Halberds

Overview

Halberds are a subtype of two-handed weapons in Crimson Desert that combine the reach of a spear with the chopping power of an axe head. They are polearm-style weapons that occupy both hand slots, which means the wielder cannot equip a shield at the same time. In return, halberds provide high raw damage, wide sweeping arcs, and strong stagger potential against armored targets.

There are ten standard halberds and one Unique halberd in the game. They range from entry-level options like the Bekker Halberd (13 ATK) to top-tier picks like the Lambert Halberd and Gilliam Halberd (both 18 ATK). The Unique variant, the Vow of the Dead King, is found in a dungeon and comes with built-in Abyss Gear bonuses.

Combat Style

Halberds blend thrusting and chopping attacks into a single moveset. Light attacks deliver quick forward thrusts that take advantage of the weapon's long reach, while heavy attacks use wide horizontal or overhead swings that can hit multiple enemies at once. This combination gives halberds more moveset variety than pure spears, which rely almost entirely on linear pokes.

The overhead chop is particularly effective against shielded opponents, as it can break through guards and apply heavy stagger. Sweeping attacks let you control space in group fights, keeping enemies at arm's length. The trade-off is that halberds swing slower than one-handed weapons, so players need to commit to each attack and position themselves carefully.

Comparison with Other Two-Handed Weapons

Halberds sit between spears and greatswords in terms of playstyle. Spears focus on reach and safe poking from a distance, while greatswords prioritize raw damage and wide cleaving arcs. Halberds split the difference: they have slightly less reach than spears but deal more damage per swing, and they swing faster than greatswords but lack the same sheer impact per hit.

The key advantage halberds hold over other two-handed weapons is moveset flexibility. You can switch between thrusting pokes for single targets and wide sweeps for groups without swapping weapons. This makes halberds a strong all-around choice for players who want polearm reach without being locked into a purely defensive, distance-based playstyle.

All Halberds

The table below lists every halberd in the game, sorted by base Attack Power from highest to lowest. All halberds have 0 Defense, and each one has 5 Abyss Gear slots for customization. Attack Speed and Critical Rate bonuses vary by weapon. Halberds with no bonus in a stat are listed as "-" in that column.

Notable Halberds

Lambert Halberd

The Lambert Halberd is the strongest standard halberd in the game. Its 18 Attack Power ties with the Gilliam Halberd, but the Lambert's Level 3 Critical Rate gives it the highest critical hit chance of any halberd. This makes it the best option for players who want maximum damage output from polearm combat. The catch is that it only drops from Righteous Inquisitor enemies in Pywel, so obtaining one requires farming specific foes rather than simply visiting a blacksmith.

Vow of the Dead King

The Vow of the Dead King is the only Unique halberd in the game. It is found at the end of the Frostveiled Castle Ruins dungeon in the Everfrost region near Pailune. The dungeon is filled with traps, spike pits, flame hazards, and rock worms, but no major boss guards the weapon. At 16 ATK with Level 3 Critical Rate, it is competitive with the Alabaster Halberd in raw stats. What sets it apart is its built-in Abyss Gear, which provides a 4% damage increase against humanoids, walkers, and mighty foes. This triple damage bonus makes it effective against the most common enemy types in the game.

Alabaster Halberd

The Alabaster Halberd pairs 16 Attack Power with Level 3 Critical Rate, making it one of the best craftable halberds. Its pale bone-white finish is distinctive, and its stats position it as a strong mid-to-late-game option. Because it can be crafted at any Blacksmith, players do not need to rely on enemy drops or dungeon exploration to obtain it.

Crafting

Most halberds can be crafted at a Blacksmith once you have the required crafting manual and materials. The crafting manuals for halberds are found in the "Two Handed Weapons of the World" book series, which can be purchased from certain merchants or discovered in the open world.

The Alabaster Halberd and Gilliam Halberd are also craftable at a Blacksmith, though their exact manual requirements and material costs follow a similar pattern. Higher-tier crafted halberds generally require more Iron Ore than their lower-tier counterparts.

Refinement and Abyss Gear

All halberds can be upgraded through the Refining System. Refinement increases the weapon's base Attack Power, and each halberd has a maximum refinement capacity. Most craftable halberds have a refinement capacity of 10, while the Lambert Halberd starts at refinement level 3 and the Vow of the Dead King starts at refinement level 2.

Every halberd has 5 Abyss Gear slots that allow players to attach passive bonuses such as damage increases against specific enemy types, critical damage multipliers, or defensive bonuses. Choosing the right Abyss Gear setup can significantly change how a halberd performs. For example, stacking humanoid damage bonuses on the Vow of the Dead King amplifies its already-strong anti-humanoid passive.

Tips for Halberd Users

• Use the halberd's reach to your advantage. Stay at the outer edge of your attack range to hit enemies while staying far enough to dodge their counter-attacks.

• Mix thrusting and sweeping attacks based on the situation. Use thrusts against single targets and sweeps when surrounded by groups.

• The overhead chop is your best tool against shielded enemies. Time it to land just after an enemy finishes their own attack for a clean hit.

• If you want the best halberd early, head to Frostveiled Castle Ruins to grab the Vow of the Dead King. The dungeon is accessible relatively early and requires no boss fight to complete.

• For late-game, the Lambert Halberd is the top pick. Farm Righteous Inquisitors in Pywel until one drops.

• The Freesword Halberd makes a solid starter weapon since it can be crafted with just 7 Iron Ore and 3 Copper Ore after reading the first crafting manual.

• Invest in Critical Rate Abyss Gear on halberds that already have a crit bonus (Alabaster, Lambert, Vow of the Dead King) to maximize burst damage.

See Also

• Weapons

• Two-Handed Weapons

• Spears

• Greatswords

• Combat System

• Refining System

• Abyss Gear