In Crimson Desert, there are many ways to defeat your enemies. From powerful weapons with special abilities to different grappling moves, to just using a musket, knowing how to utilize these mechanics can really help as you move further in the game.
One of the most important yet easy to overlook mechanics involves the four elements you can infuse into your attacks. While Wind and Lightning are relatively simple to acquire, unlocking Frost requires more effort. Here’s how to unlock the Frost element by defeating Priscus the Ancient and solving all the Abyss puzzles related to it.
How to Unlock the Frost Element
Climb the Spire of Ringing Truth
Your first step is to reach the top of the Spire of Ringing Truth and drop the large bell inside. This spire is located in the western part of Pailune (shown above). The tower’s interior is under construction, so you’ll need to use all available planks and scaffolding to climb to the top. Using the Axion Force’s Aerial Maneuver ability can help you ascend more quickly. While you don’t need the grapple hook, it speeds up the process. Once at the top, aim your Axiom Force at the rotting planks holding up the huge bell to make it fall. This triggers a cutscene where the bell drops and reveals a basement below.
Defeat Priscus the Ancient
The main obstacle to getting Frost is defeating Priscus, a challenging boss located in the basement of the Spire of Ringing Truth. Before the fight, stock up on food and ensure your gear is at least Refinement Level 5. Make sure you have unlocked the Nature’s Snare skill and the Nature’s Retribution sub-skill.
Priscus is a flying mage who zips around and summons cubes that shoot lasers. Since he prefers to stay airborne, your goal is to stagger him so he lands. When he summons laser beams, you can use Nature’s Snare to absorb the lasers and then use Nature’s Retribution to send the attack back at him, staggering him and avoiding damage. Timing is crucial, especially with fast lasers.
When Priscus rises into the air and summons cubes, activate Nature’s Snare immediately, and then redirect the attack back at him. Watch out for his dive-bombs and avoid the explosions by dodging and rolling away. When he becomes invulnerable and moves to the center of the arena, stop attacking and either circle around rapidly or use Nature’s Snare if you have enough spirit to absorb the laser barrage. After defeating him, take the teleporter to the Abyss.
Complete the Ether Rest Puzzle
Once you reach the Abyss, your next task is to solve the Ether Rest puzzle. Use the fans around the spinning tower to glide into the opening. Inside, find the circular switch above the central cage and rotate the cage until a doorway appears leading to a fan. Use the fan to ascend to a room with no apparent doors. Look for a wall with a large circular hole and use Nature’s Grasp to lift that section. Wait for Nature’s Snare to expire, fixing it in place, then activate Axion Force on the switch behind it to spin the room, creating a new door.
Next, keep climbing until you reach a room with fans and an Abyss Core floating above. Take the Abyss Core and place it on the pedestal with the floating cube, then use the large fan to glide across to another switch. Use Force Palm to activate the switch and open the next area, which involves platforming with invisible moving platforms—use the Visione to see and ride them.
In the next room, grab the laser-shooting cube, position it so its beam hits the switch, and manually carry it there since you can’t use Axiom Force to move it. Once activated, a barrier drops, and you can access a hallway. Press the pressure plate to reveal a path, grab the Abyss Core, and place it into the receptacle. Use the moving platform and switch the conveyor belt to send the cube to activate a switch, which lowers a barrier. Collect the beam cube and move it to the switch, then reverse the setup to activate the barrier across the hall. Retrieve the rectangular Abyss Core and place it with the beam cubes to continue.
Finally, place the beam cube back on its starting platform, ride the moving platform to the end, and slot the Abyss Core into its receptacle to activate a teleporter. Use the teleporter to ascend, hit the big switch with Force Palm, and claim the Abyss Artifact to finish the puzzle.
Complete the Frostbitten Paradise Puzzle
For the final puzzle, you need to survive in a freezing environment. Crossing through the gates below the Abyss Gate causes the temperature to drop rapidly, damaging you unless you stay warm. Activate the torches around the room to keep warm as you progress northeast, climbing walls and navigating icy ramps toward the generator. Rip the rectangular Abyss Core from the generator, descend the stairs into the furnace room, and bring the core there.
Place the core into the lava pool to melt the ice, then quickly return it to its slot to stabilize it. Use Force Palm to insert the core, then climb above and use Force Palm on the circular switch to complete the puzzle and obtain the Frost element artifact.
