Overview
The longsword build is one of the most accessible and powerful setups for Kliff in Crimson Desert. Longswords are classified as two-handed weapons, offering high physical damage and strong stagger output against both regular enemies and bosses. The playstyle revolves around skill chaining, where you link Spinning Slash, Stab, and Lariat into continuous combos that tear through groups of enemies while still dealing heavy single-target damage.
This build performs well across every stage of the game. Early on, Rhett's Longsword gives you a strong starting point with minimal investment, and the progression path leads naturally into some of the strongest weapons available. The longsword also pairs well with a secondary one-handed sword and shield for situations that demand a more defensive approach.
Recommended Weapons
Longswords scale through refinement and Abyss Gear slots. The table below covers the key longswords from the prologue through the endgame.
Weapon | ATK | How to Obtain | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15 | CRIT Lv. 1 | Purchased from Hernand Equipment Shop for 2.30 Silver, or crafted at a Blacksmith | Best early-game longsword. 5 empty Abyss Gear slots available for customization. Refineable to Tier 4. | |
19 | CRIT Lv. 1 | Obtained through story progression | Highest early-game ATK among two-handed weapons. Strong Abyss Gears can be transferred from it to other weapons. | |
16 | ATK Spd Lv. 1 | Reliable mid-game option available through merchants. Good attack speed for combo-heavy playstyles. |
The Hwando deserves special mention because its Abyss Gears can be stripped and placed into other weapons. Many players obtain the Hwando specifically to move its Abyss Gears onto their preferred longsword or other two-handed weapon.
Essential Skills
The longsword build relies heavily on Stamina tree skills for damage output, with Spirit tree skills providing defensive tools and damage amplification.
Stamina Tree (Primary)
Skill | Priority | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Essential | Increases base weapon damage at each level and unlocks Evasive Slash at level 3. Directly boosts all melee output. Push this to at least level 3 early. | |
Essential | Wide sweeping attack that hits multiple enemies. Your primary combo opener. Chains naturally into Stab for high single-target damage. | |
Essential | Quick thrust that inflicts bleed. The upgraded version (Stab Mastery) pierces enemy super armor, making it critical for boss encounters. | |
High | Ground-slam takedown with strong area-of-effect damage. Primary crowd control tool when surrounded by mobs. | |
High | Large stride forward with a powerful slash. Upgrade to Forward Slash Sure Hit for guaranteed accuracy. Good for gap closing. |
Spirit Tree (Secondary)
Skill | Priority | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Essential | Unlocks Parry, Dodge, Counter, and Perfect Dodge. Mandatory for surviving boss fights. Get this to level 2 as early as possible. | |
Essential | Creates a spectral illusion that replicates your attacks, effectively doubling your damage output during short punishment windows. One of the strongest skills in the entire game. | |
Moderate | At level 3, the three-hit combo knocks enemies off their feet and opens a damage window. Also enables Aerial Force Palm for triple jumps. |
Health Tree (Utility)
Skill | Priority | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Moderate | Traversal ability. Grants Aerial Maneuver for long-distance movement across cliffs and gaps. | |
Optional | Lets you infuse your longsword with fire, frost, or lightning. Useful against specific enemy weaknesses but not required for general play. |
Recommended Armor
The Canta Plate Set is the best early-game armor for a longsword build. It provides solid defense while still offering attack bonuses on the gloves and boots. You can purchase it from the equipment shop in Hernand once you arrive in the city.
Slot | Piece | |
|---|---|---|
DEF 3 | ||
DEF 6, Abyss Gear: Vigor I | ||
DEF 3, ATK 13, ATK Spd 1 | ||
Boots | DEF 3, ATK 13, ATK Spd 1 | |
Cloak | Lightning Res 3 | |
Necklace | ATK 1 |
As you progress into later chapters, look for the Bolton Plate Helm (one Abyss Core socket), Plate Gloves of Cursed Soul (two sockets), Odeck's Protector Plate Boots (two sockets), and the Paulenese Cloak (Ice Resistance Lv 3 from the Pailune Contribution shop). These pieces offer more Abyss Core sockets for scaling your build into the endgame.
Abyss Cores
Slot Abyss Cores into your weapon and armor to amplify your build. For a longsword build focused on aggressive skill chaining, prioritize these core types:
Core Type | Effect | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
Increases attack power | Direct damage increase on every swing. The highest priority core for a damage-focused longsword build. | |
Increases attack speed | Faster combos mean more hits per opening. Particularly strong with Spinning Slash chains. | |
Increases defense | Provides survivability for trading hits with bosses. Slot this on armor pieces. | |
Launches magical crows at enemies with each weapon swing | Passive damage that stacks with your normal attacks. Obtained from defeating the Crowcaller boss. | |
Creates lava eruptions beneath enemies for area damage | Excellent area damage that complements the longsword's crowd-control combos. Obtained from defeating Myurdin in Chapter 7. |
Avoid Haste cores for movement speed. Movement speed bonuses are largely unnecessary and represent a wasted socket that could be used for attack power or defense.
Stat Allocation
When spending Abyss Artifacts on stat upgrades, the longsword build benefits from a balanced approach with a slight emphasis on Stamina for combo execution.
Stamina (5+ points): Governs blocking, dodging, and all physical attacks. With at least 5 points, you can execute full Spinning Slash into Stab into Lariat chains without running dry mid-combo.
Health (4+ points): Bosses hit extremely hard, and a larger health pool is the most reliable way to survive. Invest consistently throughout the game.
Spirit (3+ points): Powers Nature's Echo and Force Palm. You need enough Spirit to activate these skills consistently, but it is lower priority than Stamina and Health.
Combat Rotation
The longsword build's damage comes from chaining skills together in quick succession. Here is the core rotation for different combat situations.
Single Target (Bosses)
Open with Spinning Slash to deal initial damage and close distance.
Chain into Stab for high single-target DPS and bleed application.
Activate Nature's Echo to double your damage output during the next combo.
Follow up with Forward Slash for a powerful gap-closing strike.
Use Parry or Dodge when the boss attacks, then punish with another Spinning Slash chain.
Multiple Enemies (Mobs)
Open with Spinning Slash to hit as many targets as possible.
Deploy Lariat for area-of-effect crowd control.
Use Forward Slash to chase down enemies that scatter.
Chain Spinning Slash again once your stamina recovers.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
High physical and stagger damage against bosses | Two-handed weapon means no shield equipped simultaneously |
Extremely easy to set up and upgrade throughout the game | Slower swing speed compared to one-handed swords |
Strong area-of-effect attacks for mob clearing | Relies on Keen Senses for defense; mistakes are punished harder without a shield |
Natural progression path with clear weapon upgrades at each stage | Spirit management required for Nature's Echo uptime |
Tips
The Hwando's Abyss Gears can be transferred to your preferred longsword. Many players obtain the Hwando specifically for its Abyss Gears rather than using it as a primary weapon.
Invest in Armed Combat to level 3 early to unlock Evasive Slash, which gives the longsword a fast backstep-and-slash evasion move.
Spinning Slash chains are your bread and butter. Practice the timing of Spinning Slash into Stab until the transition feels automatic.
Keep a one-handed sword and shield as your secondary weapon for boss phases where blocking is safer than dodging.
Do not waste Abyss Artifacts on kick skills. Stomp Kick, Drop Kick, Jump Kick, and Snapping Kick can all be learned for free by observing enemies in combat.
See Also
Weapons
Skill Tree
Abyss Cores