Everything you need to know about Crimson Desert controls setup for Keyboard and Mouse, and Controllers: settings, keybindings, customizations, tips and tricks.
Use the Table of Contents, located in the left panel (top left button on the mobile menu) to navigate through this long guide more easily and quickly.
Keyboard and Mouse Controls
Below are the default controls for Crimson Desert while using Keyboard and Mouse.
Movement and Camera
| Action | Button | Input | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move Camera | Mouse | Motion | Movement and Camera |
| Camera Zoom In/Out | Mouse Wheel Up/Down | Scroll | Movement and Camera |
| Lock-on | Control | Press | Movement and Camera |
| Move | WASD | Hold | Movement and Camera |
| Run | Shift | Double Press (Toggle) | Movement and Camera |
| Crouch | C | Hold | Movement and Camera |
| Slide | C | Hold (While Running) | Movement and Camera |
| Jump | Space | Press | Movement and Camera |
| Precision Jump | Control + Space | Hold Control, then Press | Movement and Camera |
| Double Jump (When Unlocked) | Space | Press (While Mid-air) | Movement and Camera |
| Mantle | Space | Press (Near Ledge) | Movement and Camera |
| Climb | Space + WASD | Jump Towards Wall | Movement and Camera |
| Roll | Alt | Press | Movement and Camera |
| Evade | Alt | Double Press | Movement and Camera |
Basic Controls
| Action | Button | Input | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action | Button(s) | Type | Basic Controls |
| Quick Menu (Last) | Esc | Press | Basic Controls |
| Scroll Menu | Esc | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Use Gear | B | Press/Hold | Basic Controls |
| Force Palm | MMB | Press | Basic Controls |
| Call Mount | H | Press | Basic Controls |
| Dismount / Put Down Held Item | R | Press | Basic Controls |
| Cancel | E | Press | Basic Controls |
| Comrade Quick Slot | F1 | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Gear Quick Slot | F2 | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Food Quick Slot | F3 | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Stow Weapon | T | Press | Basic Controls |
Interaction
| Action | Button | Input | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interact | Control | Hold | Interaction |
| Interaction 1 | E | Press (While Interacting) | Interaction |
| Interaction 2 | R | Press (While Interacting) | Interaction |
| Interaction 3 | T | Press (While Interacting) | Interaction |
| Inteaction 4 | G | Press (While Interacting) | Interaction |
| Previous | Q | Press | Interaction |
| Next | E | Press | Interaction |
| Lift Object | E | Press (While Interacting) | Interaction |
| Place Object | R | Press (While Interacting) | Interaction |
| Push | LMB | Hold | Interaction |
| Pull | RMB | Hold | Interaction |
Combat
Skill Inputs remain consistent between weapons, but perform different skills based on the actively equipped weapon.
| Action | Button | Input | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Attack | LMB | Press Repeatedly or Hold to Combo | Combat |
| Heavy Attack | RMB | Press Repeatedly or Hold to Combo | Combat |
| Punch/Kick | F | Press | Combat |
| Aim | Q | Hold | Combat |
| Fire | LMB | Press (While Aiming) | Combat |
| Focus | X | Press | Combat |
| Axiom Force | Tab | Press | Combat |
| Block/Parry | Control | Press | Combat |
| Skill 1 | RMB + LMB | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 2 | RMB + Control | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 3 | RMB + L. Shift | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 4 | LMB + Alt | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 5 | LMB + Shift | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 6 | LMB+ Space | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 7 | LMB + Control | Combo Press | Combat |
| Weapon Swap | Z | Press | Combat |
| Grappling: Throw | F + LMB | Combo Press | Combat |
| Grappling: Lariat | F+ RMB | Combo Press | Combat |
| Enemy Vault | Space + LMB | Combo Press | Combat |
| Imbue Element | V | Hold | Combat |
| Skill: Flame | 1 | Press | Combat |
| Skill: Frost | 2 | Press | Combat |
| Skill: Lightning | 3 | Press | Combat |
| Skill: Wind | 4 | Press | Combat |
Console Controls
Below are the default Controls for Crimson Desert while using a Playstation or Xbox Controller.
Movement and Camera
| Action | PS5 | Xbox | Input | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move Camera | RS | RS | Tilt | Movement and Camera |
| Camera Zoom In/Out | Trackpad | View | Press | Movement and Camera |
| Lock-on | D-Pad Down | D-Pad Down | Press | Movement and Camera |
| Move | LS | LS | Tilt | Movement and Camera |
| Run | X | X | Hold | Movement and Camera |
| Sprint | X | X | Double Press (Toggle) | Movement and Camera |
| Crouch | L3 | RS | Press (Toggle) | Movement and Camera |
| Slide | L3 | RS | Press (While Running) | Movement and Camera |
| Jump | ☐ | X | Press | Movement and Camera |
| Precision Jump | L1 + ☐ | LB + X | Hold Control, then Press | Movement and Camera |
| Double Jump (When Unlocked) | ☐ | X | Press (While Mid-air) | Movement and Camera |
| Mantle | ☐ | X | Press (Near Ledge) | Movement and Camera |
| Climb | ☐ + LS | X + LS Tilt | Jump Towards Wall | Movement and Camera |
| Roll | ⭘ | B | Press | Movement and Camera |
| Evade | ⭘ | B | Double Press | Movement and Camera |
Basic Controls
| Action | PS5 | Xbox | Input | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Menu (Last) | Option | Menu | Press | Basic Controls |
| Scroll Menu | Option | Menu | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Use Gear | L1 | LB | Press/Hold | Basic Controls |
| Force Palm | R3 | RS | Press | Basic Controls |
| Call Mount | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up | Press | Basic Controls |
| Dismount / Put Down Held Item | △ | Y | Press | Basic Controls |
| Comrade Quick Slot | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Gear Quick Slot | D-Pad Left | D-Pad Left | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Food Quick Slot | D-Pad Right | D-Pad Right | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Stow Weapon | D-Pad Left | D-Pad Left | Press | Basic Controls |
Interaction
| Action | PS5 | Xbox | Input | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Menu (Last) | Option | Menu | Press | Basic Controls |
| Scroll Menu | Option | Menu | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Use Gear | L1 | LB | Press/Hold | Basic Controls |
| Force Palm | R3 | RS | Press | Basic Controls |
| Call Mount | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up | Press | Basic Controls |
| Dismount / Put Down Held Item | △ | Y | Press | Basic Controls |
| Comrade Quick Slot | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Gear Quick Slot | D-Pad Left | D-Pad Left | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Food Quick Slot | D-Pad Right | D-Pad Right | Hold | Basic Controls |
| Stow Weapon | D-Pad Left | D-Pad Left | Press | Basic Controls |
Combat
Skill Inputs remain consistent between weapons, but perform different skills based on the actively equipped weapon.
