Crimson Desert Romance Guide - How to Flirt, Get Married and Build Relationships

The world of Crimson Desert is no longer just about dangerous battles, challenging quests and exploring the vast lands of Pywel. With the release of Charting the Unknown, players can develop romantic relationships, find a partner and even get married.

The expansion introduces a new layer to the existing Trust system, allowing eligible characters to become more than ordinary acquaintances.

However, winning someone's heart takes more than a single conversation or an expensive gift. You'll need to understand their preferences, build Trust and develop a romantic connection before proposing.

This guide explains how the relationship system works, which characters you can romance and what happens after marriage.

How to Start a Romance in Crimson Desert

Romantic relationships are available through the Charting the Unknown DLC.

You don't need to finish the entire main story to begin pursuing an eligible NPC, although some characters have additional quest requirements.

Step 1 - Find a Romanceable Character

Not every inhabitant of Pywel is available as a romantic partner.

Approach a character and open their interaction menu. Look for the heart indicator, which identifies an NPC who can participate in the romance system.

If a character has no available romance interaction, simply increasing their Trust won't necessarily unlock one.

Kliff, Oongka and Damiane can develop relationships with eligible inhabitants, but each playable hero has their own relationship progress.

Step 2 - Raise Trust to 100

Before starting a romance, develop your ordinary relationship with the chosen character.

The most useful methods include:

• Gifts - Give items that match the NPC's personal preferences.
• Conversations - Use the Chat interaction and share relevant Knowledge.
• Personal quests - Complete available activities connected to the character.
• Learning preferences - Use information about residents to discover what they appreciate.

Choosing suitable gifts and conversation topics is generally more effective than giving random items.

The interaction menu also displays cooldown information, helping you understand when another conversation or gift can increase Trust.

Step 3 - Unlock Flirting

Once your relationship has developed sufficiently, open the interaction menu and select Flirt.

This introduces an additional romantic Trust level.

Continue developing the relationship through conversations, gifts and romantic interactions.

Each relevant interaction type can increase romantic Trust once per in-game day, so repeatedly using the same action won't instantly fill the meter.

Step 4 - Reach 100 Romantic Trust and Propose

After the romantic relationship level reaches 100, the proposal option becomes available.

It's important not to confuse ordinary Trust with romantic Trust. They represent different stages of your relationship.

The progression is:

1. Find an eligible character.
2. Increase ordinary Trust.
3. Unlock and use Flirt.
4. Build romantic Trust to 100.
5. Choose the marriage proposal option.

How to Increase Trust Faster

Building relationships can take several in-game days, but there are ways to make the process more efficient.

Focus on learning what your chosen character likes instead of spending valuable items without a plan.

Useful approaches include:

• Give preferred gifts rather than random valuables.
• Choose conversation topics related to the NPC's interests.
• Check interaction cooldowns before returning.
• Complete relevant personal and faction quests.
• Participate in camp festivals when available.

Festivals at the Greymane Camp can provide opportunities to strengthen relationships with visiting characters.

However, they aren't a guaranteed shortcut to an immediate wedding.

How to Romance the Witches

The witches of Pywel are among the most interesting potential romantic partners.

Unlike ordinary residents, they have an important additional requirement: you must complete the relevant Sanctum faction questline before pursuing their special romance conditions.

The four notable witches are:

• Bari - Witch of Kindness
• Elowen - Witch of Wisdom
• Lyselia - Witch of Humility
• Areciel - Witch of Strength

Their faction quests provide additional reasons to explore Pywel and become familiar with these characters.

Completing the required questline unlocks the path toward romance, but it shouldn't be confused with automatically completing the entire relationship progression.

You'll still need to develop the necessary romantic Trust.

Marriage and Life With Your Spouse

Marriage introduces several practical features rather than serving only as a short romantic scene.

After getting married, your spouse can:

• Move into a residence you designate.
• Accompany you on journeys through Pywel.
• Occasionally give you gifts.
• Appear through a dedicated icon on the world map and minimap.
• Have their appearance adjusted through the barber system.

The expansion also introduces additional residences, making housing an important part of married life.

Important Relationship Rules

Different Heroes Have Separate Relationships

Kliff, Oongka and Damiane do not share one universal romance meter.

Flirting with an NPC as one playable hero can reduce that NPC's Trust toward the other two.

It's therefore worth deciding which character will pursue a particular relationship before investing significant time and resources.

Not Every NPC Can Be Romanced

The heart indicator and available interactions determine eligibility.

The three playable protagonists cannot romance one another, and not every friendly NPC is a potential marriage partner.

Can You Get Divorced?

Yes. Marriage isn't necessarily permanent.

The game allows players to end a relationship after the wedding, although doing so comes with consequences or a cost.

If you decide to pursue a different future, check the relevant interaction options with your spouse.

Why Isn't the Flirt Option Available?

If you cannot begin a romantic relationship, check the following:

• The Charting the Unknown DLC is installed and active.
• The chosen NPC supports romance.
• Your ordinary Trust is sufficiently developed.
• Any special character quests have been completed.
• The relevant interaction isn't on cooldown.
• You're using the playable hero whose relationship you intended to develop.

For witches, the Sanctum quest requirement is especially important.

Romance adds a different dimension to Crimson Desert's enormous world. Instead of treating every resident as a quest giver or merchant, you can gradually develop personal connections that influence your adventures and life at home.

Whether you're hoping to marry one of Pywel's mysterious witches or simply find someone to accompany you across its dangerous landscapes, the key is patience, thoughtful interactions and understanding how Trust works.