Mysterious Energy
Full guide to Mysterious Energy in Crimson Desert. Covers what Mysterious Energy markers are, the three discovery types (Abyss Nexus, Abyss Cresset, Secret Place), how to locate them with Blinding Flash and the world map, activation mechanics, rewards including Abyss Artifacts, and exploration tips.
Overview
Mysterious Energy is an exploration mechanic in Crimson Desert that marks undiscovered points of interest scattered across the continent of Pywel. These markers appear on the world map as large white circles with a question mark icon inside, indicating that something of value waits to be found at that location. Mysterious Energy markers are the primary way players discover fast travel points, puzzle dungeons, and hidden areas throughout the open world.
Each Mysterious Energy marker conceals one of three types of discovery: an Abyss Nexus (a simple fast travel point), an Abyss Cresset (a puzzle-locked fast travel point found inside Ancient Ruins), or a Secret Place (a hidden area containing loot and collectibles). Once the player investigates a Mysterious Energy location and discovers what it contains, the question mark icon disappears from the map and is replaced by the appropriate icon for the discovery type.
How to Locate Mysterious Energy
There are two primary methods for finding Mysterious Energy locations in Crimson Desert.
World Map Tracking
The simplest method is to open the world map and look for the white question mark circles. Hover the crosshair over a question mark icon and select it to place a tracking marker. This adds an indicator to the mini-map that guides the player toward the Mysterious Energy location. Because some locations sit at different elevations (inside caves, on cliffs, or underground), the mini-map will show whether the destination is above or below the player's current position. Following the mini-map directions is more reliable than trying to navigate by line of sight in the open world.
Blinding Flash
Blinding Flash is one of Kliff's core abilities and the most reliable active method for detecting Abyss-related points of interest. To activate Blinding Flash, hold RB + LB (Xbox) or L1 + R1 (PlayStation). If any Abyss Nexus, Abyss Cresset, or other Abyss-related element is nearby, a trail of blue light appears at the horizon in the direction of that point of interest.
Environmental obstacles such as hills, trees, and buildings can block the light effects. Standing on a mountain peak, cliff edge, or other elevated vantage point gives the widest field of view and the best chance of spotting distant trails. Blinding Flash is especially useful for finding Mysterious Energy locations that are not yet visible on the map or that require the player to approach from a specific direction.
Types of Discoveries
Every Mysterious Energy marker hides exactly one of three discovery types. The table below summarizes the differences.
Discovery Type | Activation Method | Provides Fast Travel | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
Stand on the stone platform until it glows blue | Yes | Permanent fast travel point | |
Abyss Cresset | Solve the puzzle inside the linked Ancient Ruins dungeon | Yes | Permanent fast travel point + Abyss Artifact |
Secret Place | Reach the hidden area and explore it | No | Loot, collectibles, Sealed Abyss Artifacts, Challenges |
Abyss Nexus
An Abyss Nexus is the simpler of the two fast travel point types. It appears in the open world as a flat, rocky structure with an engraved circular pattern in the center, usually found at easily accessible locations near roads, settlements, or landmarks. To activate an Abyss Nexus, walk onto the central circle and stand there for a few seconds. The platform glows blue once it activates, and the location is permanently unlocked as a fast travel destination.
No special items, progression milestones, or ability requirements are needed to activate a standard Abyss Nexus. Players can begin discovering and activating them from the very beginning of the game. However, a small number of Abyss Nexus locations require specific abilities to reach or repair. For example, the Abyss Nexus at Howling Hill Camp requires the player to use Blinding Flash to burn away vines, retrieve an Abyss Teleporter disk from Karin Quarry, position it with Axiom Force, and then secure it in place using the Aerial Force Palm ability.
Abyss Cresset
An Abyss Cresset is the second type of fast travel point. Unlike an Abyss Nexus, it requires the player to enter and complete a dungeon before it activates. Abyss Cressets are tied to Ancient Ruins scattered throughout Pywel. When a Mysterious Energy marker leads to an Abyss Cresset, the player will find the entrance to an Ancient Ruins puzzle nearby. The player must interact with the entrance to enter the dungeon and solve its puzzle.
Ancient Ruins puzzles come in several varieties. Some require rotating statues to face the correct direction, others involve moving a device to match engraved symbols, and more complex examples feature mural puzzles where clues are scattered across multiple locations. Completing the puzzle activates the Abyss Cresset, which then functions identically to an Abyss Nexus as a permanent fast travel point.
In addition to unlocking fast travel, every Abyss Cresset activation rewards the player with an Abyss Artifact. Abyss Artifacts function as skill points that can be spent on the Skill Tree to unlock new combat abilities, passive buffs, and stat upgrades for Health, Stamina, and Spirit. This makes Abyss Cressets significantly more valuable than Abyss Nexus locations, since they provide both transportation and character progression.
