Crimson Desert Drops Massive Update With Highly Requested Changes

Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss has been widely praised for the speed with which it has responded to player criticism. Just days after launch, the studio had released a patch to greatly improve the game’s controls and combat responsiveness. Now, patch 1.01.00 has arrived with even more fixes.

Crimson Desert Just Got Even Better With This New Patch

Available now on all platforms

According to Pearl Abyss, this new patch is now available on all platforms. It adds five summonable mounts, decreases loading times for fast travel and revival, and makes even more changes to the game’s controls, which have proven contentious since launch.

There are a lot of changes to the game’s movement and combat, so you might want to strap in. The big changes are: the ability to run faster by holding down the running key instead of tapping it repeatedly, and reduced stamina consumption while gliding/flying. That second one is particularly good news in my opinion, as I did think the stamina drained laughably fast whenever I tried to glide more than a few feet.

Here’s every confirmed change to controls and combat:

• Improved movement controls for both the player character and horse.
  • Movement speed increases by holding down the running key.
  • Movement speed increases by tapping the running key once.
  • Movement speed for the player character and horse will no longer decrease even if the running key is not held continuously.
  • (Please note that maintaining the full sprint state still requires periodic input of the sprint button.)

• Improved the usability of Flight.
  • Reduced Flight’s stamina consumption.
  • Fixed the issue where the character briefly stops for a moment before moving with Flight.
  • Improved Flight so that equipped equipment can be used while flying.
  • Improved an issue where Flight would not activate in certain situations.

• Changed the mechanics of Aerial Stab. Because there was an unintended issue that allowed the skill to be used repeatedly in midair, Aerial Stab was adjusted so that it can still be used as a fun movement mechanic without disrupting overall game balance.
  • Improved the animation for Aerial Stab.
  • Changed Aerial Stab so that the stamina required for the skill increases with each consecutive use.
  • Fixed an issue where Aerial Stab would not activate when Kliff had a different main weapon other than a one-handed sword equipped.
• The stamina requirements for Aerial Maneuver and Aerial Swing have been reduced.
• Improved the interaction range to make interacting with NPCs more convenient.
• Improved the player character’s turning responsiveness during short-distance movements.
• [Keyboard/Mouse] Fixed an issue where the Blinding Flash and Spinning Slash skills would be interrupted when continuously being inputted under certain conditions.
• [Keyboard/Mouse] Improved so that items can be sold by double-clicking them in shops.
• Added weak point indicator effects for each element.
• Adjusted certain bosses and enemies so they do not attack immediately after the player character dies and revives.
• Fixed an issue where Meteor Kick could be cast in midair even when there was no reachable ground.
• Added an aim key guide for tool-type items.
• Changed weapons so that they can now be drawn using the unsheathe weapon key, and improved the UI so that this key guide is displayed during combat.
• Fixed an issue where the stun gauge would sometimes reset instantly when a boss using a mount fell off it.
• Changed Small and Medium Stoneback Crabs to fall backwards when hit by the Force Palm ability.

• [Keyboard/Mouse] Improved inventory usability as follows:
  • Changed selecting and using items from mouse hover to mouse click.
  • Left-click to select items in the inventory.
  • Right-click or double-click to use items.
• Reduced Stamina consumption while sprinting and using Crow Wings.
• Fixed an issue where the knockback range of Focused Repulsion was abnormally large.
• Made an adjustment so that the wheels of Desert Marauder Rusten can no longer be destroyed from beyond a certain distance.
• Fixed an issue where Roll and Evade could not be performed while using focus skills.
• [Keyboard/Mouse] Added a “Precise Control” feature for Axiom Force. Holding Q or the mouse back button while moving the mouse now allows objects to be moved more precisely.
• Improved objects so that they are easier to interact with.
• Improved the UI to display a guide message when attempting to draw a weapon in locations or states where weapons cannot be drawn.

There are a ton of other tweaks and fixes to various aspects of the game. The controversial AI art has now been replaced with real art, wells now give five water, you can now cook multiple different food items at once, and a prompt has been added when you approach a locked door to ask if you want to use a key on it. Previously, you could walk to a locked door and accidentally waste a key you hadn’t intended to.

All in all, this is a pretty incredible patch to have released so soon after launch, and makes Crimson Desert even better and more accessible for everyone. Well played, Pearl Abyss.

Systems

Released

March 19, 2026

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Developer(s)

Pearl Abyss

Publisher(s)

Pearl Abyss

Number of Players

Single-player