Best Early Game Weapons for Beginners in Crimson Desert

Introduction

Starting out in Crimson Desert can be overwhelming. With multiple weapon types, complex skill trees, and a large open world to explore, knowing which weapons to pursue early can make your first 10-15 hours much smoother. This guide covers the best early game weapons that are easy to acquire, simple to use, and effective through the first few major story arcs.

1. Hunter's Longbow (Best Ranged Starter)

Why It is Great for Beginners

The Hunter's Longbow is the most beginner-friendly weapon in Crimson Desert. It is obtained very early (as a quest reward from the second story quest), requires no special materials to upgrade, and allows you to deal damage from a safe distance.

Stats

• Base Damage: 120
• Attack Speed: Medium
• Range: 35m
• Upgrade Path: Iron Ore (common material)

How to Get It

Complete the quest "The Hunter's Path" given by the NPC Renard in the first settlement. The quest involves a short tutorial on ranged combat and rewards you with the Hunter's Longbow and 50 wooden arrows.

Why Beginners Love It

• Ranged combat means less risk of taking damage
• Simple mechanics: aim, charge, release
• Arrows are cheap and plentiful
• Effective against most early game enemies
• Scales well into mid-game with upgrades

2. Iron Sword (Best Melee Starter)

Why It is Great for Beginners

The Iron Sword is a reliable one-handed sword that offers balanced damage, decent speed, and a straightforward skill tree. It is the recommended starting weapon for players new to action RPGs.

Stats

• Base Damage: 110
• Attack Speed: Fast
• Critical Chance: 10%
• Upgrade Path: Iron Ore + Leather

How to Get It

Craft at any blacksmith using 10 Iron Ore and 2 Leather. Iron Ore can be mined at the Old Quarry, and Leather is obtained by defeating basic wildlife enemies (wolves, boars).

Why Beginners Love It

• Fast attacks are forgiving - missed attacks recover quickly
• Parry mechanic is intuitive with a sword
• Shield can be equipped in the off-hand for defense
• Skill tree is simple and effective
• Materials are easy to gather

3. Guardian Shield and Sword Set

Why It is Great for Beginners

For players who struggle with dodging or want maximum survivability, the Guardian Shield and Sword set is the safest early game option. The shield allows you to block incoming attacks, which is more forgiving than timing dodges.

Stats

• Sword Damage: 95
• Shield Block: 60% damage reduction when blocking
• Attack Speed: Medium
• Upgrade Path: Iron Ore + Wood

How to Get It

Available from the blacksmith in the first settlement for 200 silver. Alternatively, craft it using 15 Iron Ore and 5 Wood.

Why Beginners Love It

• Shield blocking is easier than dodge timing
• Counter-attack after block deals bonus damage
• High survivability for learning enemy patterns
• Good transition into tank builds later

4. Wooden Crossbow (Budget Ranged)

Why It is Great for Beginners

The Wooden Crossbow is an alternative ranged option for players who prefer higher per-shot damage over fire rate. It is very cheap to acquire and maintain.

Stats

• Base Damage: 140 per bolt
• Fire Rate: Slow (2 second reload)
• Range: 20m
• Upgrade Path: Wood + Iron Ore

How to Get It

Purchase from the general store in the first settlement for 150 silver. Wooden bolts cost 2 silver each.

Why Beginners Love It

• Instant fire - no charge time needed
• High damage per shot for early game
• Very cheap to maintain
• Good for players who prefer deliberate, careful aiming

5. Rusty Dagger (Stealth Starter)

Why It is Great for Beginners

For players interested in stealth gameplay, the Rusty Dagger is the entry point. While its raw damage is low, backstab multipliers make it surprisingly effective.

Stats

• Base Damage: 70
• Attack Speed: Very Fast
• Backstab Multiplier: 3x
• Upgrade Path: Iron Ore + Leather

How to Get It

Found in a chest in the prologue area. It is hard to miss as it is on the main path.

Why Beginners Love It

• Stealth gameplay is fun and engaging
• Backstabs deal massive damage
• Fast attack speed for applying status effects
• Good starting point for assassin builds

Early Game Upgrade Tips

Upgrading your early game weapons is more important than chasing new ones. Here are tips for efficient early upgrading:

• Focus on one weapon: Do not spread your materials across multiple weapons. Pick one and upgrade it to tier 3 as soon as possible.
• Mine the Old Quarry: The Old Quarry in the Verdant Highlands is the best early source of Iron Ore. Visit it whenever you need upgrade materials.
• Kill wildlife: Wolves, boars, and deer drop leather and other materials needed for early upgrades. Hunt them while traveling between quests.
• Do side quests: Many early side quests reward upgrade materials. Complete them while following the main story.
• Tier 3 is the sweet spot: Upgrading to tier 3 provides a significant damage boost (approximately +40%) and only requires common materials. This is enough for the first 10-15 hours of gameplay.

Upgrade Cost Reference (Iron Sword)

Summary

For beginners in Crimson Desert, the Hunter's Longbow and Iron Sword are the two best early game weapons. The Longbow offers safe ranged combat, while the Iron Sword provides balanced melee gameplay. If you want maximum survivability, go with the Guardian Shield and Sword set. Focus on upgrading one weapon to tier 3 rather than chasing new weapons, and gather materials from the Old Quarry and wildlife while questing. With these weapons and strategies, your first 15 hours in Crimson Desert will be smooth and enjoyable.