Overview
Sealed Abyss Artifacts are collectible items scattered across the continent of Pywel in Crimson Desert. There are 141 total artifacts hidden throughout the world, and collecting them is required for 100% completion, the Platinum trophy, and 1000 Gamerscore. Each Sealed Abyss Artifact unlocks a specific Challenge entry in the Challenges menu, covering Mastery, Combat, and Life categories. Challenge progress only counts after finding the associated artifact, so collecting them early is strongly recommended.
Unlike regular Abyss Fragments (which function as skill points for the Abyss skill tree), Sealed Abyss Artifacts cannot be spent immediately. Each one comes with a specific requirement that must be met before it unseals. Once unsealed, the artifact becomes a spendable skill point. You can hover over any Sealed Abyss Artifact in your inventory to read the description and learn what you need to do to unseal it.
How to Find Sealed Abyss Artifacts
Sealed Abyss Artifacts are not marked on the main map. They appear as purple icons on the minimap when you get close to one. All of them are found along roads and paths rather than in the wilderness or inside dungeons.
You can use the sword's Guiding Light ability to detect nearby artifacts. On PlayStation, press L1 + R1; on Xbox, press LB + RB; on PC, press CTRL + Left Click. When an artifact is nearby, you will see a blue glimmer in the direction of the artifact. This makes it much easier to pinpoint their exact position when the minimap icon is visible.
Recommended Collection Strategy
The most efficient approach is to unfog the entire map first by activating all 8 hidden bells. Ringing each bell reveals a large section of the world map and makes the road outlines visible, which is critical since all artifacts sit on roads. While activating the bells, grab fast travel points (Abyss Nexus locations) along the way so you can quickly return to each region later.
Once the map is fully revealed, work through one region at a time. Follow every road systematically and keep the Guiding Light ability active frequently. Artifacts that you have already collected will not appear on the minimap again, so there is no risk of double-counting.
Because challenge progress does not count retroactively for most requirements (with the exception of some cumulative challenges), it is best to collect all Sealed Abyss Artifacts as early as possible. If you wait until the endgame, you may need to repeat activities you already completed before finding the artifact.
Challenge Categories
Each Sealed Abyss Artifact belongs to one of three major categories, matching the structure of the Challenges menu. Below is a breakdown of the challenge types and how many artifacts fall into each grouping.
Mastery Challenges
Mastery Challenges test your proficiency with Crimson Desert's weapon types and horse combat. Each weapon has its own set of artifacts. The Mastery categories include:
Category | Related Skill | Example Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Sword | Reach specific Sword Mastery levels | |
Shield | Block or parry a set number of attacks | |
Spear | Reach specific Spear Mastery levels | |
Two-Handed Weapon | Defeat enemies using two-handed weapons | |
Bow | Hit targets at range or defeat enemies with bows | |
Cannon | Defeat enemies using cannons | |
Rapier and Shield | Perform rapier combos or parries | |
Gun | Defeat enemies using firearms | |
Special Equipment | Use special tools like Knuckledrill or Lightning Spear | |
Horse | Perform mounted combat or horse-related activities |
Combat Challenges
Combat Challenges focus on performance in fights, boss battles, and military engagements. There are three subcategories:
Subcategory | Artifacts | Focus |
|---|---|---|
Training | 10 | Combat technique practice and sparring challenges |
Battle | 10 | Large-scale battles, sieges, and group combat |
Operations | 10 | Tactical missions and coordinated assaults |
Life Challenges
Life Challenges cover non-combat activities and the various life skills available in Crimson Desert:
Subcategory | Artifacts | Focus |
|---|---|---|
Hunting | 11 | Hunting animals and tracking prey |
Life | 12 | General life activities: pet ownership, resource gathering, daily tasks |
Trade | 5 | Trading goods between towns and regions |
Above the Law | 10 | Outlaw activities interacting with the law system |
9 | Story-related and miscellaneous accomplishments |
Hernand Region
The Hernand region is the starting area and contains the highest concentration of Sealed Abyss Artifacts. The roads around Hernand Town, Goldleaf Trading Post, Calphade, and the northern watchtowers are packed with collectibles. Below are the documented artifacts in this region.
