Crimson Desert: How to Use Axiom Force (Controls, Skills & Upgrades)

by Lilly Daniels · March 22, 2026

TL;DR

Axiom Force is Kliff’s gravity-manipulation ability used for puzzles, traversal, and combat.
On PC: Hold Tab to aim, release to fire the claw. On PS5: Hold L3, release to fire.
Upgrading to Level 2 unlocks Aerial Maneuver (grappling hook). Level 3 unlocks Aerial Swing.
Aerial Maneuver and Aerial Swing each cost 200 Stamina to use.
You unlock Axiom Force automatically during the Polar Opposites quest in Chapter 1.
Upgrade it using Abyss Artifacts from the red skill tree.

Crimson Desert: How to Use Axiom Force

Axiom Force is one of Kliff’s most unique abilities in Crimson Desert. It lets him manipulate gravity — grabbing, pulling, and pushing objects in the environment. Early on, it is mostly a puzzle tool. Later, with the right upgrades, it becomes a full-on grappling hook and a powerful combat option.

Here is everything you need to know about it.

inserting power core abyss without balance puzzle crimson desert

How to Unlock Axiom Force

You do not need to grind for this ability. It is unlocked automatically during the Polar Opposites quest, which is part of the Traces questline in Chapter 1. A mysterious white crow gives Kliff a bracelet mid-cutscene, and just like that — Axiom Force is yours.

After the cutscene, the game immediately puts it to use. You will rotate disks and solve alignment puzzles with it right away. This is also when the Abyss Without Balance puzzle becomes relevant, so keep that guide handy.

Axiom Force Controls — PC, PS5, and Xbox

A lot of players forget the controls between puzzles since there can be long gaps where Axiom Force is not needed. Here is a clean breakdown:

PC (Mouse & Keyboard)

Hold Tab to aim
Release Tab to fire the claw
Move your mouse to control the claw when allowed
Hold Left Mouse Button to push an object
Hold Right Mouse Button to pull an object

PS5 (DualSense Controller)

Hold L3 to aim
Release L3 to fire the claw
Move the right stick to control direction
Press R2 to push / L2 to pull

Xbox Controller

Hold Left Stick (LS) to aim
Release LS to fire the claw
Move the right stick to steer
Press RT to push / LT to pull

One important note: Just tapping Tab on PC does nothing for Axiom Force — you need to hold it. On controller, a quick click of L3 will make Kliff crouch instead. You must hold and release.

If the default Tab binding feels awkward during combat, consider remapping it to R for easier access. Our best PC settings guide covers keybinding recommendations in detail.

What Axiom Force Does

Think of Axiom Force as a telekinetic claw. You aim it at an object, fire it, and then move the claw to push or pull that object. Early in the game, this means:

Rotating alignment disks
Moving power cores into slots
Placing objects onto platforms or into designated spaces

Later on, once you upgrade the skill, it becomes much more powerful. You can zip across gaps, swing on terrain like a pendulum, and even pull enemies toward you mid-fight.

The key to getting good with it is understanding the push and pull mechanic. Once that clicks, puzzles become much easier.

For puzzle-specific help using Axiom Force, check out these guides:

Axiom Force Skills and Upgrades

Axiom Force sits in the red skill tree and can be upgraded using Abyss Artifacts. The base version is unlocked during the story. Levels 2 and 3 each add a new feature.

Axiom Force Level 2 — Aerial Maneuver

Latch onto a terrain surface with the claw
Then double-press Spacebar (PC) / X (PS5) / A (Xbox) to zip toward that location
This is essentially a grappling hook
Costs 200 Stamina per use

Axiom Force Level 3 — Aerial Swing

Hold and release Tab / L3 to lock onto a surface
Then press Space + Middle Mouse Button (PC) or Square/X + R3 (console) to swing forward
This lets you build real momentum and cover large distances
Also costs 200 Stamina

Both of these traversal skills are fantastic once you unlock them. If you are still early in the game and have not unlocked enough Abyss Artifacts yet, focus on getting your attack level up and defense level up first, then come back to these.

Two additional combat skills branch off from the Axiom Force node:

Winch

Hold and release Tab / L3 to pull an enemy toward you
Kliff then slams them into the ground with force
Great for controlling enemies that keep their distance

Ambush

Hold Left Mouse Button / R1 / RB while aiming Axiom Force at an enemy
Fire the claw at them and Kliff teleports directly to that enemy
Extremely powerful for aggressive, gap-closing plays

For a full breakdown of what to prioritize first, check out the best skills to level up first in Crimson Desert and the best early build guide.

Stamina and Respeccing

The 200 Stamina requirement for Aerial Maneuver and Aerial Swing is steep early on. Most players will not hit that threshold until well into the mid-game. Do not stress about it right away.

If you have already invested Abyss Artifacts into the wrong skills and want to redistribute them, you can do so using a Faded Abyss Artifact. This is the second artifact slot from the right in your skills menu. Our how to respec in Crimson Desert guide walks through exactly how to do it.

Also check out how to open sealed Abyss Artifacts if you need more upgrade materials and how to unlock Witch’s Abyss Gears for more advanced progression.

Axiom Force in Combat

Once you have Winch and Ambush unlocked, Axiom Force becomes a serious combat tool. Here is how to work it into your fights:

Use Ambush to teleport to ranged enemies who like to stay back and poke you
Use Winch to pull armored enemies or heavily-shielded ones out of their defensive stance
Combine Axiom Force with Blinding Flash to set up combos — stun first, then pull, then punish
If you are fighting in open areas, Aerial Maneuver can be used to reposition quickly mid-fight

For harder fights where Axiom Force really earns its keep, take a look at:

Quick Troubleshooting

Nothing is happening when I press Tab: You are tapping it instead of holding it. Hold Tab until the aiming reticle appears, then release.

The claw fired but nothing attached: You are either too far away or aiming at something that cannot be interacted with. Move closer and look for glowing or highlighted objects.

The swing is not working: Make sure you have Axiom Force at Level 3 and that you have at least 200 Stamina available. If your stamina bar is too small, you will need to invest more skill points first. Our how to get skill points guide can help speed that up.

The game keeps making me crouch on controller: You are clicking L3 instead of holding it. Hold it down.

Crimson Desert: How to Use Axiom Force (Controls, Skills & Upgrades)