Revision 11

Overview

Operation Challenges are a set of 10 challenges in Crimson Desert that fall under the Combat category. These challenges involve tactical and covert objectives: stealth assassinations, mass enemy elimination under time pressure, wearing disguises to frame rival factions, and fighting specific enemy groups while meeting gear conditions. Completing all 10 Operation Challenges unlocks the Brilliant Tactician trophy and achievement.

Each Operation Challenge is unlocked by picking up a Sealed Abyss Artifact from the open world. These challenges span multiple regions including Hernand, Pailune, and Delesyia. Several require you to travel between regions or acquire specific equipment before attempting them.

How Operation Challenges Work

Operation Challenges are the most varied of the Combat challenges. Some test your stealth ability, requiring assassinations at night without being detected. Others ask you to defeat dozens of enemies within tight time limits. A few involve the game's disguise system, where wearing a faction's armor causes that faction to treat you as an ally while you commit crimes on their behalf.

The disguise challenges are particularly interesting. Delesyia and Varnia are rival nations. By wearing Varnian armor in Delesyia (or Delesyian armor in Varnia), you can commit crimes that get attributed to the opposing faction. This is used in the Seeds of Discord challenge.

All Operation Challenges

Detailed Walkthroughs

3. End of the Shadow

Pick up the Sealed Abyss Artifact northwest of River Breeze Hearth in Pailune. The challenge requires assassinating 5 enemies at night. Wait until nightfall (you can rest at a camp to advance time) and approach an enemy camp using stealth. Crouch to enter sneak mode, get behind enemies, and perform stealth kills.

Enemy outposts in Pailune are spread apart, so pick one with at least 5 guards. Avoid alerting the camp, since detection resets the challenge. Take out isolated sentries first, then move to the ones near campfires. The reward for this one is generous: an Abyss Artifact, a Faded Abyss Artifact, and Destruction II.

4. Judgment of the Storm

The artifact is west of the North Hernand Watchtower. This challenge asks you to defeat 30 enemies within 1 minute, which is one of the hardest Combat challenges. You need an area with dense enemy spawns and powerful area-of-effect abilities.

Equip weapons with wide sweeping attacks. The Sword of the Lord or secondary weapons with area damage help. Target a weak enemy encampment in Hernand where low-level soldiers cluster together. Use your strongest area skills to chain kills quickly. If you fall short on time, try a different camp with more tightly packed enemies.

5. Seeds of Discord

Found north of the South Gate in Delesyia. This challenge involves the disguise mechanic. You need to commit crimes in Delesyia while wearing Varnian armor, then commit crimes in Varnia while wearing Delesyian armor. The crimes get blamed on the faction whose armor you are wearing.

First, acquire a set of Varnian armor (craft it, buy it, or loot it from Varnian soldiers). Equip it in Delesyia and commit crimes like attacking guards or stealing. Then switch to Delesyian armor and travel to Varnia to do the same. The reward includes a Greater Bloodbane passive ability.

6. Touch of Darkness

The artifact is northeast of Vilkom Outpost in Hernand. Assassinate 3 enemies within 1 minute. This is similar to End of the Shadow but with fewer kills and a tighter time window. Find a camp with guards close together, approach at night for easier stealth, and chain 3 quick stealth kills.

7. Disruption

Located west of Roothold in a shrine in Hernand. You must defeat 10 One-Eyed Jackals while wearing the Black Bear's Leather Helm. First, get the helm: it drops from Black Bears or can be found as loot. Equip it, then hunt One-Eyed Jackals in the Hernand wilderness. These enemies roam in groups, so you should be able to find 10 without too much searching.

1. Waves of Lightning

The artifact is south of the Gate to Advancement in Delesyia. You need to hit 10 enemies simultaneously with the disruptor. Find a heavily guarded area where soldiers cluster together, then deploy the disruptor when they are grouped tightly.

2. Hidden Banner Pike

The artifact is on the road southwest from Varnia Gate. Defeat 10 soldiers using banner pikes in the Demeniss region within 30 minutes. Pick up a banner pike from the environment and use it as a melee weapon against soldiers. The 30-minute window is generous, so take your time moving between enemy groups.

8. Gunshot

The artifact is at the shrine north of Scorchrock Castle in Demeniss. Neutralize an Elite enemy using only guns. Elite enemies have significantly more health and deal more damage. Stock up on ammunition and keep your distance, using dodges to avoid their attacks while chipping away with gun shots.

9. Meteor Run in the Dark

The artifact is north of Varnia Gate in Varnia, tucked under a rock. Destroy 2 Palisade Gates at night. Palisade Gates are the large wooden gate fortifications guarding enemy camps. Wait until nighttime, then attack the gates with heavy weapons or explosive skills to break them down.

10. Dirge Beyond the Border

The artifact is on the road west of the bridge southwest of Timberton in Delesyia. Subdue the guards in the Storm Veil. The Storm Veil is a fortified area with multiple guards. You need to defeat all guards in the area to complete this challenge.

Tips

• Night-time assassination challenges are easier if you rest at a camp until dark before heading to an enemy outpost.

• For mass-kill challenges, use area-of-effect skills and target weak enemy camps where soldiers cluster together.

• The disguise system requires a full set of faction armor. Check merchants in each region for purchasable sets.

• Keep a Black Bear's Leather Helm in your inventory; it is needed for at least one Operation Challenge.

• Operation Challenges reward combat-oriented Abyss passives like Destruction II and Greater Bloodbane.

See Also

• All Challenges