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Chapter 10: Counterattack Walkthrough - Version 17 vs Version 18
May 27, 2026, 07:57 PM
Restored body text in sections that were rendering empty
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11Overview22Chapter 10, titled "Counterattack," is the tenth chapter of Crimson Desert's main story and marks a dramatic shift from the spiritual journey of Chapter 9 to full-scale military preparation. With the wisdom gained from the Sage of the Desert and his enhanced Axiom Force powers, Kliff returns to the war effort. The chapter takes place primarily in the Delesyia region, where the Greymane mercenaries seek a powerful secret weapon to turn the tide against their enemies.44The defining feature of Chapter 10 is the introduction of the ATAG (All-Terrain Armored Gear), a massive mechanized war machine that becomes available approximately 50 to 60 hours into the main story. Players learn to operate the ATAG during the "Secret Weapon" sub-chapter and use it in combat during the "Greater Firepower" sub-chapter. The chapter spans 9 quests across two sub-chapters and includes two significant boss encounters: the Clockwork Insect and the Frozen Hearted Predator.66Preparation: Chapter 10 is less gear-dependent than Chapter 9's boss fights, as several quests involve the ATAG mech rather than personal combat. However, you should still have weapons and armor at refinement level 5 or higher. Stock healing supplies as usual, with at least 100 Grilled Meat and 20 high-quality meals. If you have not yet unlocked the Gorthak Ironworks research institute in Delesyia, note that the story will unlock it during this chapter.88Story Context1010Chapter 10 is the counterattack itself. Kliff has finished Master Du's trials and the Greymanes are ready to march on Fort Musket, but the flying fortress hanging over the battlefield can kill anyone who gets near it. The chapter pivots into Delesyia to find a weapon capable of bringing it down.1313Delesyia itself is at war with the orcs of the Gorthak Ironworks, under siege by a swarm of automatons built by Marni (or, as the player will learn in Chapter 11, by an AI wearing his name). Kliff allies with the Gorthak leader Valgash by saving his life, and the two factions agree to work together against the common machine threat.1515The chapter is also where the player gets to pilot the ATAG Mech, an experimental Gorthak war suit. It was originally designed by an engineer named Marek who insisted on packing in too many features for any local pilot to operate; Kliff's abyssal training is what lets him use it straight away.1717Key Story Beats1919Kliff and the allied counterattack reach the field outside Fort Musket but find it shielded by the flying fortress. Direct assault is impossible until the fortress is brought down.Kliff travels south to Delesyia and immediately encounters the Gorthak war: a swarm of mechanical 'bugs' is overrunning the orcs.Kliff rescues Valgash, leader of the Gorthak orcs, from one of the machine attacks. The introduction is curt: 'Mechanical menaces. Volgash, we've been looking for you.'The Gorthak orcs reveal the ATAG Mech, originally built by Marek, that has been too complex for any local pilot. Kliff climbs in and operates it on his first attempt thanks to the abyssal aptitude he has accumulated.Valgash brings out a laser cannon super-weapon that needs an immense amount of power to fire. Kliff defends the power plants while they cycle up, then aims the cannon at Marni's sky galleon airships above. Both airships fall.A giant clockwork mantis is sent down from the sky to retaliate. Kliff fights it alone on the ground and brings it down.With the immediate Gorthak threat broken, Valgash explains who Marni really is: a Delesyian inventor who began by making machines to help cooks and farmers and only recently turned his designs into weapons. The flying fortress is one of those weapons, modeled after 'an island in the sky' that Marni claims to have seen once.The cannon Kliff used has already been depleted, so the original plan of shooting the flying fortress out of the sky is dead. Valgash decides the next step has to be confronting Marni in person to find out why his designs changed, which carries directly into Chapter 11.2121Named Characters2323CharacterRole in ChapterNotesKliffProtagonistFirst chapter where he pilots the ATAG Mech in combat. Personally takes down the giant clockwork mantis.ValgashGorthak leader and allyLeader of the Gorthak orcs. His decision to align with Kliff opens the way to the ATAG and the laser cannon. Becomes a long-term ally.MarekEngineer (mentioned)Designed the ATAG Mech. His preference for adding features over