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When to Start Exploring
March 27, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Fixed 2 broken wikilinks: abyss-artifacts -> abyss-artifact, abyss-artifacts -> abyss-artifact
Crimson Desert's open world is massive, but rushing into exploration too early can leave you underpowered and without essential traversal tools. This guide covers the recommended story progression milestones before you start exploring freely, and what to prioritize along the way.
Milestone | Chapter | What It Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
First Abyss Visit | Chapter 1 | Fast travel points, glider, Axiom Force, Force Palm |
Greymane Camp | Chapter 3 | Camp base, dispatch missions, cooking, crafting hub |
Chapter 5 | Abyss core system, synthesis, socketing, elemental skills | |
Full map access | Chapter 7-8 | Demeniss and Pailune regions fully open |
Most players should focus on mainlining the story through Chapter 5 before doing heavy exploration. At that point you will have:
Fast Travel points across the starting region
The glider for safe falls and long-distance travel
Axiom Force and Force Palm for puzzles and combat
Access to the Witch for abyss core management
Enough skill points to unlock key traversal skills like Aerial Maneuver and Swift Flight
The Greymane Camp as a home base with cooking, crafting, and dispatch missions
While progressing through chapters 1 through 5, you should still do some light exploration:
Grab sealed abyss artifacts at road intersections and altars. Use Blinding Flash to spot them from high ground.
Clear nearby abyss cressets for fast travel points and skill points.
Do side quests in Hernand for inventory slot upgrades (3 per quest) and contribution points.
Hunt animals and mine ore whenever you pass them for crafting materials.
Complete bounties at the jail for money and contribution.
Once you have the witch unlocked and a solid set of traversal skills, you are ready to explore more freely. However, some areas remain gated:
Demeniss opens fully around Chapters 7 through 8.
Pailune opens in Chapter 7 with the Homecoming story arc.
The Abyss branches expand as you complete more spire and sanctum quests.
Use the Abyss fast travel layer (press R3/right stick on the map) to reach distant locations by flying down from above.
Waterfall caves contain some of the best early gear. See How to Enter Waterfalls for the technique.
Do not spend abyss artifacts on level 5+ refinements early. Save them for skill unlocks.
The Contribution System vendor in Hernand Castle sells solid early armor that can be sold back for a full refund later.
