Recommended Game Progress Route

Overview

Crimson Desert follows Kliff and the Greymanes across the continent of Pywel through 12 main chapters, a Prologue, and an Epilogue. The main story runs roughly 60 to 80 hours, while completing side content, faction quests, and collectibles pushes total playtime past 150 hours. Since several critical traversal abilities are locked behind main story progress, knowing when to push forward and when to pause for side activities can save you dozens of hours of backtracking.

This guide provides a recommended route through each phase of the game. It covers what to prioritize before advancing the story, which skills and items to pick up along the way, and the best windows for tackling side content. For detailed step-by-step quest instructions, see the individual chapter walkthroughs linked throughout. For a broader overview of all chapters and their quests, see the Game Progress Route article.

Before You Start: Three Rules for Efficient Progression

Crimson Desert does not use a traditional experience point system. Your power grows through Abyss Artifacts that unlock and upgrade nodes on the skill tree. Some abilities can only be learned by observing NPCs during specific quests. Missing an observation prompt means losing access to that skill until New Game Plus. Keep these three rules in mind from the start.

1. Find Sealed Abyss Artifacts immediately in every new area. Challenge progress only counts after you pick up the associated Sealed Artifact. Anything you accomplish before collecting it does not count retroactively. Use your sword's Guiding Light to spot the blue glimmer along roads and paths. There are 141 across Pywel.

2. Ring the 8 Hidden Bells early. Ringing all eight bells reveals the entire world map and removes fog of war. This makes route planning through each region far easier and exposes points of interest you would miss otherwise.

3. Activate fast travel points as you go. Spread Abyss Nexus activations across all regions early. Faction quests regularly send you to distant locations, and having fast travel coverage prevents long horse rides. Look for large question mark icons on the map or use Blinding Flash to reveal hidden Nexus points.

Phase 1: Foundation (Prologue and Chapter 1)

The Prologue is a linear tutorial. You meet core Greymane members, fight the Black Bear ambush, lose to Myurdin (this is scripted), and wake up in the Abyss. You learn the Blinding Flash skill and basic traversal. After exiting, you arrive at Three Saints' Falls, learn fishing, collect your first two Sealed Abyss Artifacts, and ride to the City of Hernand. There are no meaningful choices here; follow the quest markers.

Chapter 1 opens up Hernand as your first hub. Resist the urge to wander off exploring right away. Key traversal abilities like Force Palm, Axiom Force, and Flight are all unlocked during this chapter's main quests. Without them, you will run into walls, puzzles, and areas you cannot access.

Recommended Actions During Chapter 1

• Complete both main arcs: Trials of Kindness and Trace. These unlock Force Palm, Axiom Force, and Flight.

• Do the three Hernand Commissions: Turnali's Request (logging for Timber), Renee's Request (cooking Fish Porridge), and Rhett's Request (mining Iron Ore). Each awards a Standard Inventory Expansion Tool that adds 3 slots.

• Buy a Pickaxe and Logging Axe from vendors as soon as possible. These let you farm ore and wood for gear refinements throughout the game.

• Clean the house for Arlan and Lauren to receive the Hernandian Attire. This outfit is required to enter Hernand Castle, which gates further progression.

• Spend your first Abyss Artifacts on Health and Stamina. Everything in the early game (fighting, running, climbing, gliding) depends on having enough of both. Do not spread artifacts across secondary characters yet.

Phase 2: Expanding Hernand (Chapter 2)

Chapter 2: Golden Greed expands the playable area significantly around Hernand. You clear bandit outposts, explore new locations, and deal with the threat of Kailok the Hornsplitter. This chapter also introduces fire arrow combat, Memory Fragments, and important faction quest chains.

Recommended Actions During Chapter 2

• Complete all four Springtide Mill faction quests (Missing Cows, Horn Thief, Missing Wooly, Strange Noises from the Cave). Finishing all four unlocks The Dark Veil main quest, which is required to progress the story.

• Do the House Roberts quest at Karin Quarry (Stolen Quarry). The reward is the Mining Knuckledrill, which boosts ore drops by 10%. Since ore is needed for every weapon refinement, getting this early pays off for the entire game.

• Observe Matthias during the duel to learn the Pump Kick skill. When the game prompts you to watch, press L1 immediately. This is an observation-only skill.

• Observe the bandit at Specter's Hideout three times to learn Dropkick. You need three separate observations, so do not rush through this fight.

• Pick up Palmar Pills from bandit camps (Capra Pasture, Bloomwood Ranch, Specter's Hideout). These restore 30% HP during tough fights and are invaluable for multi-phase bosses.

• Visit the Shadow's Whisper Cave in northern Hernand to find the Palmar Pill recipe on a table inside. Crafting your own supply using water and insects/plants via alchemy is far cheaper than buying them.

Phase 3: Building the Camp (Chapter 3)

Chapter 3: Howling Hill shifts focus to rebuilding the Greymane Camp. This is when the camp management system opens and companions become available for dispatch missions. The camp is your long-term base of operations, and setting it up properly here saves significant time later.