Secret Places
The third type of discovery hidden behind Mysterious Energy markers is a Secret Place. Secret Places are hidden areas that do not provide fast travel but instead contain loot, collectibles, and other rewards. Many Secret Places hold Sealed Abyss Artifacts, which are special collectibles that unlock Challenges. Completing Challenges rewards additional Abyss Artifacts, Faded Abyss Artifacts (used for resetting and respeccing skills), and Abyss Gear (weapon and armor modifications).
Abilities Required for Early Exploration
While basic Abyss Nexus points can be activated without any special abilities, some Mysterious Energy locations require specific story-gated abilities to access. The following abilities unlock progressively through the main story and expand the player's ability to interact with Mysterious Energy locations.
Ability | Unlocked | Use for Mysterious Energy |
|---|---|---|
Chapter 1 | Push objects blocking paths to Mysterious Energy locations | |
Chapter 2 | Move objects during Ancient Ruins puzzles | |
Chapter 2 | Manage spirit energy during extended puzzle sequences | |
Chapter 3 | Required for certain advanced trials guarding Abyss Cressets | |
Chapter 4 (after "Scholastone" main quest) | Secure Abyss Teleporter disks into Abyss Nexus platforms |
Players do not need to wait until all abilities are unlocked to begin exploring. Many Mysterious Energy locations near Hernand and the starting regions can be completed with just the abilities available in Chapters 1 and 2.
How to Use Fast Travel After Activation
Once an Abyss Nexus or Abyss Cresset has been activated, it becomes a permanent fast travel destination. To teleport to any activated point, open the world map and make sure the "All" or "Environment" tab is selected so that fast travel icons are visible. Hover over any activated Abyss Nexus or Abyss Cresset icon, then double-click (mouse) or press Y (Xbox) / Triangle (PlayStation) to teleport instantly. Fast travel can be initiated from anywhere in the open world, has no cost, and is available at any time outside of combat or cutscenes.
Early-Game Mysterious Energy Locations
The Hernand region offers several accessible Mysterious Energy locations for players who are still in the opening chapters of the story.
Hernand Town Abyss Nexus: Located along the north side of the road between the inn and the castle. Walk onto the platform to activate it.
Three Saints Falls Abyss Nexus: Situated near Three Saints Falls. Especially useful for providing quick access to nearby areas including Karin Quarry.
Bloomwood Ranch Abyss Cresset: Located near Bloomwood Ranch and accessible through exploration and climbing. No combat trial required.
Unexpected Gift Quest Abyss Cresset: Tied to the "Unexpected Gift" side quest near Hernand. Completing the quest's puzzle sequence activates this Cresset.
Howling Hill Mysterious Energy Zones
The area around Howling Hill Greymanes Camp contains multiple Mysterious Energy zones that serve as practical introductions to the system's more complex interactions.
Abyss Nexus at Howling Hill Camp
Located east of Kliff's residence at the camp, this Abyss Nexus sits on a platform concealed by vines near a stone structure. Activating it requires a multi-step process:
Use Blinding Flash to burn away the vines covering the platform.
Travel to Karin Quarry and retrieve the Abyss Teleporter disk from an underground cavern behind a purple crystallized wall.
Return to the platform and position the disk over the indent using Axiom Force.
Jump and execute Aerial Force Palm to secure the disk into the platform.
Stand on the completed Abyss Nexus to activate fast travel.
This Abyss Nexus requires completion of the "Sealed in Stone" (House Roberts side quest) and the "Scholastone" (Chapter 4 main quest) to unlock the Focused Force Palm ability needed for step 4.
Dragon Stone's Chamber
Located in a chasm directly south of Howling Hill, the Dragon Stone's Chamber is an Ancient Ruins puzzle featuring an alignment-based pattern system. The puzzle presents three symbol categories (sun/moon/tree, gears, and animals) that the player must match and align correctly. Solving the puzzle activates an Abyss Cresset and awards an Abyss Artifact.
Tips and Strategies
Activate every Mysterious Energy location you encounter during quests, even if it means a short detour. Having a dense network of fast travel points saves significant time later when quests send the player across multiple regions.
Use Blinding Flash regularly from elevated positions. Mountain peaks, cliff edges, and tall structures give the widest field of view and reveal the most Abyss-related light trails.
If Blinding Flash does not show any light trails, move to a different elevation or angle. Environmental obstacles can block the visual effects.
Track Mysterious Energy markers on the map before heading into a new area. Setting a tracking marker places a waypoint on the mini-map, making it easier to navigate to the exact location.
Check the mini-map's vertical indicator when approaching a tracked Mysterious Energy point. Many locations are hidden in caves, on cliffs, or underground, and the vertical indicator shows whether the destination is above or below the player.
Prioritize Abyss Cresset locations over Abyss Nexus points when possible. Abyss Cressets provide both fast travel and an Abyss Artifact for skill upgrades, making them more valuable per discovery.
Return to earlier regions after unlocking new abilities. Some Mysterious Energy locations that were inaccessible during the opening chapters become reachable once abilities like Focused Force Palm or Stab are learned.