usability is what kept the suit grounded before Kliff arrived.MarniAntagonist (or so it seems)The Delesyian inventor blamed for the machine swarm and the flying fortress. The truth that the real Marni is not the one directing the attacks is held until Chapter 11.2525Bosses2626BossLocationNotesMarni's sky galleonsDelesyia skyEngaged with the Gorthak laser cannon. Bringing them down is what triggers the retaliatory mantis attack.Giant clockwork mantisGorthak Ironworks groundFirst major boss-class machine in the Delesyian arc. Fought alone.ATAG Mech (player-piloted, not a boss)Across the Gorthak warFirst playable mech sequence in the campaign. Roughly 50 to 60 hours into a normal playthrough.2828Key Locations Visited2929DelesyiaGorthak IronworksFort Musket approaches (briefly, before the Delesyia detour)3131Lore Reveals3333The chapter introduces the player to Delesyia as a region defined by its machine technology. Gorthak orc engineering and Delesyian clockwork are two different schools but share a common substrate: both lean heavily on bismuth and abyssal-power adjacent designs. The fact that the laser cannon and the ATAG are both bismuth-based ties them back to the same materials Kliff has been gathering throughout the campaign.3535Marni's pivot from helper-machines to war-machines is foreshadowed here in Valgash's monologue and then explained in full in Chapter 11. The lore framing is that an inventor of his stature could only be displaced from his own legacy by something with similar inventive capability, which the player will later learn is the Hall AI he created in his own image.3737Quest List3939QuestSub-ChapterTypeUntouchableSecret WeaponCutscene / ExplorationThe Gate of WarSecret WeaponExploration / CombatMaster of the IronworksSecret WeaponStory / ExplorationHidden AceSecret WeaponTutorial / Mech CombatClockwork Insect ClashSecret WeaponBoss FightBeating HeartGreater FirepowerStory / CombatInvaders From the EastGreater FirepowerCombat / ObjectiveFrozen Hearted PredatorGreater FirepowerBoss FightLingering ShadowGreater FirepowerStory / Cutscene4141Secret Weapon4242The "Secret Weapon" sub-chapter follows Kliff and the Greymanes as they travel to Delesyia, the most technologically advanced region on the continent of Pywel. Their goal is to secure the ATAG, a powerful war machine developed by the Ironflame Orcs at the Gorthak Ironworks. This sub-chapter introduces mech-based gameplay and builds toward the Clockwork Insect boss fight.4444Untouchable4646Fresh from the events of Chapter 9, Kliff and his companions discuss strategy at Greymane Camp. The enemies have grown too powerful to defeat through conventional combat alone. Oongka, the Greymanes' resident engineer and inventor, proposes seeking out a legendary weapon developed in the Delesyia region: the All-Terrain Armored Gear.4848Speak with Oongka at the Greymane Camp workshop. He explains that the ATAG was developed by the Ironflame Orcs but was abandoned after a failed test caused significant damage to the Gorthak facility. The machine is still intact but needs repairs and a skilled operator.Discuss the plan with the Greymane leadership. A camp meeting takes place where the mercenaries debate whether pursuing the ATAG is worth the risk. A cutscene shows differing opinions among the group, with some arguing for a traditional assault and others supporting Oongka's plan.Decision point. The group ultimately agrees to pursue the ATAG. Kliff, Oongka, and a small team prepare to travel to Delesyia. The quest completes when you leave the camp heading south toward the Delesyia border.5050This quest is primarily story-driven. Use the downtime before departing to upgrade equipment at the camp blacksmith, cook supplies, and complete any outstanding faction quests in the Hernand region.5252The Gate of War5454The journey to Delesyia passes through contested territory where enemy forces have established checkpoints and patrols. Kliff and his team must fight through or around these obstacles to reach the Gorthak Ironworks.5656Travel south toward the Delesyia border. The route passes through the southern Demeniss borderlands. Follow the road until you reach a heavily fortified checkpoint blocking the main passage into Delesyia.Clear the checkpoint. The checkpoint is defended by approximately 15 to 20 soldiers in two groups. The first group patrols the outer perimeter, while the second guards the gate itself. Eliminate the outer patrol first to prevent being flanked, then assault the gate defenders.Open the gate mechanism. After clearing the soldiers, interact with the gate winch on the right side of the fortification. A short animation shows Kliff raising the portcullis, opening the road into