Overview
Deepfog Basin is an early-game location in Crimson Desert situated within the Hernand region of Pywel. This fog-shrouded lowland is a significant battlefield in the opening chapters of the story and is the place where Kliff first obtains his horse mount, a major moment that opens up mounted traversal across the open world.
Acquiring your first horse
During the story, Kliff follows a scout to the Deepfog Basin battlefield. After the events that unfold there, Kliff acquires his first horse. This mount becomes the primary method of travel for much of the early and mid-game. Horses can be summoned at any time by pressing down on the D-Pad, and they will run to Kliff's position from wherever they are.
Horseback riding is the core traversal option from the start of the game. Crossing Pywel from end to end takes approximately two hours on horseback, so players will spend significant time in the saddle. The horse also supports mounted combat; Kliff can command his horse to rear up and kick enemies with its hind legs during fights that break out on the road.
The battlefield
Deepfog Basin is characterized by its thick fog cover and uneven terrain, which creates natural chokepoints and ambush opportunities. The area is an introductory combat zone where players put the skills they learned in Hernand Town into practice against real threats.
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Fog mechanics | : The dense fog limits visibility, adding tension to encounters. Enemies can appear from unexpected directions |
Terrain | : The basin's rolling hills and rocky outcroppings provide natural cover during combat |
Enemy encounters | : The battlefield features groups of hostile soldiers and creatures that serve as the first significant combat challenge beyond the tutorial |
After the basin
Once Kliff obtains his horse at Deepfog Basin, the game opens up considerably. Players can ride back to Hernand Town or begin exploring the wider Hernand region on horseback. The horse mount unlocks access to distant points of interest that would take far too long to reach on foot.
The Greymane Camp becomes easier to manage once you can ride between it and quest locations quickly
Later in the game, additional mounts become available, including bears, dragons, raptors, and even a missile-firing mech
Horses remain useful throughout the game for general exploration and can be tamed in the wild through a horse-taming minigame
Tips
Visit the blacksmith in Hernand Town before heading to Deepfog Basin. Having a refined weapon makes the early combat encounters more manageable
Pay attention to the fog. Enemies can approach from angles you cannot see, so listen for audio cues
After acquiring the horse, practice mounted combat in the basin before leaving. The open terrain is ideal for learning how horseback fighting works
The horse can be summoned anywhere after this point. You never need to return to Deepfog Basin to retrieve it