Trophies

Overview

Crimson Desert has 34 achievements on Steam and Xbox, plus 35 trophies on PlayStation 5 (the extra trophy is the Platinum). Every trophy is tied to completing in-game challenges or finishing specific story milestones. There are no online trophies and no difficulty-related requirements, so everything can be earned in a single playthrough at any difficulty setting.

The trophy descriptions are intentionally cryptic, following a style similar to Black Myth: Wukong. Pearl Abyss designed each description as a poetic verse rather than a clear instruction, so the actual unlock conditions are not obvious from the trophy text alone. This guide breaks down exactly what each trophy requires.

Trophy Roadmap

The path to the Platinum is straightforward in concept but long in practice. You need to finish the main story, relocate your camp, and complete every single challenge in the game. Here is the most efficient route through it all.

Step 1: Prepare the Map (25+ Hours)

Before diving into challenges, spend time opening up the world. Activate all 8 Hidden Bells to remove the fog of war from the map. This reveals every region and makes locating Sealed Abyss Artifacts much easier. Set up fast travel points across all major regions as you go.

Use your sword's Guiding Light ability (L1 + R1 on PlayStation, LB + RB on Xbox) to mark nearby Sealed Abyss Artifacts with a blue glimmer. There are 141 artifacts scattered throughout Pywel, and each one unlocks a specific challenge. You cannot make progress on a challenge until you have found its corresponding artifact, so locating them early saves backtracking later.

While exploring, gather upgrade materials and refine your equipment to Refinement Level 5 or 6. The later challenges and bosses are demanding, and underleveled gear will make the combat trophies significantly harder.

Step 2: Progress the Main Story

Work through the main story from the Prologue through Chapter 8. Two trophies are locked behind story progress: Novice Adventurer (Chapter 1 completion) and Protector of Pailune (Chapter 7 completion). A third, Proud Returnee, requires finishing the "Reconstructing Pailune" questline that opens after Chapter 7's main quest "Time to Face Justice."

During story progression, pick up faction quests whenever they appear. Faction reputation unlocks inventory upgrades and grants access to areas you will need for exploration challenges. Also keep an eye on side quests since some challenges require completing specific side content.

Step 3: Complete All Challenges

After finishing the story (or alongside it, if you prefer), work through every challenge category until they all read 100%. The All Challenges hub page has the full breakdown. Challenges span weapon mastery, exploration, hunting, trading, minigames, and more. Each trophy in the list below corresponds to completing all challenges within a specific category.

A good order for tackling challenge categories is to start with the weapon mastery trophies (sword, shield, bow, spear, etc.) since combat practice makes later boss fights easier. Then move to exploration and puzzle challenges, followed by life skill and side activity challenges. Save the operation and battle challenges for last since they require the most game knowledge.

Potentially Missable Watchtower Challenges

While no trophies are technically missable, two challenges involve destroying enemy watchtowers: the Battle Challenge called "Sinking Fort" and the Cannon Challenge called "Barraging Cannon V." It is currently unclear whether these watchtowers remain available after you liberate all enemy bases through the liberation system. To be safe, complete both of these challenges before clearing every base in the region.

Full Trophy List

The table below lists every trophy in the game along with its type, the cryptic in-game description, and the actual unlock requirement. Trophies are organized by rarity: Platinum first, then Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Platinum Trophy

Gold Trophies

Silver Trophies

Bronze Trophies

Story Trophies

Exploration Trophies

Weapon Mastery Trophies

Each weapon type has its own set of challenges, and completing all challenges for a weapon type earns its corresponding trophy. See the individual challenge pages for detailed guides on each weapon's specific tasks.

Combat and Battle Trophies

Side Activity Trophies

Challenge Prerequisites and the Sealed Abyss Artifacts

Every trophy except the three story-related ones (Novice Adventurer, Master Camper, Protector of Pailune) and the camp relocation trophy (Proud Returnee) requires completing challenges. The single most important thing to understand about challenges is that progress only counts after you find the corresponding Sealed Abyss Artifact. If you defeat a boss or complete an activity before finding its artifact, that progress does not retroactively count.

For example, if a hunting challenge requires you to hunt a specific creature and you already killed that creature before picking up the artifact, you will need to hunt it again. This makes early artifact collection the single best time-saving strategy for trophy hunters.

Artifacts are found along roads and paths throughout Pywel. The Guiding Light ability (hold L1 + R1) causes nearby artifacts to emit a blue glimmer, making them visible even when hidden behind obstacles. There are 141 artifacts total, each tied to one challenge.

Story Trophies (Detailed)

Three trophies are earned just by playing through the main campaign. None of them require anything beyond normal story progression.

Novice Adventurer unlocks when you complete Chapter 1: The First Encounter. The specific trigger is finishing the main quest "Woman in White." This happens relatively early and introduces you to Kliff's core combat mechanics.

