We’re sharing essential tips for your first 10 hours in Crimson Desert so you can get off to a strong start.
Crimson Desert is a massive game and can feel overwhelming at first. To make sure you’re well prepared for the rest of your journey, we answer the most important questions and provide useful tips to make your first ten hours much smoother.
How do I expand my inventory in Crimson Desert?
- There are two ways to expand your inventory: complete specific side quests and buy bags from merchants.
First, follow the main quest and complete Chapter 2. After that, it’s the perfect time to take on requests in Hernand City. You’ll earn some extra coin, pick up useful gear, and improve Kliff. Most importantly, especially in the early hours, each completed request rewards you with up to 3 additional inventory slots.
You can then invest your earnings in small inventory expansion bags from merchants. These are limited in number, but every extra slot counts. In Crimson Desert, almost everything has a purpose. From iron ore to grasshoppers, nearly all collectible items can be used for crafting at some point.
Your inventory fills up quickly, and that can become frustrating fast. Do yourself a favor, bite the bullet, and complete a few minor tasks. In the long run, you’ll save a lot of time that would otherwise be spent managing a constantly full inventory.
How do I make money fast?
- Bounty missions, fences, and competitions are the fastest way to earn money early on.
Sooner or later, you’ll reach a point in Crimson Desert where you need a lot of money quickly. You can go raiding and sell your loot to merchants, but with a limited inventory, that can be quite tedious. Alternatively, you can sell stolen livestock to Black Market.
Bounty missions from House Celeste in Hernand City are another reliable source of income early on. Simply collect Bounty Notices, track down the targets via quest markers, chase them, subdue them, and bring them back to the Guard Station in Hernand.
The most efficient activity in the early hours, however, is the Archery Contest. Your goal is to hit ten randomly appearing targets faster than your opponent, which is actually quite easy. Each round rewards you with 80 coins, and you can repeat it as often as you like. You’ll find the contest at Lioncrest Manor of House Alfonso, northwest of Hernand City.
How do I get high-quality gear quickly?
- Visit the Contribution Shop at Hernand Castle and the Equipment Shop in Hernand City.
By completing faction quests, liberating regions, and building a strong reputation, you earn Contribution Points. You can spend this currency in regional Contribution Shops to exchange it for valuable rewards.
In the starting area, Hernand City, you’ll find the Contribution Shop immediately to the right after entering Hernand Castle. After just a few completed quests, you can already purchase useful gear such as the Bolton Armor Set.
Also helpful for your first boss fights, though only available for purchase, is the Canta Armor Set. You can buy it at the Equipment Shop on the town square from merchant Rhett.
How can I upgrade my gear in Crimson Desert?
- A short side quest in Hernand City unlocks the Smithy.
Just behind Rhett’s shop, blacksmith Turnali offers you a quest. First, you’ll need to chop down a few trees for him. Once you deliver the wood, he gives you a leaflet that unlocks Refinement, allowing you to upgrade weapons and equipment.
Your first refinement requires 10x Timber and rewards you with an upgraded Bekker Shield. It’s worth chopping a few extra trees during Turnali’s first request so you already have the materials you need.
- Tip: Before major battles or boss fights, always use a Grindstone or Anvil. The grindstone boosts your weapon’s attack power, while the anvil increases your gear’s defense.
How do I steal, and what are the consequences?
- You need a mask to steal. Every theft negatively affects your reputation.
In Crimson Desert, useful items are scattered everywhere. Since most houses are freely accessible, it’s tempting early on to give in to your inner rogue and grab everything that isn’t nailed down.
However, the honorable Kliff won’t steal without a disguise. To do so, you need a mask. You can buy one from certain merchants, earn one through side quests, such as the bounty missions from House Celeste in Hernand City, or simply defeat bandits until one drops.
Only after putting on the mask is Kliff willing to take what belongs to others. Be careful not to get spotted, as even wearing the mask draws attention. Committing Crimes severely damages Kliff’s reputation in the area, causing you to lose standing and valuable Contribution Points, even if you aren’t caught.
As soon as you commit a crime, a red circle appears on the minimap, marking the crime scene. Leave the area quickly but discreetly. If you’re caught, a bounty will be placed on Kliff. If it gets high enough, Guards will hunt you down and throw you in jail.
Which skills are important early on?
- Focus on leveling Health and Stamina first, then invest in individual skills.
Once you find your first Abyss Artifacts to upgrade Kliff’s abilities, focus on the basics first. Increase Health, then Stamina, and only then invest in Spirit.
You’ll face powerful enemies early on that can drain your health bar in seconds. With higher Health and Stamina, Kliff becomes more resilient and can block and parry more effectively. Spirit enhances Kliff’s special abilities, but it becomes relevant only after you’ve built a solid foundation.
Important early skills include:
- Flight: Allows Kliff to glide with his feathers when falling.
- Stab: A useful thrust attack that causes bleeding.
- Forward Slash: Two powerful strikes that quickly take down many early enemies.
- Shield Bash: Very effective for breaking free from groups of enemies.
- Turning Slash: Clears multiple enemies at once.
Where can I find new recipes to heal Kliff?
- Recipes can be found as side quest rewards or discovered throughout the world.
Crimson Desert features countless mechanics, but few are as important as cooking. Meals are the only way to heal Kliff, and since boss fights are already quite challenging early on, it’s essential to always carry enough food.
As you explore Hernand City, you’ll notice document icons on the map. These usually indicate recipes lying around in houses. Collect them to quickly improve Kliff’s cooking skills.
Some side quests also reward useful recipes. Make sure to talk to innkeepers and food vendors. They also sell important ingredients, provided you have enough coin. Alternatively, you can gather everything yourself. Fruits can be found in forests, and you can hunt wildlife with a bow.
You can fish in lakes and the sea using rods typically sold by general merchants or specialists, who are most commonly found in harbor towns. Vegetables grow on fields, but be careful: stealing requires a mask and will negatively affect your reputation, even if you don’t get caught.
My horse won’t run anymore – how can I heal and improve it?
- Horses lose stamina and can take damage. There are locations and items to restore and improve them.
As soon as you have some spare coin, visit saddler Annabella in Hernand City or the Equinsher Saddlery in the Serkis lands, located southeast outside the city. Why? Because you can get essential items for your mount there. Horses can take damage and lose stamina over time.
If certain stats drop too low, your horse will stop galloping and slow to a crawl. Always carry items like hay, sugar beets, or Horse Tonic to heal injuries. You can also purchase gear here to improve your mount’s stats. Since you’ll often travel long distances early on, an optimized horse is invaluable.
At the stable, located north of Hernand City, you can manage your owned horses and let them rest. You can assign them to different characters or even buy and sell new mounts.
