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Controls Overview
Crimson Desert features a combo-focused control scheme inspired by fighting games such as Samurai Shodown, Final Fight, and King of Fighters, and frequently compared by reviewers to Devil May Cry. The combat system rewards multi-hit combos, timed parries, and dodge cancels, drawing from both character action games and wrestling-style grapple mechanics. Pearl Abyss recommends playing with a controller for the best experience, though full keyboard and mouse support is available with rebindable keys on PC.
The game supports hot-swapping between controller and keyboard/mouse at any time. DualSense (PS5) controllers work on PC via both USB and Bluetooth, though a Bluetooth connection defaults to Xbox button prompts. A wired USB connection is recommended for correct PlayStation icons. Xbox controllers work wirelessly. Controller button layouts are fixed and cannot be remapped, but PC keyboard bindings can be customized through the settings menu.
PlayStation 5 Controls
The following table lists the default PlayStation 5 controller bindings. These cannot be remapped.
Input | Action |
|---|---|
Left Stick | Move character |
Right Stick | Move camera |
R1 | Weak Attack |
R2 | Strong Attack |
L1 | Guard / Aim Lantern |
L2 | Aim / Shoot Ranged Weapon |
Square | Jump |
X (Cross) | Run (double tap to Sprint) |
Circle | Roll (double tap for Evasion) |
Triangle | Kick / Unarmed Attack |
D-Pad Up | Summon Horse / Quick Slot 1 |
D-Pad Left | Sheathe Weapon / Quick Slot 2 |
D-Pad Right | Eat Food / Quick Slot 3 |
D-Pad Down | Hard Lock |
L3 (Left Stick Click) | Crouch / Slide |
R3 (Right Stick Click) | |
Touchpad | Change Camera |
Options | Menu / Map |
Xbox Controls
The following table lists the default Xbox controller bindings. These cannot be remapped.
Input | Action |
|---|---|
Left Stick | Move character |
Right Stick | Move camera |
RB | Weak Attack |
RT | Strong Attack |
LB | Guard / Aim Lantern |
LT | Aim / Shoot Ranged Weapon |
X | Jump / Leap |
A | Run (double tap for Sprint) |
B | Roll (double tap for Evasion) |
Y | Kick / Unarmed Attack |
D-Pad Up | Summon Horse / Quick Slot 1 |
D-Pad Left | Sheathe Weapon / Quick Slot 2 |
D-Pad Right | Eat Food / Quick Slot 3 |
D-Pad Down | Hard Lock |
LS (Left Stick Click) | Crouch / Slide |
RS (Right Stick Click) | |
View Button | Change Camera |
Menu Button | Quick Menu / Menu |
PC Keyboard and Mouse Controls
The following table lists the default PC keyboard and mouse bindings. Most of these can be remapped through the in-game settings menu, though some binds (movement, jump, crouch, menu shortcuts) may be locked.
Input | Action |
|---|---|
W, A, S, D | Movement |
Mouse | Camera control |
Left Mouse Button | Weak Attack |
Right Mouse Button | Strong Attack |
F | Kick / Unarmed Attack |
Alt | Roll / Evade |
Ctrl | Guard / Aim Lantern |
Shift | Run (double tap for Sprint) |
Space | Jump / Leap |
C | Crouch / Slide |
Caps Lock | Hard Lock |
Tab | |
H | Summon Horse |
R | Sheathe Weapon |
Z | Switch Weapons |
B | Use Equipment |
F1 | Quick Slot 1 |
F2 | Quick Slot 2 |
F3 | Quick Slot 3 |
Mouse Scroll | Zoom In/Out / Force Palm |
M | Map |
I | Inventory (added in Patch 1.00.03) |
K | Skills (added in Patch 1.00.03) |
J | Journal (added in Patch 1.00.03) |
Mouse Button 4 | Guard / Aim (added in Patch 1.00.03) |
Mouse Button 5 | Evade (added in Patch 1.00.03) |
Esc | Menu |
Advanced Combat Controls
Beyond basic attacks, Crimson Desert's combat system includes a variety of advanced techniques. Timing is critical for parries, perfect dodges, and combos. A successful parry opens a brief window for a powerful riposte, while a perfectly timed dodge restores stamina instead of consuming it. Slow-motion aiming (Precision Focus) is triggered separately during sideways dives or aerial launches for enhanced ranged accuracy.
