What to know
- Six Sword Trials unlock sealed Abyss Artifacts through combat challenges
- Each trial focuses on a specific sword mechanic or combat mastery
- Locations span Hernandian Territory and Demeniss regions
- Completing all trials grants powerful combat-enhancing rewards
You will encounter Sword Trials as part of the Sealed Abyss Artifact system in Crimson Desert where each shrine challenges your combat precision and timing. These trials are not just simple fights—they are skill checks designed to push your mastery of sword mechanics, including timing, combos, and positioning. As you progress, the difficulty increases, requiring sharper execution and better control.
Quick overview of all sword trials
| Trial | Location | Objective | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sword of Trials I | Three Saints Fall (Hernandian Territory) | Defeat 3 enemies within 30 seconds | Easy |
| Sword of Trials II | North of Steel Mountain (Grace Estate) | Defeat 3 enemies at once | Easy |
| Sword of Trials III | Goldleaf Trading Post (Serkis Estate) | Defeat 3 enemies without taking damage | Medium |
| Sword of Trials IV | Kilden Workshop (Hernandian Territory) | Use Turning Slash to defeat 3 enemies | Medium |
| Sword of Trials V | Reventine Monastery (Demeniss) | Defeat 3 enemies in a row using stab only | Hard |
| Sword of Trials VI | Near Jijeong Temple (Demeniss) | Defeat 5 enemies in 15 seconds using Forward Slash | Very Hard |
How Sword Trials and Sealed Abyss Artifacts work in Crimson Desert
Sealed Abyss Artifacts are hidden relics that only unlock after completing their associated combat challenge. When you interact with a shrine, you trigger a trial tied to a specific combat mechanic. Once completed, you break the seal and receive a powerful artifact or combat upgrade.
You can also revisit challenges through the journal, allowing you to retry and refine your performance.
Locations of all Sword Trials Challenges and Abyss Artifacts
The six Sword Trials are spread across key regions, encouraging exploration while testing your readiness at different stages of the game. You will find early trials in Hernandian Territory, while later and more difficult ones appear in Demeniss, signaling a clear progression curve.
Each location is placed near recognizable landmarks like waterfalls, workshops, monasteries, and temples, making them easier to track if you explore thoroughly.
Sword of Trials I
Location: Near Three Saints Fall, Hernandian Territory
Challenge: Defeat 3 enemies within 30 seconds using a sword
This is the introductory trial, focused on speed and basic combat efficiency. You are expected to quickly engage enemies and eliminate them within a strict time limit, making it a test of aggression and quick execution.
Sword of Trials II
Location: North of Steel Mountain, Grace Estate
Challenge: Defeat 3 enemies at once using a sword
Here, the game shifts focus toward enemy control and positioning. You must ensure all enemies are defeated simultaneously, meaning you cannot eliminate them one by one.
Sword of Trials III
Location: Near Goldleaf Trading Post, Serkis Estate
Challenge: Defeat 3 enemies with a sword without taking damage
This trial introduces precision and defense, requiring you to maintain perfect execution. Even a single hit will fail the challenge, making it a test of timing, dodging, and patience.
Sword of Trials IV
Location: Kilden Workshop, Hernandian Territory
Challenge: Defeat 3 enemies at once using Turning Slash
This trial focuses on specific skill usage, requiring you to correctly execute Turning Slash while ensuring all enemies are within range.
Sword of Trials V
Location: Reventine Monastery Region, Demeniss
Challenge: Defeat 3 enemies in a row using only stab
This is where difficulty noticeably increases. You must rely exclusively on stab attacks, which limits your moveset and forces you to play with discipline and accuracy.
Sword of Trials VI
Location: Near Jijeong Temple, Demeniss
Challenge: Defeat 5 enemies within 15 seconds using Forward Slash
This is the hardest Sword Trial, combining speed, skill restriction, and multi-enemy combat. You must chain kills rapidly using Forward Slash, making it a true test of high-level combat mastery.
Sword trials and Sealed Abyss Artifacts
Each Sword Trial is carefully designed to teach you a specific combat skill, whether it is speed, positioning, precision, or ability usage. As you complete them, you naturally become more efficient in combat scenarios across the game.
By the time you finish Trial VI, you will have mastered core sword mechanics, making later encounters significantly easier.
Knowing both the exact location and precise objective of each Sword Trial allows you to approach them with confidence and preparation. Instead of trial and error, you can head directly to each spot and focus entirely on execution.
If you are aiming to fully optimize your combat abilities, completing all six Sword Trials is essential and highly rewarding.
