Sword Challenges
There are 6 Sword mastery challenges in Crimson Desert, collectively called the Sword of Trials series. Each challenge tests a different aspect of sword proficiency, from raw speed to precise technique. Completing all six unlocks the Master of Swords trophy and achievement.
Like all mastery challenges, each one is activated by finding and picking up a Sealed Abyss Artifact in the open world. Challenge progress only counts after you have collected the corresponding artifact, so it pays to explore early. You can track your progress through the Journal menu.
All Sword of Trials Challenges
Challenge | Objective | Location | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
Sword of Trials 1 | Defeat 3 enemies within 30 seconds using a sword | North of Hernand Castle (Sealed Abyss Artifact) | |
Sword of Trials 2 | Defeat 5 enemies using sword attacks within 60 seconds | Hernand region (Sealed Abyss Artifact) | |
Sword of Trials 3 | Defeat 3 enemies with a sword without taking damage | Hernand, near Goldleaf Tradepost intersection (Sealed Abyss Artifact) | |
Sword of Trials 4 | Defeat 3 enemies at once with a Sword Turning Slash attack | Northwest of Kilnden Workshop (Sealed Abyss Artifact) | 1x Abyss Artifact, 1x Destruction I |
Sword of Trials 5 | Defeat 3 enemies in a row using only Sword Stab attacks | Demeniss, south of Reventine Monastery intersection (Sealed Abyss Artifact) | 1x Abyss Artifact, 1x Rend I |
Sword of Trials 6 | Land 10 consecutive sword hits without being interrupted | Hernand region (Sealed Abyss Artifact) |
Tips and Strategy
The sword is Kliff's starting weapon and generally the most familiar tool in your arsenal. Because of that, most sword challenges are straightforward as long as your gear is reasonably upgraded.
Sword of Trials 1: Thirty seconds is generous. Target a group of weak bandits on the road and use heavy attacks to drop them fast. An upgraded sword with decent damage makes this trivial.
Sword of Trials 3: The no-damage requirement rewards patience. Find isolated enemies, open with a strong attack from behind, and finish them before they can swing back. Dodge-canceling between targets keeps you safe.
Sword of Trials 4: Turning Slash is an area-of-effect spin. You need three enemies to die from a single use, so soften a cluster with a few light hits first, then trigger Turning Slash to land the killing blow on all of them at once.
Sword of Trials 5: Only Stab attacks count. Avoid accidentally using slash inputs. Stab is triggered by pressing the attack button during a forward movement. Pick weak enemies so each stab is a kill.
If you are struggling with any timed challenge, consider upgrading your sword at a blacksmith and investing skill points into sword damage nodes on the Abyss Tree. Higher damage means fewer hits to kill, which saves time.
Reward Summary
Each completed challenge rewards at least one Abyss Artifact. Later challenges in the series also grant passive combat abilities like Destruction I (bonus damage on heavy attacks) and Rend I (bonus armor penetration on stab attacks). Finishing all six earns the Master of Swords trophy, which counts toward 100% completion.