Kliff Skills | Crimson Desert Wiki

Kliff Skills in Crimson Desert are unique, special abilities that can be unlocked for the playable character Kliff. Kliff's Skill Tree is divided into three branches. Skills in the color blue are associated with Stamina, Red with Health, while Skills in the color green are associated with Spirit. Additionally, some Skills for Kliff will include an inner skill that players can learn. These inner skills will allow you to modify and enhance your playthrough.

Kliff Skills in Crimson Desert

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How do Skills Work in Crimson Desert?

Skills in Crimson Desert are equippable abilities that can be used to modify or improve playstyle. Skills can be acquired through multiple means, and once learned, they can be used by pressing a combination of buttons. Additionally, there are skills that, once acquired, can be enhanced multiple times. This upgrades the level of the skill and allows you to learn sub-branches of that particular move. Players should also take note that active skills will have a corresponding cost, either in Spirit or Stamina.

Image showing a basic skill screen in Crimson Desert

How to Unlock Skills in Crimson Desert

There are multiple ways to unlock and upgrade skills. Some skills may be learned through exploration or learned from enemies during combat. Additionally, players will be able to learn and upgrade skills by using Abyss Artifacts found throughout Crimson Desert. Abyss Artifacts are your main resource for upgrading. They can be earned by defeating enemies, through exploration, quest progression, defeating bosses, and solving the Abyss Puzzles throughout.

