r/CDguides

Hey everyone, I'm stuck with a brutal launch issue and hoping someone has a workaround.

I was playing Crimson Desert via NVIDIA GeForce NOW. After switching back to my local PC to play natively via Steam, the game completely refuses to boot. When I click "Play" on Steam, it briefly acts like it's launching, but then silently crashes back to the "Play" button. No display windows open, no splash screens, and absolutely no error messages or codes pop up.

Even navigating to the game files and running CrimsonDesert.exe directly as an Administrator results in the exact same instant, silent crash.

My System Specs:

• GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (Drivers completely up to date)
• Platform: Steam (PC)

What I Have Already Tried (None of this worked):

1. Cleared Cache Files: Deleted GFN's local CefCache folder and fully uninstalled GeForce NOW.
2. Verified Files: Ran "Verify integrity of game files" multiple times through Steam.
3. Overlays Disabled: Turned off Steam overlay, AMD Software/Adrenalin overlay, and Discord overlays.
4. Deleted Engine Configs: Deleted user_engine_option_save inside Local AppData to force default graphics settings.
5. Wiped Shader Cache: Used Windows Disk Cleanup to wipe the DirectX Shader Cache.
6. Launch Options: Tried forcing -dx11 and -dx12 via Steam launch settings.
7. Windows Security: Checked Windows Smart App Control, Media Feature Pack, and disabled Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS).
8. Steam Fixes: Cleared Steam's download cache and deleted local ssfn authorization tokens to clear any cloud-handshake lockouts.
9. Dedicated GPU Routing: Set Windows Graphics Settings to force high performance explicitly on the game's executable.

It feels like a hardware validation handshake failure or a Denuvo DRM account lock triggered by the cloud-to-local switch, but I'm fresh out of ideas.

Has anyone with an AMD card (specifically the 7800 XT) run into this after using GeForce NOW? Any suggestions on how to break this deadlock would be massively appreciated!

So I had originally beaten the main story within 90 in-game days. It was an exhilarating rush and I was totally in nonstop mode! So much by the time I beat [Redacted] in the [Redacted] and [redacted] in [Redacted] after [Redacted] picked up Kliff on [Redacted], I felt wrong. I loved the gameplay and the setting, and for once since Elden Ring—I said “What’s one more play through before a NG+,” and Greymanes, when I tell you I haven’t left Hernand like the meme’s now, it’s been immaculate. I’m now three weeks in-game and haven’t liberated Lioncrest Tower in Chapter 2–my goal is to fully explore from Sunset Valley to Odeck before even stepping foot in Deminess’s fog on map. If anyone has recommendations on gear and ways to manage inventory before getting camp established—let’s start some comment-threads!
I’ve basically as far north and east as the extra-large inventory bag pickup, and the House of Healing, I got the “Claw” fishing rod—being the furthest south-east so far, and I’m just now going to Sunset Valley for the Golden Tench!

What I have so far and would appreciate it if folks could fill in the missing pieces/their triggers where possible:

Martial Monk Set (T'rukan):

• Cloth Garb: Goyen's Advice:Training:Steel Grip Against the Chest challenge
• Cloth Robe: Chapter 9:Sage of the Desert:Six Statues and the Beast:True Strength BOSS FIGHT quest step
• Cloth Gloves: Chapter 9:Sage of the Desert:Six Statues and the Beast:Path of the Disciple quest step
• Cloth Boots: (Same as Gloves ^)

Knight of Carnage Set (Gregor/Spear Boss)

• All parts are currently only available at the back alley vendor east of Demeniss City wall. (Maybe a bug/lapse as Ashen/Unyielding only have the Helm at the alley vendor, other parts are from quest/boss fight/challenges)
• [EDIT2] Quite a few folk have commented that the back-alley vendor does not have all the parts for them in comments here and (here: https://www.reddit.com/r/CrimsonDesert/comments/1un7mhj/what_challenge_for_knight_of_carnage_cloak/ ). No consensus on what the requirements/triggers are to have a full set spawn/be listed.

[EDIT3]

• Carnage Plate Armor: Chapter 8 -- Ashen Steps -- Where the Wind Guides You // thanks to u/PotentialAd7464

The Ashen Set (Tarandus):

• Plate Gloves: Goyen's Advice:Training:On A Storm of Beasts challenge
• Leather Cloak: White Crow:Life:Tiny Citizens of Grassland challenge
• Leather Boots: White Crow:Life:Cave Exploration Log challenge
• Plate Armor: Pailune:Odeck Tribe:Executioner of Justice BOSS FIGHT
• Helm: Odeck Back Alley Vendor

Unyielding Hero Set (Cassius):

