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Sanctum Challenges
March 20, 2026 at 04:07 AM
Initial version with sanctum locations, puzzle guides, and rewards
Sanctum Challenges are a set of exploration-based objectives in Crimson Desert that require players to locate and cleanse corrupted sanctums scattered across the world of Pywel. Each sanctum contains a unique puzzle involving Axiom Force abilities, environmental interaction, and combat. Sanctum Challenges fall under the broader challenge system and contribute to overall game completion.
Sanctums are inaccessible until you meet the Witch character during Chapter 5 of the main story. Before that point, interacting with a sanctum triggers a message saying you "haven't met the right person yet." Once you meet the Witch, she assigns a quest called "The Witch of Wisdom" as part of the Witches Faction questline. This quest asks you to cleanse all sanctums in the world, and it adds waypoints to your journal so you can track each one.
All sanctums become available simultaneously after meeting the Witch. You can cleanse them in any order.
Every sanctum follows a similar structure, though the specific puzzles differ. When you arrive at a sanctum, the area is overrun by enemies that must be cleared before the puzzle becomes interactive. After eliminating all hostiles, the puzzle phase begins.
Most sanctum puzzles involve placing pillar tops on broken pillars surrounding the sanctum structure and then activating them with Force Palm. The pillar tops are hidden in the surrounding environment, often behind vines, inside locked buildings, or underground. You will frequently use Axiom Force to retrieve objects and Force Palm to lock them into place.
Region: Central Pywel
The Sanctum of Temperance becomes available after meeting the Witch in Chapter 5. This is typically the first sanctum most players encounter.
Puzzle Walkthrough:
Clear all enemies surrounding the sanctum.
Jump through the opening in the ground beneath the sanctum to find the power cube below.
Use Axiom Force to retrieve the power cube and carry it back up.
Place the cube in the empty square hole (the one slot without a cell already in it).
Use Force Palm to activate the cube.
One of the pillars surrounding the sanctum is missing its top section. The missing piece is located inside a vine-covered building to the right of the sanctum.
Clear the vines using fire arrows or the Blinding Flash ability to access the building.
Retrieve the pillar top, place it on the broken pillar, and use Force Palm to lock it into position.
Region: Western Hernand, located just south of the "E" in the Hernand label on the map
Puzzle Walkthrough:
Clear the enemies around the sanctum area.
Locate the first pillar top nearby. Use Axiom Force to carry it to the broken pillar, then use Aerial Force Palm to push it into place.
The second pillar top is locked inside the tall closed structure in the center of the area. To open the door, light the lantern to the right of the main entrance. Many players miss this step.
Enter the building, retrieve the second pillar top, and place it on the remaining broken pillar.
Use Force Palm to lock it into position, completing the cleansing.
Region: Delesyia
The Sanctum of Penitence follows the same general structure as the other sanctums. Clear the enemies, locate the hidden pillar components in the surrounding environment, and use Axiom Force and Force Palm to restore the pillars.
Cleansing sanctums provides several types of rewards:
Witches Faction progression: Each sanctum you cleanse advances "The Witch of Wisdom" questline. Completing all sanctums allows you to speak with the Witch and unlock further faction benefits.
Hidden chests: Cleansed sanctums often contain treasure chests that were inaccessible while the sanctum was corrupted.
Abyss Artifacts: Certain sanctums are tied to Abyss locations, and restoring them can reveal collectible artifacts in the surrounding area.
Game completion: All sanctums contribute to 100% completion and the associated trophies and achievements.
You can mark sanctum locations through your journal once the Witch quest is active. This saves a lot of wandering.
Bring fire arrows or have Blinding Flash equipped. Several sanctum puzzles require burning vines or lighting lanterns.
Clear every enemy before trying the puzzle. Some environmental objects will not respond to Axiom Force while enemies are still active nearby.
If a pillar top does not seem to snap into place, make sure you are using Aerial Force Palm (jump first, then Force Palm) rather than the grounded version.
Check inside and around buildings near the sanctum. The pillar components are always within a short radius of the sanctum itself.
