Matthias is one of the first real tests Crimson Desert throws at you, and he hits hard enough to catch unprepared players off guard. Found in the City of Hernan during Chapter 2, this sword-wielding boss challenges you to think beyond brute force. The secret to winning? Turning his own signature move against him.
Where Do You Find Matthias?
Matthias appears in the City of Hernan as part of the Hernand in Chaos main questline during Chapter 2. After approaching a group of NPCs discussing Greymanes, a cutscene triggers automatically, and Matthias steps forward to challenge you to a duel. You cannot miss this encounter since it is woven directly into the main story progression.
How to Beat Matthias in Crimson Desert
The fastest path to victory runs through Crimson Desert's Watch and Learn mechanic. Rather than grinding Matthias down through raw damage, the fight rewards patience and observation.
Matthias Double Slash wind-up
Step 1: Watch for the Pump Kick and Learn It
When Matthias winds up and launches his Pump Kick, a double flying knee charge that can knock you flat, your job is to stay focused on him with your camera and hold the Interact button the moment the animation plays. This triggers the Watch and Learn prompt, teaching you the Pump Kick skill on the spot.
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Your camera must be facing Matthias when he performs the Pump Kick, and you must hold the Interact button at that exact moment. Missing the prompt means waiting for him to use the move again.
Once you have learned the skill, back away to create distance. The Pump Kick requires a brief charge before executing, so you need space to pull it off cleanly. Land it on Matthias and he will be left completely vulnerable, opening a large damage window to punish him.
Step 2: Keep Your Distance and React to His Combos
Outside of the Pump Kick, Matthias relies heavily on his sword. His primary combo tool is the Double Slash, where he winds his sword back for a wide sweeping strike before immediately following up with an overhead chop. Both hits have long wind-up animations, which gives you enough reaction time to roll backward and avoid the sequence entirely.
The key habit here is patience. Matthias does not pressure you relentlessly, and his recovery times after combos are generous. Let him commit to an attack string, dodge or block through it, then step in to deal your damage before retreating again.
Step 3: Use Your Shield Consistently
Matthias does not have any attacks that drain your stamina in a single hit, which makes your shield an excellent safety net throughout the fight. Keeping your shield raised while observing his movements lets you absorb any surprise strikes without getting knocked down and left exposed.
This is especially useful early in the fight before you have learned the Pump Kick. Blocking his sword attacks buys you time to study his patterns safely.
Matthias combat health UI
What Do You Get for Defeating Matthias?
Pump Kick Skill Unlock
Beating Matthias (and learning his move mid-fight via Watch and Learn) permanently unlocks the Pump Kick skill for your character. This is a powerful two-footed kick that sends enemies flying, making it a useful tool well beyond this single encounter.
According to the game's skill system, certain abilities can be obtained by starting a boss fight, observing the boss through Watch and Learn, or defeating the boss outright. The Pump Kick specifically requires the Watch and Learn observation during the fight itself, so do not skip that step even if you feel confident you can win without it.
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The Pump Kick is not automatically granted just by winning the fight. You must actively trigger the Watch and Learn prompt while Matthias performs the move to add it to your skill set.
Tips for First-Time Players
- Prioritize learning the Pump Kick before focusing on dealing damage. The skill reward is worth the patience.
- Watch Matthias's left knee during his Pump Kick wind-up. That telegraph is your earliest indicator to dodge.
- Avoid standing toe-to-toe between his attack combos. His sword slashes have deceptive range.
- Keep stamina available for dodging his Pump Kick rather than spending it all on offensive rolls.
Why the Watch and Learn Mechanic Changes Everything
What makes the Matthias fight memorable is how Crimson Desert uses it to introduce the Watch and Learn system. This is not just a gimmick for one boss. Throughout the game, bosses and enemies teach you skills by performing them in front of you, rewarding observation over button-mashing. Matthias is your first real lesson in that philosophy.
Mastering this approach early pays dividends across the entire game. For more detail on how this ability observation system interacts with other bosses.
If you want to keep building on this foundation, browse more guides covering Crimson Desert bosses, builds, and progression tips to stay ahead as the game's challenge ramps up.