Patch 1.01.00

Overview

Patch 1.01.00 was the first major content and quality-of-life update for Crimson Desert, released on March 28, 2026. This came roughly nine days after the game's launch on March 19. While the earlier Day 1 Patch (1.00.02) and the follow-up hotfix (1.00.03) focused on bug fixes and stability, Patch 1.01.00 marked the first time Pearl Abyss introduced new gameplay content alongside a fresh round of quality-of-life improvements.

The update was well received by the player community. Following its release, Crimson Desert's Steam user reviews climbed to "Very Positive" with an 85% positive rating. Players praised the speed at which Pearl Abyss responded to feedback and the addition of long-requested features like Refinement Tokens and expanded mount options.

New Legendary Mounts

Patch 1.01.00 added five new legendary mounts to the game. These mounts are scattered across the open world and must be found, approached, and tamed before they can be ridden. Each one has distinct visual design and handling characteristics that set it apart from the standard horses and donkeys available at launch.

Each legendary mount spawns in a specific region tied to its habitat. Taming them requires approaching without startling them, then completing a brief taming sequence. Once tamed, they become permanent additions to the player's stable and can be summoned at any time.

New World Chests

The patch added new chests distributed across the open world of Pywel. These chests contain a mix of crafting materials, consumables, and occasionally rare equipment. They are placed in hard-to-reach locations, rewarding players who explore off the beaten path. Some are hidden behind environmental puzzles or tucked into areas guarded by high-level enemies.

Cooking Additions

Several new cooking recipes were introduced with this patch, expanding the options available at campfire cooking stations and kitchen facilities in player housing. The new recipes provide buffs tailored to different playstyles, including stamina recovery, cold resistance for northern exploration, and temporary damage boosts.

The cooking interface also received quality-of-life tweaks. Ingredient quantities are now displayed more clearly, and players can queue multiple dishes in a single cooking session rather than preparing them one at a time.

New Shops and Vendors

Patch 1.01.00 introduced several new vendor NPCs in existing settlements. These shops sell equipment, consumables, and crafting materials that were previously obtainable only through drops or gathering. The addition gives players a reliable fallback for acquiring specific items they need without relying entirely on random loot tables.

Some of the new vendors also sell recipes and schematics that unlock additional crafting options at workbenches and cooking stations.

Refinement Tokens

One of the most significant additions in this patch was the Refinement Token system. Equipment refinement in Crimson Desert requires gathering specific materials to upgrade weapons and armor. Prior to this patch, early refinement levels (1 through 4) required the same farming process as higher tiers, which many players felt was tedious for what amounted to small incremental stat increases.

Refinement Tokens let players bypass the material requirements for refinement levels 1 through 4. Each token is consumed in place of the normal crafting materials needed for a single refinement level. Tokens can be found in the new world chests, purchased from certain vendors, and earned as rewards from specific quests. This change significantly reduces the early grind for upgrading gear and lets players reach the more meaningful higher-tier refinements faster.

Bug Fixes and Stability

Beyond new content, Patch 1.01.00 included a broad set of bug fixes and performance improvements. Pearl Abyss continued addressing issues reported by the community since launch.

• Fixed several quest progression blockers reported in Chapters 5 and 6

• Resolved a crash that occurred when fast-traveling while certain cutscenes were loading

• Corrected hitbox inconsistencies on several boss encounters

• Improved frame rate stability in densely populated settlement areas

• Fixed an issue where mount stamina would not regenerate after dismounting and remounting quickly

• Addressed multiple collision detection problems in cave and dungeon environments

• Corrected visual artifacts that appeared during rain when using certain upscaling technologies

• Fixed a bug where companion NPCs could become stuck on terrain during escort quests

Community Reception

The response to Patch 1.01.00 was overwhelmingly positive. On Steam, user reviews rose to the "Very Positive" threshold of 85% positive after the patch went live. Players highlighted the legendary mounts as the standout addition, with many noting that the variety of rideable animals made exploration feel more rewarding.

The Refinement Token system received particular praise from players who had criticized the early-game material grind. Community feedback on forums and social media described it as a smart compromise that preserved the depth of the refinement system while removing unnecessary friction at lower levels.

Pearl Abyss's quick turnaround on post-launch updates was also a frequent point of discussion. Releasing a content patch nine days after launch signaled that the studio was actively listening and iterating. The combination of the Day 1 Patch, the 1.00.03 hotfix, and this 1.01.00 update addressed the majority of complaints from the launch window.

Update History Context

For a full list of all Crimson Desert patches and updates, see the Patch Notes page. The update timeline leading up to 1.01.00 was as follows:

Pearl Abyss has continued to release regular updates following 1.01.00, maintaining a pattern of rapid response to community feedback.