Pearl Abyss
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Crimson Desert is a massive undertaking. Between the sprawling plains of Pywel and the floating islands of the Abyss, players have a lot of ground to cover. This guide tracks every step of Kliff’s journey, from the opening ambush to the final credits. If you want to know how far you are through the game or what rewards are coming next, this is the only list you need.
How Long to Beat Crimson Desert
A focused run through the main story takes between 60 and 100 hours. This is a wide range because the game does not use a traditional leveling system. You gain power by finding Abyss Artifacts. If you try to sprint through the story without exploring, you will eventually hit a wall where your stats are too low to beat mandatory bosses. A standard playthrough that includes side content, camp upgrades, and exploration typically lasts between 100 and 180 hours.
Total Chapters and Quests
The story is told across 168 main quests. These are organized into a Prologue, 12 main Chapters, and an Epilogue. Most chapters are broken down into smaller “Arcs” or quest groups that focus on specific regions or characters.
Essential Beginner Tips
Pearl Abyss designed this game with a slower pace, similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. The controls can feel heavy, and many mechanics are hidden. Use these tips to make the early hours easier.
Use Your Tent Chest for Auto-Looting
Inventory space is tight at the start. Do not waste time manually looting every enemy you kill. Any items left on the ground after a fight are automatically sent to the storage chest in your tent. This keeps your bags clear for important quest items and gear while you are out in the world.
Sell Learned Recipes for Early Silver
Whenever you find a recipe or a bounty flyer, read it immediately to add the info to your journal. Once you have read it, the physical item is useless. Sell these papers to any vendor to get quick cash and free up inventory slots.
The Arm Wrestling Strategy
The arm wrestling minigame in Chapter 1 can be frustrating if you try to mash buttons as fast as possible. Instead, press the button at a steady, moderate pace to hold your position. Wait for the quick-time events to appear. Landing three of these events in a row is the fastest way to win without draining your stamina.
Taming Your First Pet
Dogs in town can be tamed to pick up items for you. To claim one, you must build its loyalty. Pet a dog 5 times to gain 25 loyalty. You cannot spam this. You have to go adventure or sleep at your tent for about 12 hours before you can pet it again. Once loyalty reaches 100, feed the dog meat to make it your permanent companion.
Managing Crime and Bounties
You cannot commit crimes like pickpocketing unless you have a Mask equipped. You can buy one at the Black Alley shop. If the guards catch you or your reputation drops too low, visit a Confessional. You can buy a “Writ of Absolution” there to pay off your bounty and clear your name.
Main Quest List and Rewards
Prologue: Dead of Night
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unfamiliar Lands | Ambush (1/2) | |
| 2 | In Ashes | Ambush (2/2) | Precision Jumping, Blinding Flash |
| 3 | Realm of Uncertainty | Unknown Space (1/2) | |
| 4 | New Journey | Unknown Space (2/2) | Medium Bag, Oats, Blackberries |
Chapter 1: The First Encounter
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Where Rumours Gather | Trials of Kindness (1/5) | |
| 6 | Mysterious Man | Trials of Kindness (2/5) | |
| 7 | True Wisdom In Kindness | Trials of Kindness (3/5) | |
| 8 | Heart Beyond Borders | Trials of Kindness (4/5) | |
