Crimson Desert: Axiom Force — Complete Guide to Unlocking & Mastering the Power

30-Second Quick-Start (TL;DR)

• Help the beggar at the start of the game and give him money to receive a special key
• Travel to the sewers and retrieve a document
• Examine the key when prompted to unlock Axiom Force
• Head to Hernand Castle to access Axiom Force areas
• Hold the left thumb stick to activate and position the blue circle indicator
• Use the right thumb stick to pull, push, and move the force as needed
• Cancel with circle button or left thumb stick if you need to reset
• Enhance Axiom Force in the skill tree using Abyss Artifacts (up to level 3)

What This Guide Helps You Do

This guide walks you through unlocking Axiom Force in Crimson Desert, learning the core controls, and understanding how to apply the ability to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles. You’ll gain access to otherwise impossible areas and learn how to enhance the power through the skill tree for better performance. This is essential for early-game progression and opens up puzzle-solving mechanics that gate certain content.

It’s best for new players who’ve just started Crimson Desert and are looking to unlock this early-game ability, as well as returning players who want to understand the mechanics before investing upgrade resources.

Requirements & Prep

Prerequisites:

• Completion of the arm wrestling encounter at the very beginning of the game
• Access to the beggar outside after the arm wrestling match
• Money to give to the beggar (amount not specified in transcript, but necessary to receive the special key)
• Access to the sewers to retrieve the document
• Progression to Hernand Castle area
• Abyss Artifacts (if you want to upgrade Axiom Force beyond level 1)

Controller Setup: This guide assumes you’re playing on PS5 or a PlayStation controller. The inputs referenced are left thumb stick (L3), right thumb stick (R3), right trigger (R2), and circle button. If you’re on another platform, map these inputs to your equivalent controls.

Route Overview

Unlocking Axiom Force is straightforward and story-gated. After you complete the arm wrestling match at the game’s opening, you’ll exit and encounter a beggar. Give him money, and he’ll hand you a special key—this is the critical item that gates the entire ability. Next, venture into the sewers and locate a document. You don’t need to do anything special with it at that moment; it’s part of the unlock chain. As you progress through the early game over the next few hours, you’ll eventually be prompted to examine the key. Once you do, the game will direct you to Hernand Castle, where you’ll find the area shown in the guide where Axiom Force can be activated and practiced. From that point forward, Axiom Force is available in your skill tree and can be enhanced with Abyss Artifacts.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Step 1: Help the Beggar and Obtain the Special Key

After you complete the arm wrestling encounter at the very beginning of Crimson Desert, exit the area and you’ll encounter a beggar. Interact with him and give him some money. He’ll reward you with a special key—this is the foundation of the entire Axiom Force unlock chain. Don’t skip this interaction; it’s missable if you’re not paying attention to NPCs in the opening area.

Step 2: Travel to the Sewers and Retrieve the Document

Once you’ve got the special key, make your way to the sewers. The exact location isn’t detailed in the guide, but this is part of the early progression chain. Find and retrieve the document. You don’t need to use it immediately; it’s simply part of the unlock sequence that the game tracks in the background.

Step 3: Examine the Key When Prompted

As you continue playing through the early game (over the next few hours of gameplay), the game will eventually prompt you to examine the special key you received from the beggar. When this prompt appears, interact with it. The examination will reveal instructions telling you to travel to Hernand Castle.

Step 4: Travel to Hernand Castle and Locate the Axiom Force Area

Head to Hernand Castle as instructed. You’ll find the specific area where Axiom Force can be activated and used. This is the training ground where you’ll learn the mechanics and practice before using the ability in real puzzle scenarios throughout the game.

Step 5: Learn the Basic Activation Controls

Now that you’re in the Axiom Force area, it’s time to learn the controls. To activate Axiom Force, hold down the left thumb stick (L3). You’ll see a blue circle indicator appear on the screen. This blue circle represents the focal point of your Axiom Force. Position this circle exactly where you want the force to act—whether that’s moving an object, opening a path, or solving a puzzle.

Step 6: Position and Manipulate the Force with the Right Thumb Stick

Once you’ve held the left thumb stick to activate Axiom Force and the blue circle is visible, use the right thumb stick (R3) to move, pull, and push the force. You’ve full three-dimensional control over the force’s position and direction. Experiment by moving the right stick in different directions—you’ll see the blue circle move accordingly. This is how you align the force with objects or puzzle elements you need to interact with.

Step 7: Connect the Lines to Solve Puzzles

In many Axiom Force puzzles, you’ll see blue lines that need to align or connect. Your goal is to position and manipulate the Axiom Force (using the right thumb stick) until the lines connect properly. Move the force methodically until the alignment is correct, then release.

Step 8: Cancel and Reset as Needed

If you position the Axiom Force incorrectly or want to start over, you’ve two cancellation options: press the circle button or hold the left thumb stick again. Canceling is useful for resetting your positioning without committing to an action. This lets you try different angles or positions without penalty, so don’t hesitate to reset if your first attempt doesn’t feel right.

