Puzzle Guides
Step-by-step solutions for every puzzle in the game
Crimson Desert features two main types of puzzles: the Dragon's Stone Chamber environmental puzzle and Strongbox mechanical puzzles. The Dragon's Stone Chamber is a unique dial-rotation puzzle found in the Hernand Highlands that requires you to match three ancient symbols using mural clues scattered across the region. Strongbox puzzles are found inside buildings, dungeons, and hidden locations throughout the world. Each Strongbox features a mechanical lock with rotating cylinders or pistons that must be aligned in a specific sequence. Solving puzzles rewards exclusive accessories and equipment that cannot be obtained any other way.
16 puzzles
Dragon Stone Chamber
Ravine near Thinker's Meadow, Hernand Highlands
Prerequisite
Follow the Mysterious Energy marker (purple glow) in the Hernand Highlands area
Rotate the LEFT dial 90° clockwise until the sun symbol is pointing straight up.
Rotate the CENTER icon 180° until the outside line is facing left.
Rotate the RIGHT dial 90° counter-clockwise until the outside swirl is at the bottom-left section.
Clues
A mural depicting the three other mural clues can be found inside the Dragon's Stone Chamber.
A mural of one of the dials can be found on the cliffs north of Timberturner Wainwright.
A mural clue can be found near the start of the stream northwest of the House of Healing.
Strongboxes
Bluemont Manor Strongbox 1 (Owl Puzzle)
2nd floor, Leon Roberts' bedroom, northern building of Bluemont Manor, southwest Hernand
Climb through the 2nd floor window (look for shuttered window with no glass) or complete House Roberts faction quests for legitimate entry. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
The strongbox features a hexagonal prism with an owl image split across 4 rotating cylinder sections. 4 buttons each rotate different combinations of cylinders.
Press the buttons in this exact order: 2, 2, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1
The owl image should now be fully aligned across all 4 cylinder sections.
- Each button rotates a different combination of cylinders, so order matters
- If you step away from the puzzle, it resets — no penalty for experimenting
- You must wear a Mask to take the reward (stolen goods)
Bluemont Manor Strongbox 2 (Piston Puzzle)
2nd floor, southern building of Bluemont Manor, City of Hernand
From the first strongbox, exit via the window, cross the street to the adjacent house, and enter through the 2nd floor window. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
The strongbox uses a wheel rotation mechanism with 5 wheels controlling piston heights. Each wheel raises or lowers its corresponding piston.
Scroll each wheel from left to right: 1st Wheel: 5 scrolls, 2nd Wheel: 2 scrolls, 3rd Wheel: 4 scrolls, 4th Wheel: 3 scrolls, 5th Wheel: 5 scrolls.
The silver tops of all pistons should clear the wood paneling line when correctly aligned.
- The far left and far right cylinders need the most elevation
- The middle cylinders need only minor adjustments
- Use the button on the right side to test your alignment
Hillside Manor Strongbox
2nd floor, southeastern room of Hillside Manor, City of Hernand
Climb to the top of the manor and enter via the window above the back door on the north side. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
The strongbox uses a wheel rotation mechanism with 5 wheels, identical to the piston puzzle type.
Scroll each wheel from left to right: 1st Wheel: 2 scrolls, 2nd Wheel: 3 scrolls, 3rd Wheel: 4 scrolls, 4th Wheel: 5 scrolls, 5th Wheel: 5 scrolls.
Adjust all middle tube parts to align with the edge line of the brown area.
- Access is easiest via the 2nd floor window from the north side
- The puzzle resets if you step away — no penalty for experimenting
Lioncrest Manor Strongbox (Painting Puzzle)
2nd floor, eastern room of Lioncrest Manor, northwest outskirts of Hernand Town
Climb up the side of the manor and enter through the 2nd floor window. You can also enter as part of the side quest 'Bruna's Request'. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
The puzzle features a misaligned painting of a girl with fairy wings, split into 9 rotating fragments arranged in a 3x3 grid.
