Last updated on March 22, 2026
There are several locations across the world of Crimson Desert where you can carry out research projects. These aren’t just optional activities, they unlock some of the most useful upgrades in the game, from infinite arrows to improved traversal tools like advanced flying machines. Before you can dive into any of these upgrade trees, you’ll first need to learn how to research. Each hub starts with a short quest, and only after completing it will the research system open up.
Scholastone Institute Research
The first place where most players will interact with research is the Scholastone Institute. Here you’ll meet Grunvar, an old orc with a rough attitude who introduces you to the system starting from Chapter 5.
After completing his initial request, you gain access to multiple research options:
- Abyssal Environment Research
Rewards the Beekeper’s Gear Blueprint
Cost: 1 Silver - Research on the Abyss Energy Restoration Phenomenon
Rewards the Faded Abyss Artifact Blueprint
Cost: 12 Silver - Abyssal Energy Research
Increases your maximum health beyond the default cap
Cost: 130 Silver - Enhanced Cloudcart Efficiency
Unlocks a dispatch mission to craft the Cloudcruiser
Cost: 9 Silver - Enhanced Cloudcart Altitude
Allows Cloudcarts to reach the abyss
Cost: 100 Silver - Abyss Energy Applicable Device Research
Unlocks crafting missions for ATAG Thrustpack MK II and MK III
Also enables Skystep integration into Damiene’s shields
Cost: 500 Silver - Skyroot Research
Opens additional Skyroot upgrades
Cost: 7 Silver - Skyroot Cultivation Research
Allows harvesting seeds from Skyroot
Cost: 90 Silver
Once you start your first research, you’ll need to wait around 14 in-game hours for it to complete. After that, you must return to the institute in person to claim the reward.
Progressing further
After finishing the first research, new side quests will appear around the area. These are required if you want to unlock the next stages.
You’ll be:
- Talking to assistants
- Inspecting devices
- Gathering materials
One of the simpler tasks involves finding a plant called false starwort. You just follow the marker, pick the white flower and return it.
Completing these tasks unlocks the next set of research options and the process repeats.
Pororin Research
Pororin is a hidden village located southeast of Hernand, near Emberwind Workshop. Getting there isn’t straightforward.
The first time you approach, you’ll be knocked out by strange children using a dart and taken away. After waking up, a nearby shai NPC gives you a task: retrieve a relic from a towering walking tree.
You’ll need to climb the creature, reach its head and grab the item. Once you return it, the village becomes accessible.
After completing a short quest for the local researcher, you unlock the following research options:
- Research on Getting Closer to Nature
Rewards Shadowleaf Disguise Blueprint and infinite arrows
Cost: 1.10 Silver - Pharmacological Research on Medicinal Herbs
Unlocks the Palmar Pill recipe
Cost: 7 Silver - Palmar Leaf Research
Improves the rate of infinite arrow supply
Cost: 9 Silver - Mysterious Energy of Wild Ginseng Research
Increases container capacity
Cost: 130 Silver - Plant Combination Research
Unlocks elixirs: Freya’s, Meliara’s, and Haiden’s
Cost: 120 Silver - Efficient Gathering Research
Boosts chances of collecting extra plants
Cost: 70 Silver - Reachwood Ruins Dispatch Plan
Unlocks a new dispatch mission
Cost: 80 Silver - Secret Tools of Life
Unlocks crafting missions for Magic Scythe and Pororin Fishing Rod
Cost: 500 Silver
Just like at Scholastone, the first research must be turned in manually to unlock additional activities.
Village tasks
To continue progressing, you’ll need to:
- Explore parts of the environment
- Observe specific locations
- Talk to NPCs around the village
You can also track research progress remotely by selecting the village on the map and switching to the research tab.
Keep in mind that some research paths pause until you complete certain side quests.
Urdavah Research
In the desert region, within the city of Urdavah, you’ll find another research hub focused more on combat and advanced systems.
Here’s what you can unlock:
- Desert Lifestyle Research
Rewards Varnian Equipment Blueprint - Bioenergy Amplification Research
Enhances the effects of cooked food - Wind Energy Fusion Device Research
Unlocks crafting for propeller spear, gale shield, and air blaster - Gold Vein Research
Acts as a foundation for further gold-related upgrades - Red Seaweed Research
Unlocks materials that increase stamina beyond its base limit - High Capacity Energy Power Device Research
Unlocks ATAG Plating Mk II and III crafting - Circulating Energy Research
Grants accessory blueprints
Final notes
Research in Crimson Desert takes time and requires some backtracking, but the rewards are worth it. Whether you’re aiming for better survivability, improved mobility, or quality-of-life upgrades like infinite arrows, each research hub offers something valuable.
If you want to make the most out of the system, don’t ignore the smaller tasks around each location. They’re the key to unlocking everything else.
For more guides visit our page Crimson Desert Guides.
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