Crimson Desert features over 85 unique side quests spread across all four chapters, each offering XP rewards, unique equipment, lore expansion, and sometimes permanent world changes. Side quests are not just optional filler — many of them provide some of the best equipment in the game, unlock important NPCs for the main story, and reveal crucial background information about the world of Pywel.
Why Side Quests Matter
- Equipment: Several S-tier accessories and unique weapons are only available through side quests.
- Faction Reputation: Most side quests increase reputation with one or more factions, unlocking better vendor prices and exclusive items.
- XP: Side quests provide 20-40% of the XP needed to reach the recommended level for each chapter.
- World Changes: Some side quests permanently alter the game world, opening new areas and vendors.
- Lore: Side quests contain the deepest lore in the game, revealing the history of Pywel and the Greymane.
Complete side quests before advancing chapters. Many side quests become unavailable once you progress past certain story checkpoints. In particular, most Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 side quests are permanently missable after starting Chapter 3.
Chapter 1 Side Quests (15 Quests)
| # | Quest Name | Location | Requirements | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missing Supplies | Greymane Camp | None | 500 XP, 3 Health Potions, Greymane Sash |
| 2 | The Wounded Scout | Greymane Outskirts | Complete Mission 1 | 300 XP, Rustbone Map Fragment |
| 3 | Wolf Pack Menace | Hunting Grounds | Level 3+ | 800 XP, Wolf Fang Dagger |
| 4 | The Blacksmith's Request | Greymane Camp | None | 600 XP, Enhancement Stone x3 |
| 5 | Lost in the Fog | Misty Valley | Complete Mission 2 | 1,000 XP, Mist Walker Amulet |
| 6 | Bandit Negotiations | River Crossing | Level 5+ | 750 XP, 200 Gold |
| 7 | The Herbalist's Garden | Forest Clearing | None | 400 XP, 5 Herb bundles |
| 8 | Haunted Ruins | Ancient Ruins North | Level 6+ | 1,200 XP, Spirit Lantern |
| 9 | Trader in Distress | Main Road | Complete Mission 2 | 600 XP, Trader discount |
| 10 | The deserter's Tale | Abandoned Outpost | Level 7+ | 900 XP, Desert patterns |
| 11 | Supply Line Sabotage | Enemy Camp East | Complete Mission 3 | 1,500 XP, Saboteur's Cloak |
| 12 | The Captain's Orders | Command Tent | Complete Mission 3 | 800 XP, Greymane Pauldron |
| 13 | Missing Recruits | Training Grounds | None | 500 XP, XP boost x2 |
| 14 | The Old Battlefield | Pywel Border | Level 8+ | 1,000 XP, Ancient Pywel Shield |
| 15 | Greymane Legacy | Greymane Camp | All Ch.1 quests done | 2,000 XP, Captain's Helm |
Chapter 2 Side Quests (22 Quests)
| # | Quest Name | Location | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Echoes of the Fallen | Greymane Ruins (hidden) | Greymane's Resolve accessory |
| 2 | Trader Denna's Deliveries (4 parts) | Havensreach | 15% permanent merchant discount |
| 3 | The Missing Children | Havensreach Village | 1,200 XP, Child's Drawing |
| 4 | Falcon's Test | Red Falcon Outpost | Red Falcon alliance (Ch.4) |
| 5 | Ironveil Patrol Routes | Havensreach Outskirts | 1,500 XP, Ironveil armor piece |
| 6 | The Mine's Secret | Rustbone Canyon | Rustbone Champion's Helm |
| 7 | Pywel Mining Charts (3 pages) | Rustbone Canyon | Hidden vendor in Chapter 3 |
| 8 | Flooded Depths Expedition | Rustbone Canyon | 1,800 XP, underwater breathing |
| 9 | The Cursed Blacksmith | Rustbone entrance | Cursed Blade (weapon) |
| 10 | Sunken Sanctum Cleanup | Sunken Sanctum (post-M5) | 3,000 XP, Guardian armor |
"Echoes of the Fallen" is only available after Mission 3 and becomes unavailable once Chapter 3 starts. This is one of the most rewarding hidden quests, granting the Greymane's Resolve accessory. Do not miss it.
Chapter 3 Side Quests (25 Quests)
| # | Quest Name | Location | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Driftmark Defenses | Driftmark Fortress | Fortress armor set |
| 2 | The Smuggler's Cove | Hidden Beach | 2,500 XP, Smuggler's Map |
| 3 | Serath's Trail (5 parts) | Various | Serath companion |
| 4 | The Lighthouse Keeper | Coastal Tower | 1,800 XP, Light of Pywel |
| 5 | Sea Monster Investigation | Driftmark Docks | 2,200 XP, Aqua Serpent armor |
| 6 | The Fisherman's Curse | Fishing Village | 1,500 XP, Enchanted Rod |
| 7 | Hidden Vendor (Mining Charts) | Secret cave | Rare ore upgrades |
| 8 | Baltheon Politics (3 parts) | Baltheon City | Baltheon Royal Belt |
| 9 | The Desert Nomads | Ashenmoor outskirts | 2,000 XP, Desert Strider mount |
| 10 | The Lost Library | Buried Archives | 3,000 XP, 2 Axiom skill points |
Chapter 4 Side Quests (23 Quests)
| # | Quest Name | Requirement | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghost Hand Alliance | Deliver 3 Abyss Artifacts | 60 assassins, Shadow Fang Ring |
| 2 | Silver Fang Honor Duel | Level 36+ | 150 soldiers, Colossus Cleaver |
| 3 | Ironhold Defenses (3 parts) | Complete Mission 1 | Ironhold Sentinel set |
| 4 | Pre-Siege Preparations | Before Mission 2 | Siege supplies |
| 5 | Abyssal Rift Secrets | During Mission 3 | Rift-cloak, Voidwalker Boots |
| 6 | The Last Greymane | All memorials found | Greymane armor completion |
"Serath's Trail" in Chapter 3 is the game's most important side quest chain. Completing all 5 parts makes Serath available as a companion for the final battle, providing unique support abilities and a powerful Axiom Force synergy attack.
Side Quest Completion Rewards
| Chapter | Completion Bonus | Additional Perk |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 1 | 5,000 XP, Greymane Trophy | Ch.2 merchants 5% discount |
| Chapter 2 | 8,000 XP, Havensreach Champion | +10% faction rep gain in Ch.3 |
| Chapter 3 | 12,000 XP, 2 Axiom skill points | Unlock hidden ending variant |
| Chapter 4 | 20,000 XP, True Unity requirement | Post-game free roam |
Side quests are the backbone of Crimson Desert's world-building and progression systems. They provide the equipment, lore, and faction reputation needed to fully experience the game's story and combat. Complete them thoroughly, and you will enter each chapter's main missions well-prepared and deeply immersed in Pywel.