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Kliff
February 28, 2026 at 09:49 AM
Updated with voice actor, detailed characterization, no-class system, weapon list, and backstory details
Kliff MacDuff is the main protagonist of Crimson Desert and the battle-hardened leader of the Greymanes, a mercenary band from Pywel's northernmost region of Pailune. He is the primary playable character and the only character through whom the main story can be progressed.
Kliff is voiced by Alec Newman, the 2025 BAFTA Games Award winner for Leading Performer for his role as "Caz" McLeary in Still Wakes the Deep. Newman is also known for Adam Smasher in Cyberpunk 2077, Sebastian Vael in Dragon Age 2, and roles in Final Fantasy XIV and Xenoblade Chronicles.
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Full Name | Kliff MacDuff |
Faction | Greymanes (leader) |
Father | Martinus (deceased mercenary leader) |
Homeland | Pailune |
Voice Actor | Alec Newman |
Character Type | Versatile all-rounder; the most flexible of the three playable characters |
Kliff is the son of Martinus, a former mercenary leader who met a tragic end. Kliff inherited both the leadership burden and the emotional weight of his father's fate. He is described as a man in constant turmoil, struggling with the responsibilities of leadership and the survival of those who depend on him.
The story begins after the Black Bear Forces, led by Myurdin, launch a devastating ambush on the Greymanes at Pailune. The attack scatters or kills most of the group. Kliff must fight, explore, and survive his way across all five regions of Pywel to reunite his surviving companions and confront the Black Bears.
Kliff does not belong to any traditional RPG class. As Pearl Abyss stated: "You are Kliff MacDuff, and your class is whatever mix of weapons, skills, and Abyss Artifacts you decide to run with." No two players' versions of Kliff will develop identically, because progression choices (which stats to prioritize, which skills to learn, which weapons to master) create divergent builds.
Kliff has the largest weapon selection of the three playable characters, with eight confirmed weapon types:
Weapon | Type |
|---|---|
Sword and Shield | Melee (balanced, defensive) |
Spear | Melee (reach, thrusting) |
Greatsword | Melee (heavy, sweeping) |
Axe | Melee (wide arc, AoE) |
Dual Blades | Melee (fast chains) |
Bow and Arrow | Ranged (versatile, multiple ammo types) |
Musket | Ranged (charged shots, long range) |
Unarmed | Melee (grapples, wrestling moves) |
Axiom Bracelet: Kliff's Axiom Bracelet allows him to imbue attacks with elemental effects including fire, ice, lightning, and wind through a selection wheel.
Crow's Wing: Kliff's unique traversal ability transforms his cloak into wraith-like raven wings, allowing him to glide across large distances. This ability is granted by White Crow the Witch after Kliff's first visit to the Abyss. See the Crow's Wing article for full details.
Force Palm: An energy wave ability activated by pressing the right stick. Force Palm shoots energy projectiles useful in both combat and traversal (providing vertical boosts when combined with jumps). It can be infused with elemental effects.
Grappling Hook: A ghostly white strand that latches onto structures for swinging, ledge-chaining, and aerial combat dives. See the Grappling Hook article.
Unlike many open-world protagonists, Kliff is not a blank slate or a generic hero archetype. He carries the trauma of his father's death and the guilt of leading his people into a devastating ambush. Pearl Abyss has stated that his character was inspired by themes of personal loss and the weight of inherited responsibility.
Throughout the story, Kliff must balance his desire for revenge against the Black Bears with his duty to protect and rebuild the Greymanes. This internal conflict drives much of the narrative and informs his relationships with companions like Yann, Naira, Oongka, and Damiane.
