Revision 8

Overview

The hot air balloon is one of several aerial traversal methods in Crimson Desert. It provides slow, scenic travel that lets players survey the landscape and spot points of interest from above. Unlike the rapid Crow's Wing glider or the speed of late-game dragon mounts, the balloon emphasizes a leisurely pace suited to sightseeing, scouting, and reaching specific destinations: most notably the floating islands of the Abyss. It is one of 29 confirmed mount and vehicle types in the game.

Controls and operation

Gameplay footage has shown Kliff stepping into the balloon's basket and firing the burner to ascend. The burner is the primary control mechanism: activating it heats the air inside the envelope and causes the balloon to rise. Releasing the burner allows the balloon to slowly descend. Horizontal movement appears to be limited compared to free-flying mounts like the dragon, consistent with how real hot air balloons depend on wind currents rather than powered steering.

The balloon was first shown in official Gamescom trailers and has appeared in subsequent gameplay breakdowns from outlets including GamingBolt, The Escapist, and PC Gamer. Whether the balloon can be piloted freely at any time in the open world or is only available at specific story points and fixed locations has not been definitively confirmed. Given the Abyss's importance to the main narrative, the balloon likely serves both as a story-progression tool and an exploration vehicle.

Connection to the Abyss

The hot air balloon's primary purpose is reaching the floating islands of the Abyss. The Abyss is a mysterious realm of floating landmasses high above Pywel, tied to the game's larger narrative. Fragments of the Abyss are raining down onto the world below, and investigating them is central to the second major storyline. The floating islands are large enough to feature castles and other structures visible from a distance.

Once on the floating islands, players can use a manipulation tool (compared by previews to Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Ultrahand) to align fragments and solve environmental puzzles. The balloon serves as the bridge between the grounded open world and the supernatural Abyss realm, making it both a traversal tool and a story-progression mechanic. Abyss Fragments and Abyss Gear found on these islands feed into the game's core progression system.

Skydiving

Players can skydive from the hot air balloon. Gameplay trailers have shown Kliff leaping from the basket at altitude and free-falling toward the ground below. During a skydive, the Crow's Wing glider can be deployed to transition into controlled flight, creating a seamless chain: balloon ascent, free-fall, gliding, and landing. This chain also works in reverse after exploring an Abyss island; players can leap off the edge of a floating island and glide back down to the surface of Pywel.

Scouting and sightseeing

Beyond reaching the Abyss, the balloon functions as a scouting platform. Rising above the landscape reveals terrain features, settlement locations, and points of interest that are hidden at ground level. Players looking for undiscovered Traces of the Abyss fast travel points, hidden chests, or secret areas can use the balloon's altitude to survey a wide area before descending to investigate. The slow pace and panoramic view make it the most effective tool for getting an overview of unfamiliar territory.

Aerial traversal comparison

The hot air balloon is one of several ways to travel through the air in Crimson Desert. Each method has a different speed, level of control, and purpose.

Crimson Desert's traversal system is designed so that different aerial modes flow into one another. A player can fly in a balloon, skydive out, deploy the Crow's Wing glider, and land directly on a moving horse. See Exploration and Traversal for the full traversal system overview.

Wagon in the Skies Prerequisite

The Hot Air Balloon (referred to in-game as the Cloudcart) is not a freely available traversal tool; it is locked behind a specific House Grace mission called Wagon in the Skies, which itself sits deep inside the long house chain that rewards the Greedy Lightningblade at the Ruined Chapel.

Unlock Order

1. House Celeste opening loop (three Outlaws of Hernand bounties plus the Solumen branch).

2. House Roberts through Border from the Sky.

3. House Circus, House Alfonso, and the Celeste Silk-Spun Citadel boss.

4. House Felix through Shackle Breaking Hammer.

5. Beggars' Alliance through Plague Over the Wall.

6. House Grace Driftton and Pollen Aerry quests, then Wagon in the Skies for the balloon itself.

Noon Launch Window

Wagon in the Skies only progresses at in-game noon. If the quest marker refuses to activate when the player arrives at the launch area, rest at the nearby bonfire or campfire and skip time forward to 12:00 PM. The mission will then auto-start and the Cloudcart will lift off as a cutscene sequence that hands controls back to the player mid-flight.

After Wagon in the Skies completes, the balloon becomes a persistent traversal option from the launch point, and the chain pushes on to Owner of Glenn Bright Manor, which opens the Kharonso Troll Alliance and its Sleeping Heart mission.