Crimson Desert: How to Get Frost Mantle (Path of Trials Walkthrough)

TL;DR

Frost Mantle and Frost Lv 1 are both unlocked by completing the Path of Trials in the Abyss
You reach it through the Spire of Ringing Truth in western Pailune — it’s optional and not tied to the main story
You must beat Priscus the Ancient first to open the Abyss Gate
The full chain is: Ether Rest → Frostbitten Paradise → Path of Trials
The Path of Trials puzzle involves a frozen battery, a stone lantern, and a fire-lit arrow
After activating the Abyss panel, you automatically unlock Frost and Frost Mantle

Frost Mantle is one of the most useful elemental abilities in Crimson Desert, but getting it takes some work. It’s locked behind the Path of Trials — an Abyss puzzle tucked away inside the Spire of Ringing Truth, an optional location in the western part of Pailune. You won’t stumble across it through the main story, so you need to know exactly where to go.

Here’s the full walkthrough from start to finish, including how to unlock the Spire, beat the boss, clear the earlier Abyss islands, and solve the Path of Trials puzzle itself.

Table of Contents

What Is Frost Mantle in Crimson Desert?

Frost Mantle is an elemental skill for Kliff. When you complete the Path of Trials, you unlock two things at once:

Frost Lv 1 — used for Elemental Imbuement, which lets you coat your weapon in frost during combat
Frost Mantle — a defensive ability that wraps Kliff in a frost barrier

Both are unlocked automatically the moment you activate the Abyss Gate at the end of the Path of Trials. You don’t need to buy or equip them separately.

If you want to build around these skills from the start, check out our best early build guide for Crimson Desert and our guide on the best skills to level up first.

Where to Start: The Spire of Ringing Truth

The Path of Trials is part of a long Abyss island chain. The full chain looks like this:

Spire of Ringing Truth → Ether Rest → Frostbitten Paradise → Path of Trials (Frost Mantle) → Sanctorum of Darkness → Loop of Life → Tree of Slumber (Flame Strike)

The Spire of Ringing Truth is in the western area of Pailune, west of the Wayward Woods. It does not appear as part of any main quest, so you need to seek it out on your own. Look for it on your map — it’s worth marking if you haven’t been there yet.

Step 1: Unlock the Abyss Gate at the Spire of Ringing Truth

Getting into the Abyss at the Spire takes a couple of steps:

Climb to the top of the Spire of Ringing Truth.
At the top, you’ll find a large bell. Destroy the bell so it falls.
The falling bell will break open the floor and reveal a basement below.
Head into the basement. Inside, you’ll face Priscus the Ancient, a flying boss.
Priscus is best dealt with using arrows. Stay mobile, aim high, and keep pressure on with ranged attacks.
After defeating Priscus, the Abyss Gate becomes accessible. Enter it.

Priscus the Ancient also appears as part of the Aeserion the Great Serpent quest chain, so you may have already fought it. If so, the Abyss Gate should already be open.

For a full breakdown of this fight, see our guide on Priscus the Ancient and the Spire of Ringing Truth.

Step 2: Complete Ether Rest and Frostbitten Paradise

Once you’re through the Abyss Gate, you can’t jump straight to the Path of Trials. You have to clear the two islands before it first:

Ether Rest — the first island. Involves activating a circular switch with Axiom Force and rotating sliding panels to open a path.
Frostbitten Paradise — the second island. Uses wind vents and cold mechanics to navigate through. Fire and heat are key here.

We have full guides for both. Complete each one, extend the sky bridge, and follow the path forward. The Path of Trials island is right after Frostbitten Paradise.

how to complete the path of trials in crimson desert

Step 3: Complete the Path of Trials Puzzle

When you arrive at the Path of Trials, be aware that this area will freeze you over time. Before you go in, it’s worth stocking up on ice-resistant gear or food that provides Ice Resistance. Our ice resistance and frost protection guide covers exactly what to bring.

Here’s the full puzzle walkthrough:

Getting Into the Puzzle Area

Head north to find a stone lantern at the north end of the lake. You can stand near it for warmth while you plan your next move.
While facing north, look up and to the right.
Use Jump + Triple Force Palm (R3) to climb the stone wall.
You’ll enter a small room at the top. Follow it west to reach an exterior area with a second stone lantern.

Solving the Battery Puzzle

Face east and look up. Use Jump + Triple Force Palm again to climb the wall.
At the top, you’ll find a battery and an empty battery slot.
Use Axiom Force (L3) to pick up the battery.
If the battery is frozen, don’t panic. Here’s what to do:
- Head back to the stone lantern to the south.
- Equip your bow and aim it at the fire on the lantern to light your arrow.
- Shoot the frozen battery with the fire arrow to melt the ice.
Once the battery is free, place it into the empty slot.
Hit it with Force Palm to lock it in.

Activating the Abyss Panel

Follow the wire leading away from the now-active battery. It runs east.
At the end of the wire, you’ll find an Abyss panel on the wall.
Climb the wall, hold L2 to grip, then press R3 to Force Palm the panel.
The panel activates.

You will automatically learn the Frost skill the moment the panel turns on. This unlocks both Frost Lv 1 and Frost Mantle at the same time.

Keep climbing from the panel to find the Abyss Gate and collect an Abyss Artifact along the way.

how to complete the path of trials in crimson desert 3

What to Do With Frost Mantle

Once you have Frost and Frost Mantle, head into the Skills menu to equip and upgrade them. Frost works as an Elemental Imbuement, meaning you can use it to apply a frost effect to your weapon during combat. Frost Mantle functions as a defensive ability that gives you a frost barrier in tight situations.

To get the most out of your new skills:

Check the accessories guide to find gear that pairs well with elemental builds
Use your Abyss Artifact wisely — our guide on how to get better equipment in Crimson Desert helps with that
If you want to keep pushing through the Abyss, the next island after the Path of Trials is the Sanctorum of Darkness

What Comes Next After the Path of Trials?

After picking up Frost Mantle, the Abyss island chain continues:

Sanctorum of Darkness — battery and laser puzzle
Loop of Life — three-ring battery activation puzzle
Tree of Slumber — final island, rewards you with Flame Strike (Fire Lv 1)

If you’re aiming for both elemental skills, keep going. We have guides for every island in the chain.

More Crimson Desert Abyss & Puzzle Guides

For the full picture, read our Crimson Desert review.

Crimson Desert: How to Get Frost Mantle (Path of Trials Walkthrough)

What Is Frost Mantle in Crimson Desert?

Where to Start: The Spire of Ringing Truth

Step 1: Unlock the Abyss Gate at the Spire of Ringing Truth

Step 2: Complete Ether Rest and Frostbitten Paradise