Action | PlayStation 5 | Xbox | PC |
|---|---|---|---|
L1 (precise timing) | LB (precise timing) | Ctrl (precise timing) | |
Perfect Dodge | Circle (precise timing) | B (precise timing) | Alt (precise timing) |
Downswing | R1 + R2 | RB + RT | LMB + RMB |
Stun Flash | L1 + R1 | LB + RB | Ctrl + LMB |
Hold L1 + R1, then R1 | Hold LB + RB, then RB | Hold Ctrl + LMB, then LMB | |
Riposte | R1 after successful Parry | RB after successful Parry | LMB after successful Parry |
Sprint Attack | R1 or R2 while Sprinting | RB or RT while Sprinting | LMB or RMB while Sprinting |
Aerial Attack | R1 or R2 mid-air | RB or RT mid-air | LMB or RMB mid-air |
Combat System
The combat in Crimson Desert is not a Soulslike. It plays closer to a character action game with combos built around chaining weak and strong attacks together. The combo system rewards experimentation and punishes button mashing.
Mechanic | Details |
|---|---|
Weak and Strong Attacks | R1/RB delivers fast weak attacks for building combos, while R2/RT unleashes slower but more powerful strong attacks. Mixing both creates unique combo strings. |
Parrying | Press L1/LB at the exact moment an enemy attack lands to parry the blow. A successful parry staggers the enemy and opens a riposte window. |
Riposte | After a successful parry, press R1/RB immediately to deliver a devastating counter-attack that deals bonus damage. |
Dodging and Evasion | Press Circle/B to roll away from attacks. Double tap Circle/B for a faster evasion. Precise dodge timing triggers a slow-motion window for counter-attacking. |
Guard | Hold L1/LB to block incoming attacks. Blocking consumes stamina (though normal light attacks do not), and a full stamina depletion while guarding breaks your defense, leaving you vulnerable. |
Kick | Press Triangle/Y to deliver an unarmed kick. Kicks can break through an enemy's guard and stagger them. Hold the button for an extended kick. |
Grapple Moves | At close range, certain button combinations initiate wrestling-style grapple attacks like suplexes, chokeslams, and neckbreakers. These deal heavy damage and ignore enemy armor. |
Force Palm and Axiom Force
The Force Palm is a supernatural ability activated by clicking R3/RS (or Mouse Scroll on PC). It creates a powerful shockwave that can push back enemies, interact with objects in the environment, and provide mid-air propulsion during traversal.
Use | Details |
|---|---|
Combat Use | Force Palm staggers nearby enemies and can interrupt their attacks. It is especially useful for creating breathing room when surrounded. |
Traversal Use | When used mid-air, Force Palm propels Kliff forward, extending jump distance and reaching otherwise inaccessible areas. |
Environmental Interaction | Force Palm can manipulate certain objects in the world, moving obstacles and revealing hidden paths. |
Axiom Force | Activated with Tab on PC, Axiom Force is a separate ability tied to the Axiom Bracelet. It enhances combat and enables special environmental interactions. |
Ranged Combat
Crimson Desert features ranged combat using bows and other ranged weapons. Aiming is done with L2/LT on controller or the dedicated aim key on PC.
Mechanic | Details |
|---|---|
Aim | Hold L2/LT (controller) to enter aiming mode. On PC, the aim key defaults to the right mouse button context or a dedicated ranged key. |
Shoot | While aiming, press R1/RB to fire. Releasing the aim button also fires on controller. |
Precision Focus slows time while aiming, allowing for precise headshots and weak point targeting. | |
The lantern can be aimed with L1/LB to illuminate dark areas and reveal hidden secrets. It serves as both a light source and a tool for discovering concealed items. |
Traversal Controls
Exploration and traversal in Crimson Desert goes well beyond walking and running. Kliff can climb walls, glide through the air, use a grappling hook to swing across gaps, and ride mounts across the open world of Pywel.
