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How Many Chapters Are in Crimson Desert? Chapter & Quest List

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Kliff resting on a rock in a field of pink flowers in Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert is a genuinely massive game, and if you are trying to get a sense of just how much story content awaits you, the chapter count is a good place to start. The main campaign is split across a prologue, twelve full chapters, and an epilogue, with each chapter further divided into multiple arcs and individual quests. This guide breaks down the complete structure, so you know exactly what you are getting into.

How Many Chapters Are in Crimson Desert?

Crimson Desert contains 12 main chapters, along with a Prologue at the start and an Epilogue at the end. That brings the total to 14 sections if you count all three. Each chapter contains multiple sub-arcs, and those arcs each contain several individual quests.

The main story consists of exactly 168 individual mission steps in total across all chapters including the Prologue and Epilogue, divided into arcs and quest groups. Beyond the main story, Crimson Desert features 430 or more total quests when you factor in all side content, faction quests, and requests spread across the continent of Pywel.

How the Progression System Works

Crimson Desert does not use a traditional level system. Instead, you unlock skills and improve attributes by spending Abyss Artifacts, which you earn through defeating enemies, completing quests, solving puzzles, and clearing challenge tallies. Because tougher bosses require a certain level of character strength, a purely story-focused run is difficult to maintain without doing at least some side content along the way. This is the primary reason the main story time estimate covers such a wide range.

Additionally, Sealed Abyss Artifacts are collectible objects found throughout the world, each carrying a unique tally or task. Completing these challenges rewards additional upgrades for Kliff and the other playable characters. There are exactly 141 Sealed Abyss Artifacts in the game, making them a significant part of character progression for players who engage with the system fully.

Playable Characters and When They Unlock

Crimson Desert has three playable characters, each unlocking at a specific point in the main story. Skill trees and Abyss Artifact progress are completely separate per character and do not transfer between them. You can switch freely between unlocked characters in the open world, but story sections lock you to a specific character.

CharacterUnlocksCombat Focus
KliffDefault from the startBalanced, versatile, main story protagonist
DamianeChapter 3: Howling Hill, during “A Fresh Start” in the Homestead arcSpeed, dodging, counters, dual blades
OongkaEnd of Chapter 7: Homecoming, during and after “Twisted Fate”Heavy axe and cannon, powerhouse attacks

How Long Does It Take to Complete Crimson Desert?

Playthrough TypeEstimated Time
Main story only (rushed)60 to 100 hours
Main story plus side content100 to 180 hours
Full completionist run200+ hours

The wide range on a story-only playthrough reflects the artifact and progression system described above. Players who try to rush the main campaign will still need to engage with quests and exploration to stay strong enough for later bosses. A standard playthrough that mixes main story with side content tends to land in the 100 to 180 hour range for most players.

All Crimson Desert Chapters and Arcs

Here is the complete list of every chapter, arc, sub-task count, and main quest in Crimson Desert:

Prologue: Dead of Night

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Ambush2/2Unfamiliar Lands, In Ashes
Unknown Space2/2Realm of Uncertainty, New Journey

Chapter 1: The First Encounter

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Trials of Kindness5/5Where Rumors Gather, Mysterious Man, True Wisdom in Kindness, Actions Speak Louder Than Words, Hearts Beyond Borders
Trace4/4Mystical Key, Polar Opposites, Abyss Without Balance, Woman in White

Chapter 2: Golden Greed

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Unexpected Gift3/3Where the Light Leads, Memory Fragment, Reunion
Hernand in Chaos8/8For Honor, Awestruck, Shadow Cast Over the River, Where Misery Gathers, Trial After Trial, The Man Trapped in the Mire, Missing Companion, Secrets Hidden in the Dark
The End of Greed5/5The Dark Veil, The Flames of Greed, Kidnapped Healer, Rebellion or Revolution, Cheers Echoing From the Edge

