Overview
Forward Slash is a melee combat skill in Crimson Desert, available to Kliff. It belongs to the Stamina (Blue) branch of the skill tree. Take a strong step forward and deliver a powerful slash.
Skill Details
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Character | |
Skill Tree | Stamina (Blue) |
Category | Melee Combat |
Cost | |
How to Unlock | Unlocked by default. Max Lv. 3 (1 Abyss Artifact per level). |
R2 / RT / Right Click |
Skill Progression
Forward Slash has 2 upgrades that branch from it as you invest more Abyss Artifacts.
Skill | Effect | How to Unlock | |
|---|---|---|---|
Lunge forward and follow up with a finishing slash. | Raise Forward Slash to Lv. 2 or observe skill in action | R2 (hold) | |
Forward Slash attacks can no longer miss. | Raise Forward Slash to Lv. 3 | Passive |
Combat Role
Forward Slash is considered one of the four most important skills in the game for boss encounters. The skill executes as a full combo by simply holding the button, trading Stamina for some of the best repeatable damage output available in melee combat. Unlike skills that consume Spirit, Forward Slash draws from the Stamina bar, making it a dependable damage source that you can sustain over long fights.
Damage Rotation
The standard damage rotation for melee builds centers on completing a full Forward Slash (R2) combo and then transitioning directly into a charged fire-imbued Turning Slash. This two-skill loop is the bread and butter of effective melee combat throughout the game. Forward Slash delivers consistent, heavy damage while Turning Slash adds burst and elemental pressure.
Pair Forward Slash with ranged options like Evasive Shot for stagger control and Charged Focus Shot for explosive burst damage at range. Switching between Forward Slash for sustained melee and Evasive Shot for ranged stagger-locking gives you flexibility against every boss type.
Tips
Invest in Forward Slash early to unlock its full progression chain.
Keep an eye on your Stamina bar when using this skill repeatedly; running out mid-combo leaves you vulnerable.
Forward Slash trades Stamina rather than Spirit, making it the go-to sustained damage skill for longer boss fights.
After completing the R2 combo, immediately queue a charged fire-imbued Turning Slash to maximize your damage window.
Forward Slash works best when you already have a safe opening. Use ranged stagger-locking (Evasive Shot) to create those openings against aggressive bosses.
Forward Slash Spam Build
Spamming Forward Slash repeatedly is one of the best combat tactics in Crimson Desert. While individual Forward Slash combos deal strong damage on their own, the skill becomes devastating when stacked with three specific Abyss Gears that multiply its output:
Shadow Claw: Triggers on your heavy attack (Forward Slash), adding three shadow claw swipes to every Forward Slash hit. This alone turns Forward Slash into a serious damage dealer rather than just a basic filler skill.
Nature's Echo: The first level upgrade creates an illusion that copies your Forward Slash attack. The echo strikes at the same time as your real attack, effectively doubling your Forward Slash damage with zero extra cost.
Crow's Pursuit: Obtained from the final boss of Act 5, this Abyss Gear adds a ranged attack effect to your Forward Slash. Spectral crows home in on targets each time you land a heavy attack, extending your damage reach beyond melee range.
When all three Abyss Gears are active, a single Forward Slash combo triggers Shadow Claw swipes, an echoed illusion attack from Nature's Echo, and homing crow projectiles from Crow's Pursuit simultaneously. The combined damage output from this stack is exceptional and works against both regular enemies and bosses.
Stamina Management
The primary limiting factor for Forward Slash spam is Stamina. Each Forward Slash combo drains a significant chunk of your Stamina bar, and running out mid-fight leaves you unable to attack or dodge. There are two reliable ways to recover Stamina quickly during combat:
Perfect Dodge: Performing a perfect dodge (pressing dodge at the exact moment an attack lands) recovers a portion of your Stamina, letting you immediately chain into another Forward Slash combo.
Perfect Parry: A well-timed parry also restores Stamina. Against bosses with predictable attack patterns, parrying between Forward Slash combos creates a sustainable damage loop.
The rhythm of the build is straightforward: Forward Slash combo, dodge or parry the boss's next attack to recover Stamina, then Forward Slash again. With the Mark of Darkness ring equipped for Stamina regeneration, the downtime between combos becomes even shorter.
See Also
Shadow Claw Enhancement
Socketing Shadow Claw on your main two-handed weapon significantly buffs Forward Slash, which is why it is the standard third abyss gear on a Turning Slash Nuke Build alongside Graceful Howling and Ground Search. Forward Slash stops being a filler basic and becomes a real damage contributor in the rotation.
Chain Into Turning Slash
Once Turning Slash is upgraded in the skill menu, an associated passive lets Forward Slash flow straight into Turning Slash with no animation gap. The intended high-damage opener is a Shadow Claw Forward Slash canceled directly into a Graceful Howling plus Ground Search Turning Slash. Without this upgrade the chain does not connect cleanly, so always invest the skill points before trying the nuke rotation.