Crimson Desert Guide

By Jeffrey Lerman, Angie Harvey, Diego Perez, +21 more
Updated:

ReleasedPlatforms
March 19, 2026 PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
DeveloperPublisher
Pearl Abyss Pearl Abyss

Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure set in the beautiful yet brutal continent of Pywel. Discover adventure, uncover wonders, and experience thrilling action as you witness the saga surrounding Kliff, leader of the Greymanes, whose mission takes him on an incredible journey.

The massive adventure ahead includes tons of mechanics, people to meet, and objectives to complete. Learn more about them all and more with IGN's Crimson Desert Guide.

Whenever we're let loose in a big, open world with plenty of things we can put in our pockets and explore, one of the first questions we have is: how long do I need to stick with the story quests? For Crimson Desert, the answer is through at the very minimum Chapter 1, just so you can get some early abilities to help you get rolling. There's plenty more to learn about what to do early on in Crimson Desert though, so let the following guides below help you.

Getting Started in Crimson Desert

Early Game Strategy - There's an immense amount of ground to cover, even just in Hernand. Use these tips by our Crimson Desert experts all with over 100 hours to find out what to do early on:

Crimson Desert Walkthrough

Crimson Desert's chapters are divided into major quests comprised of several smaller quest steps, ranging in scale from speaking to an NPC to liberating entire regions. For simplicity's sake, we've grouped things together so you don't have to jump between rapid-fire short pages.

Crimson Desert Quest List and Rewards
QuestRewards Completion
Prologue: Dead of Night
Ambush-
Unknown SpaceMedium Bag, Oats x10, Blackberry x5
Chapter 1: The First Encounter
Trials of KindnessHernandian Attire, Engraved Key, Medium Bag x2, Lentils x10, Apple x5
TracesAxiom Force, Force Palm, Flight, Palmar Pill, Faded Abyss Artifact
Chapter 2: Golden Greed
Unexpected GiftVisione, Nature's Grasp, Focus
Hernand in Chaos-
The End of GreedAbyss Artifact, Medium Bag, Iron Ore x7, Copper Ore x2, Sword of the Lord
Chapter 3: Howling Hill
HomesteadGreymane Camp, Damiane, Iron Ore x5, Large Bag, Clear Soup x10
The Face Behind the MaskSunset Reed Cloth Gloves
PioneeringFreesword Management Office
Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge
Mysterious PotKuku Pot
Daily LifeArena, Archery Contest
Forbidden KnowledgeScholastone Uniform, Abyss Artifact, Honey Tea x10
Chapter 5: Guest Unbidden
Uninvited GuestsThe Grove's Thorn, Gale I Abyss Core, Howling of Chaos Abyss Core
Black and WhiteGear Blueprint: Haste, Blackwing Leather Armor, Blackwing Mask, Tauria Curved Sword
Chapter 6: Cracks in the Shield
Blazing Beacon-
Below the Banners-
Turning TidesWhistling Arrow x10
The Unyielding ShieldsShield of Betrayal
Chapter 7: Homecoming
Morning MistWolf's Fang
DawnJackals' Leather Helm, Jackals' Leather Armor, Jackal Cloth Cloak, Hungering Fang Leather Cloak, Hungering Fang Leather Boots
Decisive BattleMelted Ambition, Oongka
Twisted FateIgnir, Solas Plate Armor, Solas Plate Boots, Pailune Settlement Quests
Chapter 8: Blood Coronation
Ashen StepsGolden Vanguard, Radiant Necklace, Abyss Artifact
Demeniss BoundShackle of Might, Abyss Artifact
TraitorOfficial Knight's Plate Armor, Official Knight's Leather Boots, Official Knight's Leather Gloves, Eclipsed Solas Plate Gloves, Spire of Clockwork Key
Chapter 9: The Sage of the Desert
The Calling-

Exploration Challenges & Puzzle Guides - Ancient Ruins, Abyss Islands, Spires, Secret Places, and More

Don't miss a single puzzle with our comprehensive puzzle guides below:

Faction Quests

Faction Quests are organized by category and/or faction. For example, you'll spend a good portion of your time collecting side quests for the Hernand region. Alongside this, you'll also pick up some quests to rebuild the Greymanes. While almost all of these are optional, there is at least one moment in the main story that detours into the Faction Quests.

All Crimson Desert Faction Quest Categories
Click to Jump to the Relevant Section
GreymanesScattered EmbersGrounds of the SunriseGreymanes Commissions
HernandHouse CelesteHouse SerkisHouse RobertsHouse AlfonsoHouse FelixGoldleaf Merchant GuildScholastone InstituteVellua Fishermen's GuildPororin Forest GuardiansKharonso Troll Alliance
House GraceBeggars' AllianceWitchesHernandian Parish of SolumenHernand RequestsHernand CommissionsHernand's Politics
PailunePailune Militia QuestsBeighen TribeSkoghorn TribeLongleaf TribeStjar ClanOdeck TribeAntumbra OrderPailune RequestsPailune CommissionsPailune Politics
More to be added soon
Faction Quests are the main way to expand your inventory space, as well as gain contribution experience for the region you're in. This can help you get better gear at each region's Contribution Shop.

Treasure Chest Locations & Strongbox Solutions - Weapons, Armor Sets, and Accessories

Gear up with the very best weapons, armors, and accessories with our comprehensive guides below:

Other Crimson Desert Guides - Challenges, Legendary Mounts, and Much More

Crimson Desert Interactive Map

Go To Map
Pywel Map
See a bigger version of the Crimson Desert interactive map with plenty more data here.

Side Activities, Mini-Games, and Other Guides

If you need to shake up your activities a bit, you'll find plenty to do between side quests, building up the Greymane Camp, and Crimson Desert's mini-games. Learn all about them with these guides:

Boss Guides

Up Next: Things to Do First in Crimson Desert

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