Recommended Actions During Chapter 3

• Complete the Homestead arc first (Old Friend, A Fresh Start, Reward for Their Sweat, Return of the Comrade, Familiar Curses). This reunites the scattered Greymanes and opens the camp.

• Start dispatch missions immediately. Assign companions before every long quest. Missions run on timers (8 to 16 in-game hours) and gather resources passively while you play. The materials fuel camp upgrades and gear refinements.

• Observe the Reed Devil during Dance with the Devil to learn Swift Stab. This is the only chapter where the observation is available.

• Complete the Grounds of the Sunrise faction quests (Record of the Greymanes, Strongbox with Wheels, Chance to Make a Fortune, Embers of Return). These quests expand your camp and recruit useful NPCs like cooks and blacksmiths.

• Visit the Witch's Lair. Shops there unlock in this chapter and sell Abyss Artifacts for gold. If you are sitting on extra silver, convert it to Abyss Artifacts to accelerate your skill tree progression.

Phase 4: Knowledge and Preparation (Chapter 4)

Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge takes you to the Kilnden Workshop and the Scholastone Institute. This chapter contains the most puzzle-intensive quests in the game and one of the only quasi-missable skills.

Critical: Do Not Fast Travel to Scholastone

The Focused Force Palm skill is learned during the journey to Scholastone. If you fast travel directly to the Scholastone Institute instead of following the quest objectives on horseback, you will skip the cave encounter where the skill is taught. The skill becomes available again later if you return to the exact location, but the intended route gives it to you naturally. Travel on horseback when the quest directs you to Scholastone.

Recommended Actions During Chapter 4

• Repair the kilns at Kilnden Workshop to obtain the Kuku Iron Pot. This unlocks a new crafting mechanic that remains useful through the endgame.

• Ride to Scholastone on horseback (do not fast travel). Learn Focused Force Palm from the spirit guide on the road.

• Participate in Arena Fighting and archery contests. These become available during the Daily Life arc and provide archery skill observations.

• Activate the Greymane Camp Abyss Nexus. After learning Focused Force Palm, travel to Karin Quarry. Descend into the ruins, retrieve the Abyss Transporter, and bring it back to camp. Use Blinding Flash with Concentrating Light to burn the vines covering the platform, then slam the transporter into place with Force Palm. This gives your camp a fast travel point.

• Explore the Scholastone area for lore collectibles and hidden chests. The area has a high density of Abyss Artifacts and knowledge items.

Phase 5: Political Intrigue and Gear Check (Chapter 5)

Chapter 5: Guest Unbidden escalates the political stakes sharply. A delegation from Demeniss arrives, and you investigate the Crowcaller and Bloodwind threats. This chapter is shorter than the previous ones, making it the perfect window for a gear and preparation sweep.

Recommended Actions During Chapter 5

• Refine your gear to Level 5 or 6 before finishing this chapter. Chapters 6 and 7 are combat-heavy war chapters. Enemies hit significantly harder, and you want solid equipment before entering them.

• Complete any remaining Hernand Commissions for additional inventory expansion. By this point, you should have most of the available commission quests done.

• Clear bounty notices. Bounty notices from House Celeste (Jeffrey, Simon de Montfort, Alessio, Blix, Bianca, Salvatore, Warren, Billy) provide Contribution Points and silver. The Contribution Shop at Hernand Castle sells unique equipment in exchange for these points.

• Stock up on food. Crimson Desert has no health potions. Food is how you heal mid-combat. Buy meat from butchers and vegetables from grocers and cook large batches of Hearty Grilled Meat (200+ HP regeneration). Reserve Palmar Pills for multi-phase bosses; use them only in the final phase to avoid restarting the entire encounter.

• Invest in Defense and Dodge upgrades on the skill tree. After Chapter 5, enemies hit significantly harder. If you have been putting all artifacts into offense, now is the time to balance your build.

Phase 6: The War Chapters (Chapters 6 and 7)

Chapters 6 and 7 are the most action-intensive portion of the game. Large-scale battlefield sequences, siege encounters, mounted combat, and a major traitor reveal drive these chapters forward. Chapter 6 alone has 15 main quests across four arcs. Chapter 7 brings 19 quests and the landmark Battle at Silverwolf Mountain.

Chapter 6 Priority Actions

• Complete watchtower challenges early. Liberating all enemy bases can make some watchtower-related challenges impossible to complete later. Do these before clearing out every outpost.

• Practice mounted and ranged combat. Siege content makes bows and firearms much more relevant. Invest in ranged skills on the skill tree if you have not already.

• Complete Battle Challenges during the war sequences. These count toward Sealed Abyss Artifact unlocks and are easiest to complete while the battles are actively happening.

Chapter 7 Priority Actions

• Relocate your camp to Pailune after the main story arc here. This earns the Proud Returnee achievement and puts your base closer to the action for Chapters 8 and 9.

• Explore Pailune thoroughly for region-specific collectibles and hidden Abyss Cressets before heading to Demeniss.

