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Overview

This page covers the optimal progression route through Crimson Desert's main campaign. The story spans a Prologue, 12 chapters, and an Epilogue, following Kliff and the Greymane mercenaries across the continent of Pywel. While you can rush through the main story, spending time on preparation and side content early on makes later chapters significantly easier.

Recommended Preparation Before the Main Story

Before pushing deep into the main campaign, invest time in these preparation steps. This upfront investment saves hours of frustration later.

Step 1: Unfog the Map (Ring All Bells)

There are 8 hidden bells across Pywel. Ringing all of them unfogs the entire world map, revealing every region, point of interest, and quest marker. See the New Player Help page for all bell locations. Note that the Toll of Pailune can only be rung after liberating Pailune in Chapter 7, so ring the other 7 first.

Step 2: Activate Fast Travel Points

While traveling to each bell, activate every Abyss Nexus fast travel point along the way. These are marked on the map as white "?" search areas. Use Guiding Light (L1+R1 / LB+RB) to reveal nearby pressure plates, then stand on them briefly to activate. Prioritize the fast travel point north of Hernand, as you will return there frequently.

Step 3: Collect Sealed Abyss Artifacts

Grab all Sealed Abyss Artifacts you can find during your exploration. These unlock Challenges, which are optional objectives that each reward a skill point. Challenge progress only counts after you collect the corresponding artifact, so picking them up early means you accumulate progress naturally as you play.

Step 4: Gather Upgrade Materials

Buy the Pickaxe and Logging Axe from the Provisioner's Shop in Hernand. Mine ore and fell trees while traveling between bells. Use these materials to upgrade your gear at the blacksmith. Aim for at least Refinement Level 5-6 before tackling the mid-game chapters. Sell excess materials for silver.

Step 5: Stock Up on Healing Food

Buy tough meat from butchers and cook it at any bonfire to produce grilled meat (80 HP per piece). Carry 100+ pieces before boss encounters. See the Cooking Guide for more advanced recipes with stat buffs.

Main Story Chapter Structure

The main campaign consists of a Prologue, 12 chapters, and an Epilogue. Each chapter contains multiple narrative arcs with individual quests. The table below shows the full chapter structure.

Prologue: Dead of the Night

The game opens with the Greymanes being ambushed in the Hills of No Return. You help three companions survive: Oongka, Naira, and Yann. After a confrontation with Myurdin, Kliff is defeated and swept into a river.

The Corridor of the Void serves as a movement tutorial teaching basic platforming. You acquire the Blinding Flash skill here, which manipulates light-based doors. Navigate three moving platforms and follow glowing pipes using your lantern.

At Three Saints' Falls, you learn fishing by observing fishermen. Defeat the Bleed Bandits attacking Sebastian at Wycliffe Mappery. Along the path to Hernand, collect two Sealed Abyss Artifacts, acquire your first horse, and gain inventory expansion tools.

Chapter 1: The First Encounter

You arrive at the City of Hernand. This chapter introduces most of the game's core systems:

• Interact with NPCs to build trust relationships

• Accept faction quests from notice boards for Contribution Points

• Learn weapon refinement at Turnali's shop (unlocks the blacksmith system)

• Cook recipes at bonfires for healing and quest requirements

• Play minigames (Rock Paper Scissors, Arm Wrestling) for rewards

Key tasks: Complete Rhett's request for iron ore. Acquire the Hernandian Attire through house-cleaning duties. Complete three main quests (True Wisdom in Kindness, Actions Speak Louder than Words, Heart Beyond Borders) to gain access to Hernand Castle.

Inside Hernand Castle, use the Grindstone for weapon maintenance. Collect recipes and a Faded Abyss Artifact from the Alchemist's Chamber. Enter the Abyss Gate to reach the Axiom Archive, where you activate the Abyss Nexus and receive the Axiom Force ability from the White Crow. Use Axiom Force to rotate discs and complete energy circuits.

In the Ethereal Pathway, learn the Force Palm skill through observation. Solve puzzles involving Abyss Cells and power sources. Receive the flight ability from the White Crow, then return to Hernand.

Chapter 2: Golden Greed

This chapter focuses on investigating livestock theft and confronting the Goldleaf Merchant Guild.

At Lioncrest Watchtower, clear out bandits and learn environmental interaction by using flaming arrows to burn vines blocking doors. Acquire the Visione helm for reading memory fragments.

In the Meandering Hills, learn Nature's Grasp to lift walls. Complete disc-hitting puzzles (the correct order is 2-3-1). Observe Focus skill tutorials and collect Abyss Artifacts from Abyss Cressets.

