Overview
Axiom Force is a telekinetic ability unique to Kliff in Crimson Desert. It allows you to grab, push, pull, and rotate objects in the environment, serving as the primary tool for solving Abyss puzzles. As you progress through the game and acquire upgrades, Axiom Force also becomes a powerful traversal and combat tool, letting you grapple across terrain and pull enemies toward you.
This guide covers how to unlock Axiom Force, the full control scheme on every platform, each upgrade tier, puzzle-solving techniques, and combat applications.
How to Unlock Axiom Force
Axiom Force is unlocked automatically during the Polar Opposites quest, which takes place inside an Abyss Nexus. During this quest, a mysterious white crow grants Kliff a bracelet that bestows the ability. There is nothing to purchase or grind for; simply progress through the main story until you reach this quest.
Once unlocked, Axiom Force appears as the first red node in the Skills tab. From this point onward, you can use it freely in the open world, dungeons, and combat encounters.
Controls
The table below lists the default Axiom Force controls for each platform. Controller users may find object rotation more intuitive with analog sticks, while keyboard and mouse players benefit from finer aiming precision when targeting distant objects.
Action | PC (Keyboard and Mouse) | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|---|
Aim and Launch | Hold Tab, then release | Hold L3, then release | Hold Left Stick, then release |
Push Object | Left Click | R2 | RT |
Pull Object | Right Click | L2 | LT |
Rotate / Reposition | Move mouse while holding click | Tilt Right Stick while holding L2/R2 | Tilt Right Stick while holding LT/RT |
Direct Force Control | Press Q after launching | Tilt Right Stick | Tilt Right Stick |
Cancel | Press Tab | Press Circle or L3 | Press B or Left Stick |
When you hold the aim input, a blue circle indicator appears on screen showing where the claw will target. A blue grapple line means the target object can be grabbed. If the indicator stays a different color, reposition your aim before releasing.
Upgrade Levels
Axiom Force has three upgrade tiers. Each level beyond the base requires one Abyss Artifact to unlock. Abyss Artifacts are collected from Abyss challenges, Sanctum puzzles, and exploration rewards throughout the game. You can respec spent Abyss Artifacts using Faded Abyss Artifacts found in the Skills menu.
Level | Unlock Requirement | Ability Gained | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | Polar Opposites quest (automatic) | Base Axiom Force | Grab, push, pull, and rotate objects. Sufficient for all basic puzzles. |
Level 2 | Latch onto terrain, then double-press the jump button to zip toward the targeted location. | ||
Level 3 | Lock onto a target point and swing forward through the air, covering large gaps. |
Aerial Maneuver Controls
After latching onto a piece of terrain or an anchor point with Axiom Force, double-press the following button to zip toward it:
PC: Double-press Spacebar
PlayStation: Double-press X
Xbox: Double-press A
Aerial Maneuver costs 200 Stamina per use. Make sure you have enough stamina before launching, or Kliff will fall short of the destination.
Aerial Swing Controls
After locking onto a target location, use the following inputs to swing forward:
PC: Hold Spacebar + Middle Mouse Button
PlayStation: Hold Square + R3
Xbox: Hold X + Right Stick press
Aerial Swing also costs 200 Stamina. It functions like a grappling hook, allowing you to cover wide horizontal distances. It is particularly useful in open-world traversal and reaching otherwise inaccessible platforms.
Combat Skills
Two combat-oriented skills branch from the Axiom Force node in the Health skill tree. These transform Axiom Force from a pure puzzle-solving tool into a versatile combat ability.
Skill | Effect | |
|---|---|---|
Hold and release Tab / L3 / Left Stick on an enemy | Launch the claw at an enemy, pull them toward you, and slam them into the ground. Deals heavy damage with area-of-effect impact. | |
Hold LMB / R1 / RB while aiming Axiom Force at an enemy | Launch the claw at an enemy and instantly teleport to their position. Delivers a rapid succession of strikes on arrival. |
Winch is ideal for crowd control and repositioning. Pull a dangerous enemy out of a group to isolate them, then follow up with melee combos. The slam deals area damage, so it also softens nearby enemies. Use it against ranged attackers or casters to close the distance and interrupt their abilities.
Ambush works best as a gap closer and fight opener. If an enemy is on an elevated position or fleeing, lock onto them with Axiom Force and press the attack button to teleport directly to them. The rapid strikes on arrival deal significant burst damage before the target can react.
Puzzle Applications
Axiom Force is required for virtually every Sanctum puzzle and Abyss challenge in the game. The puzzles generally fall into a few recurring categories.
