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Overview

The Passage of Malice is an Abyss puzzle challenge in Crimson Desert. It is one of the Abyss Challenges scattered across the game world, and it tasks players with using Axiom Force to manipulate lasers, rotate cubes, and direct energy beams toward crystal nodes in order to open the way forward. The puzzle emphasizes symmetry and precise positioning, requiring players to adjust track segments on both the left and right sides of a chamber until the lasers connect with their corresponding crystals.

Completing the Passage of Malice rewards an Abyss Artifact and opens a connection to an Abyss Gate leading to the next puzzle in this Abyss branch. Abyss Artifacts are the core progression currency in Crimson Desert, used in the Skill Tree to learn new skills, enhance core stats like Health, Spirit, and Stamina, and serve as crafting materials for equipment refinement at +5 and above.

Quick Reference

How to Access the Passage of Malice

The Passage of Malice is not accessible from the open world directly. Instead, it is the first stage of the Abyss branch connected to the Spire of Frost. Players must first complete the Spire of Frost challenge, which involves lighting seven stone lanterns to finish The Frostwarden side quest. Only after all seven lanterns are lit does an Abyss Gate appear in the top chamber of the Spire, and interacting with that gate transports the player into the Passage of Malice.

Reaching the Spire of Frost

The Spire of Frost is situated in a frozen landscape along the border of Demeniss and Beighen, at the southeastern tip of Pailune. You can reach it by traveling east from Beighen village. Be aware that the frozen environment surrounding the Spire inflicts cold damage that can freeze your character for several seconds. Antumbra wizards also patrol the area, launching energy projectiles from the air. Equipping armor with ice resistance bonuses before heading to this location is strongly recommended.

Completing The Frostwarden Quest

Inside the Spire of Frost, your objective is to light seven stone lanterns scattered throughout the interior. Climb the interior staircase while lighting each lantern you encounter. The sixth lantern is located outside on the exterior of the Spire, so watch for that transition. The seventh and final lantern is in the chamber near the top of the tower. Lighting all seven completes The Frostwarden side quest, rewards the Frostwarden Plate Boots, and causes an Abyss Gate to appear in the top chamber. This gate remains accessible for future visits, so you can return to the Passage of Malice at any time.

Puzzle Overview

The Passage of Malice is a puzzle that requires you to use Axiom Force to pull lasers to their corresponding places so that they connect to crystal nodes and open the way forward. The puzzle chamber features two mirrored track segments on the left and right sides, with a central locked gate between them. Each side has multiple cube positions (labeled L2, L3, L4 on the left and R2, R3, R4 on the right) that can be rotated and repositioned using Axiom Force. Lasers mounted on rails need to be moved to specific positions where their beams will hit the yellow crystals on the opposite wall.

The puzzle unfolds in three phases: an entry-level laser that opens the floor, the main chamber where you manipulate cubes and lasers on both sides, and a final section involving a battery and Force Palm activation.

Phase 1: Entry Laser

As you enter the Passage of Malice, look to the left wall where you will find a laser. Use Axiom Force (hold L3 on PlayStation, Left Stick on Xbox, or Tab on PC) to grab the laser and move it into the center of the room so that its beam hits the yellow crystal on the right wall. When the beam connects with the crystal, the floor opens up and allows you to drop down into the main puzzle room below.

Phase 2: Main Laser and Cube Puzzle

The main puzzle room has two sets of track segments: a left set and a right set. You can use Axiom Force on the yellow circles on the left and right sides to rotate the cubes using R2/L2 and the D-Pad. The goal is to move track segments and lasers so that the laser beams on both sides connect with the yellow crystals on the opposite walls. The cube positions are labeled L2, L3 (left side) and R2, R3, R4 (right side). Here is the step-by-step solution.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Connect to the left side with Axiom Force. Move L2 once to the left to continue the track, creating a path for the laser beam to follow.

2. Adjust L3. Move L3 twice to the left to continue the track further on the left side.

3. Reposition the left laser. Move the left laser to the L3 position. Once placed, the laser will shoot its beam across to the crystal on the right side of the chamber.

4. Connect to the right side with Axiom Force. Move R3 twice to the right to continue the track on the right side, creating a path for the right laser beam.