• Pick up Pailune faction quests (Pailune Militia: Crossroads of Succession and related chains). These provide strong equipment and Contribution Points for the Pailune region.

Phase 7: Demeniss and the Desert (Chapters 8 and 9)

Chapter 8: Blood Coronation takes Kliff to the political capital of Pywel. Intrigue, rebellion, and the confrontation with Fortain, the Cursed Knight define this chapter. Chapter 9: The Sage of the Desert is the longest chapter in the game with 25 quests across six story arcs. It sends Kliff on a spiritual journey to the Cloister of Enlightenment, where you face the Black Witch and learn some of the most powerful late-game abilities.

Recommended Actions During Chapters 8 and 9

• Fully explore Demeniss once it opens during Chapter 8. Political faction quests (House Wells, Demeniss court quests) become available, and the region has its own Contribution Shop with unique equipment.

• Pace yourself through Chapter 9. With 25 quests, this is the longest chapter. The six arcs (The Calling, Shattered Ties, Thinning Blade, Six Pensive Statues, Veiled Witch, Enlightenment) cover a lot of ground. Do not rush through the Jijeong Temple section; it contains important lore and puzzle rewards.

• Pick up the Antumbra Order quest chain (Darkness Over the Sanctum, Cloister of Ruination). This side chain becomes available during Chapter 9 and provides valuable endgame preparation.

• After Chapter 9: last major side content window. This is your final good opportunity to complete outstanding challenges, faction quests, and collectibles before the endgame push. Chapters 10 through 12 move quickly and leave less room for side activities.

Phase 8: The Endgame (Chapters 10, 11, 12, and Epilogue)

The final three chapters and Epilogue push the story to its conclusion. Chapter 10 takes you to Delesyia, the most technologically advanced region, where you encounter mechanical enemies and clockwork war machines. Chapter 11 brings you to Cloud Castle Orbian for the final lore revelations. Chapter 12 is the final confrontation in the Abyss itself, and the Epilogue wraps up loose ends and opens New Game Plus.

Recommended Actions for the Endgame

• Upgrade weapons and armor to maximum refinement before starting Chapter 12. The final bosses are the toughest in the game. Keep a large stockpile of ore; weapon refinements require progressively more at higher levels.

• Stock your inventory with Palmar Pills and the best food available. The Abyss bosses have multiple phases. Running out of healing items mid-fight means restarting from the beginning.

• Explore Delesyia fully during Chapter 10. Advanced weapons and equipment from the Ironworks become available. The region also introduces Battle Robot encounters and late-game mech content.

• Use Chapter 11 as your final preparation window. Cloud Castle Orbian provides the last accessible shopping and crafting opportunities before the Abyss.

• After the Epilogue, you retain full world access. Any remaining collectibles, challenges, and faction quests can be completed freely. New Game Plus carries over your skills and gear.

Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

Skill Investment Priority Order

Since there is no traditional leveling, your power comes entirely from the skill tree and gear refinement. Here is the recommended order for spending Abyss Artifacts on skill tree nodes.

Abyss Artifacts can be reset at any time using Faded Abyss Artifacts, so do not worry about making permanent mistakes. If your build feels wrong after a difficult boss, respec and try a different approach. See the Skill Acquisition Guide for a complete breakdown of all available skills and how to unlock each one.

General Progression Tips

• Cook Hearty Grilled Meat early and often. Purchase meat from Hernand butchers, cook at the bonfire. This dish provides 200+ HP regeneration and is cheap to produce. Farm Fine Meat from Mountain Goats; they go down faster than deer.

• Sell documents and books you have already read. They take up inventory space and provide silver when sold. There are no storage chests in the world, so every slot matters.

• Get a pet as soon as possible. Pets gather loot automatically, saving you from constant manual pickups during combat.

• Visit Pororin Village for Sustained Supply Arrows. Lumiel, the Research Director, provides unlimited arrows. This removes the need to buy or craft ammunition for the rest of the game.

• Refine gear regularly. Do not hoard materials waiting for the "perfect" weapon. Regular refinements to your current equipment provide steady power growth that makes every fight easier.

• Do not commit crimes in regions where you need Contribution. Being caught reduces your Contribution Points. The exceptions are the Hernand Bank (yields 40+ Silver) and stealing the Gold Bar from Lioncrest Manor (500 Silver when exchanged), where the reward is worth the risk.

• Use dispatch missions constantly. Assign companions before every long quest. The resources they bring back fuel camp upgrades and gear refinements. Start this habit in Chapter 3 and never stop.

• Do not skip observation opportunities. When an NPC or enemy demonstrates a technique during a quest, watch for the observation prompt. These are your only chances to learn certain skills without spending Abyss Artifacts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

See Also

• Game Progress Route

• Main Story Walkthrough

• Beginner's Guide

• Early Progression Guide

• Skill Acquisition Guide

• Skill Tree Guide

• Inventory Expansion Guide

• Camp Expansion Guide

• Companion Dispatch Guide

• Contribution System Guide

• Chapter Walkthroughs