Overview
Greatswords are massive two-handed melee weapons in Crimson Desert that embody the "big damage" archetype. Ranked S-tier by the community, they deliver the most visually impactful strikes in the game, with each swing generating shockwaves that affect the surrounding environment. Grass bends and scatters, dirt erupts from the ground, and enemies stagger backward from the sheer force of each blow. Both Kliff and Damiane can wield greatswords, though their movesets differ significantly.
Combat Style
Greatsword combat is built around slow, concentrated strikes that hit singular targets with extreme force or sweep through lines of enemies ahead of the player. The weapon's massive blade creates wide hitboxes that make it difficult for enemies to avoid.
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Light attacks | : horizontal slashes that cleave through enemy formations with a wide arc. Faster than heavy attacks but still slower than one-handed weapons. |
Heavy attacks | : overhead slams and lunging thrusts that can stagger most regular enemies in two hits. Long wind-up but devastating payoff. |
Guard counter | : successfully timing a block or dodge triggers a powerful riposte dealing significantly more damage than a standard attack. This is the bread-and-butter move for skilled greatsword users. |
Combo chains | : greatswords have multi-hit combo strings that build momentum. Later hits in the chain deal more stagger damage and have wider arcs than openers. |
The greatsword's environmental reactions are notable. Each strike visibly displaces the surroundings, reinforcing the sense of weight. This is not purely cosmetic: the impact physics interact with the game's destruction system, meaning greatsword strikes can break certain environmental objects and knock enemies into terrain for bonus damage.
Kliff vs. Damiane Movesets
Character | Style | |
|---|---|---|
Methodical, crowd-focused | Broader horizontal sweeps suited for managing groups. Slower recovery between combos but stronger stagger per hit. | |
Aggressive, counter-focused | Faster attack strings with devastating counter techniques. Less stagger per individual hit but higher DPS during sustained combos. |
Strengths and Weaknesses
Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
Damage per Hit | Highest among all melee weapon types. Each swing deals significantly more than a one-handed sword or dagger. |
Very high. Two heavy hits stagger most regular enemies; bosses require sustained pressure. | |
Area of Effect | Wide horizontal arcs hit multiple enemies in front of the player. Covers a similar area to greataxes but with less wind-up. |
Slow. Greatsword attacks have the longest startup frames of any melee weapon type. | |
Reduced while weapon is drawn. Sprinting is slower and dodge distance is shorter compared to lighter weapons. | |
Vulnerability | Long recovery animations leave the player open after heavy combos. Fast bosses can punish missed swings. |
Stamina Cost | High. Each swing drains more stamina than lighter weapons. Stamina management is critical. |
All Known Greatswords
The following table lists every confirmed greatsword in Crimson Desert with base stats. Attack Speed and Critical Hit Chance are shown as bonus levels above the baseline. Weapons can be further improved through refinement at the Blacksmith.
Weapon | Attack | Special Bonus | How to Obtain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
13 | Attack Speed Lv.1 | 5 | Purchase from Rhett's Equipment Shop in central Hernand. One of the earliest greatswords available. | |
14 | None | 5 | Purchase from a merchant at the Goldleaf Trading Post southeast of Hernand, or find in the open world. | |
15 | Critical Hit Chance Lv.1 | 5 | Found in Thalwynd region. Check weapon chests in dungeons and ruins. | |
20 | None | 5 | Endgame greatsword. Obtained through quest reward or high-level vendor. |
Note: Greataxes, warhammers, and halberds share the two-handed weapon category but have distinct movesets. The table above includes only weapons classified as greatswords or longswords. Additional greatswords may be discovered through ongoing community exploration.
Related Two-Handed Weapons
For players who enjoy the two-handed playstyle but want different characteristics, the following weapon types are in the same category:
Weapon | Attack | Special Bonus | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
16 | None | Greataxe | |
13 | Attack Speed Lv.1 | Greataxe | |
16 | None | Warhammer | |
18 | None | Spear |
Refinement and Upgrades
All greatswords can be refined at the Blacksmith. Refinement increases the weapon's Attack stat and can unlock additional Abyss Core Slots. Each refinement level requires specific materials: ores for metal-based greatswords, or timber for wooden-handled variants. Refinement can push a weapon's Attack well above its base value, so even early-game greatswords like Rhett's Longsword remain viable if fully upgraded.
Abyss Cores
Each greatsword has 5 Abyss Core slots. Inserting Abyss Cores adds bonus effects such as increased damage, life steal, stagger bonuses, or elemental effects. The core loadout allows significant customization: a stagger-focused build with stagger cores turns every hit into a crowd-control tool, while a damage-focused build with raw attack cores maximizes single-target DPS.
Recommended Builds
Build | Greatsword | Strategy | |
|---|---|---|---|
Stagger Tank | Absolute Justice (20 ATK) | 5x Stagger Cores | Focus on heavy attacks to lock down enemies. Pair with shield swap for defense. |
Critical Sweeper | Thalwynd Longsword (15 ATK, Crit Lv.1) | 3x Crit Cores + 2x Attack Cores | Capitalize on the built-in crit bonus for burst damage across groups. |
Early Game All-Rounder | Rhett's Longsword (13 ATK, Speed Lv.1) | Mixed utility cores | The speed bonus compensates for greatsword slowness. Good for learning the weapon type. |
Tips
The primary trade-off is vulnerability during wind-up animations. Committing to a heavy swing at the wrong time can leave you open to devastating counterattacks, especially against fast bosses.
Use the guard counter as your primary damage source in boss fights. It deals more damage than a regular heavy attack and has a shorter recovery window.
Greatswords are excellent for clearing groups of enemies in the open world but can struggle against fast one-on-one opponents. Consider carrying a secondary weapon for agile enemies.
Invest in Stamina upgrades early. Greatsword combos are stamina-hungry, and running out mid-swing is a death sentence against bosses.
The greatsword covers a similar area to the greataxe but has less wind-up on attacks and is faster overall, making it the more versatile choice for most players.