Crimson Desert Enhanced: Charting the Unknown adds stories, ocean exploration, ships, romance systems, housing, castles, businesses, and Garden of Trials content. The unlock order matters: some activities appear only after main-story progress, while others require a Greymane Camp setup or a faction quest.
This overview is based on Pearl Abyss’s official Features Overview, Notice board No. 137, posted October 20, 2026 at 23:00 UTC. The DLC release approaches October 29 GMT/PT, with regional times listed in the notice. Pearl Abyss also says additional details will arrive in release-day patch notes, so readers should re-check the Patch tracker after launch patches.
If you are still learning the basic systems, use the Beginner's guide before planning the DLC content.
Prerequisites at a Glance
| Feature | How to start | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane stories | Complete the main story, then open the Journal | Three separate storylines become available |
| Ocean-focused story | Complete “Howling Hill” in the main story | The related ship quest follows Greymane Camp setup |
| Underwater exploration | Dive as Kliff, Oongka, or Damiane | No special condition is required, but breath is consumed |
| Ship building | Complete the related questline after setting up Greymane Camp at Howling Hill | Dispatch comrades from a port or buy from a Fleet Office manager |
| Romance and festivals | Interact with characters and build trust | Romance may develop into marriage |
| Camp visitors | Upgrade Greymane Camp to a certain level | The exact level is not published in the Features Overview |
| Upgraded housing | Set up the Howling Hill camp and complete “Luke’s Request” under “Grounds of the Sunrise” | This opens regular and upgraded housing |
| Greymane castles | Complete the main story and relevant quests | Liberate each stronghold to unlock its castle-claiming mission |
| Management businesses | Liberate the relevant region through its faction quest and finish Greymane Camp setup | Facilities are accessed from the world map |
| Garden of Trials | Clear the main questline | A separate boss-focused combat activity |
New Character Stories
The DLC adds three storylines, one for each of Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane. They do not appear at the start of the campaign. Players must first complete the main story, then select the new stories through the Journal menu.
A fourth storyline focuses on the ocean. It becomes available after completing “Howling Hill,” part of the main story. This is separate from the later ship-building questline, although both are connected to the Howling Hill and Greymane Camp progression.
For broader story progression advice, see the Endgame content guide.
Ocean Storyline and Diving
The ocean-focused story unlocks after “Howling Hill.” It introduces the sea route that leads into the DLC’s wider exploration and ship systems.
Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane can also dive beneath the surface of Pywel. Underwater areas include ruins, treasure chests, new creatures, and mounts. There is no special condition required to begin diving, so players do not need to unlock diving through a separate permission system.
The important restriction is breath. Time spent underwater consumes it, so players need to return to the surface before running out. Items and equipment can help extend underwater time, and the official overview specifically mentions a diving suit as a possible preparation option.
The Best build guide can help you review your equipment before exploring, while the Tips and tricks page may help with general exploration preparation.
Ships: A Short Unlock Overview
Ships do not become available immediately after “Howling Hill.” The required sequence is:
- Set up your Greymane Camp at Howling Hill.
- Complete the related questline.
- Choose either a ship-building dispatch mission from a port or purchase a ship from a Fleet Office manager.
These are the two official methods for obtaining access to a ship and sailing across the Great Ocean of Pywel. This page does not list ship prices, dispatch durations, or material requirements because those values are not published in the Features Overview.
For the detailed ship-building process, including the steps and purchase information, consult the sibling Ship Building Guide.
Romance, Festivals, and Camp Visitors
Romance progression continues through interaction and trust. Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane can form deeper bonds with inhabitants of Pywel, and some relationships may lead to romance and potentially marriage.
The Greymane Camp also gains a social layer. Once the camp reaches a certain upgrade level, friends with whom the player has built a close relationship may visit and spend time there. The official Features Overview does not publish the required camp level, so check in-client when the option becomes relevant.
For more information about relationship mechanics, see the Romance guide.
Upgraded Housing
The upgraded housing system lets players construct a house from the ground up. Access requires two specific steps:
- Set up the camp at Howling Hill.
- Complete “Luke’s Request” under the “Grounds of the Sunrise” Greymanes Faction quest.
Once both conditions are met, players have access to both the regular housing system and the upgraded system. The official overview does not provide a separate housing level, construction price, or material list.
The Chapter 3 walkthrough may help with Howling Hill and camp context before you begin this DLC sequence.
Greymane Castles
Three specific castles can be claimed through the DLC. The unlock process is tied to story completion and stronghold liberation rather than a simple purchase at the start.
Players must:
- Complete the main story and relevant quests.
- Liberate each stronghold.
- Unlock the mission connected to that castle.
- Complete the mission to claim the castle.
- Decorate its courtyard and interior with objects and furnishings.
The official overview does not name the three castles or list their decoration requirements. For related progression planning, check the Faction reputation guide.
Management Businesses
Management content lets players rent and operate businesses across Pywel. The official examples are a restaurant in Vellua and a smithy at Zargan Tankworks.
Access requires both:
- Completing the faction quest needed to liberate the relevant region.
- Completing the Greymane Camp setup.
After those requirements are met, eligible facilities can be accessed from the world map. The Features Overview does not publish exact facility costs, income values, upgrade stages, or operating rules, so those details should be confirmed in-client after release.
Garden of Trials
Garden of Trials is a combat-focused activity in which you face bosses encountered throughout your adventures in Pywel, one after another. It becomes available after the main questline is cleared.
Completion grants special rewards, but the official overview does not specify which rewards are guaranteed, their rarity, or the number of bosses. It is best treated as separate endgame content rather than an automatic continuation of the main campaign.
Not Published in the Features Overview
Several details often requested by players are missing from Pearl Abyss’s official Features Overview:
| Information | Official status |
|---|---|
| Names of specific new DLC pets | Not published / 未公布 |
| Exact camp level required for friend visits | Not published / 未公布 |
| Ship prices | Not published / 未公布 |
| Ship dispatch durations | Not published / 未公布 |
| Ship material lists | Not published / 未公布 |
| Names of the three claimable castles | Not published / 未公布 |
| Exact management business costs | Not published / 未公布 |
| Garden of Trials reward details | Not published / 未公布 |
The Pets guide covers base-game pets only; it should not be used as a source for unnamed DLC pets. For launch updates and confirmed values, re-check the in-client interface, the official patch notes, and the Patch tracker.
FAQ
Do I need to complete the main story to access the DLC stories?
Yes. The Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane storylines are started through the Journal after the main story is completed. The ocean-focused story instead unlocks after completing “Howling Hill.”
Can Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane dive without special equipment?
They can dive without a special condition or permission. However, staying underwater consumes breath. Equipment such as a diving suit can help extend underwater time.
How do I unlock ship building?
First set up the Greymane Camp at Howling Hill, then complete the related questline. After that, you can send comrades on a ship-building dispatch mission from a port or purchase a ship from a Fleet Office manager.
What must I do to unlock upgraded housing?
Set up the camp at Howling Hill and complete “Luke’s Request” under the “Grounds of the Sunrise” Greymanes Faction quest. Both regular and upgraded housing then become accessible.