Crimson Desert has finally arrived, and it did so with thunder and awe! The game refuses to hand-hold the players at any point. However, that can be really challenging, at least early on.
Pearl Abyss’ juggernaut of a game is one of the most gear-dependent open-world action-adventure games in recent memory. Weapons and armor choice in the opening hours can make the difference between enjoyment and suffering.
Fear not, we have some of the best weapons and armor you can pick up really early in the game, which will make the continent of Pywel a bit more tolerable. Not only that, but we will also give the exact locations where these gears can be picked up!
1. Bekker Axe
The fantasy of dual-wielding is achievable very soon in Crimson Desert | Image Credit: Pearl Abyss
Found in the Underbridge area right after the prologue. During the opening sequence following the prologue, as Kliff travels with his Greymane companions, you will be able to pick up two Bekker Axes. One is hidden in a tree stump to the right of the path. While the second is on a nearby rock, heading toward the horses.
Obtaining these will unlock Kliff’s dual-wield combat system immediately, without needing to buy or farm anything. Players can combine one axe with a sword or go full berserk and rock both axes.
2. Bolton Plate Armor
The armor of choice for the city guards | Image Credit: Pearl Abyss
This can be purchased from the Contribution Shop manager near the main castle in Hernand City. However, it will not require silver coins but reputation coins, which are easy to earn just by doing 3-4 story missions.
Bolton Plate Armor provides one of the highest early-game defense values without boss farming! A full chest armor piece that has solid elemental resistance. This is the same armor that is worn by Hernand City’s elite soldiers, making it a significant upgrade over starting gear.
3. Plate Gloves of the Fallen Kingdom
Image Credit:- Pearl Abyss
Image Credit:- Pearl Abyss
Image Credit:- Pearl Abyss
Plate Gloves of the Fallen Kingdom are hidden in a waterfall cave west of Hernand City. The cave requires no combat and no mission unlocks, so players can head there as soon as they arrive in Hernand City. Keep in mind that only Kliff’s Stab ability pushes through the water current blocking the cave entrance.
These gloves come pre-equipped with Abyss Artifacts, which won’t be accessible till players reach Chapter 5. These disproportionately powerful early-game gloves have pre-loaded cores which include bonuses to Critical Damage and Ice Resistance.
4. Hollow Visage
Hollow Visage is one of the most powerful one-handed weapons in the early game of Crimson Desert | Image Credit: Pearl Abyss
This fast, katana-style one-handed weapon is located in a waterfall cave in the southern part of the map, near the Reed Devil boss area. Like the Plate Gloves of the Fallen Kingdom, Hollow Visage pre-loaded Abyss Core.
The bonus options of the core include Critical Rate, Attack Speed, and Regular Attack bonuses straight from the chest. Hollow Visage’s pre-built Abyss Artifacts and raw attack speed make it the top early weapon.
5. Staglord Helmet
The Staglord | Image Credit: Pearl Abyss
Found at the Sanctum of Benediction, east of Hernand City. Another item with no mission requirement can be accessed by players as soon as they arrive in the city. Follow these steps to reach the helmet:
Climb to the altar at the top of the Sanctum
Light the lantern on the right side
A secret entrance opens at the front
Enter and access the chest containing the helmet
While the helmet has no active attack or defense multipliers, it grants a massive +35% bonus to Turning Slash.
Weapon / ArmorTypeATKDEFKey BonusBekker AxeWeapon12—Enables dual-wield instantlyBolton Plate ArmorArmor—9Free via Reputation CoinsPlate Gloves of the Fallen KingdomArmor123Pre-built Crit & Ice Res Abyss ArtifactsHollow VisageWeapon14—Pre-built Crit Rate & Atk Speed CoresStaglord HelmetArmor——+35% Turning Slash damage
Can you upgrade the early-game gear listed here, or will it become obsolete quickly?
All five pieces listed can be enhanced through Crimson Desert’s Abyss Artifact system once it unlocks later in the game. The Plate Gloves of the Fallen Kingdom and Hollow Visage in particular scale well because their pre-loaded Abyss Artifacts can be swapped out for higher-tier ones as you progress, meaning they remain viable well beyond the early game. The Bolton Plate Armor and Bekker Axes, by contrast, are better treated as transitional gear: strong enough to carry you through the first few chapters but worth replacing once you reach Hernand City’s later vendors and world bosses.
Does weapon type affect Kliff’s moveset, or is it purely a stat difference?
Weapon type directly changes how Kliff fights. Equipping dual axes unlocks a different combat stance and move tree compared to a sword-and-axe combination or a one-handed weapon like Hollow Visage. This is one of the more important early decisions the game doesn’t explain clearly. Switching between loadouts mid-game is possible but costs time and resources, so it’s worth deciding your preferred playstyle before investing in upgrades. Players who prefer aggressive burst damage tend to favour dual axes; those who want faster, more technical combat lean toward the katana-style one-handed setup.
Is there a penalty for picking up gear before completing certain missions?
No, Crimson Desert does not lock gear behind mission progress in the early game. All five items in this guide can be collected freely as soon as you reach their locations, regardless of where you are in the story. The game’s open-world design means exploration is always rewarded. The one exception worth knowing: some later-game areas have environmental hazards or enemy density that will effectively gatekeep you until your gear score is high enough, but this is a difficulty wall, not a hard lock.
Do you have other gears in mind that will help players get a head start in Crimson Desert? Let us know in the comments.
Crimson Desert is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, and macOS.
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