Action | PlayStation 5 | Xbox | PC |
|---|---|---|---|
Jump / Leap | Square | X | Space |
Climb | Square near a wall + Left Stick | X near a wall + Left Stick | Space near a wall + W |
Wall Climb | Hold Square + Left Stick toward surface | Hold X + Left Stick toward surface | Hold Space + W toward surface |
Glide | Square mid-air (hold) | X mid-air (hold) | Space mid-air (hold) |
Context-sensitive at grapple points | Context-sensitive at grapple points | Context-sensitive at grapple points | |
Force Palm (mid-air) | R3 mid-air | RS mid-air | Mouse Scroll mid-air |
Slide | L3 while Sprinting | LS while Sprinting | C while Sprinting |
Action | Details |
|---|---|
Paragliding | Press and hold Jump while airborne to deploy a glider. Steering is handled with the movement stick or WASD. Gliding consumes stamina (though normal light attacks do not) gradually. |
Grappling Hook | At designated grapple points, a context-sensitive prompt appears. Use it to swing across chasms, scale vertical surfaces quickly, and reach elevated platforms. |
Swimming | Kliff can swim across bodies of water. Movement controls remain the same while swimming, with Jump used to dive and surface. |
Sliding | Press Crouch while sprinting to initiate a slide. Sliding down slopes builds momentum and covers ground quickly. It can also be used to pass under low obstacles. |
Mount Controls
Summoning and riding mounts is essential for crossing the vast open world. Press D-Pad Up (controller) or H (PC) to call your horse, then approach it and press Triangle/Y/F to mount.
Action | PlayStation 5 | Xbox | PC |
|---|---|---|---|
Call Horse | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up | H |
Mount / Dismount | Triangle near horse | Y near horse | F near horse |
Accelerate | X (Cross) | A | Shift |
Steer | Left Stick | Left Stick | W, A, S, D |
Stealth Controls
Stealth is a viable approach in many situations. Crouching reduces your detection range and allows you to move through enemy camps unnoticed.
Action | Details |
|---|---|
Crouch | Press L3/LS (controller) or C (PC) to crouch. While crouched, enemies have a harder time detecting you. |
Stealth Takedowns | Approach an unaware enemy from behind while crouched to perform a silent takedown that eliminates them instantly. |
Distraction | Throw objects to create noise and lure enemies away from their patrol routes. |
Vegetation Cover | Use bushes and foliage as camouflage, especially when hunting wildlife. Animals and enemies lose sight of you inside dense vegetation. |
Stamina System
Most advanced physical actions in Crimson Desert consumes stamina (though normal light attacks do not). Sprinting, dodging, blocking, climbing, swimming, and special combat skills all draw from the same stamina bar. Managing stamina is crucial in combat, as running out mid-fight leaves you unable to dodge or block.
Activity | Details |
|---|---|
Sprinting | Consumes stamina while held. Double-tap Run for a full sprint that drains stamina faster. |
Guarding | Blocking attacks drains stamina per hit. If your stamina depletes while guarding, your defense breaks and you become staggered. |
Climbing | Stamina drains while climbing walls. If it runs out mid-climb, Kliff falls. |
Recovery | Stamina regenerates automatically when not performing stamina-consuming actions. Standing still recovers it fastest. |
Customization and Accessibility
Crimson Desert offers several options to customize and simplify the controls to suit different playstyles and accessibility needs.
Option | Details |
|---|---|
PC Key Rebinding | Most keyboard and mouse bindings can be remapped through the settings menu. Controller bindings are fixed. |
Toggle Sprint | An option to change sprint from hold-to-run to a toggle, so you do not need to hold the button down while moving. |
Auto Lock-On | Automatically locks onto the nearest enemy target when entering combat, removing the need to manually lock on. |
Simplified Combo Mode | Reduces multi-button simultaneous inputs to sequential single presses. This makes combo execution much easier at the cost of slightly lower damage output. |
Cutscene Controls
Crimson Desert does not allow players to skip cutscenes entirely. However, a fast-forward feature is available during all story cinematics.
Action | How to Activate | Details |
|---|---|---|
Fast-forward | Press and hold the button shown in the bottom-right corner | Plays the cutscene at approximately 1.5x speed. You must continue holding the button for the duration. |
Pause | Press the pause/menu button during any cutscene | Pauses the cutscene. Useful for stepping away without missing dialogue. |
The fast-forward prompt appears automatically in the bottom-right corner of the screen whenever a cutscene begins. Since full skipping is not available, the 1.5x speed option is the only way to move through cinematics more quickly. The fast-forward feature works on both controller and keyboard input.
Quick Menu and Shortcuts
Lantern Quick Menu
You can configure the Lantern to automatically turn on in dark areas and turn off in bright areas. Hold Left on the D-Pad (or press F2 on PC) to open the radial quick menu, navigate to the lantern slot, and press A/X to open the sub-menu. From there, toggle the auto setting so the lantern activates and deactivates on its own without manual input.