Disc Rotation Puzzles
The most common puzzle type involves one or more round discs embedded in walls or floors. Each disc has blue circuit lines etched into it. You need to grab the disc with Axiom Force, then rotate it until the blue lines align with the surrounding pipes or channels to form an unbroken path.
Tips for disc puzzles:
Grab the edge of the disc rather than the center. Edge grabs give you finer rotational control.
Use your lantern to reveal the yellow circuit lines inside the disc before attempting rotation. This shows the correct alignment pattern.
When multiple discs must align in sequence, start with the disc closest to the energy source and work outward.
Rotate slowly and methodically. Rapid movements make it difficult to identify the correct alignment position.
Skybridge Alignment Puzzles
Some puzzles require you to activate alignment devices (small pillars with a circular disc on top) to create sky bridges for traversal. Focus Axiom Force on the center of the disc (not the edges) and rotate it until the device lights up blue and emits a sound cue. Continue holding the rotation for several seconds until the skybridge fully materializes.
Object Placement Puzzles
Certain puzzles require moving objects such as batteries, pillars, or power cores into specific slots. Grab the object with Axiom Force, then push or pull it into position. For battery puzzles, you typically need to grab the battery and push it in front of a pillar opening until it slots in and activates the mechanism.
Blue Line Connection Puzzles
These puzzles present a network of blue lines that must be connected from a source point to a destination. Using Axiom Force, you adjust movable nodes or junction pieces until the lines form a continuous path. The puzzle is solved when the energy flows through the entire circuit and activates the target mechanism.
Stamina Management
Every Axiom Force action drains stamina. Running out of stamina mid-puzzle or mid-traversal can leave you stranded or force you to restart a puzzle sequence. Keep the following in mind:
Invest in stamina early. Increasing your maximum stamina through the skill tree or equipment makes extended Axiom Force use far more comfortable.
Watch the stamina bar. If you are running low during a multi-step puzzle, release the object and let stamina regenerate before continuing.
Aerial Maneuver and Aerial Swing each cost 200 Stamina. If you plan to chain multiple grapples in quick succession, make sure your stamina pool can support it.
Combat skills also drain stamina. Using Winch and Ambush in rapid succession will deplete your reserves quickly. Leave enough stamina for dodging after an Ambush teleport.
Multi-Character Access (Patch 1.02.00)
Before Patch 1.02.00, Axiom Force was exclusive to Kliff. The patch expanded access so that Damiane and Oongka can now also use Axiom Force, alongside its upgrades such as Nature's Snare and related abilities. Both characters unlock and upgrade the skill the same way Kliff does.
What Damiane and Oongka Can Do with Axiom Force
Damiane and Oongka can now use the Force Palm grip to interact with the puzzle objects that previously only Kliff could manipulate. They can grab and move puzzle elements, reach higher ledges via the grapple mechanic, and complete most Abyss puzzles encountered at world-level locations and inside the various Sanctums.
Character-Specific Force Palm Equivalents
Patch 1.02.00 also changed how Damiane's and Oongka's existing abilities interact with the environment. Damiane's Shield Toss and Oongka's Scattershot now have the same effect as Kliff's Force Palm skill, letting those characters trigger the same force-based interactions on puzzle elements, switches, and breakable gimmicks without needing a dedicated Force Palm input.
Remaining Limitation: Abyss Teleportation
There is one important restriction. Damiane and Oongka still cannot teleport directly into the Abyss the way Kliff can. If a puzzle or location requires physically entering the abyss via Axiom Force teleportation, it remains a Kliff-exclusive action. Outside of those specific abyss-entry cases, Damiane and Oongka benefit from Axiom Force in every other context: world-level puzzles, sanctum puzzles, traversal grabs, and combat pulls.
Tips and Tricks
Look for the blue indicator. A blue grapple line confirms that the target can be grabbed. If it stays another color, adjust your position or angle before releasing.
Use Axiom Force in boss fights. Several boss encounters, including the Crimson Nightmare, have phases where Axiom Force can interact with the environment to create openings or deal extra damage.
Combine Aerial Maneuver with exploration. Many hidden collectibles and treasure chests are placed on ledges that are only reachable with Level 2 or Level 3 Axiom Force.
Respec freely. Faded Abyss Artifacts let you reset your Axiom Force upgrades. If you invested in Aerial Swing but find you rarely use it, reallocate those points to other abilities.
Controller users should watch for crouch conflicts. Since Axiom Force and crouch both use L3 / Left Stick press, make sure you are in a neutral stance when activating Axiom Force to avoid crouching instead.
Pair Ambush with heavy melee openers. Teleporting to an enemy with Ambush, then immediately following up with a charged heavy attack, is one of the highest-damage combos available to Kliff.