First 10 Things to Do - Essential Early Game Priorities
Updated 2026-08-06 - 12 min read
Start Your Adventure Right
Starting a new open-world RPG can be overwhelming. There is so much to do, so many systems, and it is hard to know what matters. This guide breaks down exactly what you should focus on in your first few hours of Crimson Desert.
Do these 10 things first, and you will have a much smoother start than 90% of new players.
1. Complete the Tutorial Thoroughly
Do not skip the tutorial. I know, I know - tutorials are boring. But Crimson Desert tutorial teaches you the absolute basics of combat that you will use for the entire game.
Specifically pay attention to:
- Dodging and iframes
- Parrying timing
- Skill usage
- Quickslot management
These are not just tutorial mechanics - they are core gameplay. Skip this and you will struggle later.
2. Upgrade Your Weapon First
As soon as you get to the first town, head to the blacksmith and upgrade your starting weapon to level 5. It is cheap, 100% success rate, and doubles your damage.
Your weapon is by far the most impactful upgrade you can make. Do this before you buy new armor, before you buy consumables, before anything.
3. Learn to Parry
Parrying is the single most important skill in Crimson Desert. A perfect parry not only negates damage but also opens enemies up to massive counter damage.
Practice on weak enemies first. Find a goblin camp and just parry their attacks until it feels natural. The muscle memory will pay off for the entire game.
4. Unlock Fast Travel Points
As soon as you can leave the starting area, start unlocking fast travel points. Run to every waypoint you can find on the map.
Fast travel saves an enormous amount of time. The first few hours of the game are mostly running from place to place - unlock these early and you will thank yourself later.
5. Do the Main Quest
It might be tempting to run off and explore immediately, but the main quest gives you essential items, skills, and unlocks major systems.
At minimum, push through the first chapter to unlock the full skill tree and mount system. After that, explore to your heart content.
6. Get Your First Mount
Walking everywhere is slow and tedious. Get your first mount as soon as possible by completing the mount quest in the first major town.
A mount not only makes travel faster, it also lets you carry more loot and can even be used in combat for certain classes.
7. Join a Guild
Joining a guild early gives you access to guild buffs, guild quests, and a community to ask for help. Even a casual guild makes the game better.
Guild buffs alone are worth it - things like extra XP, extra gold, and stats that apply everywhere.
8. Learn Crafting Basics
You do not need to become a master crafter right away, but learn the basics of weapon crafting, potion making, and cooking.
Being able to make your own potions and food saves a ton of gold, and crafting is the best way to get BiS gear later on.
9. Complete Side Quests in Towns
Side quests in towns are quick and give great rewards for very little effort. They are a great way to earn extra gold, XP, and reputation while you are already in town turning in main quests.
Pick up every side quest you see. Most of them will complete naturally as you play.
10. Have Fun and Explore
Number 10 might be the most important on this list. Crimson Desert is a massive, beautiful world with tons to discover. Do not treat it like a checklist.
Wander off the path. Explore that cave you see. Climb that mountain. Some of the best gear and most memorable moments come from random exploration.