5. Move L2 to reveal the crystal. Connect back to the left side with Axiom Force. Move L2 twice to the right to expose the yellow crystal on the left wall.

6. Reposition the right laser. Move the right laser from R4 to R2 so that its beam hits the crystal on the left side.

7. Final adjustment on the right. Connect to the right side with Axiom Force. Move R3 back toward the crystal so that the laser on L3 can shoot it cleanly, completing both sides.

8. The door opens. When both lasers are properly hitting their corresponding crystals, the central gate unlocks automatically and the door forward opens.

Cube Position Reference

Phase 3: Battery and Force Palm Activation

Once the central gate opens, proceed through the door into the inner chamber. Inside, you will find a battery (also called an Abyss Cell) that needs to be positioned correctly. Use Axiom Force to grab the battery and pull it into place on its designated slot. Once the battery is positioned, strike it with Force Palm (press R3 on PlayStation, Right Stick on Xbox) to lock it into the mechanism. The Force Palm impact pushes the battery firmly into the wall socket, activating the power supply for the area.

After activating the battery, climb up to the circle dial mechanism above. Use Force Palm on the circle dial to activate it. This powers up the teleporter, which takes you upward through the Passage of Malice to the final area where you can claim your reward.

Rewards

Axiom Force Controls Reference

Tips and Common Mistakes

• Symmetry is everything. The primary difficulty of this puzzle lies in achieving precise symmetry between both sides of the chamber. If even one cube or laser is slightly misaligned, the gate will not open. Take your time comparing both sides before concluding that you have made an error.

• Use the yellow circles. The interactive yellow circles on the left and right walls are the targets for Axiom Force. Connecting to these circles lets you rotate the cubes and move track segments. If you are having trouble grabbing a cube, make sure you are aiming at the yellow circle rather than the cube itself.

• No combat required. The Passage of Malice is entirely a puzzle challenge with no enemies or combat encounters. You can focus entirely on solving the mechanics without worrying about your health or equipment loadout.

• The puzzle is not timed. There is no timer on any phase of this puzzle. Take as long as you need to experiment with cube positions and laser placements. Nothing resets or locks if you take too long.

• Check your laser alignment visually. When a laser beam connects with a crystal correctly, the crystal glows and visual feedback confirms the connection. If the crystal is not glowing, the laser is not hitting it precisely enough.

• Force Palm the battery firmly. In Phase 3, make sure you are standing close enough to the battery before using Force Palm. If you are too far away, the strike will not register. Position yourself directly in front of the battery slot and press R3.

• The teleporter takes you to the reward. After activating the circle dial with Force Palm, step onto the teleporter to ride it upward. The Abyss Artifact is waiting at the top, along with the Abyss Gate connection to the next puzzle.

• Prepare for cold damage before arriving. The Spire of Frost area surrounding the entrance inflicts cold damage. Equip armor pieces and Abyss Gears with ice resistance before traveling to this location. Antumbra wizards in the area can also be dangerous if you are underleveled.

Connection to the Abyss Network

The Passage of Malice is part of a larger network of Abyss Challenges spread across the world of Pywel. Each challenge rewards Abyss Artifacts, which are essential for character progression. The Abyss branch that begins at the Spire of Frost continues through the Passage of Malice and connects to additional puzzles via the Abyss Gate at the end. Completing all Abyss Challenges in a branch often unlocks access to deeper areas of The Abyss and more powerful rewards.

Players who are farming Abyss Artifacts for skill unlocks or equipment refinement should prioritize completing Abyss branches like this one, as each completed puzzle provides a guaranteed Artifact. The Abyss Nexus fast travel system makes revisiting completed areas efficient, so activate any Nexus points you encounter along the way.

Related Articles

• Spire of Frost (prerequisite puzzle)

• The Abyss (realm overview)

• Abyss Challenges (full list of challenges)

• Abyss Artifacts (progression currency)

• Axiom Force (core ability)

• Force Palm (secondary ability)

• Abyss Gears (equipment modifiers)

• Abyss Nexus (fast travel system)

• Skill Tree (where Abyss Artifacts are spent)

• Abyss Island Puzzle Solutions (hub page)