Helmet Visor and Hood Toggle
Helmets with visors can be toggled open or closed without entering the inventory. Hold Left on the D-Pad (or press T on PC) to open the quick menu, navigate to the Armor tab, hover over the helmet, and click the right joystick (R3 on console) or the mouse scroll wheel (PC) to raise or lower the visor.
Hoods work similarly. In the quick menu's armor section, pressing the interact button on the hood causes your character to pull it up or push it down. Some helmets that lack a face-covering component can be visually hidden this way, as toggling the hood makes certain headgear disappear from view. Results vary depending on the helmet type.
Movement Speed Tiers
Crimson Desert has three movement speeds controlled by tapping the Run button (A on Xbox, X on PlayStation, Shift on PC). A single tap while walking starts a jog, which continues without holding the button. A second tap while jogging breaks into a sprint. Tapping the button repeatedly while sprinting triggers a fast sprint, which is the fastest ground movement speed but drains Stamina more quickly. The key is clean, deliberate taps rather than holding the button down.
Quick Access Menu Shortcuts
Holding the Start/Menu button (or holding Esc on PC) opens a radial shortcut menu that lets you jump directly to specific menus such as the Inventory, Journal, Skills, or Map. This is faster than navigating through the full pause menu. Select the menu you want from the wheel and release to go straight to it.
Continuous Looting
When multiple items are on the ground nearby, press and hold the interact button (X on PlayStation, Square on Xbox, or the designated pickup key on PC) to continuously loot. Your character will automatically collect all items within range one after another without requiring repeated button presses. This is especially useful after clearing enemy camps or gathering from resource-dense areas.
Key Rebinding on PC
While Crimson Desert does not support controller remapping natively, PC players using keyboard and mouse can rebind most of their keys through the in-game settings. To access the key mapping panel:
Open the pause menu and navigate to the Others section.
Select Options, then click Settings.
Go to the Input section.
At the bottom of the Input tab, click Shortcuts and Input Settings to open the Key Mapping panel.
Click any control you want to change, then press the new key you want to assign.
Press Space to apply and save all changes.
If a new keybind overlaps with an existing one, the game will prompt you to overwrite the existing binding. Some default bindings already share keys, so overwriting one may leave another action unbound. You can reset all bindings to their defaults from the same menu if something goes wrong.
Not all bindings can be changed. Movement keys (WASD), the jump key (Space), the crouch key (C), and certain menu shortcuts are locked and cannot be remapped. Actions such as attack, dodge, sprint, guard, and most combat and interaction keys can be freely reassigned.
Known Control Issues
Since its launch on March 19, 2026, Crimson Desert has received widespread criticism for its control scheme. Multiple review outlets and players have flagged the controls as one of the game's biggest pain points. The issues affect both controller and keyboard/mouse players, though the problems are more pronounced on controller due to the lack of rebinding options.
Shared Button Conflicts
One of the most common complaints is that too many actions are mapped to the same buttons on controller. The interact button (used for picking up items, talking to NPCs, and opening doors) shares a binding with the jump button. In practice, this means there is a high chance of jumping instead of interacting with an object, particularly when the context prompt is slow to appear or when standing slightly too far from the target.
Mounting and dismounting the horse also use different buttons, which catches many players off guard. Pressing the wrong button near your horse can result in punching the animal instead of climbing onto it. These overlapping inputs create friction throughout exploration and combat alike.
Multi-Tap and Hold Requirements
Many basic actions in Crimson Desert require double-taps or extended holds rather than single presses. Sprinting, for example, is activated by tapping the run button twice rather than holding it. Many interaction prompts require holding a button until a radial meter fills, even for simple actions like looting items or opening chests. This adds unnecessary time to routine tasks and can feel sluggish compared to other action games.
No Native Controller Remapping
Controller button layouts on PlayStation 5 and Xbox are completely fixed. There is no option in the game's settings to remap controller buttons. Keyboard and mouse bindings can be changed on PC (see the Key Rebinding on PC section above), but controller users on all platforms are stuck with the default layout. This has been one of the most criticized aspects of the game's launch, with players noting that the inability to remap controls is a basic quality-of-life feature missing from a 2026 release.
Keyboard and Mouse Experience
Pearl Abyss designed the game's combat system primarily around controller input. The keyboard and mouse experience has been described as significantly worse, with awkward default bindings such as Shift for sprint (which requires rapid tapping rather than holding), Alt for dodge, and several multi-key combinations for advanced combat techniques. The sprint mechanic is particularly problematic on keyboard because repeatedly tapping Shift can trigger the operating system's Sticky Keys prompt on Windows.
