Speedrun Guide — Routes, Glitches & Segment Times

Complete speedrun guide for Crimson Desert. Any% route, 100% route, individual level strategies, known glitches and exploits, segment-by-segment time targets, and current world record analysis. Beat Trukan in under 3 minutes.

Overview

Speedrunning Crimson Desert is a niche but active community. The current world record holders (as of Patch 1.4) are: Any% — 4:32:18 (held by KZ_Gaming), 100% — 18:42:55 (held by APEX_Speed), All Bosses — 8:15:33 (held by Trukan_Slayer). The game has 5 main speedrun categories with vastly different route planning and glitch usage. This guide documents the optimal routes, current glitches, and segment-by-segment time targets.

By the end of this guide you should understand: the 5 official speedrun categories, Any% optimal route with segment times, 100% route variation, 12 verified glitches and exploits, individual level strategies (Trukan sub-3 minutes, White Horn sub-2 minutes, Mirror Sentinel / Omen Construct skip strategies), and how to set up your loadout for speedrun attempts. (Lucian Bastier was a Ch2 sub-boss removed in Patch 1.04.00 and is not part of any% current route.)

Recommended pre-speedrun setup: Soldier background (faster melee), Tier 1 weapon (don't waste time upgrading), Bleed build (highest DPS), Stagger greatspear (fastest boss kills), and a stopwatch + recording software. The official speedrun.com rules require uncut video evidence and live timer (LiveSplit or equivalent).

Speedrun Categories: (1) Any% — reach any ending as fast as possible. (2) 100% — complete all chapters + all side quests + all collectibles. (3) All Bosses — defeat every boss including optional ones. (4) Glitchless — Any% without using any glitches. (5) True Ending% — reach the True Ending (rarest, <1% of runners).

Any% Optimal Route

The Any% route is 4 main segments: Ch1 (45 min) → Ch2 (50 min) → Ch3 (55 min) → Ch4+5 (2 hours). Total world record: 4:32:18. The route prioritizes main quest only — skip all side quests, all exploration, all dialogue (where skippable).

Segment 1 — Ch1 (Target: 45 min): Sprint through the Grehen battlefield using the Greymanes' side paths. Skip the Hernand arrival cutscene via the pause menu's "Skip Cinematic" option (added Patch 1.04.00). Use the Greymanes ambush as free XP. White Horn skip strategy: trigger Bleed stack glitch (see Glitch #3 below) for sub-90 second kill. Pick the 'Pardoned' ending for Chapter 2 (fastest path).

Segment 2 — Ch2 (Target: 50 min): Skip House Celeste dialogue. Sprint through grain shortage investigation. Focus on Chapter 2 main quest skips — no chapter-specific hidden boss in 2 is required for Any%. Choose 'Execute' ending (skips cutscene). Skip all 14 side quests.

Segment 3 — Ch3 (Target: 55 min): Skip Sand Pilgrim dialogue. Sprint through Sunken Temple. Choose 'Forbid' magic path (fastest Ch3 ending). The Ch3 main quest has no required boss skip for Any%; sub-bosses can all be skipped via the side-path glitch (Glitch #5).

Segment 4 — Ch4+5 (Target: 2 hours): Skip Caliburn dialogue. Skip all faction negotiations. Choose 'Solo Assault' for Ch4 (skips Battle of Demon Gates). Trukan sub-3 minutes via Bleed greatspear + Crimson Elixir glitch (Glitch #9). Choose 'Sacrifice' ending (fastest Ch5 ending, instant cinematic).

Total Target: 4 hours 32 minutes (world record pace).

100% Route & Optimal Side Quest Order

The 100% route completes all 80+ side quests, all 70+ secrets, and all 12 collectible types. World record: 18:42:55. The route uses a specific side quest order to minimize backtracking and maximize XP efficiency.

Optimal Side Quest Order: All Hernand side quests first (Ch1) → House Celeste side quests (Ch2) → Crimson Cabal side quests (Ch3) → Pilgrims side quests (Ch4) → All NG+ side quests (Ch5). This order follows faction reputation gain which unlocks vendor exclusives.

Segment Targets (100%): Ch1 (3 hours) → Ch2 (3.5 hours) → Ch3 (4 hours) → Ch4 (4.5 hours) → Ch5 (3.5 hours). Total: 18 hours 30 minutes (vs world record 18:42:55, gives 13 min buffer).

Skip-able Side Quests: Even in 100%, some side quests can be skipped via glitches: The Coin Collector (Glitch #1), The Herbalist's Request (Glitch #2), and The Healer's Vow (Glitch #8). Saves ~45 minutes total.

Mandatory Side Quests: Cannot skip: All companion quests (needed for achievements), all faction initiation quests (needed for unlocks), The Final Request chains (Ch1/2/3/4).

Verified Glitches & Exploits (Patch 1.4)

All glitches listed below are currently active as of Patch 1.4 (Aug 2026). Speedrun.com allows them unless explicitly banned by category rules. We list each with setup steps, frame timing, and expected time savings.

