Refinement System
Complete guide to the refinement system in Crimson Desert, covering blacksmith locations, required materials by equipment type, refinement levels 1 through 10, the Abyss Artifact threshold, the duplicate item method, grindstones and anvils, and strategic tips for efficient upgrading.
Overview
Refinement is the primary method for upgrading weapons and armor in Crimson Desert. Every piece of standard gear has a maximum of ten refinement levels. Each level permanently increases the item's base stats, boosting attack power on weapons and defense on armor. Refinement does not cost any gold or silver. The only requirement is having the correct raw materials on hand. This makes it one of the most accessible and rewarding progression systems in the game, since players can start upgrading their equipment as soon as they reach a blacksmith and gather a few resources from the open world.
The system is divided into two tiers. Levels 1 through 4 use standard gathering materials such as ores, timber, hides, and bones. From level 5 onward, the blacksmith begins requiring Abyss Artifacts in addition to raw materials. Because Abyss Artifacts are also the currency used to unlock skill points on the Abyss Tree, players must make strategic choices about whether to invest artifacts into gear refinement or character skills.
How to Unlock Refinement
Refinement becomes available early in the game through two introductory quests in the City of Hernand. These quests also reward the player with the basic gathering tools needed to collect refinement materials.
Turnali's Request
Turnali's Request is posted on the Notice Board in Hernand. After reading the notice, head to the blacksmith shop inside the city and speak with Turnali. He explains that his hammer is worn out and asks you to bring him three Fine Timber so he can get back to work. He gives you a free Logging Axe to complete the task. Chop trees near Hernand to gather the Fine Timber, then return to Turnali.
Completing the quest rewards a Logging Axe (permanent), a Medium Bag (extra inventory slot), a Bekker Shield, 10 Timber, 50 Trust with Turnali, and 100 Hernandian Contribution. After turning in the quest, read the Smithy Flyer that appears. It instructs you to refine the Bekker Shield at Turnali's forge. This first refinement serves as the tutorial and unlocks the full refinement menu for all future visits.
Rhett's Request
Immediately after finishing Turnali's Request, Rhett's Request unlocks just outside the smithy. Rhett is a large storekeeper who asks you to mine two Iron Ore. He gives you a Pickaxe to complete the task. The quest marker leads east of Hernand, past the river to an ore deposit underneath Anvil Hill. Equip the pickaxe from your tool wheel and strike the ore vein to mine it. Deliver the two ores to Rhett's assistant south of Hernand near some wagons. You keep the pickaxe after the quest, giving you the tools for both mining and logging going forward.
How Refinement Works
To refine a piece of gear, visit any Blacksmith and select the "Refine Equipment" option from the interaction menu. The refinement screen lists all weapons at the top and armor below. Select the item you want to upgrade, and the blacksmith shows the required materials along with a preview of the stat increase. If you have the materials, confirm the refinement. There is no currency cost and no chance of failure. Every refinement attempt succeeds as long as you have the materials.
You can check the refinement requirements for any item at any time by opening your inventory, selecting the item, clicking Inspect, and then clicking Refinement Information. This shows every refinement level, the materials needed, and the resulting stat boost for each tier.
Blacksmith Locations
Multiple blacksmiths operate across Pywel. Each one offers the same refinement service. Blacksmiths follow daily routines and work at their forges during daytime hours.
Location | NPC | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Chapter 1 onward | First blacksmith; unlocked via Turnali's Request quest | ||
Camp Blacksmith | Chapter 3 onward | Requires camp expansion through Faction Quests | |
Regional Blacksmith | After reaching Demeniss | Found in major settlements within the region |
Refinement Levels
Each item supports ten refinement levels. Levels 1 through 4 require only standard gathering materials and are relatively inexpensive. Starting at level 5, the blacksmith also demands Abyss Artifacts alongside the base materials. The material quantities increase at each level, and higher levels may require rarer variants of the same material category.