| 9 | Actions Speak Louder Than Words | Trials of Kindness (5/5) | Hernandian Attire, Engraved Key, Revive Pill |
| 10 | Mystical Key | Traces (1/4) | |
| 11 | Polar Opposites | Traces (2/4) | Axiom Force Ability |
| 12 | Abyss Without Balance | Traces (3/4) | Force Palm, Flight Ability |
| 13 | Woman In White | Traces (4/4) | Abyss Artifact |
Chapter 2: The Golden Greed
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Where The Light Leads | Unexpected Gift (1/3) | Visione |
| 15 | Memory Fragment | Unexpected Gift (2/3) | Nature’s Grasp |
| 16 | Reunion | Unexpected Gift (3/3) | Focus |
| 17 | For Honor | Hernand In Chaos (1/8) | |
| 18 | Awestruck | Hernand In Chaos (2/8) | |
| 19 | Shadow Casted Over The River | Hernand In Chaos (3/8) | |
| 20 | Where Misery Gathers | Hernand In Chaos (4/8) | |
| 21 | Trial After Trial | Hernand In Chaos (5/8) | |
| 22 | The Man Trapped In The Mire | Hernand In Chaos (6/8) | |
| 23 | Missing Companion | Hernand In Chaos (7/8) | |
| 24 | Secrets Hidden In The Dark | Hernand In Chaos (8/8) | |
| 25 | The Dark Veil | The End Of Greed (1/5) | Abyss Artifact |
| 26 | The Flames Of Greed | The End Of Greed (2/5) | Medium Bag |
| 27 | Kidnapped Healer | The End Of Greed (3/5) | Iron Ore, Copper Ore |
| 28 | Rebellion Or Revolution | The End Of Greed (4/5) | |
| 29 | Cheers Echoing From The Edge | The End Of Greed (5/5) | Sword of the Lord |
Chapter 3: Howling Hill
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Old Friend | Homestead (1/6) | Greymane Camp Unlock |
| 31 | First Step To Rebuilding | Homestead (2/6) | Damiane |
| 32 | A Fresh Start | Homestead (3/6) | |
| 33 | Reward For Their Sweat | Homestead (4/6) | Large Bag |
| 34 | Return Of The Comrade | Homestead (5/6) | |
| 35 | Familiar Curses | Homestead (6/6) | |
| 36 | Return | The Face Behind The Mask (1/5) | Sunset Reed Cloth Gloves |
| 37 | Traces In The Manor | The Face Behind The Mask (2/5) | |
| 38 | Nonhuman | The Face Behind The Mask (3/5) | |
| 39 | Seed Of Unease | The Face Behind The Mask (4/5) | |
| 40 | Dance With The Devil | The Face Behind The Mask (5/5) | |
| 41 | Hope After The Draught | Pioneering (1/6) | |
| 42 | Scattered Comrades | Pioneering (2/6) | |
| 43 | Rumors From The Sawmill | Pioneering (3/6) | |
| 44 | A Gentle Touch | Pioneering (4/6) | |
| 45 | Bustling Hill | Pioneering (5/6) | |
| 46 | Greymanes Returned | Pioneering (6/6) |
Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | Kilnden Workshop | Mysterious Iron Pot (1/4) | Kuku Pot |
| 48 | Kiln Repair | Mysterious Iron Pot (2/4) | |
| 49 | The Mysterious Pot | Mysterious Iron Pot (3/4) | |
| 50 | The Iron Pot’s Usage | Mysterious Iron Pot (4/4) | |
| 51 | Disturbance At The Arena | Daily Life (1/2) | |
| 52 | Skilled In Archery | Daily Life (2/2) | |
| 53 | The Words Of Alustin | Forbidden Knowledge (1/7) | Scholastone Uniform |
| 54 | Scholastone | Forbidden Knowledge (2/7) | |
| 55 | On The Right Path | Forbidden Knowledge (3/7) | |
| 56 | Gate To The Otherworld | Forbidden Knowledge (4/7) | |
| 57 | Spire Of The Stars | Forbidden Knowledge (5/7) | |
| 58 | Obsession And Madness | Forbidden Knowledge (6/7) | Abyss Artifact |
| 59 | Casted Shadow | Forbidden Knowledge (7/7) |
Chapter 5: Guest Unbidden
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | Double-Sided Invitation | Uninvited Guest (1/4) | The Grove’s Thorn |
| 61 | Unwelcomed Guests | Uninvited Guest (2/4) | Swift I Abyss Core |
| 62 | Demenissian Delegation | Uninvited Guest (3/4) | |
| 63 | Exposed Plot | Uninvited Guest (4/4) | Howling of Chaos Abyss Core |
| 64 | The Missing Seal | Black and White (1/6) | Gear Blueprint: Haste |