Delesyia.Survive the ambush. As you pass through the gate, a second wave of enemies attacks from behind. This is a scripted ambush with about 10 soldiers. Damiane and Oongka fight alongside you during this encounter, helping thin the enemy numbers.Continue into Delesyia. After defeating the ambush, the road opens into the Delesyia landscape. The terrain shifts from the dense forests of Demeniss to the more open, industrialized environment of Delesyia. Follow the quest marker toward Gorthak.5858The checkpoint fight is a straightforward combat encounter. Use area-of-effect weapon skills to handle groups efficiently. Damiane and Oongka cannot be killed during this sequence, so let them draw aggro while you flank enemies.6060Master of the Ironworks6262The team arrives at the Gorthak Ironworks, a massive industrial complex built into the mountainside of northwestern Delesyia, near the Demeniss border. The Ironflame Orcs who maintain the facility are initially hostile to outsiders, but Oongka's reputation as an engineer opens a dialogue with their leader.6464Approach the Ironworks entrance. The facility is guarded by Ironflame Orc sentries. A cutscene triggers as you approach, with the orcs leveling weapons at the group. Oongka steps forward and speaks in the orc dialect, defusing the situation.Meet the Master of the Ironworks. The head engineer of Gorthak, a grizzled orc inventor, leads the group into the facility's main workshop. Massive forges, assembly lines, and prototype weapons fill the space. He shows the group the ATAG, which sits dormant in a central hangar.Inspect the ATAG. Walk around the mech and interact with various inspection points to learn about its systems. The ATAG is equipped with three primary weapon systems: a machinegun for sustained fire, a cannon for heavy damage, and an EMP system for disabling other machines.Agree to the test run. The Master of the Ironworks explains that the ATAG needs a field test before it can be deployed in actual combat. He agrees to let the Greymanes use it if Kliff can successfully operate it in a controlled test scenario.6666This quest also unlocks the Gorthak Ironworks as a Research Institute. You can return here later to begin research projects that further upgrade the ATAG's capabilities. The initial project requires 5x Gunpowder as a starting material. Key upgrades include the ATAG Cannon, ATAG Laser, ATAG Pincers, and Oongka's Rocket Pack Vertical Flight ability (via the Machine Parts Research project, which costs 130 Silver and takes 23 hours).6868Hidden Ace7070Kliff boards the ATAG for the first time and completes a series of training exercises in a controlled testing ground adjacent to the Gorthak Ironworks. This quest is the ATAG tutorial, teaching players the mech's controls and combat capabilities.7272Enter the ATAG cockpit. Interact with the mech in the hangar to begin the tutorial sequence. A cutscene shows Kliff climbing into the cockpit and the systems powering on.Movement tutorial. Practice walking and turning with the mech. The ATAG moves more slowly than Kliff on foot but has significantly more armor and firepower. Movement controls mirror standard character controls but with heavier momentum.Machinegun training. Destroy a series of stationary target dummies using the ATAG's machinegun. The machinegun has unlimited ammunition but overheats after sustained fire. Release the trigger periodically to prevent overheating.Cannon training. Switch to the cannon and destroy reinforced targets. The cannon deals massive damage but has a slow fire rate and limited ammunition that regenerates over time. Aim carefully, as each shot matters.EMP training. Use the EMP system to disable a group of automated turrets. The EMP has a wide area of effect but a long cooldown. It is most effective against mechanical enemies and can temporarily shut down enemy machines.Combat simulation. A final exercise pits the ATAG against waves of automated practice drones. These drones attack from multiple directions, testing your ability to switch between weapon systems and manage the mech's positioning. Complete the simulation to pass the test.7474The tutorial is designed to be completed on the first attempt. The practice drones deal minimal damage, so focus on learning the weapon switching and movement mechanics rather than worrying about taking hits. Mastering these controls is essential for the boss fight in the next quest.7676Clockwork Insect Clash7878The ATAG test run is interrupted by an unexpected threat. A massive clockwork insect, a rogue war machine that escaped from the Gorthak facility during an earlier accident, attacks the testing ground. This boss fight is the first real test of the ATAG's