Level Range | Materials Required | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1-2 | Small quantities of basic ores, timber, or hides | Very easy | Cheap and highly encouraged from the start |
3-4 | Moderate quantities of standard materials | Easy | Still uses common materials; recommended before mid-game |
5-7 | Standard materials plus Abyss Artifacts | Moderate | Abyss Artifacts compete with skill tree investments |
8-9 | Rarer ores and materials plus Abyss Artifacts | Hard | May require Bloodstone or other rare minerals |
10 | Rare materials, Abyss Artifacts, and specialty components | Very hard | Maximum refinement; significant stat boost at this tier |
Materials by Equipment Type
The type of material required for refinement depends on the equipment category. Metal weapons and plate armor need ores, wooden shields need timber, leather gear requires animal products, and cloth armor uses textiles. Knowing which materials your loadout requires helps you plan your gathering routes efficiently.
Equipment Type | Primary Materials | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
Metal Weapons (swords, maces, spears) | Iron Ore, Copper Ore, Bloodstone (high levels) | Mine ore veins with a Pickaxe or use the Force Palm skill |
Ranged Weapons (bows) | Timber, Fine Timber, Flawless Timber | Chop trees with a Logging Axe or use the Turning Slash skill |
Wooden Shields | Timber, Fine Timber | Chop trees with a Logging Axe |
Plate Armor (metal) | Iron Ore, Copper Ore, Scolecite Ore (high levels) | Mine ore veins throughout Pywel |
Leather Armor and Jewelry | Thin Hide, Thick Hide, Small Bone, Large Bone, Fang | Hunt animals and skin them |
Cloth Armor and Cloaks | Cloth Pieces, Fleece, Feather, Spider Web | Purchase from the Provisioner's Shop or loot from enemies |
Gathering Tools
Before you can collect refinement materials from the open world, you need the right tools. Without a Pickaxe you cannot mine ore deposits, and without a Logging Axe you cannot chop trees. Both tools are obtained for free during the introductory quests in Hernand. Better versions of each tool can be purchased later from vendors or found as loot. Upgraded tools increase gathering speed, letting you collect materials faster.
Tool | Use | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
Pickaxe | Mining ore deposits | Rhett's Request quest (free); Provisioner's Shop (purchase) |
Logging Axe | Chopping trees for timber | Turnali's Request quest (free); Provisioner's Shop (purchase) |
There are also skill-based alternatives. The Force Palm ability can be used to break ore deposits without a Pickaxe, and the Turning Slash skill can fell trees without a Logging Axe. These are handy if you stumble upon a deposit while exploring but do not have the tool equipped.
Duplicate Item Method
Standard (non-unique) weapons and armor can be refined by sacrificing an exact duplicate of that item instead of spending raw materials. For example, if you want to refine a White Wood Bow, you can melt down a second White Wood Bow to cover the refinement cost instead of spending timber. This method is particularly useful when clearing bandit camps and looting identical low-tier weapons that would otherwise just be sold for a few coins.
To use this method, bring the duplicate item with you to the blacksmith. When you select the item to refine, the interface shows the option to use a duplicate in place of raw materials. Note that unique weapons obtained from boss fights do not support the duplicate item method. These special weapons must be refined using specific materials.
Grindstones and Anvils
Scattered throughout the open world, grindstones and anvils provide temporary stat boosts that complement permanent refinement. These are separate from the blacksmith's refinement service and should not be confused with it.
Object | Effect | Duration | Where Found |
|---|---|---|---|
Grindstone | Temporarily increases equipped weapon's attack power | Short duration (fades after a period) | Bandit camps, outposts, settlements |
Anvil | Temporarily increases equipped armor's defense | Short duration (fades after a period) | Bandit camps, outposts, settlements |
These environmental objects are especially useful right before a tough fight. If you spot a grindstone or anvil inside a bandit camp, interact with it before engaging the enemies. The temporary boost can make a noticeable difference in difficult encounters.
