Overview
The Maze of Dawnreach is one of four Maze Challenges in Crimson Desert. It is built around three leaning towers scattered across the walled settlement of Town of Dawnreach. The player uses Force Palm to push each leaning tower back to vertical, which reveals hidden rooms with buttons that release two Engraved Stones. Inserting both stones into slots in the main tower activates the Abyss Cresset and completes the maze.
Dawnreach is initially under the control of an enemy faction, so clearing or sneaking past the guards is usually needed before the puzzle can be worked on calmly. Solving the maze awards an Abyss Artifact and activates a fast travel point at the Cresset. It also counts toward the Maze Pathfinder objective for players working through all four Maze Challenges.
Location
The maze is located inside the Town of Dawnreach in the Crimson Desert (region). It is east of the Town of Tommaso; riding east from Tommaso and passing through Fort Manub leads directly into the settlement. On the world map the challenge shows as a Mysterious Energy marker once you are close.
Quick Reference
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Region | |
Settlement | |
Access Route | East of Tommaso via Fort Manub |
Puzzle Type | Push 3 leaning towers with Force Palm, collect 2 Engraved Stones |
Required Ability | Force Palm (Expertise / Level 3 for three-strike push) |
Reward | Abyss Artifact, fast travel point |
Trophy | Counts toward Maze Pathfinder (all 4 mazes) |
Requirements
Force Palm Level 3 / Expertise: one of the leaning towers must be hit with three consecutive Force Palm strikes to straighten. Only the Expertise tier allows this combo.
Climbing gear or stamina buffs: several rooftops need to be reached on foot, and some ledges are narrow.
Combat readiness: Dawnreach is initially occupied by a hostile faction with firearms. Clear the area first or plan tight routes around them; the buildings themselves have narrow walkways that make fighting on them risky.
Walkthrough
Step 1: Survey the Area
Climb the tallest tower at the center of Dawnreach first. From the top you can see all three leaning towers and plan your route. A treasure chest containing a Goldlight Plate Cloak sits at the summit of this central tower, which is worth grabbing while you are up there.
Step 2: Western Leaning Tower (First Engraved Stone)
Climb onto the rooftop of the building the western leaning tower is resting against.
Aim at the wall of the leaning tower and use Force Palm to push it back upright. A single strike is enough for this one.
Drop down to the ledge below and find the newly revealed hole in the wall of the smaller building.
Climb inside. A large square button sits on the interior wall. Strike it with Force Palm to release the first Engraved Stone.
Step 3: Northwest Leaning Tower (Second Engraved Stone)
Move to the northwestern pair of towers. The leaning tower here is much heavier and requires three consecutive Force Palm strikes.
Stand on the adjacent rooftop and use Force Palm Level 3 (Expertise) to strike the leaning tower three times in a row. This pushes it straight and opens a wall hole below.
Enter the revealed room and press the second button with Force Palm to collect the second Engraved Stone.
Step 4: Eastern Leaning Tower and Cresset
Reach the platform the eastern leaning tower rests against and Force Palm it straight. This does not yield another Engraved Stone; instead it reveals the chamber that contains the Abyss Cresset.
Enter that chamber and place the two Engraved Stones into their slots.
The Abyss Cresset activates. Interact with it to claim the Abyss Artifact and register the fast travel point.
Rewards
An Abyss Artifact from the Abyss Cresset, which can be spent on skill tree upgrades.
A fast travel point tied to the Abyss Nexus system.
Goldlight Plate Cloak from the chest at the top of the central tower (bonus pickup, not part of the puzzle).
Progress toward the Maze Pathfinder trophy and achievement (complete all 4 mazes).
Tips
If a tower does not straighten fully on the first Force Palm, you are almost certainly using a lower tier. The Expertise upgrade is non-negotiable for the northwest tower.
Clear enemies with ranged weapons from the central tower before committing to the rooftops. Getting shot off a narrow ledge by a firearm user is the main reason players fail this maze.
The Engraved Stone buttons can be struck from outside the room through the wall opening if your alignment is tricky. This saves time if the interior is cramped.
Once an Engraved Stone is in your inventory it cannot be lost or dropped, so feel free to retreat and heal between towers.
Related
Maze Challenges (hub for all four mazes)
Sources
PowerPyx, All Maze Locations and Solutions: https://www.powerpyx.com/crimson-desert-all-maze-locations-solutions/
Game8, Maze of Dawnreach Puzzle Solution: https://game8.co/games/Crimson-Desert/archives/592079
Game8, 4 Maze Challenge Solutions and Locations: https://game8.co/games/Crimson-Desert/archives/590865
Nerdschalk, Maze of Dawnreach Puzzle Solution Mechanism and Rewards: https://nerdschalk.com/crimson-desert-maze-of-dawnreach-puzzle-solution-mechanism-and-rewards-explained/
Patch Crazy, Dawnreach Maze Challenge Location Puzzle Solution: https://patchcrazy.co.uk/dawnreach-maze-challenge-location-puzzle-solution-crimson-desert/