combat capability and is the climax of the "Secret Weapon" sub-chapter.8080Boss Fight: Clockwork Insect8282The Clockwork Insect is an enormous mechanical creature resembling an armored beetle with bladed legs and an energy cannon mounted on its back. The fight takes place in the open testing ground, giving the ATAG plenty of room to maneuver.8484Clockwork Insect Attack Patterns8686Leg Swipe: The insect swipes its front legs in a wide arc, dealing heavy melee damage to the ATAG. Strafe to the side when you see the legs raise to avoid the hit.Charge: The insect lowers its head and charges forward in a straight line. The charge covers a long distance and deals massive damage on impact. Move perpendicular to its charge direction to dodge.Energy Cannon: A beam weapon on the insect's back fires a sustained energy beam that sweeps across the arena. Stay behind the insect or use cover behind terrain obstacles to avoid the beam.Drill Burrow: The insect burrows underground and emerges beneath the ATAG. Watch for the rumbling ground and dust plume that indicate its tunneling path. Move away from the tremors to avoid the eruption damage.Clockwork Swarm (Phase 2): At half health, the insect releases a swarm of smaller clockwork drones that harass the ATAG with rapid-fire projectiles. Use the EMP system to disable the entire swarm at once, then refocus on the main boss.8888Clockwork Insect Strategy9090Stay behind the insect. The Clockwork Insect's most dangerous attacks are frontal. Position the ATAG behind or to the side of the boss to minimize exposure to the leg swipe and charge attacks.Use the cannon on exposed weak points. When the insect rears up after a charge, its underside is briefly exposed. Fire the cannon at this weak point for bonus damage. Each successful hit on the weak point deals roughly triple the normal cannon damage.Save the EMP for the drone swarm. The EMP has a long cooldown, so do not waste it early. When the clockwork swarm appears in Phase 2, a single EMP burst disables all drones, giving you a clear window to focus on the boss.Machinegun for sustained damage. Between cannon shots, use the machinegun to maintain constant damage pressure. Aim for the insect's joints to weaken its leg attacks over time.Watch for the burrow. The drill burrow attack is the hardest to avoid because the ATAG moves slowly. Start moving as soon as the insect disappears underground and keep moving until it emerges. Do not stop to attack while it is burrowing.9292Rewards: Defeating the Clockwork Insect temporarily unlocks the ATAG for use during the remaining Chapter 10 quests. Permanent open-world access requires completing the "New Designs" faction quest in Chapter 11 and crafting the mount at the Zargan Tankworks. The Master of the Ironworks congratulates the team and pledges the support of the Gorthak facility for the coming war. The ATAG also receives a damage upgrade from salvaged clockwork components for the remainder of Chapter 10.9494Greater Firepower9696With the ATAG secured, the Greymanes shift from acquisition to deployment. The "Greater Firepower" sub-chapter sees Kliff and his allies using their new war machine against incoming threats while preparing for the larger conflict ahead. The chapter builds toward a confrontation with the Frozen Hearted Predator, a powerful creature that threatens the Delesyia region.9898Beating Heart100100Back at the Gorthak Ironworks, the ATAG is being upgraded and armed for real combat. Meanwhile, intelligence reports arrive about a major enemy force mobilizing to the east. The Greymanes must decide how to deploy their limited resources.102102Return to the Gorthak Ironworks. After the Clockwork Insect fight, the ATAG needs repairs. Fast travel to the Ironworks if available, or ride back from the testing ground.Speak with the Master of the Ironworks. He provides an update on the ATAG's status and explains the upgrade process. New weapon systems can be researched through the Machine Parts Research project, which takes 23 hours of in-game time. If you started the research earlier, it may already be complete.Attend the war council. A cutscene gathers the key characters: Kliff, Oongka, Damiane, and several Greymane officers. They review intelligence about the eastern threat, which appears to be a combination of enemy soldiers and corrupted creatures empowered by Abyss energy.Make preparations. The quest gives you free time to complete any outstanding activities: research projects, equipment upgrades, cooking, and side quests. Speak with the war council table again when ready to proceed.104104Use the preparation time wisely. If the Machine Parts Research is not yet complete, consider resting at campfires to advance