Overview
In Crimson Desert, equipment does not come with Abyss Core sockets by default. You must manually create sockets on each piece of gear before you can insert any cores. This process requires visiting a Witch NPC and spending silver. Understanding the costs and limits helps you plan your silver budget and prioritize which gear to upgrade first.
Prerequisites
Socket creation unlocks after completing Chapter 5 of the main story. During the Demenissian Delegation quest, a white crow delivers a letter that starts the Witch of Wisdom questline. This quest introduces you to the first witch, Elowen, who can create sockets on your gear.
How to Create Sockets
Travel to any Witch NPC. The first available is Elowen in The Witchwoods, west of the Hernand Highlands.
Interact with the Witch and select "Create Socket" from the menu.
Choose the equipment piece you want to add a socket to.
Confirm the silver cost. The socket is added immediately.
Silver Costs
Each additional socket on the same item costs more silver. The full cost table is:
1st socket: 5 Silver
2nd socket: 10 Silver
3rd socket: 20 Silver
4th socket: 30 Silver
5th socket: 40 Silver
Filling all 5 sockets on a single item costs a total of 105 Silver. Since silver is also used for other expenses like repairs, crafting, and purchases, budget accordingly.
Maximum Sockets by Equipment Type
Two-handed weapons: Up to 5 sockets
One-handed weapons: Up to 3 sockets
Body armor: Up to 3 sockets
Off-hand (shields): Up to 2 sockets
Equipment That Cannot Have Sockets
The following gear types do not support Abyss Core sockets and cannot be modified at a Witch: Cloaks, rings, earrings, and necklaces. Only weapons, armor pieces, and shields are eligible.
Tips
Prioritize creating sockets on two-handed weapons first, because they support the most sockets (5) and benefit the most from stacked Abyss Cores.
Do not waste silver adding sockets to gear you plan to replace soon. Wait until you have equipment you intend to keep for a while.
Embedding and extracting Abyss Cores is free. Only socket creation costs silver, so feel free to move cores around as you upgrade gear.
Silver can be farmed by selling looted weapons and armor to vendors. Regular farming runs at enemy camps generate enough silver to fund socket creation.