Currency overview
Gold is the primary currency in Crimson Desert. It is used to buy weapons from blacksmiths, armor from tailors, consumables from NPC vendors, cooking ingredients from merchants, and to pay for weapon refinement upgrades. Unlike many online RPGs, Crimson Desert has no microtransaction shop and no premium currency. Everything is earned through gameplay. Pearl Abyss has confirmed the monetization model relies entirely on the base game purchase, editions, and future expansion packs.
How to earn gold
Source | Description | Yield |
|---|---|---|
Main quests | Story missions reward gold upon completion | High |
Side quests | Optional quests from NPCs across Pywel. Vary widely in payout | Low to medium |
Boss rewards | Defeating bosses yields gold, unique weapons, and rare crafting materials | High |
Freesword dispatch | Assign companions to off-screen missions from the Greymane Camp. They return with gold and resources after a set time | Medium (passive) |
Trading and selling | Sell gathered materials, loot, and crafted items to vendors. Prices may vary by region | Variable |
Mini-game winnings | Winning arm wrestling, horse racing, shooting contests, and card games pays out prizes | Low to medium |
Liberating areas | Clearing hostile camps and liberating territory rewards gold and reputation | Medium |
Treasure and exploration | Hidden chests, treasure maps, and secret areas contain gold | Variable |
How to spend gold
Expense | Description | Priority |
|---|---|---|
Weapon refinement | Upgrading weapons at blacksmiths. Costs increase with each tier | High |
Weapon purchases | Buying new weapons from blacksmith inventories | Medium |
Armor purchases | Buying armor from tailors in settlements | Medium |
Consumables | Health potions, stamina restoratives, and combat buffs from vendors | Medium |
Cooking ingredients | Ingredients for recipes that cannot be gathered through life skills | Low |
Camp development | Expanding the Greymane Camp with new buildings and facility upgrades | High |
Recipes | Purchasing cooking recipes from merchants to expand your meal options | Low |
Freesword Dispatch system
The Freesword Dispatch System is a passive income method available at the Greymane Camp. After reuniting with companion characters throughout the story, you can assign groups of 4 to 6 mercenaries to off-screen missions. These missions take real time to complete, and the party returns with gold, crafting resources, and other useful items. Running dispatch missions regularly provides a steady background income that supplements active gameplay.
Trading tips
Gather materials through mining, logging, hunting, and fishing, then sell surplus at vendors for gold
Vendor prices may vary between regions. Check multiple merchants before selling valuable items
Boss drops include unique weapons and armor that sell for significant gold if you do not need them for your build
Crafted items can sometimes be sold at a profit if the ingredient cost is low
Spending priorities
In the early game, prioritize these investments:
Camp blacksmith upgrade: Unlocks better weapon refinement without traveling to distant cities
Weapon refinement: A refined weapon outperforms an unrefined weapon of a higher tier. Invest in your main weapon early
Consumables for boss fights: Stock up on health and stamina potions before tackling difficult encounters
Camp facilities: Upgraded farms, ranches, and workshops reduce future costs by providing free materials
In the late game, gold becomes more abundant. Focus on maximizing weapon refinement tiers, experimenting with different Abyss Gear combinations, and completing the Greymane Camp to its fullest.