Overview
Dispatch missions are a core progression system in Crimson Desert that allows players to send their Greymane companions (called Freeswords) on off-screen assignments while the player explores, fights, or pursues other activities across the continent of Pywel. These missions run in the background and reward resources such as food, silver, crafting materials, and armaments upon completion.
The dispatch system unlocks after recruiting enough Freeswords during the main story and restoring the Howling Hill Camp. From that point forward, dispatch missions become the primary engine for camp expansion, resource generation, and faction reputation. Managing them efficiently is one of the most important habits for long-term progression.
How Dispatch Works
To access dispatch missions, open the world map and hover over a camp icon. Press Y (Xbox) or Triangle (PlayStation) to view the camp's options, then tab over to the Mission List with RB or R1. On PC, you can also press the Inspect button while the camp is selected. Each mission lists its required number of recruits, the time it will take to complete, and the rewards you will receive.
Select a mission, assign your Freeswords, and confirm the dispatch. Missions run on an in-game clock. A mission listed at 17 hours will take 17 in-game hours, not real-world hours. You can speed up time by resting in a bed inside your camp's main tent.
Once a mission completes, you receive the base rewards plus any bonus multipliers from skill matching, extra recruits, and regional Conversion bonuses. Completed one-time missions (such as camp expansions) do not restart. Repeatable resource missions can be dispatched again immediately.
Mission Types
Dispatch missions fall into two broad categories: one-time story or expansion missions that permanently advance your camp, and repeatable resource-gathering missions that can be run continuously.
Mission Type | Description | Relevant Skill | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Camp Expansion | One-time missions that unlock new areas or buildings for your camp. These have higher recruit requirements and longer completion times. | Explorer / Builder | Howling Hill Camp Expansion (requires Luke and Ronald, 17 in-game hours) |
Escort | Guard a trade caravan or supply convoy between two locations. Rewards silver and occasionally rare items. | Escort | Oakenshield Manor Escort (steady silver income) |
Harvest | Gather crops, herbs, and plant-based materials from farms and fields. Primary source of food for your camp. | Farmer | Capra Pasture Harvest (food supplies) |
Ranching | Raise and manage livestock including chickens, cows, and goats. Produces food and animal-based crafting materials. | Rancher | Camp Ranch (meat and dairy) |
Fishing | Send Freeswords to fish at nearby water sources. Provides fish for cooking and occasionally rare catches. | Fisherman | River fishing missions near Howling Hill |
Logging | Fell trees and collect wood for camp buildings and crafting recipes. | Logger | Forest logging near Thread Forest |
Mining | Extract ore and stone from mineral deposits. Provides crafting materials for weapons and armor. | Miner | Mountain mining missions near Hernand |
Production | Craft armaments, tools, or processed materials at camp workshops. Requires specific recruit skills. | Smith / Craftsman | Warspike Spearmaker (armament production) |
Defense | Protect a location from hostile forces. Rewards reputation with local factions and sometimes rare equipment. | Escort | Estate Security at Hernand (requires 2 to 4 Comrades) |
Recruit Skill Matching
Every recruit has a set of skills that determine how effective they are on specific mission types. Skills fall into two functional groups: Efficiency Boosters that increase yields for matching missions, and Required Skills where at least one recruit with that skill must be assigned for the mission to succeed.
Efficiency Booster Skills
These skills increase the resource yield of matching dispatch missions. Assigning a recruit with the Farmer skill to a Harvest mission provides a percentage bonus to the food gathered.
Skill | Matching Mission Type |
|---|---|
Escort | Escort and Defense missions |
Farmer | Harvest missions |
Rancher | Ranching missions |
Fisherman | Fishing missions |
Smith | Production missions (armaments) |
Logger | Logging missions |
Miner | Mining missions |
Required Skills
Certain missions require at least one recruit with a specific skill before the mission can be dispatched at all. These are typically tied to specialized tasks.
Skill | Typical Use |
|---|---|
Craftsman | Advanced production and repair missions |
Jeweler | Accessory and refinement missions |
Engineer | Camp building and fortification projects |
Cook | Food processing and recipe creation |
Explorer | Scouting and camp expansion missions |
Painter | Aesthetic camp upgrades and decoration |
Weaver | Textile and clothing production |
Builder | Major construction projects |
Skill Levels and Bonuses
Each skill has three levels, indicated by the icon's appearance. Higher levels provide larger bonuses when matching a recruit to the appropriate mission type.
Level | Icon Appearance | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
Level 1 | Grey icon with white image | +10% to matching mission rewards |
Level 2 | Gold icon with grey image | +30% to matching mission rewards |
Level 3 | Gold icon with gold image | +60% to matching mission rewards |
If a single recruit has all three levels of a skill, they provide the full combined 100% Skill Bonus for matching missions. Note that duplicate skill levels do not stack: assigning two recruits who both have Level 1 of the same skill still only grants a 10% bonus, not 20%. Always aim for one recruit that covers all three levels of the relevant skill rather than spreading duplicates.