Chapter 3: Howling Hill

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Homestead6/6Old Friend, First Step to Rebuilding, A Fresh Start, Reward for Their Sweat, Return of the Comrade, Familiar Curses
The Face Behind the Mask5/5Return, Traces in the Manor, Nonhuman, Seed of Unease, Dance with the Devil
Pioneering6/6Hope After the Draught, Scattered Comrades, Rumors from the Sawmill, A Gentle Touch, Bustling Hill, Greymanes Reunited

Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Mysterious Iron Pot4/4Kilnden Workshop, Kiln Repair at the Kilnden Workshop, The Mysterious Pot, The Iron Pot’s Usage
Daily Life2/2Disturbance at the Arena, Skilled in Archery
Forbidden Knowledge7/7The Words of Alustin, Scholastone, On the Right Path, Gate to the Otherworld, Spire of the Stars, Obsession and Madness, Casted Shadow

Chapter 5: Guest Unbidden

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Uninvited Guest4/4Double-sided Invitation, Unwelcomed Guests, Demenissian Delegation, Exposed Plot
Black and White6/6The Missing Seal, Crowcaller, The Crow’s Warning, Bloodwind, Secret at the Church, Toward the Nest

Chapter 6: Cracks in the Shield

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Blazing Beacon3/3News, To the Battlefield, The Counterattack
Under the Banner Pike Again3/3Cradle of Defense, The Touch of Deliverance, Fire on the Frontlines
Turning Tides4/4Fire Support, In Ashes, Hidden Fangs, Reclamation
The Unyielding Shields5/5A Thousand Troops, Traitor, All Quiet on the Front, News of Victory, Return Home

Chapter 7: Homecoming

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Dawn Mist5/5Ashes of Treachery, Trust Lost, Bared Fang, Rekindled Hope, Podium of Resolve
Dawnrise6/6Shadows Over Pailune, Driving out the Shadows, Lurking Wolves, Reclamation, Lonely Jackals, Resolution
Decisive Battle6/6The Counterattack, Unleashed Fury, The Final Bridge, Broken Claws, Battle at Silverwolf Mountain, Incomplete Victory
Twisted Fate2/2Ludvig’s Whereabouts, Time to Face Justice

Chapter 8: Blood Coronation

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Ashen Steps4/4Healing Pailune, A Bond, Ritual Preparations, Where the Wind Guides You
To Demeniss9/9Chasing a Shadow, Blazing Fire, Whispering Shadows, Bloodied Invitation, Resolve Amidst a Storm, Rebel Suppression, The Cursed Knight, The Blood Coronation, Preparations for Advance
Traitor2/2Clue, A Fleeting Dream

Chapter 9: The Sage of the Desert

ArcSub-TasksQuests
The Calling2/2An Unknown Voice, The Cloister of Enlightenment
Shattered Ties2/2Mark of the Scar, Shackles of Fate
Thinning Blade2/2Crossing Point, Unwavering Steps
Six Pensive Statues and the Evil Spirit6/6Morning Fog, Jijeong Temple in Chaos, Path to Enlightenment, Path of the Disciple, True Strength, Face the Inner Self
Veiled Witch3/3Fragments of Darkness, Pursuit Beyond the Veil, Black Witch
Enlightenment4/4The Cloister of Enlightenment, The Sage of the Desert, New Perspectives, Lust for Power

Chapter 10: Counterattack

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Secret Weapon5/5Untouchable, The Gate of War, Master of the Ironworks, Hidden Ace, Clockwork Insect Clash
Greater Firepower4/4Beating Heart, Invaders from the East, Frozen Hearted Predator, Lingering Shadow

Chapter 11: Truth and Reality

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Brave New World5/5The City of Steel, Crossroads, Strange Manor, Fortress Keys, Truth and Lies
Foreboding Shadow3/3Master of a Forgotten Land, Whispers in the Wind, Cloud Castle Orbian

Chapter 12: The Abyss

ArcSub-TasksQuests
The Final Battle4/4Precise Execution, Deferred Advance, Departure of the Brave, Forbidden Gate
The Void2/2A Shadow in the Void, Blinding Darkness