Master Camper unlocks when you complete the camp activation sequence at Howling Hill during Chapter 3: Howling Hill. The specific trigger is the main quest "Familiar Curses." At this point the Greymane Camp becomes fully functional and you can use its facilities.

Protector of Pailune unlocks at the end of Chapter 7: Homecoming. This chapter involves the liberation of Pailune from the Black Bears and the Jackals. It includes some of the game's toughest story boss encounters, so make sure your equipment is properly refined before starting.

Proud Returnee: Camp Relocation

This Silver trophy is separate from the story completion trophies because it requires extra work after Chapter 7. Once you finish the main quest "Time to Face Justice" in Chapter 7, a new questline called "Reconstructing Pailune" becomes available. Completing this entire questline relocates the Greymane Camp from Howling Hill to Pailune, unlocking the trophy.

The reconstruction questline involves gathering specific materials, completing construction tasks, and interacting with your companions. Use the companion dispatch system to help gather materials more efficiently.

Weapon Mastery and Combat Trophies

The weapon mastery trophies make up the largest group: eight Bronze trophies for individual weapon types, plus the Gold Unvanquished Strategist for completing all weapon challenges combined. Each weapon category has between 5 and 6 individual challenges.

The combat system in Crimson Desert rewards variety. You can switch weapons mid-combat using the weapon switching system, but each weapon's challenges are specific to that weapon. Combos, dodge and parry timing, and Precision Focus all play into combat challenges.

Here is a breakdown of each weapon trophy and what its challenges involve:

• Master of Swords (6 challenges): Tests proficiency with swords, including combo execution, timed kills, and specific enemy defeats.

• Master of Shields (6 challenges): Focuses on defensive play with shields. Expect challenges involving perfect blocks, parries, and shield-based counterattacks.

• Master of Bows (6 challenges): Tests bow accuracy, distance shooting, and hitting moving targets.

• Master of Spears (5 challenges): Covers spear combat including reach-based tactics and mounted lance use.

• Master of Two-Handed Weapons (6 challenges): Tests proficiency with greatswords, axes, and hammers.

• Master of Artillery (5 challenges): Covers hand cannons and cannon usage. Includes the potentially missable "Barraging Cannon V" challenge.

• Master of Rapiers (5 challenges): Tests rapier and shield combination fighting style.

• Master of Firearms (5 challenges): Covers rifles, pistols, and other firearms.

For detailed walkthroughs of each individual challenge, see the dedicated challenge pages: Sword Challenges, Shield Challenges, Bow Challenges, Spear Challenges, Two-Handed Weapon Challenges, Cannon Challenges, Rapier and Shield Challenges, and Gun Challenges.

Exploration Trophies

Exploration trophies reward thorough discovery of Pywel's world. The Gold Expert Explorer trophy requires completing all exploration challenges across 9 subcategories. Three additional trophies cover specific subcategories: Maze Pathfinder, Conqueror of Spires, and Navigator of the Stars.

Revealing the full world map by ringing all Hidden Bells is the best first step. After that, systematically work through each region: Hernand, Demeniss, Pailune, Ulsrund, Root Hold, and others. Use the Knowledge System to track which territories you have visited and which remain undiscovered.

The spire challenges require climbing vertical structures using the grappling hook and platforming mechanics. Mazes are scattered underground areas with multiple paths and dead ends. Constellation challenges tie into the astronomy system and require locating specific stargazing points.

The Silver Pilgrim of Wonders trophy covers secret places, which are well-hidden optional areas often tucked behind waterfalls, inside cave systems, or reached only through specific traversal techniques like gliding or grappling hook swings.

The Silver Puzzle Solver trophy requires solving all environmental puzzles. These range from simple lever-pulling sequences to complex multi-step contraptions. Some puzzles involve ancient tablets and the Traces of the Abyss system.

The Silver Lightbringer trophy requires completing all sanctum challenges. Sanctums are tied to the Abyss and involve clearing dungeon-like areas of dark corruption. The Abyss Dungeons article has more details.

Hunting and Life Skill Trophies

The Silver Ultimate Hunter trophy requires completing all 11 hunting challenges. These tasks involve tracking and killing specific creatures throughout Pywel, from common wildlife to rare and dangerous beasts. Hunting is one of the core life skills and feeds into both the cooking and crafting systems.

The Silver Natural Collector trophy requires completing all 12 life challenges. These cover a wide range of activities: fishing, cooking, alchemy, mining, logging, gathering, and housing and farming. Each life skill has specific milestones that count as challenges once you find the relevant artifact.

Minigame and Side Activity Trophies

The Silver True Gamer trophy requires completing all minigame challenges, which span the Test of Strength and Duel subcategories. Crimson Desert has a variety of mini-games including arm wrestling, horseback racing, target shooting, arena fighting, and the tavern card game.