Return to Hernand to duel Matthias and learn Pump Kick. Meet Barden Middler for the bandit investigation. Liberate Springtide Mill and accept four faction quests: Missing Cows, Horn Thief, Missing Wooly, and Strange Noises from the Cave.

Complete interconnected quests at Bloomwood Ranch, Capra Pasture, and Hernand Farmhouse investigating the theft. Discover bandit camps and Memory Fragments revealing the involvement of Kailok the Hornsplitter and the Goldleaf Merchant Guild.

Progress to the Goldleaf Tradepost and Windland Heights. In the quest "The Flames of Greed," rescue Hubert from a burning house using Nature's Grasp. At Hernand Highlands, rescue the captured healer and meet Shakatu, who requests you eliminate Kailok's control over the guild.

The chapter climaxes at the Goldleaf Guildhouse with a boss fight against Kailok the Hornsplitter, who wields the Sword of the Lord. After his defeat, Shakatu assumes leadership of the Goldleaf Merchant Guild.

Chapter 3: Howling Hill

This chapter involves establishing a homestead and unmasking hidden threats. The narrative arcs are Homestead, The Face Behind the Mask, and Pioneering. You establish Greymane Camp during this chapter, unlocking the camp management system, Freeswords, and livestock facilities.

Tip: Start dispatching Freeswords on gathering missions immediately after unlocking the camp. Resources accumulate while you continue the story.

Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge

A knowledge-focused chapter with arcs: Mysterious Iron Pot, Daily Life, and Forbidden Knowledge. This chapter features more puzzle-heavy content and exploration of the Abyss lore. Expect 7 quests in the Forbidden Knowledge arc alone.

Tip: Upgrade your gear to Refinement Level 5-6 before this chapter if you have not already. The combat difficulty increases noticeably from here onward.

Chapter 5: Guest Unbidden

A shorter chapter with two arcs: Uninvited Guest and Black and White. The pacing picks up here as the story transitions from regional conflicts to larger-scale threats.

Chapter 6: Cracks in the Shield

One of the longest chapters with four arcs: Blazing Beacon, Under the Banner Pike Again, Turning Tides, and The Undying Shields. This chapter features major faction battles and multiple boss encounters.

Important: The Toll of Calphade bell becomes temporarily unavailable during this chapter. If you have not rung it yet, do so before starting Chapter 6.

Chapter 7: Homecoming

A large chapter with four arcs: Dawn Mist, Dawnrise, Decisive Battle, and Twisted Fate. This chapter includes the liberation of Pailune, which unlocks the final bell (Toll of Pailune). If you have rung all 7 other bells, ring this one to fully unfog the map.

Chapter 8: Blood Coronation

Three arcs: Ashen Steps, To Demeniss (9 quests, the longest single arc), and Traitor. The story moves to Demeniss, the central capital of Pywel.

Chapters 9 Through 12: The Endgame

The final four chapters escalate the conflict to its conclusion:

Preparation for endgame: Ensure your gear is at maximum refinement, carry a large supply of cooked food, and have invested enough Artifacts into Health and Stamina. The late-game bosses are the most challenging encounters in the game.

Epilogue: Journey's End

The Epilogue wraps up the story of Kliff and the Greymanes. After completing it, you unlock New Game Plus, which allows you to replay the campaign with your gear and skills carried over.

Side Content Progression Tips

While the main story is linear, side content can be tackled at your own pace. Here are recommendations for when to focus on each type:

Summary of the Optimal Route

1. Prologue: Complete the tutorial, learn Blinding Flash, collect your first horse and Sealed Abyss Artifacts

2. Pre-story prep: Ring 7 bells (save Pailune for Chapter 7), activate fast travel points, mine/log materials, collect Sealed Abyss Artifacts

3. Chapter 1: Complete Hernand quests, unlock the blacksmith, get the Hernandian Attire, learn Axiom Force and Force Palm

4. Chapter 2: Get the Visione, learn Nature's Grasp, liberate Springtide Mill, defeat Kailok at the Goldleaf Guildhouse

5. Chapter 3: Establish Greymane Camp, start dispatching Freeswords immediately

6. Chapter 4: Upgrade gear to Refinement Level 5-6 before starting; focus on knowledge puzzles

7. Chapters 5-6: Major faction battles; ring the Toll of Calphade before Chapter 6 if not done

8. Chapter 7: Liberate Pailune, ring the final bell to fully unfog the map

9. Chapters 8-12: Ensure maximum gear refinement and large food supplies for endgame bosses

10. Epilogue: Complete the story, then start New Game Plus with all gear and skills carried over