Slide Down the Slope

Slide Down the Slope (officially called Sliding Down the Slope in the challenge log) is one of ten Training Challenges in Crimson Desert's Combat category. The objective is simple: slide continuously for 100 meters down a hillside without stopping. Players can complete it either on foot using the character's crouch-slide mechanic or on horseback using the horse drift ability. Both methods count toward the distance requirement, but horse drifting is generally faster and easier to control over long distances.

This challenge is unlocked by picking up a Sealed Abyss Artifact near Bloomwood Ranch in the Hernand region. Completing it rewards you with the Haste I Abyss Core and an Abyss Artifact, making it one of the more useful training challenges to finish early in the game.

Challenge Details

How to Unlock the Challenge

Before you can attempt this challenge, you must collect its corresponding Sealed Abyss Artifact. The artifact sits on a small stone memorial along the crossroad near Bloomwood Ranch, south of the city of Hernand. It is directly east of where you pick up the Sealed Abyss Artifact for the Sword of Trials III challenge. The shrine glows with a faint purple light when you get close, so it is easy to spot from the road.

Step-by-Step Unlock

1. Fast travel to Bloomwood Ranch or ride there from Hernand heading south.

2. Follow the main road west from the ranch until you reach the first intersection.

3. Look for the glowing shrine on the side of the road at the junction. Walk up to it and interact to collect the Sealed Abyss Artifact.

4. A prompt will appear asking you to accept the Sliding Down the Slope challenge. Confirm it to make the challenge active in your log.

Method 1: On-Foot Sliding

Crimson Desert has a dedicated sliding mechanic that lets your character drop into a low skid across the ground. Sliding only works on downhill slopes and cannot be performed on flat ground. You can freely steer left and right during the slide to adjust your path, and you will automatically stop once you decelerate to a full halt.

On-Foot Slide Controls

The most important thing to remember is that you must reach full sprint speed before pressing the crouch button. If you press crouch while standing still or walking at normal speed, your character will simply crouch in place rather than sliding. Repeatedly tapping the dash button until your character reaches full speed, then pressing crouch, is the most reliable way to trigger the slide.

Method 2: Horse Drifting

Your horse can also drift in Crimson Desert, and drifting on horseback counts toward the 50-meter sliding requirement. Many players find horse drifting easier because it maintains better speed and momentum than foot-sliding, especially on uneven terrain. However, you need to unlock the drift ability first.

Unlocking Horse Drift

Horse drifting is a Level 3 horse skill. You unlock it by raising your horse's level through regular riding, feeding, and completing horse-related side activities. If your horse is still at Level 1 or Level 2, spend some time riding it across the open world, feeding it at stables, or doing horse challenges to gain experience and reach Level 3.

Horse Drift Controls

How to Execute a Horse Drift

1. Position your horse at the top of a slope. Face directly downhill with a clear path of at least 100 meters ahead.

2. Sprint downhill. Hold the sprint button to build momentum. You need a short burst of speed before initiating the drift.

3. Turn slightly and hold the drift button. While sprinting, turn your horse slightly to one side and hold the drift input (Circle on PS5, B on Xbox, Alt on PC). Your horse will enter a sideways sliding motion.

4. Gently rock the steering input. Once the drift begins, wiggle the left stick (or tap A/D on PC) left and right with small, smooth adjustments. This keeps the drift going for longer and prevents your horse from straightening out and ending the slide.

5. Maintain until 100 meters. Keep the drift active until the challenge completion notification appears. Avoid jerky movements that could break the drift prematurely.

Stamina Management

Both sprinting and drifting on horseback consume stamina. If your horse runs out of stamina mid-drift, it will slow down and the slide will end, forcing you to start over. To avoid this, follow these guidelines:

• Keep your sprint short. Do not sprint for a long distance before initiating the drift. A brief burst of speed is enough to start the drift, and it conserves stamina for the sliding portion.

• Feed your horse before attempting. Using horse feed or treats restores stamina and can also temporarily boost max stamina, giving you a wider margin during the drift.

• Choose a steep slope. Steeper slopes generate more natural momentum, meaning you spend less stamina maintaining speed during the drift.

Stamina is less of a concern for the on-foot method since you are not sprinting during the slide itself. However, you still need enough stamina to reach sprint speed before pressing crouch.

Best Locations to Complete the Challenge

Any slope in the open world works as long as it is steep enough and uninterrupted for at least 100 meters. That said, some spots are much more reliable than others because they are free of rocks, trees, and other obstacles that can abruptly end a slide.

In general, paved roads and smooth grassy hillsides are better than rocky cliff faces. Rocks, tree roots, and sudden terrain changes can interrupt your slide and reset the distance counter.

Step-by-Step Completion Guide (On Foot)

1. Travel to a suitable slope. The hills south of Bloomwood Ranch or the sloped roads near the Abyss Nexus are good starting points.

2. Stand at the top of the hill. Face directly downhill. Angling yourself sideways across the slope increases friction and may prevent you from reaching 100 meters.

3. Sprint downhill. Double-tap the sprint button (X on PS5, A on Xbox, Shift on PC) and start running straight down the slope.

4. Initiate the slide. Once at full speed, press the crouch button (L3 on PS5, LS on Xbox, C on PC). Your character will drop into a low sliding posture and begin skidding downhill.

5. Hold your directional input straight downhill. Keep the left stick pushed forward (or hold W on PC). Do not press jump, dodge, or attack, as any additional input can cancel the slide.

6. Wait for the notification. If you slide 100 meters without interruption, the challenge completion popup will appear on screen.

Troubleshooting

Rewards

Completing the Sliding Down the Slope challenge grants two items:

The Haste I core is especially valuable early in the game when you are spending a lot of time running between locations on foot. Consider doing this challenge as soon as you pick up the artifact so you can benefit from the speed boost throughout the rest of the story.

On Foot vs. Horse Drifting: Which Is Better?

If your horse is already at Level 3, horse drifting is the recommended method. It is faster, more forgiving on uneven terrain, and gives you more control over distance. If you do not have a Level 3 horse yet, the on-foot method works perfectly well as long as you pick a smooth, steep slope.

Related Training Challenges

Sliding Down the Slope is one of ten Training Challenges in the Combat category. Completing all ten unlocks the Relentless Warrior trophy/achievement. Other training challenges in this category test different movement and combat mechanics:

• Steel Grip Against the Chest: tests your ability to guard or parry incoming attacks.

• Rainbow Across the Sky: involves performing aerial moves or launching enemies into the air.

• Keeping Balance on the Wind: challenges your balance during windy conditions or on narrow surfaces.

For a full list of every challenge type, check the All Challenges page.

Tips

• Complete this challenge early. The Haste I Abyss Core provides a movement speed boost that helps throughout the entire game.

• Use a map marker placed at the base of the hill as a visual reference for distance. This helps you judge whether a slope is long enough before you commit to a run.

• If you keep falling a few meters short, try a completely different hill rather than retrying the same slope. Terrain that looks smooth sometimes has invisible bumps that cut the slide short.

• Avoid oversteering during horse drifts. Smooth, small adjustments to the left stick keep the drift alive much longer than sharp corrections.

• Sliding is not just for challenges. Once you master the technique, use it to quickly descend mountains during exploration or to close distance on enemies before they can react.

• Steer clear of NPCs on roads, as bumping into them can interrupt a slide.

• There is no time limit for this challenge. You can attempt it as many times as you want after unlocking it, so take your time finding the right slope.