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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.

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.

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.

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.

Tips and Tricks

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.