Chapter 1 Walkthrough — Hernand and the Greymanes

Chapter Overview

Chapter 1 of Crimson Desert serves as the game's real tutorial, introducing players to the core mechanics, the world of Pywel, and the central conflict with the Greymane clan. While the prologue sets up the story, Chapter 1 is where you truly learn how to play the game — from combat fundamentals to exploration, crafting, and character progression.

This chapter takes approximately 4-6 hours to complete, depending on how thoroughly you explore Hernand and its surrounding areas. We strongly recommend taking your time here, as the skills, gear, and resources you acquire in Chapter 1 will set the foundation for the rest of your journey.

By the end of this chapter, you will have unlocked your first two abilities (Force Palm and Flight), established your camp, acquired your horse, and faced your first major boss encounter — the White Horn. This guide will walk you through every step, with tips for maximizing your gains and avoiding common pitfalls.

The Black Bears Ambush

The chapter opens with an ambush by the Black Bears bandit clan on the road to Hernand. This is the game's tutorial combat encounter, designed to teach you the fundamentals of the combat system.

Combat Tutorial Mechanics:

• Light Attacks — Press the attack button for quick, low-damage strikes. These chain into 4-hit combos and consume minimal stamina.
• Heavy Attacks — Hold the attack button to charge a powerful strike. Heavy attacks deal more damage but consume significantly more stamina and have longer recovery frames.
• Dodge — Tap the dodge button to roll away from attacks. Timing your dodge just before an attack lands triggers a Perfect Dodge, granting temporary invincibility.
• Red Flash = Unblockable — When an enemy glows red, their next attack is an unblockable grab. You must dodge — blocking or parrying will not work.

The ambush consists of three waves of 2-3 bandits each. The final wave includes a bandit captain who has more health and introduces the red flash unblockable mechanic. Take your time with this encounter — it's designed to be forgiving, and you cannot die during this tutorial sequence.

Arriving in Hernand

After the ambush, you follow the road to Hernand, the first major city in the game. Hernand is a bustling trade hub with multiple districts, NPCs, and side activities.

Priority Actions Upon Arrival:

1. Activate the Fast Travel Stone — Located in the central plaza. This allows you to return to Hernand from anywhere in the region.
2. Discover the Bell Tower — The Toll of Hernand is the north bell tower. Ring it immediately to reveal the entire Hernand region map, including all side quests, treasure chests, and fast travel points.

Activating the fast travel stone and ringing the bell tower should take less than 5 minutes and will save you hours of blind exploration later. Do not skip these steps.

Exploring Hernand

Hernand is home to several key NPCs that you will interact with throughout the game. Take time to visit each one and learn what services they offer.

The Innkeeper's "Lost Cargo" quest is particularly important. It involves retrieving a stolen shipment from a bandit camp east of the city. The reward — the Greymane Supply Cache — contains rare upgrade materials that are extremely valuable for early-game weapon progression. Complete this quest before entering the Abyss.

Setting Up Greymane Camp

After exploring Hernand, the main story will guide you to establish the Greymane Camp on the outskirts of the city. This camp serves as your base of operations throughout Chapter 1 and beyond.

Camp Setup Steps:

1. Follow the quest marker to the designated camp location west of Hernand.
2. Clear the area of any hostile wildlife (a few wolves, level 3-4).
3. Interact with the campfire to establish the camp.
4. Cook Grilled Meat — Use the campfire to cook your first meal. Grilled Meat restores 30% HP and provides a 10% stamina regeneration buff for 10 minutes. This is your primary healing item for the rest of the chapter.

The camp can be upgraded later with additional facilities, but for now, focus on learning the cooking system. Cook at least 20-30 pieces of Grilled Meat to prepare for upcoming combat encounters.

First Visit to the Blacksmith

The blacksmith in Hernand is located in the forge district, marked by a hammer icon on your map. This is your first opportunity to upgrade your equipment.

Recommended Purchases and Upgrades:

• Upgrade your weapon to +2 — This requires Iron Ore x5 and 200 Gold. The +2 upgrade provides a 15% damage increase, which is crucial for the boss fight at the end of the chapter.
• Buy the Reinforced Buckler — Costs 350 Gold. This shield provides better blocking efficiency than the starting shield and has a larger parry window. Essential for the White Horn fight.

If you have extra gold, consider buying the Iron Helm (+5 defense) for 200 Gold. Every point of defense matters in the early game.

Fishing at Nas River Dock

The Fisherman NPC at the Nas River Dock will teach you the fishing minigame. Fishing is an important source of ingredients for cooking and can provide rare materials.

