Revision 16

Overview

Crimson Desert features three playable characters, each with a distinct combat style, weapon loadout, and traversal method. Kliff MacDuff is the primary protagonist and the only character who can advance the main story. Damiane and Oongka are unlocked through the main campaign and can be freely switched for open-world exploration and side content. There is no traditional character creation system; all three characters have fixed identities and facial features, though their appearance can be customized through hairstyles, hair color, tattoos, and dyed equipment.

Character Comparison

Kliff MacDuff

Kliff is the main protagonist and leader of the Greymanes. He is the most versatile of the three characters, with the largest weapon selection available. Kliff handles like a classic action-adventure hero with solid frontline sword-and-shield work, ranged bow shots, and wrestling-style grapples. His Axiom Bracelet grants elemental enhancements (fire, ice, lightning) for his attacks.

His unique traversal ability is the Crow's Wing, a wraith-like transformation that grants raven wings for gliding. He can also use a grappling hook for swinging between structures and a triple jump for aerial maneuvers. For a complete profile, see the Kliff MacDuff article.

Voice actor: Alec Newman, known for Adam Smasher in Cyberpunk 2077, Sebastian Vael in Dragon Age 2, and roles in Final Fantasy XIV and Xenoblade Chronicles.

Damiane

Damiane is an agile female warrior who emphasizes speed and precision. She wields a claymore for sweeping attacks and a rapier with a small buckler for faster, more precise strikes. Her ranged options include a flintlock pistol and a musket. Damiane excels at quick-step dodging, aerial magic, spinning kick combos, and an Izuna Drop finisher (an aerial grab that plummets the target into the ground).

Her unique traversal tool is a propeller gadget that allows her to glide and, when spun at higher speeds, achieve true flight. This makes her exploration style distinct from Kliff's Crow's Wing. For a complete profile, see the Damiane article.

Voice actor: Rebecca Hanssen, known for Eve in Stellar Blade, multiple characters in Baldur's Gate 3, and Queen Meve in The Witcher TV series.

Oongka

Oongka is a heavy bruiser clad in thick armor. He is one of Kliff's core Greymane companions, known for fierce combat skills and unwavering loyalty. Oongka wields a massive greataxe for devastating ground slams and spinning area-of-effect attacks. His secondary weapon is a large hammer capable of sending multiple foes flying and knocking enemies into each other.

For ranged combat, Oongka uses a wrist-mounted crossbow that fires incendiary bolts. His playstyle favors raw power over finesse, and he can also punch, kick, body slam, and leap-slam in addition to his axe combat. He has no special flight or gliding ability, keeping him as a grounded powerhouse. For a complete profile, see the Oongka article.

Voice actor: Stewart Scudamore, known for Blackthorne in Final Fantasy XVI, Calgar in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, and Klaus in Lies of P: Overture.

Character Switching

Damiane and Oongka unlock through specific points in the main campaign. Once unlocked, players can freely swap between all three characters for open-world exploration, side quests, and boss battles. However, the main story can only be progressed while playing as Kliff. Each character's progression (levels, equipment, skills) is maintained independently, giving players reason to invest in all three.