Builds & Loadouts

Axiom Force Skill Tree Progression

Axiom Force exists in your skill tree with three upgrade levels. When you first unlock it, you’ll have Axiom Force Level 1 of 3. The skill description reads: “Press the left thumb stick to harness the Axiom Force to perform impossible feats.”

Level 1: Base ability—hold left thumb stick to activate, use right thumb stick to manipulate. It’s sufficient for all basic puzzles and early-game content.

Level 2: Requires 1 Abyss Artifact to upgrade. You’ll get an enhanced version of the ability with improved functionality (specific improvements aren’t detailed in the transcript, but it’s worth the investment early).

Level 3: Further enhancement available, requiring additional Abyss Artifacts. The transcript confirms three levels exist but doesn’t detail the specific benefits of level 3.Upgrade Priority: If you’ve got Abyss Artifacts early in your playthrough, upgrading Axiom Force to level 2 is worth doing. The ability unlocks puzzle content and optional areas, so improved functionality makes exploration more efficient. However, don’t hoard artifacts waiting for Axiom Force upgrades—use them if you’ve got them available.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

• Skipped the beggar at the start: You’ll need to restart or reload an earlier save. The beggar interaction is the only way to obtain the special key. Don’t skip NPC interactions in the opening area.
• Can’t find the document in the sewers: Make sure you’ve actually traveled to the sewers location. The document is findable once you’re in the correct area—explore thoroughly if you’re having trouble locating it.
• The key won’t let you examine it: The game gates the examination prompt until you’ve progressed far enough through the early game. Keep playing story content, and the prompt will eventually appear. You can’t force it earlier.
• Axiom Force won’t activate: Confirm you’re in the Hernand Castle area where the ability is available. Axiom Force can only be used in specific locations and puzzle areas, not everywhere in the world.
• Holding left thumb stick makes you crouch instead: Context matters. If you’re standing still in the Axiom Force area, it should activate the ability. If you’re moving or in a different context, the input might register as a crouch. Stop moving and try again in a neutral stance.
• Can’t align the lines in a puzzle: Use the right thumb stick to move the force incrementally. Don’t rush the positioning. Some puzzles require precise alignment, so take your time and move the force slowly until the lines connect perfectly.
• Accidentally cancelled the force: No penalty—just hold the left thumb stick again to reactivate. You can cancel and retry as many times as you need without consequence.

FAQ

Q: Do I have to give the beggar money, or is it optional?

A: You must give the beggar money to receive the special key. There’s no way to unlock Axiom Force without this interaction, so it’s mandatory, not optional.

Q: Can I use Axiom Force anywhere in the world, or only in specific areas?

A: Axiom Force is available in specific areas, particularly around Hernand Castle and in puzzle locations. You can’t activate it everywhere. If the ability won’t activate, you’re likely in an area where it’s not available.

Q: What are Abyss Artifacts, and where do I find them?

A: Abyss Artifacts are upgrade materials used to enhance Axiom Force in the skill tree. The transcript doesn’t detail where to farm or find them, but they’re a currency you’ll collect through normal gameplay. Upgrade Axiom Force when you’ve got artifacts available if you want to improve the ability.

Q: Is there a penalty for cancelling Axiom Force and trying again?

A: No penalty. You can cancel with the circle button or by holding the left thumb stick again. Retry as many times as you need to solve puzzles.

Q: How long does it take to unlock Axiom Force from the start of the game?

A: The beggar interaction happens immediately after arm wrestling, so you can get the special key within the first few minutes. However, you can’t examine the key or access Axiom Force areas until you’ve progressed through the early game—likely several hours in. The unlock is gated by story progression.

Q: What’s the difference between Axiom Force levels 1, 2, and 3?

A: All three levels use the same core controls (left thumb stick to activate, right thumb stick to manipulate). The transcript confirms upgrades are available and cost Abyss Artifacts, but specific mechanical differences between levels aren’t detailed. Treat each upgrade as a quality-of-life or power improvement worth pursuing when artifacts are available.

Advanced Tips & Time Saves

Methodical Alignment Over Speed: In puzzles where lines need to connect, moving the Axiom Force slowly and deliberately is more reliable than trying to snap it into place quickly. Take your time with the right thumb stick inputs—precision beats speed in these puzzles.

Learn the Controls Early: Spend a few minutes in the Hernand Castle training area experimenting with left and right thumb stick inputs before tackling real puzzles. The more comfortable you are with the control scheme, the faster you’ll solve puzzles later.

Upgrade When You Can: If you’ve got Abyss Artifacts early in your playthrough, upgrading Axiom Force to level 2 is a reasonable investment. The ability opens up puzzle content, so improved functionality makes exploration smoother. Don’t wait for a perfect moment—upgrade when artifacts are available.

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