Crimson Desert Maps and Guide

Main Quest

Crimson Desert's story is split into a Prologue, 12 Chapters, and an Epilogue. Every section is broken down into two or more Sub-Chapters, which house the Main Quests driving the narrative.

You'll need to tackle these in a specific order. Most of them kick off automatically once you wrap the last one, and you'll only ever have one active quest at a time. The starting locations for Main Quests are marked on my maps. Sticking to the main story is easily the best way to see everything the game world has to offer.

Faction Quest

Faction Quests in Crimson Desert act as side missions, completely separate from the main story and tied directly to the Reputation System. You'll run into new Faction Quest as you hit new areas and build your standing with Factions or with Main Quest progress.

Every quest you finish for a specific group increases your Contribution Rank, giving you access to more work and their specific services. Rewards go beyond just reputation, you're also looking at Abyss Artifacts, Skills, Inventory Expansions, and Camp Upgrades.

Notice Board

Notice Boards are a vital hub for tracking down side activities in Crimson Desert. They're packed with Bounty Posters and Requests & Commissions for new quests, alongside Vendor Advertisements that lead you to interesting merchant spots.

Once you snag a flyer, you actually have to read it. Give it a close look to catch any hidden clues. You won't always get a clear map marker, so you’ll need to dig into the text to figure out where to go.

Notice Board listings can refresh as you get further into the game.

Abyss Nexus

Abyss Nexuses act as fast travel points in Crimson Desert. You first need to find and activate one before you can use it. When you're nearby, use your Lantern or the Blinding Flash skill, then simply stand on the Abyss Nexus.

Once it's active, you can fast travel to this location just by clicking the icon on your in game map.

You might run into a "broken" Abyss Nexus, which you'll need to fix by solving a straightforward environmental puzzle.

Abyss Gate (one way from Pywel to Abyss Islands)

The Abyss Gate is a portal that transports you one way from Pywel to the Abyss dimension.

Various gates scattered across Pywel lead to different locations in the Abyss. These operate strictly as one-way passages and do not function like Abyss Nexuses.

You will find the first Abyss Gate in Hernand Castle during Chapter 1.

Abyss Teleporter (one way between Abyss Islands)

The Abyss Teleporter moves you one way between Abyss Islands. You use it as a one-time trip to reach a new, previously unvisited island for the first time.

It leads from a completed island to a new, unvisited one. It usually sits at the end of the area you are currently exploring and pops up once you finish The Abyss Restoration Challenge on that specific island.

Skybridge Gate

The Skybridge Gate activates on an Abyss Island once you finish restoring that specific island. This gate and its Alignment Device let you rebuild destroyed Abyss Skybridges that lead to the next part of the island.

Pass through the gate and use Axiom Force on the Alignment Device to set the right position and restore the path. Getting the correct alignment is straightforward. Just rotate it until it stops, as there are no complex puzzles involved.

Abyss Restoration Challenge

Every island in the Abyss needs restoration before it becomes fully functional. The Abyss Restoration Challenge monument is where you claim your reward after finishing a Challenge task.

Restoration usually involves puzzles, ranging from straightforward tasks to complex, multi-layered brain teasers. Your reward is typically an Abyss Artifact used to gain a Skill Point.

Abyss Cresset

Abyss Cressets are challenges you'll need to beat for a reward. These tasks range from solving logic and physics Puzzles to winning duels or even learning up new techniques. Once finished, you'll open up an Abyss Nexus fast travel point at that spot and score an Abyss Artifact (Skill Point).

Puzzles and riddles

Puzzles and Riddles are baked into the Crimson Desert experience, and you'll run into plenty of them across both Pywel and the Abyss. The variety is solid, ranging from Ancient Ruins Puzzles to Abyss Restoration Challenges, as well as Labyrinths and Mazes.

Memory Fragments

Memory Fragments are pieces of the past, visions you can trigger using the Visione helmet.

Learn Skill

Some abilities and skills are learned simply by watching others. You can pick them up by observing Echoes, people going about their business, or enemies in the heat of combat.

Sealed Abyss Artifact

Sealed Abyss Artifacts are physical items scattered throughout Pywel. Grabbing one triggers a specific Challenge. Once that's finished, you can "unseal" the item right in your inventory to get an Abyss Artifact, a Faded Abyss Artifact, or some Abyss Gear.

Look for Sealed Abyss Artifacts along roads, usually tucked away in small stone altars or cairns.

Abyss Artifact

Abyss Artifacts work as a currency you can trade in for Skill Points to build out your character or boost your Health, Stamina or Spirit.

You'll pick up Abyss Artifacts as you fill your XP bar, but they're also handed out for taking down bosses, finishing Main Quests, and solving puzzles at Abyss Cressets.

Faded Abyss Artifact

Faded Abyss Artifacts work just like Respec Tokens. Using one lets you reset your entire Skill Tree to get back all your regular Abyss Artifacts.

They’re pretty rare and tough to find, but later in the story, you can pick them up from Witch Vendors or just craft them yourself.

Bells

There are eight Bells scattered across Bell Towers throughout Pywel in Crimson Desert. They're vital for exploration because each one clears the fog of war on map and reveals points of interest nearby.

Once you find a Bell, climb the tower, ring it, and check in with the Shai Resident. This is all part of the Toll of Pywel faction questline.

Hidden Spaces

Sites of Trials and Secrets, there are 34 Hidden Spaces

Bosses

There are 76 bosses in Crimson Desert. 28 Main Story Bosses and 48 World and Optional Bosses

Mount

There are 29 unique permanent mounts. 9 Horses, 5 Dragons & Wyverns, 3 Raptors, 3 Mechs, 9 Other.

Minigames

There are approximately 30 distinct minigame types in the game, ranging from tavern gambling to high-stakes combat trials.

Landmarks and Locations

Landmarks represent larger map icons that describe an entire area rather than a specific item.

Landmark

Castle

Mansion

Village

Camp

Cave

Services

Inn

Smithy

Tailor's Shop

Provisioner's Shop

Grocer's Shop

Tannery

Saddlery

Stable

Equipment Shop

Constabulary

Confessional

Bank

Furniture Shop

Dyehouse

Black Market

Livestock Fence

Royal Trading

Trading Center

Other map markers

Loot

Recipe

Private Storage

Bonfire

Strongbox

Blueprint

Equipment

Key