located around the Hernand Farmhouse area. When you reach Scholastone, Simon will attempt to flee on detection. Chase him down, tackle, and restrain him. Transport him back to the constabulary for 8 Silver.

Alessio

Alessio is an outlaw hiding in the Greenfield Highlands near the Ironwood Bandit Camp, in the southeastern part of the Hernand region. His bounty notice is found on lamp poles and notice boards in Hernand. On arrival, Alessio is easy to spot because he walks with a visible limp. Be prepared for nearby bandits in the camp. After subduing Alessio, note that the stagger builds up across multiple strikes before the bind prompt appears, so hit, wait briefly, and hit again rather than mashing. Rewards 12 Silver.

Salvatore

Salvatore is a murderer hiding in Sunset Valley, located at the southernmost part of the Hernand region. Head to the settlement and look for the windmill at the back of the town. Salvatore is found inside or near the windmill. He attempts to flee when confronted, so tackle and restrain him using the standard procedure. Capture alive for 12 Silver and +300 Contribution EXP. Players have noted that Salvatore's bounty poster appearance resembles "Let Me Solo Her" from Elden Ring, likely an easter egg from the developers at Pearl Abyss.

Blix

Blix is a goblin wanted for unauthorized looting of state-owned ruins. He is found at Unicorn Cliff near the Hornsplitter gang's main camp. Blix blends in with other goblins in the area before fleeing toward Nas Riverside when he spots you. A critical detail: Blix only appears at his location before 1:00 PM in-game time. However, if you arrive before 1:00 PM and are already close to his location, he will remain even after the clock passes 1:00 PM. If you miss the window, rest at a campfire and try again the next morning. Place his body on your horse for faster travel back to the City of Hernand constabulary. Rewards 15 Silver and +200 Contribution EXP.

Warren

Warren is located in Pororin at the southern edge of the Deepwoods. His bounty notice is posted in Hernand. However, reaching Warren requires completing the "The Unreachable Village" quest first, which grants access to the Pororin Forest area. Once you can enter the area, travel to Pororin, restrain Warren, and deliver him to the guard station. Rewards 25 Silver, making him one of the highest-paying bounties in the Hernand region.

Rewards

Bounty hunting provides three categories of rewards:

• Silver: The cash reward listed on the bounty notice. Capturing the target alive pays the full amount. Killing the target, whether intentionally or accidentally, reduces the Silver payout to exactly half.

• Hernandian Contribution EXP: Reputation points with the Hernand faction (House Celeste). Contribution EXP is awarded regardless of whether the target is alive or dead. Contribution unlocks items at the Hernand Contribution Shop, including exclusive armor sets and horse bardings.

• Note with a Suspicious Symbol: A quest item dropped by each bounty target upon capture. These notes appear to be connected to a broader story thread within the House Celeste quest line.

Bounties are one of the most reliable ways to earn Silver and Contribution in the early and mid game. The rewards scale with difficulty, ranging from 1 Silver for the tutorial bounty (Jeffrey) up to 25 Silver for Warren in the Deepwoods. Completing all available bounties also builds your reputation with House Celeste, unlocking increasingly valuable rewards at the Contribution Shop.

Relationship to Other Systems

The bounty system intersects with several other game mechanics:

• Crime System: The bounty system is separate from the player's own crime and wanted status. Kliff can accumulate his own bounty through criminal actions like theft and assault, which must be paid off at the constabulary. However, hunting NPC bounties is a lawful activity that does not increase Kliff's own wanted level.

• Contribution System: Each bounty awards Contribution EXP for the Hernand faction. Higher Contribution levels unlock better items at the Hernand Contribution Shop. Bounties are one of the primary ways to build Contribution alongside Hernand Commissions.

• House Celeste: All bounty notices are issued by House Celeste, one of the major factions in Hernand. Bounty quests appear in the faction quest log under House Celeste.

• Mask: The Mask item, obtained from the Jeffrey bounty, enables disguise mechanics that allow Kliff to infiltrate hostile areas without being recognized immediately. This can be useful when approaching certain bounty targets in enemy-heavy zones.

Player Bounties vs NPC Bounties

The NPC bounty hunting system described on this page is separate from the player's own wanted status. Kliff can accumulate his own bounty through criminal actions like theft, assault, and murder (see the Crime System article for full details). The player's wanted level works similarly to the "stars" system found in other open-world games: the higher the bounty, the more aggressively guards and bounty hunters pursue Kliff. The bounty price escalates in real time as additional crimes are committed, and bounties do not expire until cleared.

The two systems are fully independent. Hunting NPC bounties is a lawful activity that does not increase Kliff's own wanted level. Conversely, having a player bounty on your head does not prevent you from accepting and completing NPC bounty notices. However, having an active wanted status while trying to hunt bounties creates practical complications: guards may attempt to tackle and arrest you while you are chasing a bounty target, and you cannot fast travel while being actively pursued, making the return trip to the constabulary much harder. To clear a player bounty, purchase a Writ of Absolution from any Confessional inside a church, or get arrested and serve the jail sentence.

Load Bounties on Your Horse

The bounty system hides a significant quality-of-life mechanic that is not covered in the in-game tutorial: you can strap a subdued bounty target directly to the back of your horse and ride freely with both hands free. Walk up behind your horse while shoulder-carrying the target, hold the aim button, confirm the Load prompt that appears, and the target will be secured across the horse's rear for the rest of the trip. Combined with a second shoulder carry, this lets you turn in two bounties in a single round trip rather than doing two separate runs. For the full walkthrough of the two-target method, see Bounty Hunting.

This workflow matters most for the Plenty of Bounty quest chain, which is the single longest bounty list in the game. Running each wanted target individually back to the turn-in point is what gives that chain its reputation as a grind. With horse loading, every other round trip disappears from the rotation, turning Plenty of Bounty from a tedious travel loop into something that can be cleared in a reasonable session. The same trick applies to any long-running bounty chain or any bounty pair that happens to line up along the same travel route.

Tips

• Always capture bounty targets alive to receive the full Silver reward. Killing them halves the Silver payout, costing you significant income over time.

• Check for bounty notices every time you visit a town or pass a notice board. New posters appear as you progress through the main story.

• When punching a tackled target, watch carefully for the "Tie Up" prompt. Press it immediately to avoid accidentally killing the target with extra hits.

• Blix only appears before 1:00 PM in-game time. Arrive at Unicorn Cliff early in the morning to ensure he is there. If you miss him, sleep at a campfire and return the next day.

• Plan your return route to the constabulary before setting out. Since fast travel is disabled while carrying a prisoner, shorter routes save time and reduce the risk of enemy encounters along the way.

• If hostile enemies are present near a bounty target, clear them out first. Getting attacked while carrying a tied-up prisoner can knock both you and the target off your horse.

• Use your horse to transport captured bounties to the guard station. Kliff automatically holds the prisoner while riding, and horseback travel is much faster than walking.

• The constabulary listed on the bounty notice is not always in the same area as the target. Read the bottom of the notice to confirm where to deliver the prisoner.

• Stock up on healing items before pursuing bounties in remote locations like Sunset Valley or the Deepwoods. The journey back can be dangerous if you run into enemies.

• If you are wearing Scarlet Blades armor or a disguise, some hostile NPCs will not attack on sight. This can make approaching certain bounty targets in enemy camps much easier. Remove the disguise before entering a friendly town to avoid problems with guards.

Related Articles

• Crime System

• Contribution System

• Hernand Contribution Shop

• House Celeste

• House Celeste Quests

• Hernand Commissions

• Key Items

• City of Hernand

• Hernand

• Mask