Image showing a Crimson Desert player and a pop up relating to a skill

All Kliff Skills in Crimson Desert

Quick Search of all Kliff's Skills Text in Crimson Desert

Skill	Effect	Inner Skills	Requirement
Aerial Stab	Press R1 + △ while in mid-air to perform a forward Stab.	None	Stab Lv 3
Armed Combat	Press R1 to perform a basic weapon attack with your melee weapon. Further investment in Armed Combat increases the damage of your melee weapon attacks.	Charge Evasive Slash Quick Swap Rush	Abyss Artifact x1+ to enhance.
Back Hang	Get closer while airborne, or press △ + 〇 or X + ☐ to latch onto a specific target to attack or escape danger.	None	Grappling Lv 4
Blinding Flash	Press L1 + R1 to reflect light and temporarily blind enemies.	None	Granted upon completion of the Realm of Uncertainty quest.
Blinding Flash Finisher	Press R2 while enemies are blinded by Blinding Flash to rush in and deliver a rapid flurry of strikes.	None	Blinding Flash Lv 1 Abyss Artifact x1 Can be learned through observation.
Body Slam	Press X + ☐ while in mid-air to slam your full weight down upon the enemy.	None	Abyss Artifact Lv1 Body Slam can be learned by observing the boss Sir Catfish at Vellua.
Charge	While guarding, press X twice to charge forward and smash an enemy with your shield.	None	Armed Combat Lv 3
Charged Shot	Hold R2 while aiming to charge your shot and increase its power.	None	Abyss Artifact x1 Charged Shot can be learned by observing a wandering Freesword at the Lioncrest Manor's archery zone.
Clothesline	Press X + ☐ while sprinting to hook an enemy and slam them into the ground.	None	Abyss Artifact x1 Clothesline can be learned by observing a Black Bear enemy in the Pailune region.
Dropkick	Hold △ to launch your body forward and deliver a double kick that sends your enemy flying.	None	Pump Kick Lv 1 Abyss Artifact x1 Dropkick can be learned from bandits while completing the quests Missing Companion and Secrets Hidden in the Dark.
Evasive Shot	Press 〇 twice while aiming to sidestep an enemy attack and release an arrow.	Explosive Evasive Shot Evasive Shot Proficiency Evasive Shot Expertise	Abyss Artifact x1 Evasive Shot can be learned by observing the Crimson Warden during the Corrupted Greymane quest.
Evasive Shot Proficiency	Increases the speed of Evasive Shot.	None	Evasive Shot Lv2
Evasive Shot Expertise	Automatically fire two arrows in rapid succession during Evasive Shot.	None	Evasive Shot Lv 3
Evasive Slash	Press R1 + 〇 to strike while dodging backward.	None	Armed Combat Lv 2
Explosive Evasive Shot	Press R1 + R2 while aiming to fire an arrow into the ground that propels you skyward to evade enemy attacks.	None	Evasive Shot Lv 3 Explosive Evasive Shot can be learned by observing the Crimson Warden during the Corrupted Greymane quest.
Flying Kick	Press △ while in the air to launch yourself at an enemy and kick them twice.	None	Unarmed Combat Lv 4
Forward Slash	Press R2 to take a strong step forward and deliver a powerful slash.	Forward Slash Sure Hit Forward Slash Proficiency	Abyss Artifact x1+ to enhance.
Forward Slash Proficiency	Press R2 to lunge forward and follow up with a finishing slash.	None	Forward Slash Lv 2 Forward Slash Proficiency can be learned from the soldiers in the training yard inside Hernand Castle.
Forward Slash Sure Hit	Forward Slash attacks can no longer miss.	None	Forward Slash Lv 3
Giant Swing	Press △ + 〇 while performing Pump Kick or Dropkick to grab your enemy and hurl them away with a spinning throw.	None	Grappling Lv 3
Grappling	Press △ + 〇 or X + ☐ to perform a grapple. Further investment in Grappling increases the damage of your grappling moves.	Restrain Throw Lariat Lariat Follow-up Giant Swing Back Hang	Abyss Artifact x1+ to enhance.
Lariat	Press X + ☐ to slam your enemy into the ground with overwhelming force.	None	Grappling Lv 2
Lariat Follow-up	Press X + ☐ while grappling to perform multiple slams on your enemy.	None	Grappling Lv 5
Leg Sweep	Press △ after rolling to sweep your enemy's legs with a powerful low kick.	None	None
Marksmanship	Press L2 to perform a basic attack with your ranged weapon. Further investment in Marksmanship increases the damage of your ranged weapon attacks.	None	Abyss Artifact x1+ to enhance.
Meteor Kick	Press △ while high in the air to drive a precise diving kick	None	[[Unarmed Combat Can be learned through observation.
Multishot	Press R1 while aiming to fire 10 arrows in a wide spread.	None	Abyss Artifact x1 Explosive Evasive Shot can be learned by observing the Crimson Warden during the Corrupted Greymane quest.
Pump Kick	Hold △ to perform a powerful two-footed kick that sends your enemy flying.	None	Can be learned from Matthias during the For Honor debt.