Input Lag
Some players have reported perceived input lag, especially when using controllers via Bluetooth. This manifests as a slight delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen, which is particularly punishing in a game built around precise parry timing and dodge cancels. The camera can also feel sluggish at default sensitivity settings, compounding the impression of unresponsive controls.
PC vs Console Differences
Feature | PC (Keyboard/Mouse) | PC (Controller) | Console (PS5/Xbox) |
|---|---|---|---|
Key/Button Rebinding | Partial (most keys rebindable, some locked) | Not available natively | Not available natively |
Input Method | Keyboard + mouse (separate aim) | Gamepad (analog aiming) | Gamepad (analog aiming) |
Hot-Swap Support | Yes, instant swap between KB/M and controller | Yes, instant swap between KB/M and controller | Controller only |
Camera Acceleration | Adjustable in Settings > Input | Adjustable in Settings > Input | Adjustable in Settings > Input |
Sprint Input | Double-tap Shift (can trigger Sticky Keys) | Double-tap A / X (Cross) | Double-tap A / X (Cross) |
DualSense Support | Wired USB required for correct icons; Bluetooth shows Xbox prompts by default | N/A | Full native support (PS5 only) |
Mod Support | Yes (Nexus Mods controller remapper available) | Yes (Nexus Mods controller remapper available) | No |
On PC, the game supports hot-swapping between keyboard/mouse and controller at any time. The button prompts on screen switch automatically to match whichever input device was used last. Xbox controllers work wirelessly on PC, while DualSense (PS5) controllers need a wired USB connection for the game to display PlayStation button prompts correctly; Bluetooth works but defaults to Xbox prompts.
Workarounds and Community Fixes
The community has developed several workarounds for the most common control issues. These range from in-game settings adjustments to third-party mods.
Camera Acceleration Fix
One of the most widely shared tips is to change the Camera Acceleration setting to 100 in the Input settings menu. By default, the camera has heavy acceleration that makes turning feel sluggish and introduces perceived input lag. Setting Camera Acceleration to 100 makes the camera respond immediately to stick or mouse input, which significantly improves the feel of both combat and exploration. This fix was popularized by streamer Gladd shortly after launch and works on both controller and keyboard/mouse.
Controller Button Remapper Mod (PC)
For PC players who want to remap their controller buttons, the community-made Controller Button Remapper mod (available on Nexus Mods) provides full button remapping through a simple configuration file. The mod supports all 16 controller inputs including face buttons, bumpers, triggers, stick clicks, start, back, and all four D-pad directions. On-screen button prompts automatically update to reflect the new layout.
To use this mod, Steam Input must be disabled for Crimson Desert. Right-click the game in your Steam library, go to Properties, then Controller, and select "Disable Steam Input." The mod also includes a combo passthrough feature that preserves simultaneous button-press combinations (used for special skills) even when individual buttons are remapped.
DualSense Bluetooth Icon Fix (PC)
When using a DualSense controller on PC via Bluetooth, the game defaults to Xbox button prompts (ABXY) instead of PlayStation icons. Two methods can fix this:
Disable Steam Input: Right-click Crimson Desert in your Steam library, go to Properties, then Controller, and select "Disable Steam Input." This forces the game to use its native controller detection, which correctly identifies the DualSense.
USB Boot Method: Connect your DualSense via USB cable before launching the game. Confirm that PlayStation button prompts appear on the title screen. Then unplug the cable and reconnect via Bluetooth while the game is still running. The PlayStation icons should persist for the rest of the session.
For the lowest input latency, connecting the DualSense via a wired USB-C cable is recommended regardless of icon issues. Bluetooth adds approximately 10 to 15 milliseconds of polling latency compared to a wired connection. If DS4Windows is installed on your PC, close it completely before launching the game to prevent double-input glitches.
