Crimson Desert‘s sandbox open world lets you do loads of things, which of course includes criminal activities, from breaking stuff and getting fined for vandalism to stealing farm animals to sell off to illegal merchants to taking a person’s life savings because they left their door unlocked.
But even though these are possible, the game never really tells you how to do it or that they require a very specific prerequisite.
So, here’s everything you need to know.
How stealing works in Crimson Desert
To steal or perform criminal activities, as the game calls them (which does not include some stuff you get fined for, like killing guards or civilians or destroying public property), you need to find and equip a Mask.
The Mask is a unique item that is specifically made to allow you to steal, letting you open any chest or pick up any item you find in the world that isn’t yours or “shared” by a neutral or hostile faction. It is very easy to find, as it is a common drop from Bleed Bandits, who spawn all over Hernand and typically patrol the roads around the Duchy.
I most frequently found them respawning along the river just south of the city of Hernand, around the same mountain pass that you take to reach the Greymane camp. I also spotted them west of the city along the roads and among the woods, as they have several smaller camps set up where they seem to respawn. Indeed, one of the earliest quests you come across involving some missing cows will have you raid a bandit camp, and they’ll almost certainly drop at least one Mask during that encounter.
Once you have it, merely equip it, and you’ll be able to start stealing in Crimson Desert. This involves any sort of repossession of another’s property, but be warned that a red area and a timer will spawn around you after you engage in stealing, and if guards or citizens spot you while the area is active, you’ll be fined or pursued by the authorities.