time. The upgrades from this research, including the ATAG Cannon, ATAG Laser, and ATAG Pincers, significantly improve your combat capability for the remaining quests.106106Invaders From the East108108The eastern invasion force arrives sooner than expected, attacking settlements in the Delesyia region. Kliff and the Greymanes deploy to defend the region, using both personal combat and the ATAG to repel the invaders.110110Deploy to the eastern border. Travel to the marked defensive position on the eastern edge of Delesyia. The invading force has already breached the outer perimeter and is moving toward civilian settlements.Defend the first settlement. The initial battle is fought on foot. Waves of enemy soldiers attack a small village, and you must defeat them while protecting the villagers. Three waves of increasingly powerful enemies attack over the course of the encounter.Mount the ATAG. After the foot battle, the ATAG is delivered to the frontlines. Board it and use its weapons to intercept the second wave of invaders, which includes armored vehicles and siege equipment that are too durable for infantry to handle.Push the invaders back. Drive the ATAG along the eastern road, engaging enemy formations. Use the cannon to destroy heavy targets and the machinegun to clear infantry. The EMP is useful for disabling enemy siege engines, which have shields that resist conventional attacks.Secure the perimeter. The quest ends when you reach the eastern border post and activate a defensive barrier. A cutscene shows the remaining invaders retreating, but scouts report that a far greater threat is approaching: a massive creature corrupted by Abyss energy.112112The ATAG combat in this quest is more dynamic than the tutorial. Enemy formations use flanking tactics and target the ATAG with focused fire. Keep moving and prioritize the siege engines, as they deal the most damage to the mech. The cannon is most effective against armored targets, while the machinegun handles infantry efficiently.114114Frozen Hearted Predator116116The creature the scouts warned about reveals itself: the Frozen Hearted Predator, a colossal beast that has been corrupted by Abyss energy and enhanced by extreme cold. It approaches from the frozen wastes east of Delesyia and threatens to destroy everything in its path. This is the climactic boss fight of Chapter 10.118118Boss Fight: Frozen Hearted Predator120120The Frozen Hearted Predator is fought in two distinct phases. The first phase uses the ATAG mech, while the second phase switches to personal combat after the mech is disabled. The boss has three health bars total: two for the ATAG phase and one for the ground phase.122122Phase 1: ATAG Combat124124Ice Breath: The Predator breathes a wide cone of freezing air that slows and damages the ATAG. Strafe sideways to avoid the cone. If caught, the mech's movement speed is reduced by 50% for several seconds.Tail Slam: The creature slams its armored tail onto the ground, creating a shockwave of ice spikes that spread outward. Move the ATAG away from the impact point to avoid the spikes.Charge and Bite: The Predator charges on all fours and attempts to bite the ATAG. This attack deals the most damage in Phase 1. Dodge to the side and counter with a cannon shot while it recovers from the missed charge.Ice Crystal Barrage: The creature summons a barrage of ice crystals from the sky. Circular target indicators appear on the ground showing where each crystal will land. Move between the indicators to avoid damage.126126During Phase 1, use the cannon to target the Predator's exposed chest when it rears up after a charge. The machinegun is effective for general damage, and the EMP can temporarily stagger the creature, interrupting its ice breath attack. After depleting two health bars, the Predator tackles the ATAG, destroying the mech in a cutscene and forcing Kliff to continue on foot.128128Phase 2: Ground Combat130130Claw Swipe: Fast melee attacks with its front claws. Dodge backward or sideways to avoid the swipe arc.Frost Stomp: The Predator raises a foot and stomps, creating a circle of ice on the ground. Anyone standing in the frost circle takes continuous cold damage. Move out of the circle immediately.Ice Howl: A devastating roar that sends a wave of freezing energy in all directions. The only way to avoid it is to hide behind one of the terrain barriers scattered around the arena.Weakened Core: After the ATAG damaged its chest plating in Phase 1, the Predator's core is now partially exposed. Attacks that hit the glowing blue core deal triple damage. Focus all attacks on this weak point.132132Frozen Hearted Predator Strategy134134Phase 1: Stay at medium range. The ATAG is