Rotate each of the 9 fragments individually until they all combine into the complete, correct image. The arrangement is randomized per player, so there is no fixed sequence.
You can take as many turns as you need. Just keep rotating each square until the full painting is restored.
- The puzzle arrangement is randomized for each player — no single solution
- No specific button sequence required, just patience
- The puzzle resets if you step away — no penalty
Hernand Castle Strongbox (Melody Puzzle)
Locked room on the top floor of Hernand Castle's main keep
Equip Hernandian Attire (obtained from main quest 'Actions Speak Louder Than Words') to enter the castle. Steal a key or purchase one from the Back Alley Shop to unlock the door. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
The strongbox has a musical mechanism with piano-style keys arranged in top and bottom rows, and a crank dial on the right side.
Crank the dial on the right side until it starts to slow and catch, then release it. A melody will play — this is the sequence you need to copy.
Press the keys in this exact sequence: 1) Top 1st Key, 2) Bottom 4th Key, 3) Bottom 3rd Key, 4) Bottom 4th Key, 5) Top 3rd Key, 6) Bottom 1st Key, 7) Top 3rd Key.
- You can crank the dial multiple times to replay the melody
- Listen carefully while matching the notes on the keys
- You need the Hernandian Attire to enter the castle
Church of West Demeniss Strongbox
Church of West Demeniss, Byron Estate region
Obtained as part of the 'Secret at the Church' main quest. The strongbox is inside a locked shack to the left of the church.
The puzzle consists of 4 directional boxes that need to be pressed in a specific order to light them all up blue.
Press the boxes in this order: 1) Lower right, 2) Upper left, 3) Lower left, 4) Upper right.
Once all lights are blue, interact with the Strongbox door to find a Small Box inside.
- This is part of the 'Secret at the Church' main quest
- After obtaining the Dagger, place it into the Pillar of Radiance pedestal for the next puzzle
Mudridge Cabin Strongbox (Sliding Puzzle)
Higher cabin in Mudridge Cabin, Pororin Forest, southeast of Unicorn Cliff, Hernand
Climb up the posts of the cabin to reach the higher cabin, then defeat the bandits. The Strongbox is in the higher cabin. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
This is a sliding block puzzle. Move the squares in this 10-step sequence:
1) Move center right square down, 2) Move center square right, 3) Move center left square right, 4) Move bottom left square up, 5) Move bottom center square left.
6) Move center square down, 7) Move center left square right, 8) Move bottom left square up, 9) Move bottom center square left, 10) Move bottom right square left.
- Defeat the bandits in the cabin before attempting the puzzle
- The puzzle resets if you step away — no penalty
Southern Court Strongbox
2nd floor room of Southern Court, Demeniss (sneak through the unguarded back entrance)
Sneak through the unguarded back entrance to reach the 2nd floor room. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
This is a simple button sequence puzzle with 2 buttons.
Press the buttons in this order: 1) Press the 1st button, 2) Press the 2nd button.
- This is one of the simpler strongbox puzzles in the game
- Enter through the unguarded back area
Azerian Manor Strongbox (Button Puzzle)
2nd floor of Azerian Manor, behind a rotating wall that leads into a hidden room
Find the rotating wall on the 2nd floor to access the hidden room with the strongbox. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
The puzzle has 3 buttons that must be pressed in a specific sequence.
Press the buttons in this order: 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3 (Button 1 twice, Button 2 three times, Button 3 three times).
- Look for the rotating wall mechanism on the 2nd floor to find the hidden room
- The puzzle resets if you step away
Sungrove Manor Strongbox (Rotating Puzzle)
2nd floor of Sungrove Manor, northwest of the city of Demeniss
Fly or climb to the manor roof and enter through a window on the right side. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
This puzzle features rotating squares that must be aligned to match a target image.
The configuration is randomized per player. Rotate each square individually to match the final image. You can take as many turns as needed.