The Bronze Golden Merchant trophy requires completing all 5 trade challenges. The trading system involves buying and selling goods between towns, taking advantage of regional price differences, and building up your merchant reputation. The gold and currency guide explains the economy in detail.

The Bronze Shadowlord trophy requires completing all 10 Above the Law challenges. These involve engaging with the law system's criminal side: stealing, smuggling, and operating outside the rules. The law system article covers how crime and bounties work.

The Bronze Lord of Honor trophy requires completing all 9 Challenges and Changes challenges (formerly known as "Greymane's Vow"). These are tied to rebuilding the Greymanes' reputation and strengthening your companions' trust.

Battle, Operation, and Training Trophies

Three Bronze trophies cover structured combat scenarios. The training challenges (Relentless Warrior, 10 total) focus on individual combat drills and skill practice. The battle challenges (Battlefield Conqueror, 10 total) involve large-scale combat encounters, including the potentially missable "Sinking Fort" watchtower challenge. The operation challenges (Brilliant Tactician, 10 total) test tactical decision-making across scripted military operations.

The Bronze Beast Slayer trophy requires completing all New Power challenges. These pit you against some of the most dangerous creatures in Pywel and reward Abyss Gear and unique weapons. Make sure you have upgraded armor and plenty of consumables before attempting these fights.

Horse and Weapon Collection Trophies

The Silver Tamer of Legends trophy requires completing all 10 horse challenges. Crimson Desert's mount system includes a wide variety of rides. The horse guide covers taming mechanics and mounted combat basics. Beyond horses, the game features exotic mounts like the dragon mount, raptor mount, and battle robot, though the horse challenges specifically focus on equine companions.

The Silver Grand Collector of Arms trophy requires completing all 10 special equipment challenges. These involve finding, crafting, or earning unique weapons scattered across Pywel. Some are rewards from boss defeats, others require specific crafting recipes, and a few are hidden behind obscure quest chains. The rare items page lists many of these weapons.

Abyss Trophies

The Gold Conqueror of the Abysses trophy requires completing all Abyss-related challenges. The Abyss is a major endgame system involving corrupted dungeons with escalating difficulty. Abyss Gear and Abyss Fragments are core rewards from these encounters.

Abyss challenges become available as you find Sealed Abyss Artifacts throughout the world. Some of the toughest fights in the game live behind these challenges, so preparation is essential. The boss strategies article provides tips for the hardest encounters.

Tips for Earning the Platinum

1. Find artifacts first. Before doing anything else in a new region, sweep the roads and paths for Sealed Abyss Artifacts. Challenge progress only counts after you find the artifact, so every boss killed or activity completed before that is wasted effort.

2. Ring the bells early. The 8 Hidden Bells remove fog of war and reveal the entire map. This makes artifact hunting and general navigation much easier.

3. Upgrade your gear. Aim for Refinement Level 5-6 before tackling the harder challenges. The refining system and refinement materials page explains the upgrade path.

4. Do watchtower challenges early. Complete the Battle Challenge "Sinking Fort" and Cannon Challenge "Barraging Cannon V" before liberating all enemy bases, just in case those watchtowers become unavailable after liberation.

5. Use the Knowledge System. The Knowledge System tracks everything you have discovered. Check it regularly to spot gaps in your exploration and figure out which territories remain unvisited.

6. Track challenges in the menu. The challenge menu shows your completion percentage for every category. Use it to see which specific challenges you still need and which artifacts you are missing.

7. Do not rush the story. While story trophies come naturally, the bulk of the Platinum requires open-world exploration and challenge completion. Taking time to explore during the story saves you from a massive post-game grind.

8. Use fast travel liberally. Set up fast travel points across every region. The world is enormous and you will be moving between areas constantly while finishing challenges.

9. Build character diversity. Some challenges are easier with specific builds. The observation learning system lets you pick up new skills by watching NPCs and enemies, so experiment with different approaches.

10. Save crafting materials. Several challenges require crafting specific items. Do not sell rare materials early; stockpile them until you know which ones the challenges need.

Trophy Distribution Summary

The distribution is unusual for a game of this scope. Most AAA open-world titles have a higher percentage of Bronze trophies, but Crimson Desert's list is weighted toward Silver and Gold because the four Gold trophies each require completing entire systems worth of challenges. The Gold Expert Explorer trophy alone is estimated to take over 80 hours.

See Also

• All Challenges (full challenge list and hub page)

• Sealed Abyss Artifact Locations (artifact location guide)

• Bell Locations (Hidden Bell locations to clear fog of war)

• Main Story Walkthrough (chapter-by-chapter guide)

• Boss Strategies (tips for defeating all 76 bosses)

• Knowledge System (tracking your discovery progress)

• Collectibles Guide (all collectible locations)

• Map Completion Guide (territory-by-territory completion)

• Combat System (combat mechanics overview)

• Life Skills (fishing, cooking, alchemy, and more)