Epilogue: Journey’s End

ArcSub-TasksQuests
Journey’s End8/8A New Beginning, Peace in Hernand, The Unyielding Shields, The Heart of Pywel, The Desert’s Edge, The Enduring Flame, Evolving City, New Horizons

Key Main Story Bosses by Chapter

Crimson Desert features 76 total boss fights across the story and open world. Here is a spoiler-light overview of the key main story bosses you will encounter chapter by chapter:

ChapterBoss(es)
PrologueMyurdin (tutorial boss)
Chapter 2Matthias (Hernand in Chaos), Kailok the Hornsplitter (The End of Greed)
Chapter 3Reed Devil (The Face Behind the Mask, Dance with the Devil)
Chapter 4Tenebrum (Forbidden Knowledge, Gate to the Otherworld)
Chapter 5Kearush the Slayer (Uninvited Guest), Crowcaller (Black and White, fought multiple times)
Chapter 7Ludvig variants (Decisive Battle and Twisted Fate), Myurdin rematch (Battle at Silverwolf Mountain)
Chapter 8Gregor the Halberd of Carnage, Fortain the Cursed Knight, Cassius Morten

Later chapters continue to introduce additional bosses. The full 76 boss count includes both story bosses and open world field bosses discovered during exploration.

Useful Tips for Progressing Through the Main Campaign

  • Follow orange markers on the map. These indicate your current main quest objectives. Silver markers represent faction quests and side content.
  • Unlock fast travel Abyss Nexus points as early as possible. Most sit in wilderness areas rather than in towns, and many require puzzle solutions or specific activation steps. Prioritising them early saves significant travel time during later chapters where backtracking between regions becomes frequent.
  • Use the Lantern and Blinding Flash to highlight nearby points of interest, puzzle clues, and hidden items when you feel stuck or unclear on where to go next.
  • Do side content if a boss feels too difficult. Some main story bosses require additional Abyss Artifacts and better gear. Stepping away to complete side quests and Sealed Abyss Artifact challenges gives you the resources to return stronger.
  • Understand how time passing works for quests. Some quests require you to wait within the same day. In these cases, a Pass Time button appears on the right side of the screen and handles it instantly. Other quests require you to come back after several in-game days. For those, rest or sleep at your camp and use the waiting period to complete other activities.
  • Engage with Sealed Abyss Artifacts actively. With 141 in the game, each carrying a unique challenge that rewards permanent character upgrades, these represent a significant source of progression that complements your main quest advancement.

What Exists Beyond the Main Story

Completing all 12 chapters and the epilogue is just the beginning if you plan to see everything Crimson Desert has to offer. Here is the full scale of content waiting outside the main campaign:

  • The total quest count across all content types reaches 430 or more quests, covering main story, faction quests, side quests, and NPC requests.
  • The Greymanes faction alone has three quest categories containing 34, 38, and 27 quests respectively.
  • The city of Hernand has multiple factional quest chains across House Celeste, House Roberts, the Goldleaf Merchant Guild, the Scholastone Institute, Pororin Forest Guardians, Witches, Hernand Requests, Hernand Commissions, and Hernand Politics.
  • There are over 100 challenges tied to Abyss island puzzles, Ancient Ruin puzzles, Cresset fast travel points, Forgotten Sanctums, and Towering Spires.
  • There are 141 Sealed Abyss Artifact challenges, each with unique tasks that unlock skill upgrades for your characters.
  • A full completionist run asks you to eliminate 76 bosses, discover every settlement and landmark, complete all research projects, fully upgrade the Greymane Camp at Howling Hill, and acquire all unique abilities for Kliff, Damiane, and Oongka.

Post-Game and Modes

Crimson Desert does not feature a New Game Plus mode at launch. However, the world remains fully open after the Epilogue, allowing you to continue completing side content, faction quests, challenges, and exploration at your own pace. The game is single-player only at launch, with no co-op or multiplayer functionality currently available.

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