| 65 | Crowcaller | Black and White (2/6) | Blackwing Leather Armor |
| 66 | The Crow’s Warning | Black and White (3/6) | Blackwing Mask |
| 67 | Bloodwind | Black and White (4/6) | |
| 68 | Secret At The Church | Black and White (5/6) | Tauria Curved Sword |
| 69 | Toward The Nest | Black and White (6/6) |
Chapter 6: Cracks in the Shield
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | News | Blazing Beacon (1/3) | |
| 71 | To The Battlefield | Blazing Beacon (2/3) | |
| 72 | The Counterattack | Blazing Beacon (3/3) | |
| 73 | Cradle Of Defense | Under The Banner Pike (1/3) | |
| 74 | The Touch Of Deliverance | Under The Banner Pike (2/3) | |
| 75 | Fire On The Frontlines | Under The Banner Pike (3/3) | |
| 76 | Fire Support | Turning Tides (1/4) | |
| 77 | In Ashes | Turning Tides (2/4) | |
| 78 | Hidden Fangs | Turning Tides (3/4) | |
| 79 | Reclamation | Turning Tides (4/4) | |
| 80 | A Thousand Troops | The Unyielding Shields (1/5) | Shield of Betrayal |
| 81 | Traitor | The Unyielding Shields (2/5) | |
| 82 | All Quiet On The Front | The Unyielding Shields (3/5) | |
| 83 | News Of Victory | The Unyielding Shields (4/5) | |
| 84 | Return Home | The Unyielding Shields (5/5) |
Chapter 7: Homecoming
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | Ashes Of Treachery | Dawn Mist (1/5) | Wolf’s Fang |
| 86 | Trust Lost | Dawn Mist (2/5) | |
| 87 | Bared Fang | Dawn Mist (3/5) | |
| 88 | Rekindled Hope | Dawn Mist (4/5) | |
| 89 | Podium Of Resolve | Dawn Mist (5/5) | |
| 90 | Shadows Over Pailune | Dawnrise (1/6) | Jackals’ Leather Helm |
| 91 | Driving Out The Shadow | Dawnrise (2/6) | Jackals’ Leather Armor |
| 92 | Lurking Wolves | Dawnrise (3/6) | Jackal Cloth Cloak |
| 93 | Reclamation | Dawnrise (4/6) | Hungering Fang Leather Cloak |
| 94 | Lonely Jackals | Dawnrise (5/6) | Hungering Fang Leather Boots |
| 95 | Resolution | Dawnrise (6/6) | |
| 96 | The Counterattack | Decisive Battle (1/6) | Melted Ambition |
| 97 | Unleashed Fury | Decisive Battle (2/6) | Oongka |
| 98 | The Final Bridge | Decisive Battle (3/6) | |
| 99 | Broken Claws | Decisive Battle (4/6) | |
| 100 | Battle At Silverwolf Mountain | Decisive Battle (5/6) | |
| 101 | Incomplete Victory | Decisive Battle (6/6) | |
| 102 | Ludvig’s Whereabouts | Twisted Fate (1/2) | Ignir, Solas Plate Armor |
| 103 | Time To Face Justice | Twisted Fate (2/2) | Solas Plate Boots |
Chapter 8: Blood Coronation
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | Healing Pailune | Ashen Steps (1/4) | Golden Vanguard |
| 105 | A Bond | Ashen Steps (2/4) | Radiant Necklace |
| 106 | Ritual Preparations | Ashen Steps (3/4) | Abyss Artifact |
| 107 | Where The Wind Guides You | Ashen Steps (4/4) | |
| 108 | Chasing A Shadow | To Demeniss (1/9) | |
| 109 | Blazing Fire | To Demeniss (2/9) | |
| 110 | Whispering Shadows | To Demeniss (3/9) | |
| 111 | Bloodied Invitation | To Demeniss (4/9) | |
| 112 | Resolve Amidst A Storm | To Demeniss (5/9) | |
| 113 | Preparations For Advance | To Demeniss (6/9) | |
| 114 | Rebel Suppression | To Demeniss (7/9) | |
| 115 | The Cursed Knight | To Demeniss (8/9) | |
| 116 | The Blood Coronation | To Demeniss (9/9) | |
| 117 | Clue | Traitor (1/2) | |
| 118 | A Fleeting Dream | Traitor (2/2) |
Chapter 9: The Sage of the Desert
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group |
|---|---|---|
| 119 | An Unknown Voice | The Calling (1/2) |
| 120 | Cloister Of Enlightenment | The Calling (2/2) |
| 121 | Mark Of The Scar | Shattered Ties (1/2) |
| 122 | Shackles Of Fate | Shattered Ties (2/2) |
| 123 | Crossing Point | Thinning Blade (1/2) |
| 124 | Unwavering Steps | Thinning Blade (2/2) |