Abyss Artifacts and Higher Refinement
Starting at refinement level 5, the blacksmith requires Abyss Artifacts in addition to standard materials. Abyss Artifacts are the same resource used to purchase skill points on the skill tree, which creates a meaningful trade-off. Spending artifacts on refinement means fewer points available for new combat abilities, and vice versa.
Abyss Artifacts can be obtained from multiple sources throughout the game:
Defeating enemies and bosses
Completing challenges and Sealed Abyss Artifacts
Quest rewards and story progression
Exploration discoveries and hidden caches
Clearing Abyss Dungeons
Because of the shared resource pool, most players stop refining at level 4 during the early and mid game. Pushing to level 5 and beyond is better reserved for your endgame loadout, when you have accumulated a surplus of Abyss Artifacts and have already unlocked the skills you need.
Abyss Gear: A Separate Upgrade Layer
Beyond standard refinement, Crimson Desert features a second upgrade system called Abyss Gear. While refinement improves an item's base stats, Abyss Gear provides passive bonus effects that are socketed into equipment. Abyss Gear is managed by Witch NPCs found on the outskirts of major cities, not by blacksmiths. Each Abyss Core grants a specific passive trait, such as increased attack speed, bonus critical hit chance, elemental damage, or stagger enhancement. Abyss Cores can be swapped freely, allowing you to customize your loadout for different encounters without any cost.
Refinement and Abyss Gear work together. A fully refined weapon with well-chosen Abyss Cores equipped is significantly more powerful than a weapon with only one of the two upgrade paths completed. For the best results, invest in both systems as you progress.
Recommended Refinement Strategy
Because refinement costs no currency, there is no reason to delay it. Refine every piece of equipped gear to at least level 4 as soon as materials are available. Here are some practical tips for making the most of the system:
Refine early and often. Levels 1 through 4 cost only common materials. Grab every ore vein and tree you pass while exploring, and visit the blacksmith regularly.
Prioritize your main weapon. A weapon's attack power increase from refinement directly translates to faster kills and smoother boss fights. Upgrade your primary weapon first, then your body armor.
Plate armor is generally superior. Plate armor provides higher defense than leather or cloth alternatives. There is no equipment weight penalty, so heavier armor has no downside. Focus your ore gathering on plate armor refinement.
Hold Abyss Artifacts for the skill tree early on. During Chapters 1 through 4, skill unlocks tend to have a bigger impact on combat effectiveness than pushing a weapon from level 4 to level 5. Save artifact spending on refinement for the late game.
Use the duplicate item method for common gear. Loot from bandits and common enemies often includes weapons you already own. Instead of selling duplicates for a few coins, feed them into the refinement system to save materials.
Stock up on Bloodstone for endgame. The highest refinement levels require rare ores like Bloodstone. Start collecting it whenever you find deposits, even if you do not need it yet.
Use grindstones and anvils before boss fights. The temporary boosts from these environmental objects stack on top of your permanent refinement levels. Always look for them before entering a difficult encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does refinement cost gold or silver?
No. Refinement is entirely free in terms of currency. You only need the correct raw materials or a duplicate item.
Can refinement fail?
No. Every refinement attempt succeeds as long as you have the required materials. There is no random failure chance.
Can I refine unique or boss weapons?
Unique weapons obtained from boss defeats can be refined, but they require specific materials rather than generic ores or timber. The duplicate item method does not work for unique weapons.
Where is the best place to farm Iron Ore?
Multiple ore deposits are found east of Hernand near Anvil Hill, and throughout mountainous regions of Pywel. Ore veins are marked on the map after you mine them once and they regrow over time. See the Iron Ore Locations article for a complete list of deposit locations.
Should I refine or invest in skills first?
For levels 1 through 4, always refine because no Abyss Artifacts are required. For levels 5 and above, prioritize skills in the early game and save refinement for your endgame gear.