- The puzzle arrangement is randomized — no fixed solution
- Jump from the backside of the manor where there are fewer guards
- The entry window is on the right side of the roof
Western Court Strongbox (Sliding Puzzle)
Underground basement of Western Court, northwest of the city of Demeniss
Access the basement of Western Court. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
This is a 16-step sliding block puzzle. Move the squares in the following sequence:
1) Bottom center right, 2) Bottom left right, 3) Center left down, 4) Center left, 5) Center right left, 6) Bottom right up, 7) Bottom center right, 8) Bottom left right.
9) Center left down, 10) Center left, 11) Bottom center up, 12) Bottom left right, 13) Center left down, 14) Center left, 15) Bottom center up, 16) Bottom right left.
- This is one of the longer sliding puzzles with 16 steps
- Follow the sequence carefully — the puzzle resets if you step away
Reventine Monastery Strongbox (Sliding Puzzle)
Behind a revolving bookshelf in Reventine Monastery, far west of Demeniss city
Find the revolving bookshelf inside the monastery to access the hidden strongbox room. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
This is a 16-step sliding block puzzle. Move the squares in the following sequence:
1) Bottom center right, 2) Bottom left right, 3) Center left down, 4) Center left, 5) Center right left, 6) Bottom right up, 7) Bottom center right, 8) Bottom left right.
9) Center left down, 10) Center left, 11) Bottom center up, 12) Bottom left right, 13) Center left down, 14) Center left, 15) Bottom center up, 16) Bottom right left.
- Look for the revolving bookshelf — it's the hidden entrance
- This is one of the longer sliding puzzles with 16 steps
Stellen Manor Strongbox 1 (Key Puzzle)
2nd floor dining room of Stellen Manor in Pailune, northeast of Drakesfall Gorge
Climb in through the window to access the 2nd floor dining room. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
The puzzle has keys arranged in a row that must be pressed in a specific sequence.
Press the keys in this 7-step sequence: 1) Bottom 1st Key, 2) Bottom 3rd Key, 3) Bottom 4th Key, 4) Bottom 2nd Key, 5) Bottom 1st Key, 6) Bottom 3rd Key, 7) Bottom 4th Key.
- The Closet Key reward unlocks additional content within the manor
- Enter through the window on the 2nd floor
Stellen Manor Strongbox 2 (Wheel Puzzle)
Tower room of Stellen Manor in Pailune, accessible by climbing through the window
Climb up to the tower and enter through the window. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
The strongbox uses a wheel scrolling mechanism with 5 wheels.
Scroll each wheel from left to right: 1st Wheel: 2 scrolls, 2nd Wheel: 5 scrolls, 3rd Wheel: 5 scrolls, 4th Wheel: 4 scrolls, 5th Wheel: 3 scrolls. Then hit the switch on the right.
- Don't forget to hit the switch on the right after setting all wheels
- The tower is accessible by climbing the exterior
Arboria Castle Strongbox (Wheel Puzzle)
Basement center of Arboria Castle, in an area full of spider webs
Navigate to the basement of Arboria Castle. The area is filled with spider webs. Equip a Mask before stealing the reward.
The strongbox uses a wheel-based combination puzzle with 5 wheels.
Scroll each wheel from left to right: 1st Wheel: 3 scrolls, 2nd Wheel: 4 scrolls, 3rd Wheel: 5 scrolls, 4th Wheel: 4 scrolls, 5th Wheel: 2 scrolls. Then hit the switch on the right.
- The basement is full of spider webs — be prepared for encounters
- Don't forget to hit the switch on the right after setting all wheels
Puzzle Solving Tips
For the Dragon's Stone Chamber, all three clue murals must be found before the solution becomes clear. We have listed the exact dial positions below so you can solve it immediately. For Strongbox puzzles, each one uses a different mechanism. Button-press Strongboxes require you to press numbered buttons in a precise sequence — each button rotates different cylinder sections. Piston Strongboxes require pushing pistons to specific heights. If you make a mistake, simply step away from the puzzle to reset it. There is no penalty for failed attempts. Some Strongboxes are locked behind faction reputation or require wearing a Mask to claim the stolen reward without consequences.