Glitch #1 — Coin Collector Skip: During the Coin Collector quest, use Grappling to clip through the cellar wall. The 15 Forgotten Coins are still considered 'found'. Saves ~3 minutes. Setup: Position at the broken barrel in the inn basement, grapple diagonally.

Glitch #2 — Herbalist Out-of-Bounds: The Herbalist's Request gathering can be skipped by Grappling up the cliff behind the herb spawn point. The herbs auto-collect when you reach the quest NPC. Saves ~4 minutes.

Glitch #3 — White Horn Bleed Stack: Apply Bleed to White Horn BEFORE the boss fight starts (via pre-fight dialogue trigger). The Bleed stacks persist into the boss fight, allowing a sub-90 second kill with a Tier 1 dagger. Saves ~2 minutes on Ch1.

Glitch #4 — Greymanes Skip: The Greymanes ambush in 1.2 can be skipped entirely by Grappling past the trigger zone before dialogue starts. Saves ~1 minute.

Glitch #5 — Anti-Magic Carry: The Anti-Magic Amulet from quest 3 persists across chapter reloads. Trigger the quest in Ch2, do NOT complete it, then carry the amulet into Ch3. This skips the 30-second anti-magic shield break on Ch3 sub-bosses. Saves ~3 minutes.

Glitch #6 — Omen Key Duplication: Save before collecting the 4th Omen Key, then save scum to duplicate it. The Omen fight becomes sub-3 minutes with 5 keys instead of 4. (Note: the "Omen of Sand" sub-boss this targets was renamed to "Omen Construct" in Patch 1.04.00.) Saves ~30 seconds.

Glitch #7 — Demon Gate Spawn Skip: Use Grappling to clip into the Demon Gate throne room during the cutscene. Both Gatekeepers spawn at once. With Bleed build, both die in ~5 minutes instead of 15. (Note: Patch 1.07.00 replaced the two Ch4 sub-bosses with Muskan and Corrupted Caliburn — check the live patch notes before relying on this glitch in current runs.) Saves ~10 minutes on Ch4.

Glitch #8 — Healer's Vow Skip: The medical supplies in quest 18 can be 'delivered' to the quest NPC without actually collecting them, via a dialogue trigger skip. Saves ~2 minutes on Ch4.

Glitch #9 — Trukan Crimson Elixir: Drink a Crimson Elixir (buff) before triggering Trukan. The buff persists and gives +50% damage. Sub-3 minute Trukan kill instead of sub-5. Saves ~2 minutes on Ch5.

Glitch #10 — Battle of Demon Gates Skip: The 30-minute Battle of the Demon Gates can be skipped by choosing 'Solo Assault' in Choice H. Triggers instant ending cinematic. Saves ~30 minutes on Ch4 (but locks out the 'United' achievement).

Glitch #11 — Black Bears Founder Skip: The founder's grave marker in Secret 9 (Ch4) can be triggered without completing the Heritage quest. Saves ~5 minutes.

Glitch #12 — Final Boss Instant Kill: During Trukan Phase 3 at 5% HP, if you use Grappling to clip behind him, the next attack is an automatic critical. Combined with Bleed build, this kills him in 1 hit. Saves ~30 seconds, used by all top runners.

Boss Skip & Speed Strategies

White Horn (Ch1) — Target: 90 sec: Use Bleed greatspear. Pre-apply Bleed via Glitch #3. Open with Grappling, then 5 Stabs, then Forward Slash. Repeat for 90 sec. Loot auto-collects. Skip loot cutscene (10 sec saved).

Lucian Bastier (Ch2, removed in 1.04.00) — Target: 90 sec: Note: this sub-boss was removed in Patch 1.04.00. Current Ch2 has no required hidden boss for Any%. The strategy below is preserved as historical reference. Use Bleed greatspear + Crimson Elixir buff. Open with Grappling, then 4 Stabs to stack Bleed, then Forward Slash. Repeat. Phase 2 cold weakness: switch weapon enchant mid-fight (takes 3 seconds but doubles damage). Phase 3 light: bait leap attack → dodge → stagger combo.

Myurdin (Ch3, replaced Patch 1.04.00) — Target: 3 min: Note: this sub-boss was renamed "Mirror Sentinel" in Patch 1.04.00. Mage build. Open with Piercing Light → Blinding Flash → Arrow Rain (8 sec opener). Glitch #5 makes Phase 3 shield break instantly. Skip loot cutscene.

Omen of Sand (Ch3, renamed 1.04.00 to Omen Construct) — Target: 3 min: Lightning greatspear + Sandstorm Cloak. Glitch #6 (5 Omen Keys). Open with 4 Charged Shots during emergence, then 3 Grapplings during surface phase, then 2 Forward Slashes during True Form. Repeat.

Mordeth + Valtrix (Ch4, replaced Patch 1.07.00 with Muskan + Corrupted Caliburn) — Target: 8 min (combined): Glitch #7 (simultaneous spawn). Bleed greatspear. Open with Grappling to both, then 8 Stabs total (4 each), then 4 Forward Slashes. Both die simultaneously. Note: in current live patches these slots are Muskan and Corrupted Caliburn; same strategy applies.

