Crimson Desert DLC Officially Confirms Huge New Features List

4 hours ago 6

Published Oct 21, 2026, 10:21 AM EDT

Willa Rowe is a contributing writer at Polygon, covering games and entertainment. She is a New York-based journalist and critic whose work has been featured in Kotaku, Digital Trends, the A.V. Club, GamesRadar+, and more. She also co-hosts the Girl Mode podcast.

What can't you do in Pearl Abyss' sprawling RPG?

After Pearl Abyss announced a brief delay at the end of September for Crimson Desert's upcoming DLC, Charting the Unknown is now just over one week from being released. While the developer has been steadily updating and streamlining the overwhelmingly large RPG since its release back in March, the game's first DLC marks an even more massive overhaul that brings much-needed fixes as well as more systems than most players will know what to do with. We had a general idea of what would be included in Charting the Unknown, but now Pearl Abyss has released a comprehensive feature list, and it is more ambitious than we could have expected.

The extent of Charting the Unknown's changes to the base game was revealed in a lengthy YouTube video as well as a post on the official Crimson Desert blog. As a reminder, Charting the Unknown will be released on all the base game's platforms on Oct. 29. The title of the DLC refers to one of the flashiest new features, ocean exploration. Players will be able to dive underwater to uncover new treasures, creatures, and mounts. There are no special conditions required to dive underwater, but you'll have to manage how much air you have. On the ocean's surface, you'll be able to build ships and sail to islands and face down pirates, if you want to scratch that Black Flag itch. To do so, you'll need to complete a new quest line that appears after setting up Greymane Camp at Howling Hill.

The romantics among you will be happy to hear that you can finally tie the knot with the object of your affection. As previously teased in trailers for the DLC, some of the game's NPCs will allow you to build trust to deepen bonds. Romance will also add a dimension to your camp, with some companions visiting and spending time with you at your base of operations. Charting the Unknown also fleshes out the base game with three new post-game stories for Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane.

Full Crimson Desert: Charting the Unknown feature list

Ocean exploration and marriage are just two of the highlights coming in Charting the Unknown, but they are by no means the end of what players should get excited about. Here's the full list of features coming in the DLC, according to Pearl Abyss.

Upgraded Housing System

An upgraded housing system will be available in Charting the Unknown which will let you build your house from the ground up.
Once you’ve set up your camp in Howling Hill and completed Luke’s Request under the “Grounds of the Sunrise” Greymanes Faction quest, you’ll have access to both the regular and upgraded housing system.

Greymane Castles

In Charting the Unknown, three specific castles are available for you to claim. Complete the main story and relevant quests, then liberate each stronghold to unlock missions that let you claim the castles as your own, allowing you to decorate the courtyards and interiors with unique objects and furnishings.

Management

Rent and manage different businesses, from a restaurant in Vellua to a smithy at Zargan Tankworks. You can access various facilities across Pywel from the world map once you’ve completed the faction quest required to liberate the relevant region and have completed setting up your Greymane Camp.

Garden of Trials

Charting the Unknown introduces Garden of Trials, a new combat-focused content where you face off against bosses you've encountered throughout your adventures in Pywel, one after another. Garden of Trials can be accessed after clearing the main questline, and completing this challenge will grant you special rewards.

New Stories

Charting the Unknown introduces three new storylines, one each for Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane. After completing the main story, these stories can be started through the Journal menu.
In addition, a new ocean-focused storyline will become available after completing "Howling Hill" from the main story.

Exploring the Ocean

Charting the Unknown allows Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane to dive into the sea and explore the underwater world of Pywel. Below the waves, you’ll discover ruins, treasure chests, and new creatures and mounts.
No special conditions are required to dive underwater, but keep in mind that staying underwater consumes breath. You may want to prepare yourself with items or gear, such as a diving suit, to extend your time underwater.
You’ll be able to build your own ship and set sail across the Great Ocean of Pywel once you complete a related questline, which becomes available after you have set up your Greymane Camp at Howling Hill.
You can build a ship by sending your comrades on a ship-building dispatch mission at a port or purchase one from a Fleet Office manager.

Romance and Festivals

With Charting the Unknown, Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane can form even deeper bonds with some of Pywel’s inhabitants. Interact with them to build trust and deepen your relationship, which may eventually blossom into romance and even marriage.
These connections also bring new life to the Greymane Camp: once it’s upgraded to a certain level, friends you’ve grown close to may visit and spend time with you, making the camp livelier than ever.

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