In Crimson Desert, the “Abyss Without Balance” is one of the early narrative beats that introduces players to the Abyss as both a story element and a core gameplay system. The Abyss represents a mystical, destabilized realm whose imbalance is affecting the world of Pywel and Kliff’s journey.
Early in the quest, you’re not just solving something abstract — you’re gradually unlocking key tools like Axiom Force and Force Palm, and those tools are reused as you progress through the Abyss sequence.
1. How to Solve the Abyss Without Balance Puzzle
The full Abyss Without Balance questline spans multiple sections, starting with opening the Axiom Archive and ending with the Abyss device activation.
1.1. Solve the Axiom Archive Door Puzzle
Rotating Polar Opposite panels
After you pass through the shining gate in Hernand Castle and enter the Abyss, you’ll arrive on a floating island with a towering locked structure called the Axiom Archive directly ahead. The main quest objective at this point — Polar Opposites — requires you to open the tower to proceed deeper into the Abyss and trigger the next phase of the story.
- Walk up to the ground plates nearest the door; they’re etched with circuitry lines but initially appear inactive.
- Use Axiom Force (Tab/L3) on each plate and rotate them so their colored paths connect and carry power between both plates.
- Once the power flows through both, the Axiom Archive’s entrance unlocks, and a short cutscene plays, letting you walk into the building and continue the quest.
1.2. How to Activate the Alignment Device
Using Axiom Force on Alignment device
Once you’ve progressed past the Axiom Archive door and entered the Abyss puzzle area, a small pillar‑like alignment device stands on the ground near a triangular stone formation.
- Get close to the pillar with the round disc at the top.
- Use Axiom Force focus on the center of that circular disk — you need to see the targeting reticle attach to the center rather than the outer edges.
- Keep rotating the disc until the device lights up blue and emits a sound cue.
- Keep holding the rotation/interaction for several seconds in that position, and a skybridge will be created for traversal.
1.3. Cross the Skybridge Pathway
Crossing Skybridge
Follow the floating platforms across the Abyss. Movement here is straightforward, but timing matters: Some platforms move into position after a delay, and certain jumps require a held input to reach higher ledges. Continue upward until reaching the main puzzle structure at the end of the pathway.
1.4. Move Abyss Cube to the Lantern
Placing Power cube on lantern
With the Nexus active, you can use Axiom Force — the telekinetic grab mechanic. It lets you tether, rotate, and reposition objects around the area. The first thing you’ll use it on is the central blue energy cube floating in the air:
- Grab the cube with Axiom Force
- Drag it toward the inactive lantern pillar on the right
- Rotate the Cube with Q and E until it’s in the perfect shape of the lantern.
- Place the cube so it fits cleanly into the lantern’s slot.
When the cube connects, the floor underneath shifts, revealing the lower portion of the puzzle area. This creates space to continue and synthesize the next components.
1.5. Insert the Floating Tile into the Wall Slot
Learning Force Palm
After connecting the cube drop-down to the main Abyss puzzle area, find the Floating Tile.
- Look for a hovering, rectangular stone tile — it emits a faint glow and hovers slightly off the ground.
- Use Axiom Force by pressing Tab and move it to the wall next to the generators.
- Rotate the floating tile to the correct position and place it close to the wall slot.
- You will learn the Force Palm ability from this hologram and use it on the wall.
- Press the Middle Mouse Button or R3 and slam the floating tile in the wall using the Force Palm ability.
This will start a small cutscene showing that power to the main circular device is now live.
Using Force Palm on Wall
1.6. Use Force Palm on Central Abyss Device
Force Palm on Abyss Device
After the connection is established and the device is powered up, you need to climb out of the puzzle area to get to the large circular device/door.
- Get to the circular device and climb the middle circle.
- Target the central disk with Force Palm and unlock the pathway.
This will complete the Abyss without Balance quest puzzle, and you will move further in the story and talk to White Crow.
2. Abyss Without Balance Quest Rewards
Flight skill
Abyss Without Balance is the main storyline quest, and after completing the puzzle and learning key abilities, you will talk to White Crow, who will reward you with another skill called Flight. Here are all the rewards you get from completing the quest:
- Faded Abyss Artifact — a key item used in the game’s progression and respec system, allowing you to redistribute skill points later.
- Ability Unlock Progression — progressing this quest unlocks Axiom Force and Force Palm, which are both required for future Abyss puzzles and environmental interactions.
- Abyss Nexus Activation & Fast Travel Point — completing this sequence also gives you access to an Abyss Nexus, which functions as a fast travel/waypoint in that region.
- Flight Skill — Reward from White Crow, which allows you to glide while falling. You will use this ability to fly down from the abyss.
