Crimson Desert: How to Solve the Abyss Without Balance Puzzle (Unlock Wings)

TL;DR

• Abyss Without Balance is the 12th main quest in Chapter 1 and your first real puzzle in the Abyss.
• Step on the activation platform first — skipping this causes a common “bug” where the quest won’t progress.
• Use Axiom Force to move the floating Power Core into the empty lantern to remove the invisible wall.
• Drop down, place both Abyss Cells on the ground panels, then slot the floating square panel into the wall indent.
• Use the newly learned Force Palm ability to lock the panel in place.
• Climb back up and use Force Palm: Healing on the glowing wheel to finish the puzzle.
• Reward: Kliff receives Wings and unlocks the ability to glide and fly.

You’ve just used the Mystical Key inside Hernand Castle and stepped through a portal into the Abyss — the heavenly realm that exists alongside Pywel. Welcome to one of the most visually striking zones in Crimson Desert.

If you’re here after getting past the castle gates, check out our guide on how to enter Hernand Castle in Crimson Desert in case you need a refresher.

The Abyss Without Balance quest is the 12th main mission in the game and the first time Crimson Desert properly tests your understanding of its unique puzzle mechanics — specifically Axiom Force and Force Palm. Neither is explained brilliantly in the moment, which is why a lot of players get stuck or assume the quest is bugged.

It’s not bugged. You just need to do a small step that the game mentions easily but doesn’t emphasize enough. This guide walks you through every part, in order.

Before you enter the portal: Grab the Faded Abyss Artifact from the chest inside the portal room before stepping through. It lets you respec your skills whenever you want — don’t miss it.

Step 1: Activate the Platform First (Critical — Don’t Skip This)

Many players jump straight to the puzzle area after crossing the Sky Bridge and activating the Abyss Nexus. This causes what looks like a quest-breaking bug — nothing responds, nothing moves, and the tutorial pop-ups never appear.

This is not a bug. You missed one step.

When you first arrive at the Abyss Nexus area, look for a white objective text at the bottom of your screen that says: “Step onto the platform.”

• Find the raised glowing platform near the top of the area, just before you head down into the puzzle courtyard.
• Step on it and wait until it lights up blue.
• You’ll get a new objective: “Remove the wall blocking the floor.”

Now the puzzle is properly activated and you can proceed.

Step 2: Remove the Invisible Wall (Move the Floating Power Core)

Once the platform is activated, head into the puzzle courtyard. You’ll see two lanterns. One has a Power Core inside it (glowing). The other is empty. There’s also a second blue Power Core floating in the air.

Here’s what to do:

1. Hold L2/LT to activate your Axiom Force.
2. Aim at the floating blue Power Core and use Axiom Force to grab and pull it toward you.
3. Slowly guide it over to the empty lantern on the right side of the area.
4. Release it into position so the core slots into the lantern.
5. The lantern will start glowing — and the invisible wall blocking the lower floor will disappear.

You can now drop down into the lower section.

Step 3: Place the Abyss Cells on the Ground Panels

Drop down into the lower floor. You’ll find two Abyss Cells (the blue cubes) and two square panels on the ground.

• Use Axiom Force to pick up each Abyss Cell.
• Place one cell onto each of the two ground panels.
• Both cells need to be seated correctly before you can move on.

This is fairly straightforward — the panels are clearly marked and the cells snap into place once you get them close enough.

Step 4: Slot the Floating Panel into the Wall

After placing both Abyss Cells, look toward the center of the room. There’s a square floating panel hovering in the middle.

1. Use Axiom Force to grab the floating square panel.
2. Move it toward the wall on the right side of the room.
3. You’re looking for a square indent on the wall — this is where the panel needs to go.
4. Line the panel up with the indent and position it as flush against the wall as possible.

Once the panel is close enough to the indent, you’ll trigger a short Force Palm tutorial cutscene.

Note: Some green leaves may float near the panel or the cells. This is the game’s visual hint that a Nature ability (like Force Palm) can be used to interact with that object. Keep this in mind for future puzzles.

Step 5: Use Force Palm to Lock the Panel in Place

This is where many players get confused. Moving the panel near the wall isn’t enough — you have to lock it in using Force Palm.

On console: Hold RB/R1 near the panel to charge Force Palm, then release to fire. On PC: Hold Middle Mouse Button to charge, then release to fire.

The panel will punch into the wall and lock firmly in place. The middle platform in the pit will light up and begin spinning — that’s your signal that the puzzle’s final mechanism is now active.

This is also teaching you a core game mechanic: Force Palm while hanging or jumping is used in many future puzzles. File it away.

Need help understanding other upgrade mechanics? Check out how to upgrade weapons and armor in Crimson Desert.

Step 6: Use Force Palm: Healing on the Glowing Wheel

Climb back up to the top of the puzzle area. You’ll now see a large orange/glowing wheel overlooking the pit.

1. Climb up onto the wheel and hang from the center of it.
2. Switch your Force Palm variant to Force Palm: Healing.
3. Aim at the center of the wheel while hanging.
4. Release to fire — this will launch you off the wheel and back down to the lower level.

That’s intentional. The impact completes the puzzle’s final mechanism.

Climb back up one more time. You’ll find the Abyss Artifact waiting for you. Collect it, and a cutscene will trigger.

Reward: Kliff Unlocks Wings and Flight

After the cutscene, Kliff receives Wings — your reward for completing the Abyss Without Balance puzzle.

Here’s what you can do with wings:

• Press X (PlayStation) or A (Xbox) while falling from any height to deploy your wings and glide safely to the ground.
• As you upgrade your Stamina, the glide distance and flight duration increase significantly.
• Wings make traversal across Pywel and the Abyss much more enjoyable — especially for reaching high areas and exploring verticality in the map.

After collecting the artifact, speak to White Crow to complete Chapter 1 of Crimson Desert.

Common Issues and Fixes

The quest won’t progress / objects don’t respond: You skipped the activation platform at the top of the area. Go back up, find the glowing platform, and step on it until it turns blue. The tutorial pop-ups need to trigger before the puzzle becomes interactable.

The panel won’t stay on the wall: Make sure you’re using Force Palm (not just Axiom Force) while standing directly in front of the panel. You need to charge the ability and release it to punch the panel into the indent.

I can’t find the floating square panel: It hovers near the center of the lower room. Activate Axiom Force and scan the middle of the space — it’s easy to miss if you’re looking at the floor or walls.

What’s Next After Abyss Without Balance?

With Chapter 1 wrapped up and your wings unlocked, there’s plenty ahead. Here are some guides to help:

• Crimson Desert review — is it worth playing?
• How to fast travel in Crimson Desert
• How to get a dragon in Crimson Desert
• How to increase inventory space in Crimson Desert
• Crimson Desert Reunion Quest Walkthrough
• How to get and use Palmar Pills in Crimson Desert
• How to ascend Lioncrest Watchtower in Crimson Desert
• How to get Twitch drops in Crimson Desert
• How to claim pre-order and Deluxe Edition items in Crimson Desert
• How to steal items in Crimson Desert
• How to complete Renee’s Request in Crimson Desert
• How to get iron ore in Crimson Desert

Where to Get Crimson Desert

• Official Website
• PlayStation Store
• Xbox Store
• Steam
• Epic Games Store

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