The Abyss Cell puzzle in Crimson Desert is quietly becoming one of Chapter 1's most talked-about sticking points, and it's not because it's brutally difficult. It's because the game doesn't make it obvious enough what you're actually supposed to do.
Developed by Pearl Abyss, Crimson Desert dropped players into the massive open world of Pywel with a lot to absorb. The Abyss Cell sequence arrives after Kliff learns Axiom Force and crosses the skybridge into the heart of the Abyss. Once there, players activate the Abyss Nexus and use Axiom Force to move a floating power core to a deactivated lantern, which clears the floor wall. That part most players handle fine. Then comes the puzzle.
The Force Palm Mechanic Players Keep Missing
Here's the thing: the game actually shows you exactly what to do. After the floor clears, a holographic demonstration appears, showing a figure punching a cell. The key here is that you have to hold the Observe button while looking directly at that hologram to learn the Force Palm skill. On PlayStation and Xbox controllers, that button is L1 or LB respectively, displayed in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Skip past that hologram without observing it, and you're stuck. A lot of players are doing exactly that.
Once Force Palm is learned, it's mapped to R3 or RS by default. Hold it down to charge up, release when the holograms disappear and the real cell is revealed. The Abyss Cell synthesizes within a few seconds, and the objective shifts to the next challenge.
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Don't rush past the holographic demonstration. You must hold the Observe button (L1/LB) while facing it directly, or Force Palm won't be added to your moveset.
Activating the Abyss Power Supply Is Where Things Get Frustrating
The second objective, "Activate the Abyss power supply," is where players really start second-guessing themselves. The target is the large circular door the game's cutscene already pointed toward, but reaching it isn't immediately obvious.
The path up is a pillar located to the left and above where Kliff just used Force Palm. Climb that pillar to reach the circular door, then scale the door itself until reaching the center. From there, charge Force Palm again and release it. When done correctly, the door's lights shift to blue, Kliff gets thrown clear, and the "Restore the Abyss" challenge registers as complete.
Climbing to the door's center
What Completing This Unlocks
After the power supply activates, players climb back up to collect the Abyss Artifact from the door, triggering a cutscene that hands it over automatically. Speaking with the woman in white then grants a new traversal ability that makes getting around Pywel noticeably easier.
That ability carries Kliff back to Harnand, where approaching the objective marker triggers Chapter 2 automatically. The main story continues from there, and it keeps functioning as a tutorial for Kliff's expanding skillset.
Why This Puzzle Matters Beyond Chapter 1
The Abyss Cell sequence is a good early indicator of how Crimson Desert handles its environmental puzzles. The solutions are almost always in plain sight, tied to abilities the game has just introduced. What most players miss is that observing the holographic demonstrations isn't optional. It's the mechanic.
Players who push through Chapter 1 will find the open world opens up considerably once Kliff has his full early-game toolkit. There's plenty waiting beyond the main quest too, from side content to hidden discoveries scattered across Pywel. For more on navigating what comes next, browse more guides to stay ahead of the game's many other puzzles and challenges. Make sure to check out more:
