Stab

Overview

Stab is a melee combat skill in Crimson Desert, available to Kliff. It belongs to the Stamina (Blue) branch of the skill tree. When activated, Kliff thrusts his weapon forward in a quick stabbing motion that inflicts the Bleed status effect on hit. The attack can be charged by holding the input, which increases the damage dealt and extends the Bleed duration. As one of Kliff's starting abilities, Stab is available from the very beginning of the game and is a core part of his melee kit throughout the entire campaign.

Stab is categorized as an Armed Combat skill. Unlike Spirit-based abilities, it consumes Stamina, so players need to manage their Stamina pool carefully when weaving Stab into longer combo chains. The Bleed effect makes Stab particularly valuable against bosses and elite enemies with large health pools, since the damage-over-time stacks quickly with repeated applications.

Skill Details

Controls

Hold the input to charge the Stab for extra damage. A fully charged Stab deals significantly more damage and has a longer Bleed duration than the quick-tap version.

Skill Progression

Stab has four upgrades that branch from it as you invest more Abyss Artifacts. Each upgrade requires raising the base Stab skill to a specific level or observing the technique in the world through the Watch and Learn mechanic.

Combo Potential

Stab is one of the most versatile combo starters and extenders in Kliff's arsenal. A common early-game sequence is to open with a charged Stab to inflict Bleed, immediately follow with Swift Stab for bonus damage, and then chain into Forward Slash or Spinning Slash while the enemy is staggered. The Skewering Stab variant transitions directly into a Grapple, which can be followed by a Throw to reposition the enemy or a Lariat slam.

Once Stab Rend Armor is unlocked at Level 3, the charged version becomes one of the best tools for breaking through Super Armor on elite enemies and bosses. Against bosses with large health pools, the stacking Bleed damage from repeated Stab applications can account for a significant portion of total damage dealt over the course of a long fight.

Recommended Builds

Stab fits naturally into Stamina-focused builds that prioritize sustained melee damage. Pair it with Turning Slash and Forward Slash for a well-rounded Stamina tree core. Investing in Keen Senses (Spirit tree) complements Stab builds by adding Parry and Counter options, which create safe windows to land charged Stabs without trading hits. For a Bleed-focused build, maximize Stab to Level 3 early to unlock Rend Armor, then pair with the Imbue Element system to add elemental damage on top of the Bleed effect.

Tips

• Invest in Stab early to unlock its full progression chain. The Level 3 Rend Armor passive is considered one of the strongest upgrades in the Stamina tree.

• Keep an eye on your Stamina bar when using Stab repeatedly. Each use costs 40 Stamina, and running out mid-combo leaves you vulnerable to counterattack.

• Against the Reed Devil boss, you can observe and learn the Swift Stab technique for free through the Watch and Learn mechanic, saving an Abyss Artifact.

• Charged Stab is one of the best punish options after a successful Parry. The stagger window from a Parry gives enough time to fully charge the attack.

• Aerial Stab pairs well with Double Jump for aerial combat initiation. Jump, double-jump over an enemy, and then dive down with Aerial Stab to start the engagement from above.

• If you respec this skill later, it will cost 1 Faded Abyss Artifact per level to reclaim the invested points.

See Also

• Kliff Skills

• Skills

• Best Skills to Get First

• Combat System

• Abyss Artifacts

• Turning Slash