To get married in Crimson Desert, raise an eligible NPC's regular Trust to 100, select Interact > Flirt, and build the additional romantic Trust level to 100 before choosing Propose. Daily interaction limits make this a relationship you develop over several in-game days, rather than one long conversation.
This guide covers Crimson Desert: Enhanced's Charting the Unknown expansion and Update 2.04.00. Choose your protagonist before starting: flirting as Kliff, Oongka, or Damiane reduces that NPC's Trust toward the other playable characters.
How do you increase the additional Trust level through Flirt?
Start by checking whether your chosen NPC supports romance. Inspect their interaction menu and look for a heart symbol near their relationship indicator. Eligibility matters before you start handing over valuable gifts.
Build regular Trust to 100 through conversation, sharing Knowledge, and gifts. Once you meet that threshold with an eligible character, select Interact > Flirt to begin developing the additional relationship level.
This second meter is the one that leads to marriage. Continue through the romantic interactions, using Gift and Chat to increase it. Reaching 100 on the first meter gets you into the romance system; reaching 100 on the additional meter gets you to the proposal requirement.
Check the Flirt interaction
How often can Gift and Chat increase Trust?
Gift and Chat can each increase additional Trust once per in-game day. Their limits are separate, so using one does not replace the opportunity to use the other.
Update 2.04.00 also adds a visible cooldown after an interaction raises Trust. Check that timer before repeating the action. Another conversation during its cooldown will not add romantic progress.
| Interaction | How it helps | Additional Trust limit | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gift | Builds the relationship by giving an item | Once per in-game day | The NPC's preferences and Gift cooldown |
| Chat | Lets you share Knowledge and earn Trust | Once per in-game day | Available conversation and Chat cooldown |
For an efficient visit, use the available romantic interactions, give an appropriate gift, and share Knowledge through Chat. Once those opportunities are on cooldown, explore Pywel or complete another activity until they refresh.
How does flirting affect the other playable characters?
Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane have separate relationships with NPCs. Flirting with someone as one protagonist lowers that same NPC's Trust toward the other playable characters.
That makes switching protagonists during a romance counterproductive. If you intend to marry an NPC as Kliff, keep using Kliff for that relationship instead of alternating visits with Oongka and Damiane.
For adventuring with another playable character, use our tag team companion guide. Keep your romance visits tied to the protagonist you want to marry.
How much Trust do you need to propose?
You need 100 additional romantic Trust to unlock the proposal. A regular Trust score of 100 is the earlier requirement for starting romantic interactions, not the finish line.
Once the additional level reaches 100, select Propose through the NPC's interaction menu. Check any character-specific quest requirement as well, particularly when pursuing a witch.
| Relationship stage | Required Trust | What it unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Regular relationship | 100 | Flirt with an eligible NPC |
| Additional romantic relationship | 100 | Propose, subject to special conditions |
Propose at 100 romantic Trust
What must you complete before pursuing a witch?
Witches have an extra requirement: complete the relevant witch's sanctum quest. Gifts and a high Trust score do not replace that quest condition.
If a witch's romance is not progressing, check her sanctum quest before spending more time on relationship interactions. Complete that requirement, then continue building the Trust needed for marriage.
If you are still choosing a partner, our romance and flirting guide covers the broader relationship system and Witch marriage candidates.
How do you designate a residence for your spouse?
Charting the Unknown adds 17 residences, which you can construct through dispatch missions. After marriage, designate a residence for your spouse, and they will live there.
The sequence is:
- Build a residence through a dispatch mission.
- Marry your chosen NPC.
- Designate a residence as your spouse's home.
The map also displays a residence owner's icon for Kliff, Oongka, or Damiane. Use that marker to identify which protagonist owns the property.
How do you customize your home?
For the expanded housing tools, establish Greymane Camp at Howling Hill and complete Luke's Request, a Greymane faction quest under Grounds of the Sunrise. You can then access the construction tools through Home Decoration > Layout > Free Construction to arrange structural elements such as walls and windows.
How do you locate and travel with your spouse?
After marriage, your spouse receives an icon on both the world map and minimap. Use those markers when you need to find them again while exploring Pywel.
Marriage also lets you travel together with your spouse. The map icon makes locating your partner straightforward, while the designated residence gives them a home when you establish one.
What happens if you break up with your spouse?
You can end a marriage, but breaking up carries a cost. Consider that consequence before ending a relationship that took several in-game days of additional Trust progress to build.
Common mistakes
Why is Flirt missing?
If you cannot select Flirt, check the requirements in this order:
- Make sure Charting the Unknown is installed.
- Check whether the NPC supports romance.
- Raise regular Trust to 100.
- Complete any special condition, such as a witch's sanctum quest.
Why has romantic Trust stopped increasing?
Check the cooldown beside Gift or Chat first. Each interaction type can raise additional Trust only once per in-game day, so repeating the same action can leave the meter unchanged.
If Trust has fallen instead, check which protagonist you used. Flirting with the same NPC as Oongka or Damiane can reduce that NPC's Trust toward Kliff, and the same rule applies between the other playable characters.
Pro tips
Learn preferences before choosing gifts
Update 2.04.00 adds books that help you learn residents' preferences. For a gift-focused approach, use that information to choose items the NPC likes rather than treating every gift as equally effective.
Build romance visits around the cooldown
For players working toward marriage while exploring Pywel, combine Gift and Chat during a visit, then return when their displayed cooldowns refresh. This uses both daily opportunities without spending extra visits repeating an interaction that cannot yet raise Trust.
Frequently asked questions
Can Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane all get married?
Yes. All three playable protagonists can pursue marriage with eligible NPCs. Their relationships are separate, and flirting affects the NPC's Trust toward the other protagonists.
Can you change your spouse's appearance?
Yes. After marriage, you can change your spouse's appearance at barber shops, a feature added in Update 2.04.00.
Does your spouse give you gifts?
Your spouse may occasionally give you gifts after marriage. They can also travel with you and live at a designated residence.
For help planning your next activity in Pywel between romance visits, browse the Crimson Desert guide collection.
