The best early skills in Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert's skill tree opens into many clusters that add effects to existing moves and unlock new attacks, including upgrades to magic and traversal. Progressing those branches requires Abyss Artifacts rather than just level-up points, so spend your first few on stamina and health, then prioritise combo and utility skills.

You can also observe some abilities for free, and Kliff is only the first of several playable characters who each have different skills. Early combat priorities include Evasive Slash (Armed Combat Lv. 2) for damage while dodging, with Stab to inflict bleed and the Swift Stab follow-up available free after beating Reed Devil.

Spinning Slash is useful for AoE when surrounded, and its Proficiency upgrade lets you perform the attack consecutively. Forward Slash delivers heavy forward damage and gains extra follow-up damage with its Proficiency upgrade. Turning Slash is a spinning overhead heavy that sends enemies flying; its Proficiency upgrade lets you weave it into other skills for smoother combos.

crimson desert, skill tree, abyss artifacts, stamina, health, combo skills, utility skills, kliff, evasive slash, spinning slash