TL;DR
- Patch 1.03.00 added an official Weapon Display setting to hide weapons and shields from your character’s back.
- Go to Main Menu → Others → Settings → Languages and Gameplay to find the options.
- Two separate toggles control melee weapons and ranged weapons independently.
- Hiding weapons is purely visual and does not affect combat or stats.
- You can also sheathe your weapon in the world by pressing D-Pad Left (controller) or T (keyboard).
For a long time, Crimson Desert players had one big fashion complaint. Your armor might look incredible, but a chunky shield or second weapon strapped to Kliff’s back would cover it up entirely. The only fix was a PC mod, and even that had its limits.
That changed with Patch 1.03.00, released on April 11, 2026. Pearl Abyss finally added an official Weapon Display setting built directly into the game. No mods needed. No workarounds. Just a clean toggle in your settings that lets you control exactly what shows up on your character’s back.
Here is everything you need to know.
For more ways to customize Kliff’s look, check out our guides on how to remove and hide helmets, how to change appearance, how to dye armor, weapons, and horse gear, and how to create a custom character. You can also visit the full Crimson Desert hub page for all guides in one place.
What Is the Weapon Display Setting?
The Weapon Display setting is a visual-only option that controls whether equipped weapons and shields appear on your character model outside of active use. It was introduced in Patch 1.03.00 as a direct response to player requests.
There are two separate toggles:
- Display Melee Weapons — controls swords, shields, halberds, axes, and other melee gear shown on your back or hip.
- Display Ranged Weapons — controls bows, quivers, sprayers, and other ranged gear.
Changing either setting has no effect on your damage, defense, or any gameplay stat. It is purely cosmetic. Your weapons still work exactly the same.
How to Access the Weapon Display Setting
On Controller (PS5 / Xbox Series X|S)
- Hold the Options button (PS5) or Menu button (Xbox) to open the main radial menu.
- Navigate to Others.
- Select Settings.
- Go to the Languages and Gameplay tab.
- Scroll down to find Display Melee Weapons and Display Ranged Weapons.
On PC (Keyboard)
- Press ESC to open the Main Menu.
- Go to Others.
- Select Settings.
- Navigate to the Languages and Gameplay tab.
- Find Display Melee Weapons and Display Ranged Weapons.
Display Melee Weapons Options Explained
This setting controls swords, shields, two-handed weapons, and other melee gear that appear on Kliff’s back or belt.
All — This is the default. Every melee weapon you have equipped shows on your character at all times, whether you are using it or not. If you have a sword and shield set alongside a two-handed weapon, all of it is visible simultaneously.
Selected Only — This is the option most players want. Only the weapon you currently have active shows on your character. If you are using a sword and shield combo, the sword sits on your hip and the shield on your back. Switch to a two-handed halberd and only that shows. Anything else you have equipped but are not using disappears from view.
This is the most effective way to hide your shield when you are not using it as your active loadout. If you regularly switch between a sword and a two-handed weapon, swapping to the two-handed slot makes the shield vanish entirely.
Display Ranged Weapons Options Explained
This setting controls bows, quivers, and ranged tools like sprayers.
Always — The default setting. Whatever is in your ranged slot stays visible on your back at all times, even when you are not using it. For most players this means a bow and quiver are always strapped to Kliff’s back.
Only When Used — This completely hides your ranged weapon unless you are actively drawing it. The moment you switch away from your bow or put it away, it disappears from your character. This is the cleanest option for players who rarely use ranged weapons but keep a bow equipped just in case.
How to Sheathe Your Weapon in the World
The Weapon Display settings control the appearance of gear on your back. But you can also put your weapon away in your hand while moving around the world. This is called sheathing.
On controller: Press D-Pad Left to sheathe and unsheathe your weapon. On keyboard: Press T.
Sheathing matters for more than looks. Some NPCs will refuse to talk to you if you are walking around with a weapon drawn. Certain mini-games also require you to be unarmed before they start. A few town areas also restrict weapons entirely and will force Kliff to sheathe automatically.
See our full guide on how to put away weapons and become unarmed for more detail on this.
Known Visual Limitation
One minor issue exists with the current system. When you hide your shield using the Selected Only setting, two-handed weapons can sometimes clip through capes and cloaks while Kliff is running. This is a geometry issue that affects most games with layered equipment, and there is no fix for it currently. For most players it is easy to ignore, but it is worth knowing before you swap your settings around.
Is Hiding Weapons Worth It?
Yes, if you care at all about how your character looks. Crimson Desert has some genuinely stunning armor sets, and seeing them clearly without a shield or extra weapon covering the back is a meaningful upgrade to the visual experience.
The Weapon Display setting changes nothing mechanically. You lose no stats, no combat options, and no functionality. It is a pure quality of life improvement that Pearl Abyss took on board after player feedback.
If you are building a fashion-first character, combine this setting with helmet visibility options and dye customization to get full control over Kliff’s look.
For the best gear to show off, browse our guides on best unique weapons and armor, Damiane Executioner of Darkness Armor, Cassius Morten Armor Set, and Icewing Armor Set. If you want powerful boots to pair with your clean look, check out our guide on how to get the Vaporwalker Boots.
Quick Summary
To hide weapons and shields on your back in Crimson Desert:
- Open the Main Menu (ESC on PC, Options/Menu on controller).
- Go to Others → Settings → Languages and Gameplay.
- Set Display Melee Weapons to Selected Only to show only your active weapon.
- Set Display Ranged Weapons to Only When Used to hide your bow when idle.
- To sheathe your weapon in hand, press D-Pad Left on controller or T on keyboard.
Crimson Desert is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Epic Games Store. Visit the official Crimson Desert website for the latest patch notes and updates.