• Plate Gloves: Goyen's Advice:Battle:Into The Barrage challenge
• Plate Cloak: White Crow Gaze:Hunting: Hunter's Discipline challenge
• Plate Boots: Master Du:Above The Law: The Vanished Wagon challenge
• Plate Armor: Chapter 6: The Unyielding Shields Boss Fight.
• Helm: Calphade Back Alley Vendor

Deminissian Grand General (Bastier)

• Plate Cloak: Demeniss:House Elemore:Lunar Judgement:final quest turn-in reward
• Plate Armor: ??? (Buyable from Demeniss City Equipment Vendor)

Oak Barrel Set

• Leather Armor: White Crow:Trade: Traveler with Oak Barrels challenge

Dark Executioner Set (DAMIANE):

• Leather Armor: ??? --have it, don't know trigger [EDIT3] // Can be bought at Demeniss City Tailor
• (all others from treasure chests)

Red Rider:

• Plate Helm: Demeniss Requests:A Favor for Demeniss: A Horse Outside the Manor, final reward.
• Plate Armor: Solve/Complete Maze of Dawnreach // Winding Paths: Mazes (EDIT1/figured out trigger)

Vildyne Set

• Leather Armor: Goyen's Advice:Sword:Sword of Trials IV challenge

Frenoa Set (DAMIANE):

• Plate Armor: Goyen's Advice:Gun: When Lightning Strikes V challenge

KUKU ARMORS:

• Scorch/Flame Blueprint: Lyslei Witch/ Jijeong Temple area
• Frost Cursed BP: Areciel Witch/ Desert West of Urdavah
• Lightning Armor BP: Bari in Pailune Lake (logically - but seems bugged??? Checked Elowen and apprentice witch)
• [EDIT4] Lightning Armor BP: Use lightning ring + Kliff ONLY when interacting with Bari. Solved thanks to u/Laservolcano and u/Mikanomai

Appreciate all help in gap-filling the ???s or pieces/sets that are missing!

Edit1/Additions:

Besnet (Set? Not sure)

• Cloth Armor: Solve/Complete Maze of Burnham // Winding Paths: Mazes

Rivenheim [DAMIANE] (Set? Not sure)

• Cloth Armor: Solve/Complete Ancient Rift Maze // Winding Paths: Mazes

Duskmoon [DAMIANE] (Set? Not sure)

• Cloth Armor: Solve/Complete Smoking Lands Desert Mouth Maze // Winding Paths: Mazes

EDIT3/Additions:

BobFette Plate Helm

• Demeniss Stronghelm Forge Helm Shop run by Helmett, thanks to u/DivinerSageRDT

Blacksmith Armor

• Buyable From the greymane camp equipment trader Tranan, thanks to u/Vegose

Toughest boss to beat without taking damage. Enjoy the video

I heard that after 52 attack, you get diminishing returns.

I have one handed sword with 66 attack with the help of pailune and greymane signet rings and 15 crit, 11 attack speed.

I am thinking of removing one signet and putting witch ring instead for 4 attack speed. Is it worth losing signet with 11 attack for 4 attack speed/3 attack witch ring

Hi, I begun chapter XI recently, and I’ve noticed that everytime I go to tashkalp the moment I get out of Tommaso if I stop to any other camps around that map I get the bounty hunters coming after me despite the game showing me no bounty on my head . I tried to go to the churches to see if I had a bounty but nothing. Is it normal ? Is it a bug ? Is it part of the story ? It’s so odd

So on my playthrough I received 2 mysterious gifts, which makes sense as there are two npcs that provide unique rewards in exchange for the gift specifically. However, I have recently found that a large amount of players are only obtaining the one via The Forgotten General. I can assume the other one is bugged, but is it bugged in everyone’s game? I have a few friends that also got 2, but let’s try to get this resolved for those missing out.

every attack comes bundled with a giant AOE, 20,000 projectiles, a full combo stunlock if you're input buffers on the parry/dodge, a dumbass voiceline you've heard 50 times by now, teleporting, ganks, a status effect, one shot power and frame drops.

this is easily one of the worst games i've ever played in my entire fucking life and every waking moment that this fight isn't completely reworked or flat out removed is a personal insult and a festering, rotting carcass in the industry.

To the lovely devs at PA:

Your game is amazing. Truly. It is a vast, completely explorable continent and I am in awe of its complexity and depth.

In my opinion, after 800-plus hours of living inside it, completing the story and 90% of the factional side content, as well as 100% of the abyss challenges, the one thing I bemoan is the total lack of crawlable dungeons.

This feels like a massive missed opportunity to keep players engaged with your world, beyond the completion of the static content that already exists.

I would be absolutely overjoyed to see repeatable, instanced dungeons introduced. The entrances to which could be placed in caves and secret spaces, revitalizing the entire map while creating fun, meaningful content.

What do you think, Reddit?