| Action | PS5 | Xbox | Input | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Attack | R1 | RB | Press Repeatedly or Hold to Combo | Combat |
| Heavy Attack | R2 | RT | Press Repeatedly or Hold to Combo | Combat |
| Punch/Kick | △ | Y | Press | Combat |
| Aim | L2 | LT | Hold | Combat |
| Fire | L2 | LT | Release (While Aiming) | Combat |
| Focus | X | A | Press | Combat |
| Axiom Force | L3 | LS (Press) | Hold | Combat |
| Block/Parry | L1 | LB | Press | Combat |
| Skill 1 | R2 + R1 | RT + RB | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 2 | R2 + L1 | RT + LB | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 3 | R2 + X | RT + A | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 4 | R1 + ⭘ | RB + B | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 5 | R1 + X | RB + A | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 6 | R1 + ☐ | RB + X | Combo Press | Combat |
| Skill 7 | R1 + L1 | RB + LB | Combo Press | Combat |
| Grappling: Throw | △ + R1 | Y + RB | Combo Press | Combat |
| Grappling: Lariat | △ + R2 | Y + RT | Combo Press | Combat |
| Enemy Vault | ☐ + R1 | X + RB | Combo Press | Combat |
Control Remapping and Recommendations
At the current time, Control Remapping is only available for Keyboard and Mouse Controls. Remapping is not possible on Consoles, except for the use of Xbox Elite or PlayStation DualSense Edge Controller Software.
To access the Control Remapping in Crimson Desert, we’ll need to open the pause menu and head to the “Others” Section. Once here, select the Options Sub Section.
From the Menu below here, select the Settings button and navigate to the Input Section.
At the bottom of this menu is the option ‘Shortcuts and Input Settings”. Clicking this will open the Key Mapping panel, which lists all the Controls.
By Clicking a Control you want to change, you will be prompted to Pick a New Key Mapping.
If this overlaps with an existing Key Mapping, you will be prompted to overwrite the existing bind. Some Existing Mappings already overlap, forcing a reset to default to restore them if overwritten, so be careful.
After making all desired changes, press Space once again to apply and save them.
Console Recommendations
As far as Console Controls go, for those who own PlayStation Dualsense Edge or Xbox Elite Controllers, the only swap I’d make is to Run and Jump. Additionally, using the extra rear buttons offered by both controllers, save your sticks the pain and make those LS/L3 and RS/R3
Keyboard and Mouse Recommendations
There’s are a bit of a weird remapping restrictions due to initial overlaps, it’s hard to remap multiple controls comfortably.
That said, the main controls we recommend that you remap to an alterenative keybinding are Evade ( Alt by Default), Lock-On (Caps Lock by Default), and Axiom Force (Tab by Default). These are in fairly awkward locations to press for when they’re needed.
To make them more comfortable, I made the following Swaps. Give them a try for yourself. Or expriment to find other combinations that work for you.
| Action | Starting Key | Remapped Key |
|---|---|---|
| Lock-On | Caps Lock | Alt |
| Evade | Alt | Tab |
| Axiom Force | Tab | R |
| Dismount | R | Y |
| Interaction 2 | R | 5 |
| Skill 4 | LMB + Alt | LMB + Tab |
We’re simply shifting around the less comfortable controls here and rebind other things to make space. Dismount and Interaction 2 aren’t critical controls to have super quick access to, so we remap them to allow Axiom Force to use R instead, as it’s part of several attacks and skills and needs to be accessible.
Tab isn’t a horrible option for Evading, which we also need quicker access to, and we also rebidn Skill 4, which is often an Evasion-centric Skill to match this for ease of remembering.
These swaps are due to Crimson Desert not properly recognizing Mouse 4 and Mouse 5 Inputs. When these are acceptable inputs, Evade would be moved to Mouse 4 and Axion Force to Mouse 5 for minimal remapping and ease of access.
Possible Workaround: If you want to use your side mouse buttons, you can open your mouse software (Logitech G Hub, Razer Synapse, Corsair iCUE etc) and rebind Mouse 4 and Mouse 5 to unused keyboard keys (like ‘P’ or ‘O’). Then, map Evade and Axiom Force to those keyboard keys in the game settings.
Helpful Tips
On PC, you can exit the game directly by pressing ALT+F4. It will bring up a confirmation dialogue asking if you really wanted to exit. This allows you to bypass exiting to Title Screen first and waiting for a couple of animations to play out.
When you have to interact with important NPCs to progress a quest or pick up a new one, you will get a prompt in the bottom right corner when you are near the NPC. On the screen, you will also see a larger circle on the NPC.
