Crimson Desert Guide: All Strongbox Puzzles Locations

Strongboxes in Crimson Desert are the best loot containers in the game, sitting behind some of the most varied puzzle types Pearl Abyss has designed. There are 15 of them scattered across multiple regions, each holding something worth the effort: rare accessories, powerful weapons, unique recipes, and keys that unlock further secrets. The puzzle types range from sequential button presses to sliding tile grids to scroll-wheel combinations, so no two strongboxes feel the same.

What are strongboxes in Crimson Desert?

Strongboxes are a tier above standard treasure chests. They contain rare rewards that normal chests simply do not carry: crafting recipes, high-grade accessories, and items that unlock additional content. Every strongbox is locked behind a unique puzzle, and most require you to sneak into a guarded location first.

The puzzle types you will encounter fall into four categories:

• Sequential button press (press numbered buttons in a specific order)
• Scroll wheel (turn each wheel a set number of times, then hit the confirm switch)
• Sliding tile (move grid squares in a specific sequence to solve the arrangement)
• Rotation puzzle (rotate individual panels to match a target image)

Back Alley Shop in Hernand

Two of the rotation puzzles (Lioncrest Manor and Sungrove Manor) generate in a random formation each time, so there is no fixed solution for those. You simply rotate each panel until it matches the target image shown on the strongbox itself.

All strongbox locations and solutions

The 15 strongboxes span the Hernand, Demeniss, and Pailune regions. The table below gives you a fast reference for every box, its puzzle type, and the reward waiting inside.

Hernand region strongboxes

Five strongboxes sit in and around Hernand City, making this the densest cluster in the game. Good place to start.

Bluemont Manor Strongbox 1

Location: Second floor of Bluemont Manor, in Leon Roberts' bedroom. You need a Key to get through the locked door.

Solution (sequential button press): Press the buttons in this exact order:

• 2, 2, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1

Reward: Oath of Darkness

Bluemont Manor Strongbox 2

Location: Second floor of the southern Bluemont Manor house in Hernand City.

Solution (scroll wheel): 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

Reward: Finely Crafted Gold Necklace

Hillside Manor Strongbox

Location: Second floor, southeastern room of Hillside Manor in Hernand City. Enter through the window at the back of the building.

Solution (scroll wheel): 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

Reward: Saint's Necklace

Hernand Castle Strongbox

Location: Locked room at the top floor of Hernand Castle. Steal a Key from inside the castle or buy one from the Back Alley Shop.

Solution (sequential button press): Press the keys in this order:

• Top 1st Key
• Bottom 4th Key
• Bottom 3rd Key
• Bottom 4th Key
• Top 3rd Key
• Bottom 1st Key
• Top 3rd Key

Reward: Recipe: Lavish Meal

Lioncrest Manor Strongbox

Location: Second floor, eastern room of Lioncrest Manor. Climb the outside wall and enter through the second-floor window.

Solution (rotation puzzle): This puzzle randomizes each time. Rotate each panel to match the target image displayed on the strongbox. You have unlimited turns, so take your time.

Reward: Engraved Gold Earring

Demeniss region strongboxes

Six strongboxes spread across Demeniss, including some in the more remote western areas. The sliding tile puzzles here are the most complex in the game.

Church of West Demeniss Strongbox

Location: Found during the Secret at the Church main quest at the Church of West Demeniss in Byron Estate.

Solution (sequential button press):

• Press lower right box
• Press upper left box
• Press lower left box
• Press upper right box

Reward: Dagger of Radiance

Southern Court Strongbox

Location: Second floor of Southern Court in Demeniss. Enter through the back of the area where guards are absent.

Solution (sequential button press):

• Press 1st button
• Press 2nd button

Reward: Witch's Earring

Azerian Manor Strongbox

Location: Second floor of Azerian Manor, behind a rotating wall that conceals a hidden room.

Solution (sequential button press): Press in this order:

• 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3

Reward: Ancient Earring

Sungrove Manor Strongbox

Location: Second floor of Sungrove Manor, northwest of Demeniss city.

Solution (rotation puzzle): Randomizes every attempt. Rotate each panel to match the target image. No time limit, no move limit.

Reward: Sungrove Manor Key

Western Court Strongbox

Location: Underground in the basement of Western Court, northwest of Demeniss city.

Solution (sliding tile): Move the squares in this sequence:

• Bottom center square right
• Bottom left square right
• Center left square down
• Center square left
• Center right square left
• Bottom right square up
• Bottom center square right
• Bottom left square right
• Center left square down
• Center square left
• Bottom center square up
• Bottom left square right
• Center left square down
• Center square left
• Bottom center square up
• Bottom right square left

Reward: Karanda's Necklace

Reventine Monastery Strongbox

Location: Behind a revolving bookshelf in Reventine Monastery, on the far western edge of the Demeniss region.

Solution (sliding tile): Move the squares in this sequence:

• Center right square down
• Center square right
• Bottom center square up
• Bottom left square right
• Center left square down
• Center square left
• Bottom center square up
• Bottom right square left
• Center right square down
• Center square right
• Bottom center square up
• Bottom left square right
• Center left square down
• Center square left
• Center right square left
• Bottom right square up

Reward: Reventine Monastery Exclusive Document

Pailune region strongboxes

Three strongboxes in Pailune, all requiring window entry. The Arboria Castle one is easy to miss since it is buried in a spider web-filled basement.

Stellen Manor Strongbox 1

Location: Second floor dining room of Stellen Manor, northeast of Drakesfall Gorge. Climb in through the window.

Solution (sequential button press): Press the keys in this order:

• Bottom 1st Key
• Bottom 3rd Key
• Bottom 4th Key
• Bottom 2nd Key
• Bottom 1st Key
• Bottom 3rd Key
• Bottom 4th Key

Reward: Stellen Manor Closet Key

Stellen Manor Strongbox 2

Location: Tower room of Stellen Manor. Climb up through the window.

Solution (scroll wheel): Scroll each wheel, then hit the switch on the right:

• 1st Wheel: 2 scrolls
• 2nd Wheel: 5 scrolls
• 3rd Wheel: 5 scrolls
• 4th Wheel: 4 scrolls
• 5th Wheel: 3 scrolls

Reward: Finely Crafted Gold Ring

Arboria Castle Strongbox

Location: Basement at the center of Arboria Castle, surrounded by spider webs.

Solution (scroll wheel): Scroll each wheel, then hit the switch on the right:

• 1st Wheel: 3 scrolls
• 2nd Wheel: 4 scrolls
• 3rd Wheel: 5 scrolls
• 4th Wheel: 4 scrolls
• 5th Wheel: 2 scrolls

Reward: Equipment Manual

What rewards are worth prioritizing?

Not every strongbox reward carries equal weight for your progression. After working through all 15, here is how the rewards stack up by usefulness:

High priority:

• Hernand Castle (Recipe: Lavish Meal): cooking recipes are rare early-game and this one unlocks a high-value food buff
• Arboria Castle (Equipment Manual): directly supports gear crafting progression
• Church of West Demeniss (Dagger of Radiance): a weapon reward, useful depending on your build

Medium priority:

• The necklace and earring rewards from Hillside Manor, Lioncrest Manor, and Bluemont Manor 2 are solid accessories for early-to-mid game character builds

Utility items:

• Stellen Manor Strongbox 1 drops the Stellen Manor Closet Key, which opens another locked area within the manor itself. Sungrove Manor Key works similarly. Treat these as progression items rather than equipment.

For more Crimson Desert content covering builds, boss strategies, and hidden secrets, browse the latest guides on GAMES.GG.