most effective at medium range where the cannon can hit reliably and you have time to dodge the charge attack. Too close and the tail slam becomes unavoidable; too far and the ice breath reaches you.Phase 1: Use EMP to interrupt ice breath. The ice breath is the most consistently damaging attack. When you see the Predator open its jaws and inhale, fire the EMP to stagger it and cancel the attack.Phase 2: Target the exposed core. The glowing blue core on the Predator's chest is the key to ending the fight quickly. Use heavy attacks and weapon skills to hit the core during its recovery windows after missed charges or claw swipes.Phase 2: Use terrain for cover. The ice howl attack cannot be dodged through conventional means. When the Predator rears back and inhales deeply, sprint to the nearest terrain barrier and crouch behind it to block the freezing wave.Bring cold resistance food. Any meals that provide cold resistance or elemental defense reduce the damage from the Predator's ice-based attacks significantly.136136Rewards: Defeating the Frozen Hearted Predator grants unique crafting materials used for high-tier cold-resistant armor, a trophy item, and a significant story milestone. The beast's heart is recovered and studied by Oongka, who believes the Abyss corruption can be reversed.138138Lingering Shadow140140The chapter's final quest wraps up the immediate conflict and sets the stage for the events ahead. With the eastern invaders repelled and the Frozen Hearted Predator defeated, the Greymanes have proven the ATAG's effectiveness, but a lingering shadow of larger threats remains on the horizon.142142Return to the Gorthak Ironworks. The team brings the salvaged materials from the Frozen Hearted Predator back to the Ironworks for analysis. Oongka and the orc engineers begin studying the Abyss corruption found in the creature's remains.Attend the debriefing. A cutscene shows the Greymane leadership discussing the implications of the eastern attack. The invaders were more organized and better equipped than expected, suggesting a powerful force is coordinating the assault on Delesyia.Speak with Kliff's companions individually. Walk through the camp and talk to each major companion character. These optional conversations reveal their personal reactions to recent events and provide hints about their individual story arcs.Examine the recovered Abyss fragment. Oongka has extracted a fragment of concentrated Abyss energy from the Predator's heart. Interacting with it triggers a vision that shows a shadowy figure orchestrating events from the background, confirming that the attacks are not random but part of a coordinated strategy.Chapter ending cutscene. The chapter concludes with a sweeping cinematic showing the Greymanes fortifying their position, the ATAG being repaired and upgraded, and Kliff staring toward the eastern horizon. His expression conveys determination mixed with unease, as the lingering shadow of the true enemy remains just out of reach.144144This quest is entirely story-driven with no combat. The companion conversations are optional but provide valuable character development and foreshadowing for later chapters. Make sure to interact with the Abyss fragment, as the vision it provides is a key narrative moment.146146Tips for Chapter 10148148The ATAG tutorial in Hidden Ace is short. Spend extra time in the testing ground practicing weapon switching and movement before advancing to the Clockwork Insect fight.The cannon's weak point bonus damage against the Clockwork Insect is essential for an efficient kill. Wait for the insect to rear up after a charge to expose its underside, then fire.Start the Machine Parts Research project at Gorthak Ironworks as soon as it becomes available. The 23-hour timer means you want it running during your explorations rather than waiting idly.During the Invaders From the East quest, prioritize destroying enemy siege engines. They deal the most damage to the ATAG and are too durable for infantry weapons.For the Frozen Hearted Predator Phase 2, bring food that provides cold resistance. The ice howl attack is devastating without resistance, but manageable with the right consumables.The EMP system is your most valuable tool in ATAG combat. Use it to interrupt dangerous attacks (like the Predator's ice breath or the Clockwork Insect's energy cannon) rather than for raw damage.Talk to all companion characters during the Lingering Shadow quest. Their dialogue provides important context for Chapter 11 and beyond.If you protected all supply wagons during the Lust for Power quest in Chapter 9, you have access to additional supplies at the Gorthak Ironworks. Check the supply depot for bonus materials.
