All Crimson Desert Main Story Chapters and Quests: The Complete Guide

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

Chapter 1: The First Encounter

Chapter 2: The Golden Greed

Chapter 3: Howling Hill

Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge

Chapter 5: Guest Unbidden

Chapter 6: Cracks in the Shield

Chapter 7: Homecoming

Chapter 8: Blood Coronation

Chapter 9: The Sage of the Desert

Chapter 10: Counterattack

Chapter 11: Truth and Reality

Chapter 12: The Abyss

Epilogue: Journey’s End

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.