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Cloudcart
March 24, 2026 at 05:23 AM
Expanded with verified Scholastone research costs, Cloudcruiser/Skystreaker details, fuel/control info, exploration strategies
The Cloudcart is a hot air balloon vehicle in Crimson Desert that allows players to take flight and reach otherwise inaccessible elevated areas. Unlike the Blackstar dragon mount, which provides full aerial combat capability, the Cloudcart is primarily an exploration tool designed for reaching altitude rather than spanning great horizontal distances. It provides access to high-up locations, helps locate fast travel points from above, and bypasses dangerous ground routes by flying over hostile regions.
The Cloudcart is crafted through the Greymane Camp dispatch mission system after finding its blueprints in Glenbright Manor. It has two upgrade variants that improve its capabilities: the Cloudcruiser and the Skystreaker. Both upgrades are unlocked through research projects at the Scholastone Institute.
Before you can craft the Cloudcart, you need to find its blueprints. The Cloudcart blueprints are hidden in the secret basement of Glenbright Manor. Glenbright Manor contains a puzzle that must be solved to access the basement. Once you solve the puzzle and reach the basement, you will find the blueprints waiting there.
After obtaining the blueprints, the option to craft the Cloudcart becomes available at the Emberwind Workshop.
The Cloudcart is produced at the Emberwind Workshop, located in Hernand Highlands, directly south of the Greymane Camp at Howling Hill. To craft it, you need the following resources and comrades:
Requirement | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
5 | One comrade must have the Engineer skill | |
75 | Gathered from mining nodes | |
75 | Gathered from trees | |
150 | Produced at camp or purchased | |
Coin | 2,500 | Standard currency |
The Engineer skill is not available on your earliest recruits. You need to upgrade your camp and complete Greymane Commissions to unlock comrades with this specialized skill. Focus on expanding your camp facilities and taking on commissions from the commission board to recruit Engineers.
Once you have the required materials and at least one Engineer comrade, select the Cloudcart dispatch mission at the Emberwind Workshop and assign your team. The Cloudcart will be completed after the dispatch timer finishes.
The Cloudcart can be upgraded into two improved variants through research projects at the Scholastone Institute. Each research project unlocks a new dispatch mission that lets you craft the upgraded version. The upgrades replace the previous variant.
The Scholastone Institute becomes available after completing the main objective inside the institute. Once you speak with the lead researcher and provide 1 Honey Tea to start the project tree, the full research menu opens up, including the Cloudcart upgrade projects.
Variant | Research Project | Research Cost | Research Time | Key Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cloudcart | Base version (no research needed) | 2,500 Coin + materials | Dispatch timer | Basic flight capability |
Cloudcruiser | Enhanced Cloudcart Efficiency | 9 Silver | 6 hours | Improved fuel efficiency and flight duration |
Skystreaker | Enhanced Cloudcart Altitude | 100 Silver | 18 hours | Maximum altitude capability |
After completing each research project, you still need to send out Greymane recruits on a dispatch mission to build the upgraded variant. The research only unlocks the ability to craft it.
The Cloudcruiser is the first upgrade, unlocked by the "Enhanced Cloudcart Efficiency" research project at the Scholastone Institute. It costs 9 Silver and takes 6 hours of research time. The Cloudcruiser offers improved fuel efficiency, allowing you to stay airborne longer before the fuel runs out. This makes it significantly more practical for extended exploration runs.
The Skystreaker is the top-tier variant, unlocked by the "Enhanced Cloudcart Altitude" research project. It costs 100 Silver and takes 18 hours of research time. The Skystreaker provides the highest altitude capability, allowing you to reach the most elevated locations in the game. This includes floating islands in the Abyss and mountain peaks that are completely inaccessible with the base Cloudcart.
The Skystreaker should be your long-term goal. While the 100 Silver research cost is substantial, the altitude improvement is worth the investment for players who want to access every hidden area in Pywel.
The Cloudcart operates on a simple flight model:
Ascent: The Cloudcart rises by boosting thermal power. Hold the ascend input to gain altitude. The rate of climb depends on the variant: the Skystreaker climbs faster and higher than the base Cloudcart.
Drift: Once airborne, the Cloudcart drifts based on wind conditions and player input. Horizontal movement is limited compared to mounts like the Blackstar dragon.
Descent: Release the ascend input to gradually descend. You can also exit the Cloudcart mid-flight and use the glider to cover horizontal distance during the fall.
Fuel gauge: A fuel meter appears on screen while riding the Cloudcart. When fuel runs out, the balloon begins descending automatically. The Cloudcruiser upgrade extends the fuel duration.
Fuel: The Cloudcart has fuel constraints that limit total flight duration. You cannot fly indefinitely. Plan your route before ascending to make the most of each flight.
Altitude focus: The Cloudcart is designed for vertical ascent rather than horizontal travel. It reaches high places efficiently but is not a fast travel replacement for covering long distances across the map.
Non-combat: The Cloudcart does not have any weapons or combat capabilities. It is purely an exploration vehicle. If attacked while airborne, the only option is to gain altitude to escape range or descend and fight on the ground.
Wind: Flight path can be affected by wind conditions in some areas, causing the balloon to drift off course. Pay attention to wind direction indicators when planning ascents.
Weather: Severe weather conditions can make flying more difficult. Storms and strong winds increase drift and reduce control.
The Cloudcart is most valuable for the following exploration activities:
Reaching elevated collectible locations that are inaccessible by climbing or gliding alone.
Scouting the environment from above to locate points of interest, enemy camps, and resource nodes.
Locating Abyss Nexus fast travel points from an aerial perspective.
Bypassing dangerous ground routes by flying over hostile regions.
Reaching hidden areas on cliff tops, mountain peaks, elevated ruins, and floating islands in the Abyss.
Combining with the glider for maximum coverage: ascend with the Cloudcart, exit mid-air, then glide to distant locations.
Prioritize upgrading to the Skystreaker as soon as you can afford the 100 Silver research cost. The altitude improvement opens up a large number of otherwise unreachable areas.
Use the Cloudcart to scout areas before exploring on foot. The aerial view reveals hidden paths, collectible glints, and enemy patrol routes.
The Cloudcart pairs exceptionally well with the glider. Ascend with the Cloudcart, then exit and glide to cover both vertical and horizontal distance in a single trip.
The Engineer skill requirement means you cannot craft the Cloudcart immediately at the start of the game. Focus on expanding your camp and completing commissions early to unlock Engineer recruits sooner.
If you are short on Silver for the Skystreaker research, consider upgrading to the Cloudcruiser first. The 9 Silver cost is much more manageable, and the improved fuel efficiency is useful while saving up for the final upgrade.
The 150 Food requirement for crafting is the largest single resource cost. Stock up by assigning camp members to food production or buying food from vendors before starting the dispatch mission.
Mounts - All mounts and vehicles in Crimson Desert
Hot Air Balloon - General vehicle type overview
Gliding - Glider mechanics and tips
Greymane Camp - Camp management and dispatch missions
Scholastone - Research institute and projects
Exploration and Traversal - Movement and exploration systems
Fast Travel - Fast travel point system
Glenbright Manor - Location where the blueprints are found