| 125 | Morning Fog | Six Pensive Statues (1/6) |
| 126 | Jijeong Temple In Chaos | Six Pensive Statues (2/6) |
| 127 | Path To Enlightenment | Six Pensive Statues (3/6) |
| 128 | Path Of The Disciple | Six Pensive Statues (4/6) |
| 129 | True Strength | Six Pensive Statues (5/6) |
| 130 | Face The Inner Self | Six Pensive Statues (6/6) |
| 131 | Fragments Of Darkness | Veiled Witch (1/3) |
| 132 | Pursuit Beyond The Veil | Veiled Witch (2/3) |
| 133 | Black Witch | Veiled Witch (3/3) |
| 134 | The Cloister Of Enlightenment | Enlightenment (1/4) |
| 135 | The Sage Of The Desert | Enlightenment (2/4) |
| 136 | New Perspectives | Enlightenment (3/4) |
| 137 | Lust For Power | Enlightenment (4/4) |
Chapter 10: Counterattack
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group |
|---|---|---|
| 138 | Untouchable | Secret Weapon (1/5) |
| 139 | The Gate Of War | Secret Weapon (2/5) |
| 140 | Master Of The Ironworks | Secret Weapon (3/5) |
| 141 | Hidden Ace | Secret Weapon (4/5) |
| 142 | Clockwork Insect Clash | Secret Weapon (5/5) |
| 143 | Beating Heart | Greater Firepower (1/4) |
| 144 | Invaders From The East | Greater Firepower (2/4) |
| 145 | Frozen Hearted Predator | Greater Firepower (3/4) |
| 146 | Lingering Shadow | Greater Firepower (4/4) |
Chapter 11: Truth and Reality
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group |
|---|---|---|
| 147 | The City Of Steel | Brave New World (1/5) |
| 148 | Crossroads | Brave New World (2/5) |
| 149 | Strange Manor | Brave New World (3/5) |
| 150 | Fortress Keys | Brave New World (4/5) |
| 151 | Truth And Lies | Brave New World (5/5) |
| 152 | Master Of A Forgotten Land | Foreboding Shadow (1/3) |
| 153 | Whispers In The Wind | Foreboding Shadow (2/3) |
| 154 | Cloud Castle Orbian | Foreboding Shadow (3/3) |
Chapter 12: The Abyss
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group |
|---|---|---|
| 155 | Precise Execution | The Final Battle (1/4) |
| 156 | Deferred Advance | The Final Battle (2/4) |
| 157 | Departure Of The Brave | The Final Battle (3/4) |
| 158 | Forbidden Gate | The Final Battle (4/4) |
| 159 | A Shadow In The Void | The Void (1/2) |
| 160 | Blinding Darkness | The Void (2/2) |
Epilogue: Journey’s End
| Order | Quest Name | Quest Group |
|---|---|---|
| 161 | A New Beginning | Journey’s End (1/8) |
| 162 | Peace In Hernand | Journey’s End (2/8) |
| 163 | The Unyielding Shields | Journey’s End (3/8) |
| 164 | The Heart Of Pywel | Journey’s End (4/8) |
| 165 | The Desert’s Edge | Journey’s End (5/8) |
| 166 | The Enduring Flame | Journey’s End (6/8) |
| 167 | Evolving City | Journey’s End (7/8) |
| 168 | New Horizons | Journey’s End (8/8) |
Tracking your progress through these 168 quests is the most efficient way to see everything Crimson Desert has to offer. While the main story provides the backbone of the game, the real difficulty lies in managing your attributes through Abyss Artifacts. If you find the combat in later chapters too punishing, return to earlier regions and clear the side content to boost your stats.
FAQ
Can I skip the side quests?
No. Certain points in the campaign require specific attribute levels. If you only play main missions, your stats will be too low to progress.
Where can I find more inventory slots?
You can buy extra bag slots from most shopkeepers in town. You also earn them as rewards for completing side tasks for NPCs like Renee or Rhett.
How do I unlock fast travel?
You must find and activate Abyss Nexus points or Abyss Cressets in the wilderness. Many are hidden in forests or on mountains and require you to solve a puzzle first.
Published: Mar 23, 2026 02:05 pm