Fishing Minigame Mechanics:

• Cast your line into the water and wait for a bite (indicated by a splash and controller vibration).
• Press the interact button to hook the fish, then follow the on-screen prompts to reel it in.
• Different bait types attract different fish. The General Merchant sells basic bait, and better bait becomes available later.
• Catch at least 3 Hearty Fish to cook Hearty Fish Stew, which provides a significant HP regeneration buff for boss fights.

The Nas River is home to the Hearty Fish, which is used to cook Hearty Fish Stew — one of the best consumables for the White Horn boss fight. Spend 10-15 minutes fishing here to stock up.

Deepfog Basin & Your Horse

The main story will eventually lead you to Deepfog Basin, a misty lowland area east of Hernand. This is where you acquire your first horse and learn mounted combat.

Taming Your Horse:

• Follow the quest marker to a wild horse herd in Deepfog Basin.
• Approach the marked horse slowly — do not sprint or use weapons.
• When prompted, press the interact button to mount the horse.
• Complete the short calming minigame by matching the on-screen prompts.
• Once tamed, the horse is yours permanently. You can name it and customize its gear at the Stablemaster in Hernand.

Your horse significantly increases your travel speed and can be summoned from almost anywhere using the whistle command. It also has its own inventory for storing spare items.

Entering the Abyss

The Abyss is a mysterious dimension that serves as the setting for the chapter's climactic sequences. You enter the Abyss through a portal in the northern reaches of Deepfog Basin.

Before Entering the Abyss:

• Complete ALL side quests in Hernand. The "Lost Cargo" quest becomes permanently unavailable after entering the Abyss.
• Stock up on at least 50-100 Grilled Meat at your camp.
• Ensure your weapon is upgraded to at least +2.
• Purchase the Reinforced Buckler from the blacksmith.
• Buy Palmar Pills from the Herbalist (5+ recommended).

Once inside the Abyss, you cannot return to Hernand until you complete the chapter's main objectives. The Abyss contains several combat encounters and puzzle rooms that test your mastery of the mechanics you have learned so far.

Meeting the White Crow

Deep within the Abyss, you will encounter the White Crow — a mysterious figure who serves as both a guide and a test for the player. The White Crow challenges you to complete a series of trials that unlock your first two abilities.

The Trials:

• Trial of Strength — Combat trial against shadow enemies. Tests your understanding of light/heavy attack combos and dodging.
• Trial of Wisdom — Puzzle trial involving mirror reflections. Solve by aligning the mirrors to direct beams of light.
• Trial of Resolve — Endurance trial. Survive waves of enemies for 3 minutes. Use the environment to your advantage.

Completing all three trials grants you access to the White Crow's sanctum, where you receive the Force Palm and Flight abilities. These trials are not particularly difficult, but the Trial of Resolve can be challenging if you are under-leveled or low on healing items.

Force Palm & Flight Abilities

After completing the White Crow's trials, you unlock two core abilities that will be essential for the rest of the game.

Force Palm

Force Palm is a charged palm strike that unleashes a concussive blast. It serves two primary functions:

• Environmental Interaction — Breaks through cracked walls, barriers, and weakened structures. This unlocks new paths and hidden areas throughout the game.
• Guard Break — In combat, Force Palm can break enemy guard and super armor. This is crucial for the White Horn boss fight, where the boss gains super armor that must be broken.

Flight (Gliding)

Flight allows you to glide through the air from elevated positions. Key features:

• Jump from any elevated position and hold the jump button to glide.
• Gliding consumes stamina over time. Upgrade your stamina bar to extend flight duration.
• Flight is required to reach certain Bell Towers, hidden areas, and collectibles.
• You can attack while gliding, performing a plunging attack that deals bonus damage.

First Boss Encounter Prep

The chapter culminates in a boss fight against the White Horn — a massive guardian beast that serves as the gatekeeper of the Abyss. This is a significant difficulty spike and requires proper preparation.

For a detailed breakdown of the White Horn boss fight, including phase-by-phase strategies, see our dedicated boss guide. The key takeaway is: do not attempt this fight under-prepared. If you are struggling, return to Hernand and complete all available side quests for extra levels and gear.

Chapter Checklist

Before moving on to Chapter 2, make sure you have completed all of the following:

1. Activated the Hernand fast travel stone
2. Rung the Toll of Hernand bell tower
3. Completed the "Lost Cargo" side quest (before entering the Abyss)
4. Visited all 5 key NPCs in Hernand
5. Established the Greymane Camp and cooked Grilled Meat
6. Upgraded your weapon to at least +3
7. Purchased the Reinforced Buckler
8. Learned fishing and caught at least 3 Hearty Fish
9. Tamed your horse in Deepfog Basin
10. Completed all three White Crow trials
11. Unlocked Force Palm and Flight abilities
12. Defeated the White Horn boss

Once all 12 items are checked off, you are ready to proceed to Chapter 2. Congratulations on completing the first chapter of Crimson Desert!