Mastery Artifacts (Hernand)
Challenge | Location |
|---|---|
Sword 1 | On the side of the road heading north from Hernand Castle |
Sword 3 | At the intersection of a road near Goldleaf Tradepost |
Sword 4 | On the side of the road northwest of Kilnden Workshop |
Shield 3 | On the side of the road southeast of the Sanctum of Benediction |
Shield 4 | At the intersection directly east of Embernest Beacon |
Spear 2 | At the Greymane Nas River Shrine |
Spear 3 | At the intersection immediately west of Hook Rapids Hearth |
Two-Handed Weapon 3 | On the side of the road south of the Hernandian Ruins |
Bow 1 | At the intersection directly west of Glenbright Farm |
Bow 2 | On the north side of the road, southeast of Claphade Outpost |
Horse 7 | At the third intersection directly west of The Ironwood text on the map |
Rapier and Shield 1 | On the side of the road directly south of Meshley Trapsmith |
Combat Artifacts (Hernand)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Training 1 | Steel Grip Against the Chest | On the east side of the road, northeast of Pororin |
Training 4 | Rainbow Across the Sky | At the end of the short road leading up the cliffs from Fort Warspike |
Training 5 | Keeping Balance on the Wind | On the side of the road slightly west of Unicorn Cliff |
Battle 6 | Into the Barrage | At the second intersection north of Calphade Outpost |
Operations 4 | Judgment of the Storm | Up the hill west of North Hernand Watchtower |
Operations 6 | Touch of Darkness | On the north side of the road directly northeast of Vilkom Outpost |
Operations 7 | Disruption | Near the river directly west of Root Hold |
Life Artifacts (Hernand)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Hunting 1 | Feather of the Earth | On the south side of the road, directly northwest of Karin Quarry Rest Area |
Above the Law 1 | Night of the Silent Banner Pike | At the intersection directly east of Halssius Apothecary |
Above the Law 2 | The Herder's Lament | On the side of the road northwest from Torchlight Beacon |
Above the Law 6 | Under a Starlit Sky | On the side of the road west of Calphade Farmhouse |
Abyssal Star That Cleaves the Heavens | At the intersection by Goldleaf Trading Post, directly south of the 'A' in HERNAND on the map | |
Under the Ashen Banner Pike | At the intersection northwest of Phoniel Ranch | |
Catch Cheating | At the intersection directly northwest of Wild Raiders Camp |
Demeniss Region
The Demeniss region lies to the east and is home to the Kingdom of Demeniss. Artifacts here are spread along the roads connecting Stonewell Farm, Ironwood Farm, the Spire of Clockwork, and other landmarks.
Mastery Artifacts (Demeniss)
Challenge | Location |
|---|---|
Horse 1 | At the four-way intersection southwest of Stonewell Farm |
Horse 2 | At the intersection northeast of St. Halssius's House of Healing |
Horse 3 | At the intersection east of Ironwood Farm |
Sword 5 | At the intersection south of Reventine Monastery |
Spear 4 | At the intersection directly west of Flame Knight's Castle |
Rapier and Shield 3 | On the side of the road south of Ironwood Farmhouse |
Life Artifacts (Demeniss)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Consecutive Wins in Thrones | On the side of the road east of the Spire of Clockwork |
Pailune Region
The Pailune region is a mountainous northern area. Artifacts here are found along the roads near the town center, Skoghorn, Torvak Camp, and River Breeze Hearth.
Mastery Artifacts (Pailune)
Challenge | Location |
|---|---|
Two-Handed Weapon 5 | On the side of the road leading south from Skoghorn |
Two-Handed Weapon 6 | At the intersection immediately southwest of Torvak Camp |
Combat Artifacts (Pailune)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Operations 3 | End of Shadow | Along the road northwest of River Breeze Hearth |
Life Artifacts (Pailune)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Trade 1 | Traveler with Oak Barrels | At a road crossing in the center of Pailune town |
Delesyia Region
The Delesyia region is found in the western portion of the map. Artifacts here cluster around the Delesyia South Gate, Windrose Farm, Redfox Trading Post, and the Chittering Forest area.
Mastery Artifacts (Delesyia)
Challenge | Location |
|---|---|
Cannon 1 | On the side of the road immediately west of Redfox Trading Post |
Combat Artifacts (Delesyia)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Operations 5 | Seeds of Discord | At the intersection north of Delesyia South Gate |
Life Artifacts (Delesyia)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Well-Informed Greymane | At the intersection southeast of Windrose Farm | |
A Voyage Without Wind or Sails | On the side of the road north of Chittering Forest Ironcrawler Station | |
Life 9 | Pets | On the side of the road directly east of Delesyia South Gate |
The Crimson Desert Region
The Crimson Desert region occupies the southern portion of the map and is the harshest environment in the game. Artifacts are spread along the roads connecting Tommaso, the Well of Reflection, Isvatu Fortress, Arcosa, and the Crimson Mountains Fortress.
