Crimson Desert: Essential Tips, Boss Strategies, and UI Clarifications

Crimson Desert is one of the most perplexing games I’ve encountered in a while. It feels like a mashup of countless genres, with an enormous map and a user interface that does little to help you navigate its complexities. Even basic tasks like mining or managing the skill tree can be a bit of a head-scratcher initially. And don’t even get me started on trading, companions, and all the other features you’ll unlock as you progress.

While this complexity can be a double-edged sword, it’s truly astonishing just how vast and intricate Crimson Desert is. Below, you’ll find a collection of guides designed to help you hit the ground running in Pywel, covering everything from solving puzzles and treasure maps to tackling confusing quests and offering various useful tips.

Here’s a quick tip: if you can, play with a controller. The mouse and keyboard controls can be quite clunky.

Crimson Desert tips: 20 tricks to triumph in Pywel.

Crimson Desert’s Contribution explained: It’s a unique currency, not karma.

Crimson Desert best skills: Spend your Abyss Artifacts wisely.

How to respec in Crimson Desert: Recover your Abyss Artifacts if you didn’t spend them wisely.

Crimson Desert Bounties explained: How to catch each one.

Crimson Desert Sealed Abyss Artifact locations: And how they work.

How to unlock each character in Crimson Desert: Step into someone else’s shoes.

How to pass time in Crimson Desert: Night, night.

How to fast travel in Crimson Desert: Taxi!

How to observe skills in action and learn them in Crimson Desert: Watch and learn.

How to steal in Crimson Desert: Take what’s not yours.

Where to find keys in Crimson Desert: Crack open locked doors.

How to use Blinding Flash in Crimson Desert: A handy exploration and combat tool.

How to enter Hernand Castle in Crimson Desert: Dress to impress.

How to slot Abyss Gears in Crimson Desert: Buff your weapons and armor.

How to read the Lost Letter in Crimson Desert: The stranger’s note.

How to use Copper Pouches in Crimson Desert: It’s free money.

How to win at arm wrestling in Crimson Desert: For proficient button-bashers.

How to trade and get a wagon in Crimson Desert: Think of the profit.

How to tame horses in Crimson Desert: Your trusty steed.

How to get pets in Crimson Desert: Furry friends.

Crimson Desert legendary horse locations: Best in show stallions.

Crimson Desert Hernand Castle Strongbox solution: Match the melody.

Crimson Desert Bluemont Manor Strongbox solution: Align the picture.

How to reach The Singing Catfish in Crimson Desert: Vellua’s pirate ship.

How to get to Florindale in Crimson Desert: Get past the Pororin Patrol.

How to activate the Spire of the Stars in Crimson Desert: Ascend the tower.

How to solve the Dragon’s Stone Chamber puzzle in Crimson Desert: Turn the three dials to their rightful positions.

How to solve the Halssius Conflux statue puzzle in Crimson Desert: Move the grid, match the symbols.

How to fix the Thinker’s Meadow Abyss Nexus in Crimson Desert: Unlock the closest fast travel to your Howling Hill camp.

How to solve the Trembling Woods puzzle in Crimson Desert: Align the mural just right.

How to solve the Sanctum of Benediction puzzle in Crimson Desert: Fix up the device and cleanse the sanctum.

How to solve the Root’s End puzzle in Crimson Desert: Fix the Abyss’ power problem.

How to solve the Precipice of Truth puzzle in Crimson Desert: More parkour after the Root’s End.

How to solve the Duskwood Hill Ruins puzzle in Crimson Desert: Burn the vines and dial it down.

How to solve the Spire of Insight puzzle in Crimson Desert: Riddle your way to the top.

How to solve the Azure Moon Labyrinth puzzle in Crimson Desert: Choose the correct slabs.

How to solve the Arboria Castle puzzle in Crimson Desert: Produce the perfect elixir.

How to complete the Toward the Nest puzzle in Crimson Desert: Activate the skybridge.

All Contradiction answers in Crimson Desert: Talk through it.

All Close Threat answers in Crimson Desert: Prepare for each testimony.

How to solve Treasure Map Piece 7 in Crimson Desert: You’ve got a long walk.

All bell locations for the Toll of Pywel quest in Crimson Desert: Uncover the map by ringing some bells.

How to beat Crimson Nightmare in Crimson Desert: Clear the poison gas.

How to beat Marnie’s Excavatron in Crimson Desert: Clear Karin Quarry.

How to beat Hornsplitter in Crimson Desert: Trounce Kailok in a one-on-one duel.

How to beat Reed Devil in Crimson Desert: Fight the evasive swordsman.

How to complete Turnali’s Request in Crimson Desert: Learn to chop trees.

How to complete Rhett’s Request in Crimson Desert: Learn to mine ore.

How to complete Renee’s Request in Crimson Desert: Learn to cook.

How to complete Annabella’s Request in Crimson Desert: Learn to fish.

How to complete Bruna’s Request in Crimson Desert: Locate the saddler.

How to dispatch the Howling Hill expansion in Crimson Desert: Expand your camp.

How to complete Reunion in Crimson Desert: The secret of the ancient ruins.

How to clean the chimney in Crimson Desert: The Actions Speak Louder than Words quest.

How to complete Abyss Without Balance in Crimson Desert: Activate the skybridge and power the cell.

How to complete Trial After Trial in Crimson Desert: Find out what happened to Bremer’s cows.

How to complete Kiln Repair at Kilden Workshop in Crimson Desert: Help Grimnir.

How to complete Gate to the Other World in Crimson Desert: Open a portal to the abyss.

How to complete Mystical Key and Polar Opposites in Crimson Desert: Use the Engraved Key.

How to get Abyss Artifacts in Crimson Desert: Your skill points.

How to get Bloodstone in Crimson Desert: Craft and refine weapons.

How to get Azurite in Crimson Desert: Craft and refine jewelry.

How to get the Frostcursed Armor in Crimson Desert: Lich King cosplay.

How to get the Soul Spear in Crimson Desert: Brave the Argent Peaks.

How to get Darkbringer in Crimson Desert: Kitted out with a detachable Abyss Gear.

Crimson Desert can be overwhelming—do this one thing first in each new city to make your life much easier.

Crimson Desert has the most diabolical lock and key system I’ve seen in 22 years of playing RPGs.

Spend your early levels in Crimson Desert getting more health and stamina instead of fun new skills that you can get for free.

Grab this early gold bar in Crimson Desert to open a bank account and make some money.