Crimson Desert has many skills and skill upgrades you can Observe to learn. This guide covers which ones are Observable and the locations where you can do that.
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.
What is Observation
Observation is a mechanic in Crimson Desert that allows you to gain knowledge of different skills, combat, or otherwise. These can lead to the main cast being quite strong with very little investment of our Abyss Artifacts.
Observation is possible right from the Prologue, with Fishing being the earliest skill that you can learn through Observation. There’s even a very conveniently placed fishing rod just up the road from the fishermen, along the crates.
To observe a skill, you’ll simply need to hold the corresponding button for your platform (CTRL / L1 / LB). Some of the combat-related ones will be observed automatically, but not all of them.
Your screen darkening is a good cue to know that an opportunity to observe is occurring in combat. Out of Combat you’ll need to keep an eye on the bottom right of the screen, particularly around Militiamen
Kliff’s Observable Skills
Below are all the Observable Skills for Kliff, along with the locations where you can learn them. These are listed in rough order of availability.
Forward Slash
You can learn Forward Slash Proficiency as early as Chapter I by visiting the Communal Training Grounds, Southeast of Hernand, and observing the swordsman on the right.
Alternatively, you can visit the Training Camp in Meandering Hills, Northeast of Hernand, as early as Chapter I to learn Forward Slash Proficiency from the pair of swordsman along the side.
Spinning Slash
You can learn Spinning Slash Proficiency as early as Chapter I by visiting the Communal Training Grounds, Southeast of Hernand.
Alternatively, you can visit the Training Camp in Meandering Hills, Northeast of Hernand, as early as Chapter I to learn Spinning Slash Proficiency instead.
Unarmed Combat
You can learn Unarmed Combat Proficiency as early as Chapter I by visiting the Communal Training Grounds, Southeast of Hernand.
Charged Shot
You can learn Charged Shot by Observing bowman practicing between rounds of the Archery Contest at Lioncrest Manor.
Alternatively, Charged Shot is also available early in Chapter VIII, by observing the Blue Fangs at the archery range after Liberating Pailune.
Counter
You can learn Counter as early as Chapter I by visiting the Training Camp in Meandering Hills, Northeast of Hernand.
Alternatively, you can learn Counter by observing the guards in the Hernand Castle Courtyard, once accessible, during the quest “Mystical Key” in Chapter I.
Force Palm
You will learn Force Palm at the end of the Ethereal Pathway, during the quest “Abyss without Balance” in Chapter I.
Force Palm is one of Crimson Desert’s few Multi-purpose skills. Our dedicated guide covers all of its uses, from Combat to Puzzle-solving, to traversing difficult terrain and exploration.
Nature’s Grasp & Focus
You will learn Nature’s Grasp very early in Chapter II’s Main Story, when led to the Ruins by Jiji. This is quickly followed by learning Focus inside the ruins.
Drop Kick
You can learn Drop Kick in combat with Bandits. It’s typically the bandits with Axes that will perform this skill, but most can.
You will learn this during the Hernand in Chaos Questline during Chapter II, if not seek out bandits at a Blockaded region in Hernand.
Nature’s Snare
After Learning Focus during Chapter II, you can learn Nature’s Snare by observing the apparition at the Haunted Hill Ruins, Northeast of Hernand.
Evasive Roll
You will learn Evasive Roll during the fight with Kailok, the Hornsplitter, at the end of Chapter II.
Swift Stab
You will learn Swift Stab during the boss encounter with the Reed Devil at the end of Chapter III.
Focused Force Palm
You can learn Focused Force Palm from an Apparition along the path West of Fort Perwin, on the way to Scholastone, during Chapter IV.
Aerial Roll
You will learn Aerial Roll during the first encounter with Crowcaller in the Church of Demeniss’ graveyard.
Clothesline
You can learn Clothesline by observing Black Bears in any camp or during the large battles of Chapters VI and VII. You can observe Clothesline early, with the closest Black Bear camp being Vilkom Outpost.
Turning Slash
You can learn Turning Slash early by fighting Saigord, the Staglord, at Icemoor Castle Ruins early. The mission related to this location will naturally take you there around Chapter VII when it becomes available.
Body Slam
You can learn Body Slam from Sir Catfish during the liberation of Vellua from the Catfish Pirates during the Beyond the Silent Waves Questline.
Explosive Evasive Shot
You can learn Explosive Evasive Shot from the Bleed Warpike Commander when liberating Fort Warspike during the Nemesis’ Demise questline for House Alfonso, available after Chapter VI
Multishot
You can learn Mutishot from the Bleed Warpike Commander when liberating Fort Warspike during the Nemesis’ Demise questline for House Alfonso, available after Chapter VI
Double Jump
You can learn Double Jump by observing the Shai on the western side of Pororinm after you have unlocked the secret village.
Nature’s Echo
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Focused Repulsion
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Blinding Flash Finisher
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Meteor Kick
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Damiane’s Observable Skills
Below are all the Observable Skills for Damiane, along with the locations where you can observe them. These are listed in rough order of availability.
Tornado Kick
You can learn Tornado Kick as early as Chapter III (After unlocking Damiane) by visiting the Communal Training Grounds, Southeast of Hernand.
Alternatively, you can learn Tornado Kick at the Training Camp in Meandering Hills, Northeast of Hernand. This option is also accessible as early as Chapter III.
Additionally, you can learn Tornado Kick by observing the Blue Fangs in the Pailune Training Grounds north of the Achery Range, once accessible, following the conclusion of Chapter VII.
Quick Reload
You can learn Quick Reload by observing the Bastier Inquisitors in Demeniss. The Inquisitors in the Church West of Demeniss Graveyard during Chapter VIII are passive while you remain in the zone where you cannot draw your weapon.
Skewer
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Spinning Scissor Throw
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Sword Flurry
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Oongka’s Observable Skills
Below are all the Observable Skills for Oongka, along with the locations where you can observe them. These are listed in rough order of availability.
Charge
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Explosive Leap
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Rampage
We haven’t discovered a location to observe this skill at this time.
Observable Life Skills
Below are all the Observable Life Skills, along with the locations where you can observe them. These are listed in rough order of availability.
Fishing
You can learn Fishing as early as the Prologue by observing the Fishermen fishing in the river near Wycliffe Mappery.
Alternatively, you can learn Fishing by observing a Fisherman at any of the Fishing Docks across Pywel.
Spraying
You can learn Spraying by observing the farmers northeast of Stonewell Farm in Demeniss.