Mastery Artifacts (Crimson Desert)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Bow 4 | On the side of the road west of Well of Reflection | |
Gun 1 | At the intersection northwest of Left Eye Watchtower | |
Cannon 5 | On the north side of the road on the west edge of Tommaso | |
Special Equipment 3 | Knuckledrill | At the intersection northwest of Isvatu Fortress |
Special Equipment 4 | Lightning Spear | On the side of the road north of Arcosa, inside the wooden shrine |
Combat Artifacts (Crimson Desert)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Battle 2 | Sinking Fort | On the side of the road directly north of Tommaso |
Life Artifacts (Crimson Desert)
Challenge | Artifact Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
Hunting 5 | When Animals Die | On the side of the road directly southeast of Duskway Camp Ironcrawler Station |
Life 5 | Acquire Timber | On the side of the road southeast of Well of Patience |
Trade 4 | Contract of the Golden Crown | At the road intersection northeast of Crimson Wall Shrine |
Above the Law 5 | Fisher of Black Fishing Lines | On the side of the road west of Crimson Mountains Fortress |
How to Unseal Artifacts
Sealed Abyss Artifacts cannot be used right away. Each one has a condition printed in its inventory description. Common unseal requirements include reaching a specific weapon mastery level (for example, Spear Mastery 2), defeating a certain number of enemies with a particular weapon type, completing life skill tasks, or finishing specific quests.
Once the condition is met, the artifact unseals automatically and becomes a spendable point in the Abyss skill tree. Open the skill tree window (Start, then Progression, then Abyss Tree) and spend the point to unlock or upgrade Kliff's abilities. The skill tree is split into three color-coded branches: Blue (Stamina), Green (Spirit), and Red (Health). Each upgrade costs one artifact.
Relationship to the Challenges Menu
The Challenges menu is where you track your progress toward all Mastery, Combat, and Life objectives. However, challenge entries only appear in the menu after you find the corresponding Sealed Abyss Artifact. Until then, the challenge slot remains hidden.
This means that if you complete an activity before collecting the artifact (for instance, defeating 50 enemies with a sword before finding Sword 1), that progress will not count toward the challenge. The counter starts from zero when you pick up the artifact. Some cumulative challenges (like total distance traveled or total enemies defeated) are exceptions and do track retroactively, but most do not.
Completing every challenge across all categories is required for the full set of trophies and achievements. Since each challenge is gated behind a Sealed Abyss Artifact, collecting all 141 artifacts is a prerequisite for the Platinum trophy on PlayStation and 1000 Gamerscore on Xbox.
Tips for Efficient Collection
Activate all 8 bells first. Ringing the hidden bells reveals the full world map, including road outlines. Since every artifact sits on a road, this makes finding them dramatically easier.
Use Guiding Light constantly. Press the Guiding Light input (L1+R1 / LB+RB / CTRL+Left Click) every few seconds while riding along roads. The blue glimmer points directly at nearby artifacts.
Collect early, not late. Most challenge progress does not count retroactively. The sooner you pick up artifacts, the sooner your normal gameplay starts counting toward challenge requirements.
Check your inventory descriptions. Each Sealed Abyss Artifact has an in-game description explaining how to unseal it. If an artifact has been sitting sealed in your inventory for a while, read its description to learn what you need to do.
Travel by horse. Horseback travel is the fastest way to cover ground between artifact locations. Keep your horse well-fed and rested for maximum speed.
Combine with other collectibles. While following roads for artifacts, keep an eye out for hidden chests, ancient tablets, and secret passages nearby.
Track by region. Work through one region at a time to avoid missing artifacts. The five regions are Hernand, Demeniss, Pailune, Delesyia, and the Crimson Desert.
Artifacts by Region Summary
Region | Documented Artifacts | Key Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
26 | Hernand Castle, Goldleaf Trading Post, Calphade Outpost, Embernest Beacon, Root Hold | |
7 | Stonewell Farm, Ironwood Farm, Reventine Monastery, Spire of Clockwork | |
4 | Pailune Town, Skoghorn, Torvak Camp, River Breeze Hearth | |
5 | Delesyia South Gate, Windrose Farm, Redfox Trading Post, Chittering Forest | |
11 | Tommaso, Well of Reflection, Isvatu Fortress, Arcosa, Crimson Mountains Fortress |
Note: This guide currently documents 53 of the 141 total Sealed Abyss Artifacts. The remaining artifacts are distributed across all five regions and will be added as they are discovered and verified. The total of 141 is confirmed by the game's challenge tracking system.