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Greatswords - Version 18 vs Version 19
Aug 26, 2026, 01:22 PM
Repaired wikilinks that rendered as run-together words: restored list separators and removed links sitting inside longer words
Oct 29, 2026, 09:13 AM
Correct specific acquisition, recipe, cooldown, or patch chronology details.
11Overview22Greatswords 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.44Combat Style77Greatsword 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.99AspectDetailsLight 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.1212The 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.1313Kliff vs. Damiane Movesets1515CharacterStyleKey DifferencesKliffMethodical, crowd-focusedBroader horizontal sweeps suited for managing groups. Slower recovery between combos but stronger stagger per hit.DamianeAggressive, counter-focusedFaster attack strings with devastating counter techniques. Less stagger per individual hit but higher DPS during sustained combos.1717Strengths and Weaknesses1818AspectDetailDamage per HitHighest among all melee weapon types. Each swing deals significantly more than a one-handed sword or dagger.StaggerVery high. Two heavy hits stagger most regular enemies; bosses require sustained pressure.Area of EffectWide horizontal arcs hit multiple enemies in front of the player. Covers a similar area to greataxes but with less wind-up.Attack SpeedSlow. Greatsword attacks have the longest startup frames of any melee weapon type.Movement SpeedReduced while weapon is drawn. Sprinting is slower and dodge distance is shorter compared to lighter weapons.VulnerabilityLong recovery animations leave the player open after heavy combos. Fast bosses can punish missed swings.Stamina CostHigh. Each swing drains more stamina than lighter weapons. Stamina management is critical.20-All Known Greatswords20+Greatsword and longsword reference2121The 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.23+The following selected reference lists greatswords and longswords at unrefined +0. It is not a complete weapon census. Attack Speed and Critical Hit Chance are shown as bonus levels above the baseline. Weapons can be further improved through refinement at the Blacksmith.2424WeaponAttackSpecial BonusAbyss Core SlotsHow to ObtainRhett's Longsword13Attack Speed Lv.15Purchase from Rhett's Equipment Shop in central Hernand. One of the earliest greatswords available.Balton Longsword14None5Purchase from a merchant at the Goldleaf Trading Post southeast of Hernand, or find in the open world.Thalwynd Longsword15Critical Hit Chance Lv.15Found in Thalwynd region. Check weapon chests in dungeons and ruins.Absolute Justice Greatsword20None5Endgame greatsword. Obtained through quest reward or high-level vendor.25+WeaponAttackSpecial BonusMaximum Abyss Core SlotsHow to ObtainRhett's Longsword15Critical Rate Lv.15Purchase from Rhett's Equipment Shop in central Hernand. One of the earliest greatswords available. It can also be crafted with 7 Iron Ore and 3 Copper Ore after learning Two-Handed Weapons of the World, Vol. I; the item record lists Lederson and Tranan as sellers.Balton Longsword16None5Purchase from a merchant at the Goldleaf Trading Post southeast of Hernand, or find in the open world. A documented crafting route uses 7 Iron Ore and 3 Copper Ore after learning Two-Handed Weapons of the World, Vol. I.Thalwynd Longsword14Critical Rate Lv.25Found in Thalwynd region. Check weapon chests in dungeons and ruins. It can also be crafted with 10 Iron Ore and 3 Copper Ore after learning Two-Handed Weapons of the World, Vol. II.Absolute Justice Greatsword17None5Damiane's starting greatsword, equipped by default when her gameplay begins in Chapter 3. The older table listed quest rewards or high-level vendors without a verified specific route; those are not prerequisites for this early acquisition.2626Note: 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.2727Related Two-Handed Weapons2929For players who enjoy the two-handed playstyle but want different characteristics, the following weapon types are in the same category:3131WeaponAttackSpecial BonusTypeHorseshoe-Blade Greataxe16NoneGreataxeFan-Blade Greataxe13Attack Speed Lv.1GreataxeBonepit Warhammer16NoneWarhammerSydmon Spear18NoneSpear3333Refinement and Upgrades3434All 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.35+All greatswords can be refined at the Blacksmith. Refinement increases the weapon's Attack stat. Additional Abyss Core slots are added through the Witch's Create Socket service, rather than assumed to appear automatically from refinement. 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.3636Abyss Cores3838Each 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.39+The four weapons listed here have a five-slot maximum. Add sockets through the Witch's Create Socket service; the maximum is separate from how many sockets an acquired copy already has. 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.4040Recommended Builds4343BuildGreatswordAbyss CoresStrategyStagger TankAbsolute Justice (20 ATK)5x Stagger CoresFocus on heavy attacks to lock down enemies. Pair with shield swap for defense.Critical SweeperThalwynd Longsword (15 ATK, Crit Lv.1)3x Crit Cores + 2x Attack CoresCapitalize on the built-in crit bonus for burst damage across groups.Early Game All-RounderRhett's Longsword (13 ATK, Speed Lv.1)Mixed utility coresThe speed bonus compensates for greatsword slowness. Good for learning the weapon type.44+BuildGreatswordAbyss CoresStrategyStagger TankAbsolute Justice (Damiane; 17 ATK at +0)5x Stagger CoresFocus on heavy attacks to lock down enemies. Pair with shield swap for defense.Critical SweeperThalwynd Longsword (14 ATK, Crit Lv.2 at +0)3x Crit Cores + 2x Attack CoresCapitalize on the built-in crit bonus for burst damage across groups.Early Game All-RounderRhett's Longsword (15 ATK, Crit Lv.1 at +0)Mixed utility coresThe built-in critical-rate bonus supports a critical build. Good for learning the weapon type.4545Tips4646The 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.4848See Also5050WeaponsTwo-Handed WeaponsCombat SystemBlacksmithAbyss CoresKliffDamiane