Crimson Desert, the highly anticipated open world action adventure from Pearl Abyss, launched recently and has players exploring the vast continent of Pywel. With its fluid combat system and emphasis on exploration, new players can feel overwhelmed at first. Here are the best beginner tips and tricks to help you get started strong and avoid frustration.

Crimson Desert

  1. Master the Art of Parrying
    Combat in Crimson Desert revolves around timing. Look for the white flash indicator on enemies and execute a perfect parry. Perfect parries use no stamina and allow devastating counters. Regular blocking drains stamina fast, so reserve it for when you can time it right.
  2. Prioritize Stamina Upgrades
    Stamina powers every dodge, attack, and movement option. Use your early Abyss Artifacts to upgrade stamina in the skill tree. This makes learning combat much more forgiving.
  3. Unlock Essential Early Skills
    Focus on these skills first:
    - Grappling: Great for crowd control and throwing enemies.
    - Axiom Force: Helps with puzzles and long distance leaps.
    - Keen Senses: Improves your defensive capabilities.
    - Flight: Enables gliding to traverse the large map efficiently.
    - Dropkick and Imbue Elements: For extra damage and stagger.
  4. Explore Off the Main Path
    Progression relies on Abyss Artifacts rather than enemy XP. Wander away from story quests to find hidden artifacts, resources, and upgrades. Exploration is the key to becoming stronger.
  5. Eat Before Big Fights
    Food provides crucial buffs. Stock up on items that restore health over time or boost maximum stamina. Combine with blacksmith upgrades for stacked benefits before bosses.
  6. Learn Fluid Combo Combat
    Do not rely on one attack type. Mix weapon strikes with kicks, grapples, and throws. Use the environment by knocking foes into walls or off ledges for quick kills.
  7. Discover Fast Travel Points Early
    Search for Traces of the Abyss to unlock fast travel. This saves huge amounts of time as you explore the five regions of Pywel.
  8. Upgrade Your Squad and Gear
    Invest in your Greymanes companions to draw aggro in tough battles. Regularly visit blacksmiths to improve your weapons and armor.
  9. Start with Kliff and Branch Out
    Begin your journey with Kliff to master the basics. As you progress, unlock Damiane and Oongka for their unique playstyles and side stories. Do not rush past their content.
  10. Manage Inventory and Weight
    Store extra crafting materials in the Mercenary Caravan to stay light on your feet. Heavy inventory slows you down significantly.
  11. Hunt for Better Mounts
    The starter horse is okay, but capture wild horses in areas like the Akman Plains for faster travel across the desert landscapes.
  12. Experiment and Reset Skills
    The skill tree allows full resets. Try different combinations of abilities without worry. Find what fits your playstyle best.

Additional Pro Tips

  • Use context sensitive commands for different interactions.
  • Deflect arrows with well timed swings against ranged attackers.
  • Boss health bars change color with each phase. Adapt your strategy quickly as attacks intensify in later phases.