How to unlock pickpocketing and stealing in Crimson Desert
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
A new guide from Polygon explains how players can unlock the ability to steal and pickpocket in Crimson Desert by acquiring and equipping masks from defeated bandits.
Open-world RPGs usually let you start lifting items from NPCs within the first ten minutes. Pearl Abyss is taking a slightly different approach with Crimson Desert. Players diving into the new release are quickly noticing that the steal prompt stays frustratingly greyed out. The game does not spell out the requirement, leaving many explorers wondering how to kick off their life of crime. According to a detailed guide by Ford James over at Polygon, the secret to unlocking larceny lies in your facewear.
To actually pick pockets and swipe guarded goods, you need to be wearing a mask. Without one, the game treats you as a law-abiding citizen and restricts you to standard item gathering. The easiest way to get your hands on a mask early on is by hunting down bandits roaming outside of Hernand, or simply progressing through the main narrative into Chapter 2 where bandit encounters become frequent. Once you loot a mask off a downed enemy and equip it, the stealing mechanic finally opens up.
Of course, a life of crime comes with built-in risks. Pulling off a heist in Crimson Desert lowers your regional reputation by five points every time you get caught in the act. If you manage to stay hidden until the on-screen timer runs out, you can walk away clean. It adds a nice layer of tension to open-world exploration, giving players on console and PC a solid incentive to master stealth mechanics before cleaning out the local merchants.
Tags: Crimson Desert, RPG, Guides, Gaming News, Pearl Abyss
Original article: Polygon