Where to find the Sealed Abyss Artifacts that unlock all 10 of the Operation challenges in Crimson Desert and instructions on how to complete each one.
You can track your progress with the Operation Challenges in-game by navigating to Journal → Challenges → Combat → (Goyen’s Advice) Operation.
Waves of Lightning
You unlock Waves of Lightning after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact at the fork in the road leading to either the Salt Mine or Gate to Advancement on Mount Benus in southern Delesyia.
Challenge
Hit 10 enemies at once with the disruptor
Solution
The Disruptor is a pack that sends out an EMP. It’s easy enough to complete at any of Marni’s blockaded strongholds in Delesyia.
Hidden Banner Pike
You unlock Hidden Banner Pike after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact along the road north of the Trader’s Expanse near Varnia in the Crimson Desert.
Challenge
Defeat 10 bannermen within 30 minutes in Demeniss without dying
Solution
Bannermen are enemies who bear the standard of one of the Demenissian Houses. You can find several guarding the gate to Demeniss Castle, and they are hostile even after you’ve rid the country of Bastier’s Inquisitors, so just leave and come back to get them to respawn.
End of the Shadow
You unlock End of the Shadow after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact on the Pailune side of the Upper Nas River across from the Calphade Northern Depot.
Challenge
Assassinate 5 enemies at night
Solution
Nighttime doesn’t start until ~9PM. It’s easiest to do this during Chapter VII: Homecoming alongside Touch of Darkness (another Operation challenge). Otherwise, use a relevant disguise and infiltrate a stronghold with the associated enemies.
You can also Assassinate enemies using the Storm Veil Wind Skill, which can count for another challenge called Dirge Beyond the Border.
Flawless Massacre
You unlock Flawless Massacre after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact west of the North Hernand Watchtower on Haunted Hill in north central Hernand. It’s basically in the middle of nowhere.
In previous updates, this challenge was called Judgment of the Storm.
Challenge
Defeat 30 enemies within 1 minute without dying
Solution
This is easiest to do at a blockaded stronghold with a high density of enemies. Upgrade your equipment and down some Elixirs if you’re having trouble surviving.
Seeds of Discord
You unlock Seeds of Discord after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact at the fork in the road leading to the Tinkerton Dig Site and Eastern Hills Flag Stop in central Delesyia.
Challenge
Commit a crime in the City of Delesyia while wearing Varnian Contribution Armor
Commit a crime in the City of Varnia while wearing Delesyian Contribution Armor
Touch of Darkness
You unlock Touch of Darkness after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact along the road between Vilkom and Hilgard Outposts on the Hills of No Return in northern Hernand.
Challenge
Assassinate 3 enemies within 1 minute without dying
Solution
Wear a relevant disguise and use the Storm Veil Wind Skill to Assassinate multiple enemies in short order.
Disruption
You unlock Disruption after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact along the Upper Nas River through Stormtalon Ridge between Spearhead and Arroweye Posthouse.
Challenge
Defeat 10 Lonely Jackals while wearing the Black Bears’ Leather Helm
Solution
You can find Lonely Jackals at blockaded strongholds throughout Pailune. You can purchase the Black Bears’ Leather Helm from the Tailor Shop in Pailune City.
Gunshot
You unlock Gunshot after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact along the road to Scorchrock Castle in western Demeniss.
Challenge
Defeat an elite enemy using only a gun
Solution
Elite enemies are tougher and show up as stars on the minimap rather than circles, so you just have to beat one of those using a gun (as Damiane or Kliff). You can find them often at blockaded strongholds.
Meteor Run in the Dark
You unlock Meteor Run in the Dark after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact along the road near Varnia Gorge into the city in the northeastern Crimson Desert.
Challenge
Destroy 2 Palisade Gates at night
Solution
Palisade Gates are the wooden door contraptions that control access to wood forts. Bomb Arrows and Oongka’s Blaster work well to destroy them. Nighttime starts ~9PM. There are two Palisade Gates right next to each other near the boss at Bloodsteel Camp.
Dirge Beyond the Border
You unlock Dirge Beyond the Border after picking up the Sealed Abyss Artifact on the road through the heart of Timberton in central Delesyia.
Challenge
Defeat a guard in the Storm Veil
Solution
Storm Veil is the name of the Wind Skill that puts up a smokescreen and enables assassinations. It has nothing to do with the dust storm or blizzard that appear when you reach the edge of the map. All you have to do is use the Skill and assassinate a faction guard, so this does count as a crime.