Quick Swap	Press L1 + L2 to switch between your primary and secondary weapons to perform an attack.	None	Armed Combat Lv 5
Restrain	Press △ + 〇 while piercing to take an enemy hostage.	None	None
Rush	Press R2 while dodging forward to fend off an enemy's attack.	None	Armed Combat Lv 4
Scissor Takedown	Press △ while crouching to wrap your legs around an enemy and bring them to the ground.	None	Unarmed Combat Lv 2
Shield Bash	Press L1 + R2 to strike the enemy with your shield and block incoming attacks.	None	None
Skewering Stab	Move after a successful charged Stab to immediately grapple the enemy.	None	Stab Lv 2
Spinning Slash	Press R1 + X to perform a short leap and slash the enemy while spinning.	Spinning Slash Proficiency	Abyss Artifact x1+ to enhance.
Spinning Slash Proficiency	Press R1 + X to perform consecutive Spinning Slashes.	None	Spinning Slash Lv2 Spinning Slash Proficiency can be learned by observing a Hernand guard near the training grounds at the Lioncrest Manor.
Stab	Press R1 + △ to quickly stab forward and inflict Bleed.	Aerial Stab Stab Rend Armor Skewering Stab Swift Stab	Abyss Artifact x1+ to enhance.
Stab Rend Armor	Stab ignores Super Armor.	None	Stab Lv 3
Swift Stab	Press R1 after a successful charged Stab to perform a follow-up attack.	None	Stab Lv 2 Swift Stab can be learned by observing Reed Devil during the Dance with the Devil quest.
Throw	Press △ + 〇 to toss an enemy across the battlefield.	None	None
Turning Slash	Press R1 + R2 to perform a spinning overhead strike that sends enemies flying.	Turning Slash Sure Hit Turning Slash Expertise Turning Slash Proficiency	Abyss Artifact x1+ to enhance.
Turning Slash Proficiency	Press R1 + R2 while using another skill to quickly chain into Turning Slash.	None	Turning Slash Lv 2
[[Turning Slash Expertise]	Hold R1 + R2 after Turning Slash to follow up with a powerful downward strike.	None	Turning Slash Lv 3 Turning Slash Expertise can be learned by observing Saigord the Staglord during the House Serkis faction quest: King of the Fallen Kingdom.
Turning Slash Rend Armor	Turning Slash ignores Super Armor and sends enemies flying.	None	[[Turning Slash Lv 3
Unarmed Combat	Press △ to strike an enemy with bare fists.	Leg Sweep Scissor Takedown Unarmed Combat Proficiency Meteor Kick Flying Kick	Abyss Artifact x1+ to enhance.
Unarmed Combat Proficiency	Perform an additional unarmed strike.	None	Unarmed Combat Lv 3 Unarmed Combat Proficiency can be learned by observing a kid inside the Greymane Camp in Howling Hill.
Vault	Press R1 + ☐ to vault over the back of an enemy.	None	Abyss Artifact x1 Vault can be unlocked by observing Fundamentalist Goblins.
Aerial Maneuver	Press L3 to lock onto a target, then ☐ twice to leap a great distance using Axiom Force.	None	Axiom Force Lv2
Aerial Roll	Press 〇 while in Flight to instantly unleash Stamina for a high-speed dash.	None	Abyss Artifact x1 Aerial Roll can be learned by battling [[Draven the Crowcaller during the Bloodwind quest.
Aerial Swing	Hold and release L3 to lock onto a target, then ☐ R3 to leap using Axiom Force and swing forward with powerful force.	None	Axiom Force Lv 3
Axiom Force	Press L3 to harness the Axiom Force to perform impossible feats.	Aerial Maneuver Aerial Swing	Acquired during the Polar Opposites quest.
Ambush	Hold R1 while shooting Axiom Force to move instantly to the target enemy and strike.	None	Winch Lv 1 Abyss Artifact x1
Elemental Turning Slash	Press L2 + R2 during Turning Slash to imbue it with an element.	None	Imbue Elements Lv 1
Elemental Charged Shot	Imbue your Charged Shot with an element.	None	Imbue Elements Lv 2
Elemental Force Palm	Press L2 + R2 during Force Palm to imbue it with an element.	None	Imbue Elements Lv 3
Elemental Meteor Kick	Press L2 + R2 during Meteor Kick to imbue it with an element.	None	Imbue Elements Lv 4
Flame Strike	Press R2 + △ to perform a powerful strike while wreathed in flame.	None	Flame Lv 1
Flight	Press ☐ while airborne to glide while flying.	Swift Flight	Acquired during the Woman in White quest.
Frost Mantle	Press R2 + ☐ to create a barrier of frost around you.	None	Frost Lv 1
Imbue Element	Wield the elements and apply them to your skills.	Elemental Force Palm Elemental Charged Shot Elemental Turning Slash Elemental Meteor Kick	One of following: Flame Quake Lv 1 Frost Mantle Lv 1 Lightning Pulse Lv 1 Storm Howl Lv 1 And: Abyss Artifact x1
Lightning Surge	Press R2 + 〇 to create a field of electricity.	None	Lightning Lv 1
Mystical Storage	Press △ while holding an object with the Axiom Force to seal it inside a kuku pot.	None	Mystical Storage is acquired on chapter 4, while doing the Mysterious pot quest.
Storm Veil	Press R2 + X to deploy a smoke cloud and escape enemy sight.	None	Wind Lv 1
