Crimson Desert
- Released
- 20 March 2026Sold now as Crimson Desert Enhanced
- Platforms
- PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Developer
- Pearl Abyss
- Publisher
- Pearl Abyss
Player ratings read 28 September 2026
Most gathering guides for Crimson Desert were written in March and describe systems Pearl Abyss has since changed. This guide sets out the mechanics as the patch notes describe them today, and the farming spots we have gathered at ourselves on the current build.
Tools go in their own slot, below the secondary weapon
Since 1.08.00, the logging axe, mallet, shovel, broom, scythe, pickaxe, drill or chainsaw and fan are equipped in a tool slot in the quickslot menu, below the secondary weapon slot, rather than taking a weapon slot. Quick Swap switches back to whatever you last had drawn. Damiane and Oongka can equip the Mining Drill and Chainsaw since 1.11.00.
Ores and collectibles reveal themselves as you approach
Ore veins and collectibles are discovered automatically within range (1.00.03): regular ores at 8m, and tools such as bonfires, special cooking tools and grindstones at 2m. The Miner’s Lantern Hat was brightened and its detection range increased in 1.04.00, so it finds gatherable ores more easily. Patch 1.04.00 also added more ores and wells across Pywel, and made the quantity from gathering and mining consistent.
Bismuth: petrification on approach, then a pickaxe
Since 1.00.03, petrification applies by default as you approach bismuth ore, and you mine it “using regular methods like a pickaxe, rather than requiring Lightning damage attacks”. Guides that tell you to bring Lightning describe the launch build; one widely read wiki page still said so in June.
Still checking: Bismuth locations. Community guides name the Witchwoods and Hernand Castle, the Scholastone Institute shore of Lake Kharonso, and Drakesfall Castle, all in Hernand. We have not run these yet.
Golden Apples: stun the hedgehog with Blinding Flash, no mask needed
Hedgehogs carry Golden Apples. Hit one with Blinding Flash and the apple drops; sometimes it lands beside the hedgehog and sometimes the hedgehog sits over it, but either way the “Golden Apple: Take” prompt appears without moving the hedgehog. We took the apple with no mask equipped at two sites on patch 2.03.02, and none was flagged as stolen. Guides from March say a mask is required; players reported the theft flag gone on 23 April, the day patch 1.04.00 went live, though the notes do not record the change. Full test in our Golden Apples report.
- Eastern Hills, Delesyia, by the Tinkerton farms.
- Grey Rock Dock, Demeniss.
Palmar Leaf grows at five sites; Redtree Forest has the most
Palmar Leaf is the ingredient for Palmar Pills and Refined Palmar Pills (both named in the 1.08.00 notes), and Palmar Beetles gather alongside it. We have gathered at all five sites on patch 2.03.02 with the Kuku gatherer pack, which sweeps a whole cluster, so we give no per-site count:
- Redtree Forest, Tashkalp, by the Red River on the eastern side of the map, near a fast-travel point. Look for three red-leafed trees shaped like baobabs and drop down into the forest for the largest clusters of leaves and beetles we have found anywhere.
- Everfrost Basin, Hernand, past Scholastone Institute, around the central stone structure in the bandit ruins. Expect bandits.
- The foot of the Mountain of Frozen Souls waterfall, in the far south of Hernand.
- Pororin, inside the cave sanctum at the northern end of the village, by the large Palmar tree.
- Bowspirit Cape, south of Demeniss: south of the Bay of Abundance and east of Three Brothers Cliff, growing beneath a large tree.
Rubber: Beardtree Hills, 6 from one tree with the Magic Scythe
Rubber trees grow at Beardtree Hills in Delesyia; the map names Beardtree Gorge a little further south. We took 6 rubber from a single tree with the Magic Scythe and the Kuku gardening pack on 2.03.02. There is another rubber tree by the Rainforest Abyss Nexus with several more around it. Respawn time still to be measured.
Logging: fewer hits, no aiming, and the chainsaw collects lumber at once
Trees take fewer hits to fell, and you chop with basic swings without aiming first (1.00.03). The Demenissian Chainsaw collects lumber from felled trees immediately (1.01.00), and chainsaws can be donated as camp weapons since 2.00.00.
Nature’s Grasp costs less Stamina; the scythe works in safe zones
Nature’s Grasp uses less Stamina (1.00.03). The scythe can be drawn in safe zones (1.03.00, fixed again in 1.09.00), the Magic Scythe works with a full inventory (1.09.00), and the Large Farming Scythe gathers items (1.10.00).
Farming: at least 2 crops per harvest, seeds on quickslots
Garden harvests give a minimum of 2 crops whatever the fertiliser or water (1.05.00). Seeds can be assigned to and planted from quickslots (1.09.00). The inventory has “Clean All”, “Butcher All” and “Obtain All Seeds” functions (1.06.00). Two fixes in 1.15.00 stopped crops halting or refusing harvest.
Fish traps and ponds
Fish traps catch fish since 1.08.00; extra large fish such as the Striped Marlin no longer appear in them (1.12.00). A pond can be built at Howling Hill and Pailune camp through the pond construction mission (1.08.00).
Pets and birds gather for you
Pets loot during combat (1.01.00 fix). With the Hunter’s Sigil equipped, a bird pet retrieves prey and gatherables suited to its specialty (1.13.00).
Animals: squirrels can be skinned, fireflies give up to 3
Squirrel-type animals can be skinned (1.16.00). A firefly colony gives up to 3 fireflies (1.13.00). Patch 1.16.00 added or improved interaction animations for the platypus, feathered weasel, armadillo, porcupine and hedgehog.
Mushrooms are alchemy materials now
Since 1.16.00 mushrooms are classed as alchemy materials rather than cooking materials. On Hard difficulty, alchemy no longer consumes two materials at a time (1.10.00).
Store it all: the Gatherables Chest and Private Storage
The Sturdy Gatherables Chest (1,000 slots, from furniture shops) feeds crafting and refinement without the materials in your inventory (1.04.00). Private Storage grows from 240 to 1,000 slots through camp expansions; see the early game guide.
Last checked 30 September 2026 against patch 2.03.02. Sources: Pearl Abyss patch notes 1.00.03, 1.01.00, 1.03.00, 1.04.00, 1.05.00, 1.06.00, 1.08.00, 1.09.00, 1.10.00, 1.11.00, 1.12.00, 1.13.00, 1.15.00, 1.16.00 and 2.00.00, and our own play.