Crimson Desert launched on March 19, 2026, and the game is massive. Developed by Pearl Abyss, this open world RPG follows a mercenary named Kliff across the land of Pywel. The main story alone spans a prologue, 12 full chapters, and an epilogue.
If you are trying to figure out how much story content is ahead of you, or if you just want to track your progress without spoilers, this guide lists every chapter and main quest in Crimson Desert.
How many chapters are in Crimson Desert?
Crimson Desert has 14 story sections in total: one prologue, 12 numbered chapters, and one epilogue. The main story contains 168 individual mission steps spread across these sections. Each chapter is divided into multiple arcs, and those arcs break down into individual quests.
The prologue is called Dead of Night. It opens with Kliff’s Greymane camp being attacked by the Black Bears, and it sets up the rest of the journey through Pywel.
Beyond the main campaign, the game has over 430 total quests when you include faction quests, side quests, and NPC requests. That number keeps growing as players discover more hidden content.
All Crimson Desert chapters and main quests
Below is the complete list of every chapter and its main quests. This list contains quest names only with no plot details.
Prologue: Dead of Night
- Ambush
- Unknown Space
Chapter 1: The First Encounter
- Trials of Kindness
- Traces (includes sub quests: Polar Opposites, Abyss Without Balance)
Chapter 2: Golden Greed
- Unexpected Gift (includes sub quest: Reunion)
- Hernand in Chaos
- The End of Greed
Chapter 3: Howling Hill
- Homestead
- The Face Behind the Mask
- Pioneering
Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge
- Mysterious Pot
- Daily Life
- Forbidden Knowledge
Chapter 5: Guest Unbidden
- Uninvited Guest
- Black and White
Chapter 6: Cracks in the Shield
- Blazing Beacon
- Below the Banners
- Turning Tides
- The Unyielding Shields
Chapter 7: Homecoming
Quest names for Chapters 7 through 12 and the Epilogue are still being documented by the community. This guide will be updated as the full quest list is confirmed. The game launched on March 19, 2026, and players are still working through the later sections.
How long does it take to beat Crimson Desert?
A standard playthrough that mixes main story content with side quests and exploration takes between 100 and 180 hours for most players. That range is wide because of how the game’s progression system works.
Crimson Desert does not use a traditional XP leveling system. Instead, your character grows through Abyss Artifacts, which you earn by completing quests, solving puzzles, and defeating bosses. There are 141 Sealed Abyss Artifacts in the game, each with its own challenge that unlocks a permanent upgrade. If you try to rush the main story, you will likely hit a wall at certain boss fights that require better gear and more skills.
The game also has 76 boss fights across the story and open world. Some later story bosses are tuned high enough that you need to step away and do side content before you can beat them.
Faction quests and side content
The optional content in Crimson Desert is just as large as the main story. The Greymane faction alone has three quest categories with 34, 38, and 27 quests each. The city of Hernand has several factional quest chains spread across House Celeste, House Roberts, the Goldleaf Merchant Guild, the Scholastone Institute, and the Pororin Forest Guardians.
Quests come from multiple sources. You can pick them up by talking to NPCs, reading books and notes in the world, or checking the notice boards posted in towns and cities. Some quest chains lead to encounters with legendary creatures and reward powerful loot.
Three playable characters
Crimson Desert has three playable characters. You start as Kliff, and the other two unlock at specific points during the main story. Each character has a separate skill tree and Abyss Artifact progression. Progress does not carry over between characters.
You can switch between unlocked characters freely in the open world, but certain story missions lock you to a specific character.
Tips for progressing through the main story
Orange markers on the map indicate your next main quest objective. Silver markers represent faction quests and side content. If you lose track of where to go, follow the orange markers.
Unlock fast travel Abyss Nexus points early. Some chapters require travel between distant regions, and there are stretches of the main story where no fast travel points appear along the main path. Going off the beaten path to tag Nexus points saves a lot of backtracking later.
Use the Lantern and Blinding Flash to highlight nearby points of interest. These tools reveal puzzle clues, hidden items, and environmental details that are easy to miss otherwise.
Some quests require you to wait for in-game time to pass. If you need to wait within the same day, use the Pass Time button on the right side of the screen. If a quest needs multiple days, rest at camp and complete other activities while you wait.
If a main story boss feels too difficult, take a break from the campaign. Complete side quests, upgrade your gear, and unlock more skills. The game is designed so that engaging with side content makes the main story more manageable.
Frequently asked questions
How many chapters are in Crimson Desert?
There are 12 numbered chapters plus a prologue and an epilogue, for a total of 14 story sections.
How many quests does Crimson Desert have?
The main story has 168 individual mission steps. The total quest count across all content types, including faction quests, side quests, and requests, reaches over 430.
How long is the Crimson Desert campaign?
A mixed playthrough that includes some side content takes between 100 and 180 hours. Rushing only the main story is shorter, but the game’s progression system makes it difficult to skip side content entirely.
Can you switch characters in Crimson Desert?
Yes. After unlocking additional characters through the main story, you can switch between them freely in the open world. Story missions may lock you to a specific character.
Does Crimson Desert have fast travel?
Yes, through Abyss Nexus points scattered across the map. You need to find and activate each one before you can use it. Some require puzzle solutions or specific steps to unlock.
How many bosses are in Crimson Desert?
There are 76 boss fights in total, spread across the main story and the open world.