Swift Flight	Press X to reduce air resistance to fly faster.	None	Flight Lv 2
Winch	Hold and release L3 to pull an enemy in and slam them to the ground with the power of the Axiom Force.	None	Grappling Lv 3 Axiom Force Lv 3 Abyss Artifact x1
Aerial Force Palm	Press R3 while in mid-air to aim the energy of your [[Force Palm] downward and launch yourself even higher.	None	Force Palm Lv 1
Counter	Attack right before being hit to interrupt an enemy attack.	None	Keen Senses Lv3 Counter can be learned by observing a hernand guard near the training grounds at the Lioncrest Manor.
Diving Force Palm	Press R3 after an Aerial Swing, or press R3 while falling, to channel all your energy into a downward strike.	None	Solve the Precipice of Truth (Challenge).
Dodge	Press 〇 just before being hit to escape danger.	None	Keen Senses Lv 2
Double Jump	Press ☐ twice to perform an extra jump in mid-air or off an enemy.	None	Abyss Artifact x1 Double Jump can be learn by observing children playing near the rocks in Pororin village.
Echoing Forward Slash	When performing a Forward Slash, automatically creates an illusion that copies the attack.	None	Nature's Echo Lv 1
Echoing Spinning Slash	When performing a Spinning Slash, automatically creates an illusion that copies the attack.	None	Nature's Echo Lv 2
Echoing Stab	When performing a Charged Stab, automatically creates an illusion that copies the attack.	None	Nature's Echo Lv 3
Evasive Roll	Press 〇 after being hit to roll away and evade quickly.	None	Abyss Artifact x1 Evasive Roll con be learned by observing Kailok the Hornsplitter while doing the Cheers Echoing From the Edge quest.
Focus	Press L3 + R3 to enter Focus, slowing down time. Maintain focus to restore Spirit.	Focused Insight Focused Repulsion	Focus can be learned by observing a hologram during the Reunion quest.
Focused Charged Shot	Press R2 while in a focused state, or press L3 + R3 during Charged Shot, to unleash a rapid volley of arrows.	None	Focused Shot Lv 3
Focused Evasive Shot	Press ☐ while aiming or L2 while rolling to enter into focused shot mode.	None	Focused Shot Lv 2
Focused Force Palm	Hold R3 while in Focus mode to unleash a Force Palm that penetrates the target.	Nonce	Focused Force Palm can be learned by observing a ghost at a roadblock in Black Forest further than Fort Perwin.
Focused Insight	Automatically face incoming attacks while focused and can counter them with L1.	None	Focus Lv 3
Focused Repulsion	Press R1 while in a focused state, or L3 + R3 when hit, to repel everything away.	None	Focus Lv 2 Can be learned through observation
Focused Shot	While aiming your bow, press L3 + R3 to Focus, then press R1 to fire up to 4 shots. Each level invested in this skill increases the maximum number of shots by two.	Focused Charged Shot Focused Evasive Shot	Marksmanship Lv 2 Focus Lv 2 Abyss Artifact x1
Force Current	Press R3 while grasping a target with the Axiom Force to transmit the energy of your Force Palm through it and strike targets from a distance.	None	Force Palm Lv 2 Axiom Force Lv 2 Abyss Artifact x1
Force Palm	Press R3 to gather energy into your palm and release it in a single powerful strike that reduces the target's defense.	Aerial Force Palm Force Palm Expertise Force Palm Proficiency Healing Force Palm	Learnt by observing a hologram while doing the Abyss without Balance quest.
Force Palm Expertise	Press R3 after Force Palm to perform up to three strikes.	None	Force Palm Lv 3
Force Palm Proficiency	Press L3 after Force Palm to perform up to two strikes.	None	Force Palm Lv 2
Force Palm Pulse	Press △ during Force Palm Pulse, follow up with a powerful strike.	None	Unarmed Combat Lv 3 Force Palm Lv 3 Abyss Artifact x1
Healing Force Palm	Press L3 while charging Force Palm to convert the stored energy into power capable of healing a wounded target.	None	Force Palm Lv 1
Keen Senses	Enhances swift actions with the power of nature.	Counter Parry Dodge	Abyss Artifact x1
Nature's Echo	Create an illusion that replicates your attacks.	Echoing Forward Slash Echoing Spinning Slash Echoing Stab	Keen Senses Lv 3 Forward Slash Abyss Artifact
Nature's Grasp	Press △ + 〇 on a target to use Nature's Grasp, allowing you to lift or move heavy objects.	None	Can be learned by observing a hologram during the Reunion quest.
Nature's Retribution	Press R3 during Nature's Snare to briefly hold condensed energy in place.	None	Nature's Snare Lv 2
Nature's Snare	Press R while in Focus mode to form a barrier of wind that blocks projectiles.	Nature's Retribution Nature's Veil	Keen Senses Lv 3 Focus Lv 2 Abyss Artifact x1
Nature's Veil	Press L3 during Nature's Snare to briefly hold energy in place while focused.	None	Nature's Snare Lv 3
Parry	Guard right before being hit to block an enemy attack.	None	None