All Challenges Guide in Crimson Desert — Sealed Artifacts, Exploration & Mastery

Crimson Desert contains over 350 challenges spread across every region of Pywel. These range from combat skill tests to exploration puzzles, and completing them is essential for character progression — they are the primary source of Abyss Artifacts, the skill points that power your upgrades. More than half of all challenges fall under the Exploration category, rewarding thorough investigation of the open world.

What Are Sealed Abyss Artifacts?

Sealed Abyss Artifacts are polygonal objects found on roadside altars and cairns throughout the world. Each one is tied to a specific challenge that you must complete to "unseal" it and claim the reward. They are scattered everywhere — mountain paths, forest clearings, cave entrances, coastal bluffs, and even inside towns.

How to Find Them

• Lantern Detection — Hold up your lantern while exploring. Sealed Abyss Artifacts emit a white light when illuminated, making them visible from a considerable distance.
• Minimap Icons — They appear as purple icons on your minimap when you are nearby.
• Blinding Flash — Using Blinding Flash can reveal them in addition to fast travel Abyss Nexuses.

How to Complete Challenges

Interact with a Sealed Abyss Artifact to view its associated challenge. Challenges vary wildly:

• Combat challenges — Defeat enemies with specific weapons or conditions (e.g., "Hit enemies 50 times with a spear in 30 seconds")
• Traversal challenges — Cover a distance while mounted or reach specific locations
• Puzzle challenges — Solve environmental riddles
• Combat mastery — Defeat enemies without taking damage (e.g., "Defeat 3 enemies with a sword without being hit")
• Siege challenges — Destroy structures with specific weapons within time limits

Challenge Categories

Exploration Challenges (50%+ of total)

The largest category. These involve discovering hidden locations, reaching overlook points, finding concealed caves, and solving open-world puzzles marked by question marks on the map. Exploration challenges reward steady, thorough investigation rather than combat skill.

Combat Challenges

Tests of weapon proficiency and battle technique. These typically require performing specific actions a set number of times within constraints (time limits, no-damage conditions, weapon restrictions).

Traversal Challenges

Distance and speed tests, often involving horses or other mounts. Check your mount's stamina rating before attempting long-distance traversal challenges.

Mastery Challenges

The hardest category. These demand flawless combat performance under strict conditions. Save these for after you have fully upgraded your gear and skills.

Rewards

Reward Type	Description
Abyss Artifacts	Skill points for leveling up abilities — the most important reward
Abyss Cores	Rune-like items slotted into weapons and armor for stat bonuses
Faded Abyss Artifacts	Respec items for reallocating skill points
Abyss Gears	Equipment enhancement items

Platinum Trophy / Achievement Completion

All Sealed Abyss Artifacts are required for the Platinum trophy (PlayStation) and full achievement completion. This means every challenge across all 350+ artifacts must be found and completed for 100% completion.

Tips for Challenge Hunting

1. Always carry your lantern — The white light detection range is generous
2. Check behind waterfalls, cave entrances, and cliff ledges — Common hiding spots for Exploration artifacts
3. Do not rush the main story — Artifacts are scattered along side paths that the main quest never takes you through
4. Use Blinding Flash on unusual terrain features — It reveals hidden artifacts and Nexus points
5. Travel on foot occasionally — Riding past an artifact on horseback is easy; walking lets you spot the purple minimap icons
6. Use the Axiom Force traversal ability to reach elevated artifacts on walls and cliffs

Related Guides

• Abyss Artifacts and Puzzles Guide
• Crimson Desert Skill Tree Guide
• Hernand Region Guide