Crimson Desert Guide – 15 Best Early Game Tips and Tricks

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Okay, so Crimson Desert is HUGE – seriously, it’s a lot to take in at first! I’m having a blast, but there’s definitely a learning curve. I figured I’d share 15 things I wish I knew when I started, just to help anyone get a smoother start and enjoy the game a little faster. Hopefully, these tips will make those first few hours a bit easier!

Mini-Game Monster

Kliff is in a tough spot after a rough beginning. He’s broke, some of his friends are gone, and he’s in a strange place. Luckily, he can quickly fix the money issue. By exploring the city of Hernand and playing simple mini-games like arm wrestling and archery, he can earn enough money early on to buy essential items like ingredients, weapons, and armor.

The Art of Not Killing

Bounty missions are a good way to earn money early on, even though you have to bring the targets in alive. It’s often more profitable to capture them rather than kill them. So, when fighting a bounty target, stop attacking as soon as the “Tie up” message appears. It might be tempting to keep hitting someone who wronged you, but they can actually die from just one extra punch after that message shows up.

Bleeding the Bandits

Crimson Desert encourages exploration, and sometimes the best approach is to simply ride across the landscape, keeping an eye out for interesting things. When you’re starting out, I recommend repeatedly exploring the area around Hernand’s outskirts. This is because Bleed Bandit camps will occasionally appear there. Defeating these bandits can earn you valuable Abyss Artifacts, as well as weapons and armor that you can sell. Plus, clearing them out is important later on, as it allows you to send your Greymanes on missions – something you can’t do if the bandits are still present.

The Legend of Rhett

Eventually, you’ll encounter Rhett, a knight eager to prove his strength by battling powerful warriors – including Greymanes like Kliff. This will lead to a fight in the city square. After the battle, and after some time has passed, check the weapons vendor just outside the Blacksmith. He’ll start selling Rhett’s armor and weapons, offering a useful increase to your defense and possibly your first two-handed sword, which you’ll need to solve certain puzzles later in the game.

Greymanes on the Wind

You’ll hear about the Greymanes as you play. Although there are many things to do later in the game, I suggest dealing with them early on. They’re quick to complete – usually just requiring a short trip to a specific location – and they give you valuable Abyss Artifacts. Completing their quests also unlocks helpful services, like a cook who provides dishes, recipes, and ingredients.

Good Will and Small Bags

Town requests can sometimes feel like simple errands, but it’s worth completing as many as possible because they often give you more space to carry items. Also, check out local shops – they sell Small Bags that each add one extra inventory slot. While one slot doesn’t seem like much, these bags are cheap, and with so many shops around, they can really help you expand your carrying capacity over time.

A Trick of the Light

I’ve been playing, and I’ve realized that the Blinding Flash and Focused Light aren’t just for puzzles – they’re actually a really cool way to explore! You can use the light to set dry wood and vines on fire, which is super handy. It’s perfect for getting rid of annoying thorns or opening up doors hidden by weeds, especially when you’re low on torches or don’t want to waste arrows. It’s a surprisingly useful trick!

Stamina, the Underrated King

Early in the game, focusing on increasing your Stamina – and then any skills you like – is a good strategy. Stamina powers your most powerful attacks, and with enough of it, you can also use a shield to withstand strong blows. It’s also necessary for gliding, which lets you explore the Abyss. When you’re not building Stamina, prioritize increasing your Health to stay alive longer.

The Cost of Respeccing

You can change your character’s skills and abilities pretty much whenever you want, but it costs resources. You’ll need special items called Faded Abyss Artifacts, which you can earn by completing quests and finding them throughout the game world. Some merchants also sell them, so be sure to have some Silver coins available when you want to respec – they aren’t inexpensive.

Selling Off Recipes and Other Inessentials

Running out of space in your inventory? If you’re collecting recipes or letters even after you’ve learned everything from them, sell them – recipes are especially valuable! Bounty posters can be a little tricky; you can sell some, but others are kept as special items. No matter what, try to keep your inventory organized.

Indomitable Horse

Kliff isn’t great at landing after jumping from heights, but luckily your horse isn’t affected by fall damage! You can jump down from any height on horseback without worrying about it. Just keep in mind that Kliff will eventually fall off the horse if you jump from too high, and then he’ll be vulnerable to fall damage like normal, so be ready for that.

Saved by the Glide

This refers to using the “glide” ability to soften your landings. It’s helpful even when you’re out of stamina, as gliding actually restores it while you’re falling. Just activate it before you hit the ground – even a quick tap can protect Kliff from serious damage.

The Contribution Shop

I’ve discovered that as I help people and finish quests around the world, my reputation in each region starts to grow! You can see it by the icon next to your money at the top of the screen. The cool part is, I can then spend that reputation at a special shop to get awesome new weapons, armor, and even stuff for my horse. Some of the best items are pricey, but since you earn reputation just by playing, it’s totally possible to snag a few helpful things!

Rest and Relaxation

Many activities in Crimson Desert require waiting, like shops restocking, ore veins reappearing, or finishing Greymane quests. If you don’t want to waste time, you can rest in a bed or sit by a bonfire to speed things up. You can fast-forward up to 12 hours this way, but it’s limited to once per day.

Abyss Nexus Plates

Throughout Pywel, you’ll find large question marks on the map, indicating lots of puzzles. Many of these aren’t traditional puzzles, but rather Abyss Nexus plates – fast travel points. Given how big the world is, finding these plates is really helpful! You can find one north of Hernand’s city, and it’s a good idea to look for more whenever you explore.

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2026-03-20 19:12