Trukan the Ascended (Ch5) — Target: 3 min: Glitch #9 + Glitch #12. Bleed greatspear + Crimson Elixir. Phase 1: 3 Grapplings + 6 Stabs + 2 Forward Slashes (45 sec). Phase 2: same (60 sec). Phase 3: Glitch #12 instant kill at 5% HP (5 sec). Total: ~2 min 30 sec.

Loadout & Equipment for Speedruns

Character Creation: Soldier background (+10% melee damage, 10 min saved over playthrough). Skip all cosmetic choices.

Starter Weapon: Hwando sword (fastest animation, best starter DPS). Skip all other starter weapons.

Optimal Bleed Build: Two daggers OR greatspear with Bleed enchant. Skills: Grappling + Stab + Forward Slash. This 3-skill rotation is the fastest in the game.

Stagger Build (alternative): Greatspear with Stagger enchant. Skills: Forward Slash + Pump Kick + Turning Slash. Better against bosses with high HP pools.

Mage Build (Ch3+): Wand + spellbook. Skills: Piercing Light + Blinding Flash + Arrow Rain. Fastest for Ch3 sub-boss skip strategies (Mirror Sentinel / Omen Construct).

Accessories: Mark of Darkness (+25% Bleed) is mandatory for Any%. Shadowveil Amulet for opener crits. Ring of the Archer if using Hybrid.

Consumables: Pre-buff with Crimson Elixir before each major fight (Glitch #9). Healing potions only for emergencies — speedruns avoid healing.

Settings: Turn off all cinematics, turn off HUD animations, set difficulty to Normal (Hard adds boss HP without affecting skip times).

Segment-by-Segment Time Targets

Below is the official speedrun.com segment split used by the Any% leaderboard. Times are in minutes:seconds.

Ch1 — Hernand & Greymanes (Target 45:00): Segment 1.1 Cart ride (skip) — 0:00. Segment 1.2 Greymanes ambush — 3:00. Segment 1.3 Hernand arrival — 5:00. Segment 1.4 Grehen border — 8:00. Segment 1.5 Hernand plains patrol — 12:00. Segment 1.6 Grehen war escalation — 25:00. Segment 1.7 Greymanes Watchtower — 35:00. Segment 1.8 White Horn boss — 42:00. Segment 1.9 Choice cinematic (skip) — 45:00.

Ch2 — Hernand Rising (Target 50:00): Total Ch2 segment — 95:00 cumulative. Pickup from previous segment. Segment 2.1 Cart ride — 50:00. Segment 2.2-2.5 Main quest — 75:00. Segment 2.6 Choice cinematic (no required sub-boss since Patch 1.04.00) — 95:00.

Ch3 — Witch of Wisdom (Target 55:00): Total Ch3 segment — 150:00 cumulative. Segment 3.1-3.5 Main quest — 130:00. Segment 3.6 Mirror Sentinel boss (was Myurdin pre-1.04.00) — 140:00. Segment 3.7 Choice — 142:00. Segment 3.8-3.9 Omen Construct (was Omen of Sand pre-1.04.00) — 148:00. Segment 3.10 Epilogue — 150:00.

Ch4 — Demon Gates (Target 1:00:00): Total Ch4 segment — 210:00 cumulative. Segment 4.1-4.6 Main quest + Cabal betrayal — 175:00. Segment 4.7-4.8 Demon Gate expedition — 190:00. Segment 4.9-4.10 Gatekeeper bosses — 200:00. Segment 4.11 Choice + Glitch #10 skip — 202:00. Segment 4.12 Battle of Demon Gates (skipped) — 202:00. Segment 4.13 Epilogue — 210:00.

Ch5 — Abyss Beckons (Target 1:02:00): Total Ch5 segment — 272:00 cumulative (4:32:00). Segment 5.1-5.4 Abyss descent — 235:00. Segment 5.5 Trukan boss (Glitch #12 instant kill) — 265:00. Segment 5.6 Choice (Sacrifice, instant cinematic) — 272:00.

Total Any% Target: 4 hours 32 minutes.

Achievements & Leaderboard Standing

Speedrun achievements unlock at specific time thresholds. Top 10 leaderboard standing requires sub-4:45:00.

Speedrun Achievements:

First Run: Complete Any% in under 12 hours. Auto-unlock.

Sub-8 Hour: Complete Any% in under 8 hours. Reward: 1000 Gold + Bronze Runner Title.

Sub-6 Hour: Complete Any% in under 6 hours. Reward: 2500 Gold + Silver Runner Title.

Sub-5 Hour: Complete Any% in under 5 hours. Reward: 5000 Gold + Gold Runner Title.

Sub-4:45: Complete Any% in under 4:45:00. Reward: 10000 Gold + Platinum Runner Title.

Sub-4:35: Complete Any% in under 4:35:00. Reward: 25000 Gold + Diamond Runner Title.

World Record Holder: Hold the world record at any point. Reward: World Record Title + exclusive skin.

100% Completion: Complete 100% category in under 25 hours. Reward: 5000 Gold + Completionist Title.

MISSABLE — Leaderboard Reset: Speedrun leaderboards reset every 6 months (next reset: March 2027). To earn the 'Season Champion' title you must hold a top-10 spot at reset.