Crimson Desert New Skills for Damiane and Oongka Explained

Damiane and Oongka are getting new skills, and Pearl Abyss is framing them in a very specific way that says a lot about current player feedback.

The studio says both characters will receive new abilities comparable to Force Palm and Axiom Force. That wording matters because it tells players the update is not just about adding random extra buttons. It is about giving those characters tools that feel competitive with abilities players clearly see as important benchmarks.

Quick answer

The official message is simple: Damiane and Oongka will each get new skills intended to answer feedback that they need abilities comparable to Force Palm and Axiom Force.

Pearl Abyss is not hiding the reason. This is a direct response to player criticism.

Why that framing is important

When a developer says it is adding a new skill, the change could mean almost anything. When it says a character needs something comparable to specific high-value abilities, that gives the update a clearer gameplay purpose.

The likely takeaway is that players felt Damiane and Oongka were missing some combination of:

• burst impact
• utility
• fluidity
• combat satisfaction
• parity with other strong skill options

Pearl Abyss appears to be addressing that gap directly instead of pretending the current kits already feel complete.

What this probably means for character balance

It would be a mistake to assume these characters are getting exact copies of existing skills. The official wording points toward equivalent value, not literal duplication.

That is good news.

If the new abilities are designed around each character's own style while still filling a comparable combat role, the result could make both characters feel more complete without flattening their identities into the same template.

Why this matters beyond those two characters

Character kit dissatisfaction can quietly hurt the whole game. If players feel certain unlockable or alternate character options are inherently less satisfying, they stop experimenting. That reduces build variety, guide diversity, and long-term replay value.

So even though this looks like a niche roadmap note, it may end up affecting how broad the game's viable and enjoyable combat roster feels.

The main unknown

Pearl Abyss has not shown the new skills yet.

That means players still do not know:

• how the abilities are activated
• whether they are unlock-based or automatic
• what role they fill in combos
• whether they are defensive, offensive, or hybrid
• how strongly they change encounter flow

For now, all we can say with confidence is that the studio has acknowledged a real character-play complaint and decided it deserves a targeted fix.

FAQ

Are the new Damiane and Oongka skills live now?

No. They are still in development.

Are they exact copies of Force Palm and Axiom Force?

That has not been stated. Pearl Abyss says the new abilities will be equivalent to those skills, not necessarily identical.

Why are these two characters getting changes?

Pearl Abyss says it understands feedback that Damiane and Oongka need skills comparable to Force Palm and Axiom Force.

Does this mean the current versions are weak?

The official statement does not use that word, but it clearly implies players felt the characters were missing key tools.

Conclusion

This is one of the more revealing roadmap items because it shows Pearl Abyss is willing to target specific character-play complaints instead of only broad system issues. If the new skills land well, Damiane and Oongka could feel much more complete in real combat.

What to read next

• Damiane Guide
• Oongka Guide
• How to Unlock Damiane and Oongka

Source used

• Pearl Abyss, Dev Update, published April 9, 2026