Crimson Desert Arm Wrestling Guide: Hero's Handshake Challenge

Arm Wrestling is one of the many side activities you can do in Crimson Desert. We first encounter it very early on in Chapter 1 during the "Rumors Gather", where Kliff is sent to look for his scattered Greymane friends.

While a simple distraction, it's a key part of the early game and throughout, especially if you want to win some coin!

How to Win Arm Wrestling Matches

Arm Wrestling in Crimson Desert is pretty easy overall. Smash a button, then quickly hit the Quick Time Events (QTEs) when prompted to fill the bar.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to win every time:

1. The Mash Phase: As soon as the countdown ends, tap E/Square/X as fast as possible. You will see a clenched fist icon begin to fill with red
2. The QTE Trigger: Periodically, the game will try to break your rhythm with a QTE. An arrow will spin around a circular gauge; you must press R/X/A exactly when the arrow enters the white highlighted section
3. The Recovery: Immediately after a successful QTE, return to mashing E/Square/X. Use the momentum from the QTE to push the bar toward the finish line
4. The Victory: Once the fist icon is completely filled with red, Kliff will slam the opponent’s hand down, ending the match

Pro Tip: While Crimson Desert can feel a little clunky, with the QTEs, precision is key. Do not spam R/X/A, wait for it to prompt you, then hit it in the red section

Rewards: The Hero’s Handshake Challenge

As an extra quick tip, once you complete the 3 required Arm Wrestling matches for the challenge, make sure to stick around for one more. Doing so will trigger the fight with the Champion and complete the Hero's Handshake I challenge, giving you another Abyss Artifact in the process.

Summary of Controls & Tips