Bonus Stacking
Dispatch mission rewards can be multiplied by stacking three separate bonus types. All three bonuses apply simultaneously and combine additively for potentially massive reward increases.
Skill Bonus
Covered in the section above. Match recruits with the right skill to the right mission type. A single recruit with all three levels of a matching skill provides the maximum 100% Skill Bonus.
Comrade Bonus
Every dispatch mission has a minimum and maximum number of recruits. Meeting the minimum is required to start the mission, but sending additional recruits beyond the minimum earns a Comrade Bonus. Each extra recruit above the minimum adds 20% to the mission's total reward. For example, if a mission requires 2 recruits but supports up to 4, sending all 4 provides a 40% Comrade Bonus on top of the base payout.
Extra Recruits | Comrade Bonus |
|---|---|
+1 above minimum | +20% |
+2 above minimum | +40% |
+3 above minimum | +60% |
+4 above minimum | +80% |
Always send more than the minimum number of recruits when you have them available. The Comrade Bonus is free extra yield that costs nothing except the temporary assignment of additional Freeswords.
Conversion Bonus
The Conversion Bonus is the most powerful reward multiplier in the dispatch system. It is tied to regional church donations. Every major region in Pywel has a church with a donation box. Donating camp money (not Kliff's personal silver) to a church raises the Conversion rate for all dispatch missions in that entire region permanently.
In the Hernand region, donating roughly 110,000 camp money can push the Conversion Bonus over 100%, effectively doubling all rewards from dispatch missions in that area. The bonus stacks on top of Skill and Comrade bonuses, meaning a well-optimized mission can earn three or more times its base reward.
If you plan to farm a specific region for an extended period, visit the local church and make a donation before running any missions. The investment pays for itself quickly through increased mission yields.
Best Missions by Camp Phase
Your dispatch priorities should shift as your camp grows. The following recommendations outline an efficient progression path.
Early Game (Chapters 3 to 5)
Focus on establishing a stable resource loop. The first dispatch mission you will encounter is the Howling Hill Camp Expansion, which requires Luke and Ronald and takes about 17 in-game hours. Complete this mission immediately to unlock your camp's first set of facilities.
After the initial expansion, start a rotation of three core missions: one Escort mission at Oakenshield Manor for steady silver, one Harvest mission at Capra Pasture for food, and one Production mission at Warspike Spearmaker for armaments. This rotation keeps your camp supplied while generating income.
Mid Game (Chapters 6 to 8)
By this point you should have enough recruits to run multiple missions simultaneously. Prioritize commission missions when they appear in the mission list, because commissions reward inventory slot expansions that are permanently useful. Continue the Escort/Harvest/Production rotation in parallel.
Start donating camp money to the church in Hernand to build your Conversion Bonus. Even small donations add up over time, and the bonus applies to every mission in the region.
Late Game (Chapters 9 and Beyond)
With a fully upgraded camp and a large roster of skilled Freeswords, shift your focus to high-value missions that match your strongest recruits' skills. Mining and Logging missions become critical for late-game crafting recipes. Defense missions reward faction reputation that unlocks unique vendors and gear.
Never let your food reserve hit zero. A starving camp reduces the effectiveness of all dispatch missions and can halt production entirely. Keep at least one Harvest or Ranching mission running at all times as insurance.
Resource Optimization Tips
Keep missions running at all times. Idle Freeswords are wasted potential. Every recruit should be assigned to a mission whenever possible, even if it is a low-priority repeatable mission.
Match skills to missions. A recruit with Level 3 Farmer on a Harvest mission provides 60% more yield than an unskilled recruit. Always check skill profiles before assigning.
Send extra recruits for the Comrade Bonus. Each additional recruit above the minimum adds 20% to rewards. Fill every available slot.
Invest in Conversion Bonuses early. Church donations compound over time. The sooner you start donating, the more total value you extract from every mission in that region.
Prioritize commissions for inventory slots. Commission missions reward permanent inventory expansions. These are more valuable than any single resource haul.
Rest in camp to speed up time. Missions run on the in-game clock. Sleeping in the main tent's bed advances time quickly, letting you collect rewards and redispatch sooner.
Balance food production. Always maintain at least one food-generating mission (Harvest or Ranching) in your rotation. Running out of food cripples your entire dispatch operation.
Unlock new Comrade skills through leveling. Freeswords can learn new skills as they gain experience from completed missions. Rotate recruits through different mission types to develop well-rounded skill sets.