Reducing Input Lag
Players who experience input lag can try the following adjustments to reduce delay:
Action | Details |
|---|---|
Disable V-Sync | Turn off V-Sync in the game's display settings. V-Sync adds a frame of latency to prevent screen tearing, which is noticeable during fast combat. |
Enable NVIDIA Reflex | If you have an NVIDIA GPU, enable NVIDIA Reflex in the game's settings to reduce system-level render latency. |
Use a Wired Controller | Switch from Bluetooth to a wired USB connection. This eliminates wireless polling delay. |
Set Camera Acceleration to 100 | As noted above, this removes the sluggish acceleration curve and makes camera movement feel instant. |
Lower Controller Deadzone | In the Input settings, reduce the controller deadzone to 5 to 10 percent so the analog sticks respond to smaller movements. |
Use Performance Mode | If available, switch to Performance mode in the graphics settings to prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, which reduces frame delivery time. |
Responsive Camera Mod (PC)
The Responsive Camera mod (available on Nexus Mods) modifies the game's configuration file to eliminate camera acceleration and smooth turning entirely. This provides a more immediate camera response than the in-game Camera Acceleration setting alone. The mod is a simple config file replacement and does not require any additional software.
Developer Response and Patches
On March 21, 2026, approximately 36 hours after the game's launch, Pearl Abyss published a notice titled "A Message to Our Players" on the official Crimson Desert website. In the notice, the studio acknowledged that it was "aware of the discomfort many players have experienced with the controls" and confirmed it was "currently preparing a patch to address this." Pearl Abyss also specifically apologized for "not providing keyboard and mouse players with a satisfactory gameplay experience."
The studio stated it is taking player feedback seriously and working to improve the gameplay experience as quickly as possible. As of the time of this notice, no specific timeline or details about the scope of the controls patch have been provided. The announcement followed widespread criticism from players and reviewers, with multiple outlets describing the control scheme as one of the game's most significant issues at launch.
Patch 1.00.02 (March 20, 2026)
The day-one patch (version 1.00.02) was released on March 20, 2026. While it did not overhaul the control scheme, it included several related improvements:
Fixed an issue where the character could become unresponsive to controls when attempting to steal fruit.
Adjusted QTE (quick-time event) difficulty when captured by enemies so that it gradually increases based on the number of times the player has been captured, rather than being uniformly difficult from the start.
Added a new tutorial quest at the start of Chapter 3 to teach players about Abyss Gears.
Enabled faster fast-forwarding of recently viewed cutscenes.
Improved usability for certain systems and content, including Housing mode.
Pearl Abyss has indicated that a more comprehensive controls-focused patch is in preparation, separate from the day-one fixes. Players are encouraged to check the official Crimson Desert website and patch notes page for updates on future changes.
Patch 1.00.03 (March 23, 2026)
Patch 1.00.03, released four days after launch, delivered the most significant controls improvement to date. The update added dedicated keyboard shortcuts for core menus: [I] opens Inventory, [K] opens Skills, [J] opens Journal, and [M] opens Map. Previously, accessing these menus required navigating through the pause menu or using the radial quick access wheel, which added unnecessary steps.
Mouse side buttons also received default bindings for the first time. Mouse Button 4 (back) now defaults to Guard/Aim, and Mouse Button 5 (forward) defaults to Evade. These defaults address a common community request, since Guard and Evade are critical combat actions that benefit from dedicated, easily reachable inputs.
The patch also improved keyboard and mouse movement responsiveness and fixed issues where duplicate key assignments could occur when rebinding controls. While these changes did not constitute a full overhaul of the control scheme, they represent a meaningful step toward addressing the widespread criticism from the launch window.
Tips
Pearl Abyss strongly recommends using a controller for the best combat experience. The combo system was designed around gamepad inputs.
If playing on keyboard and mouse, consider rebinding Dodge from Alt to a side mouse button for faster access during combat.
Practice parry timing on weaker enemies before taking on bosses. The parry window is tight but rewarding.
Use the Hard Lock (D-Pad Down / Caps Lock) during boss battles to keep the camera focused on a single target.
Force Palm is not just for combat. Use it during exploration to reach hidden areas and solve environmental puzzles.
Keep an eye on your stamina bar during fights. Running out of stamina while blocking results in a guard break that leaves you wide open.
The Simplified Combo Mode in accessibility settings is a great option for players who find the multi-button inputs difficult. The damage reduction is minor.
When exploring, alternate between sprinting and walking to manage stamina. Sprint in safe areas, conserve stamina near enemy camps.
Set Camera Acceleration to 100 in Settings > Input to eliminate the sluggish default camera. This single change dramatically improves how responsive the game feels on both controller and keyboard/mouse.
If using a DualSense controller on PC, connect via USB cable rather than Bluetooth. This ensures correct PlayStation button prompts and reduces input latency.
PC controller players who want to remap buttons should look into the Controller Button Remapper mod on Nexus Mods. Remember to disable Steam Input first.