With the highly anticipated launch of Crimson Desert just around the corner, the gaming community is buzzing with discussions about its massive open world, intricate combat systems, and deep RPG-lite mechanics. While much of the pre-release hype has focused on the epic dragon battles and the staggering scale of the Pywel continent, some of the most intriguing features are the ones that add layers of immersion and convenience to the everyday experience. Among the most talked-about quality-of-life features are the ability to tame and befriend dogs to aid you on your journey, as well as the highly sought-after Auto-Loot system that promises to streamline exploration. However, as early reviews and leaks suggest, unlocking these mechanics isn’t as simple as finding a stray animal or checking a settings menu; they are deeply intertwined with the game’s reputation systems, side quests, and the protagonist’s journey from a fallen mercenary to a respected clan leader.
How to Tame and Befriend Dogs in Crimson Desert
In Crimson Desert, the bond between a mercenary and their canine companion is not something you can purchase from a stable or unlock via a simple skill point. Instead, taming dogs is a process rooted in the game’s core philosophy: learning through observation and reputation.
Unlike traditional RPGs where you might feed a stray animal a piece of meat to instantly gain its loyalty, Crimson Desert requires a more nuanced approach. Based on leaked gameplay and early reviews, the process begins in the various towns and villages scattered across regions like Hernand or the politically charged city of Deminis.
Step 1: Observation and Interaction
As you explore the villages, you will notice stray dogs roaming the streets. The game’s “learning by watching” mechanic, which allows you to copy combat moves from enemies, also applies here. You must observe the dogs’ behavior. Initially, they will be wary of you—especially if your character, Cliff, is still a “Zé Ninguém” (a nobody) wandering after the fall of the Grey Mane clan.
To initiate the taming process:
- Approach Slowly: Sprinting or drawing a weapon will scare them away.
- Look for “Neutral” Reputation Zones: Dogs in towns where you have a neutral or positive reputation will tolerate your presence. If you have a bounty or negative reputation due to accidental attacks on NPCs, dogs will flee from you or even growl, making taming impossible.
- Use the “Learn” Prompt: When close to a dog, a prompt will appear allowing you to Observe. This initiates a mini-game or interaction where your character learns how to communicate with the animal.
Step 2: Building Trust Through Side Quests
This is where the game’s depth comes into play. You cannot simply tame a dog in five minutes. The bond is built through specific side quests tied to the village’s residents. For instance, a villager might ask you to find their lost pet, or you might discover a dog guarding a hidden treasure in the ruins of a Grey Mane outpost.
Completing these quests does two things:
- Increases Reputation: This is crucial. As noted in pre-release analysis, if you cause chaos in a town (accidentally hitting a citizen or starting a brawl), the town will “close its doors” to you. To earn a dog’s loyalty, you must be seen as a helper, not a mercenary brute.
- Unlocks the “Companion” Mechanic: Once a dog’s trust reaches a threshold, you can assign it as a companion. Dogs serve multiple functions:
- Scavenging: They can sniff out hidden items, treasure chests, and resources in the wild, marking them on your mini-map.
- Combat Assistance: While not as powerful as a dragon, dogs can distract enemies, perform grapple attacks, and help you during early-game skirmishes when you are still building your combat skill tree.
- Guidance: Some dogs are tied to specific regions (like the frozen mountains of Pailon) and can lead you to secret paths, puzzles, or Abyss entrances that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.
How to Unlock Auto-Loot
The Auto-Loot feature is perhaps one of the most requested mechanics for players who want to maintain the game’s fast-paced action without constantly stopping to press a button on every corpse or herb. However, like the dog-taming system, Auto-Loot is not a default setting. It is an unlockable upgrade tied to your progression and the management of your new clan headquarters.
Step 1: Establish Your Village (The Grey Mane Reborn)
As mentioned in the pre-release details, a significant part of Crimson Desert involves rebuilding your clan. After the initial hours where you are a lone wanderer on horseback, the narrative pushes you to gather your scattered companions and establish a new base of operations.
To unlock Auto-Loot, you must first invest in the Looting & Crafting infrastructure of your village. This involves:
- Recruiting specific NPCs: Certain merchants and craftsmen you save or help during side quests will offer to join your village. You need to recruit a specific type of “Quartermaster” or “Scavenger” NPC.
- Building a Storehouse: You must allocate resources to build a designated storehouse or workshop. This isn’t just cosmetic; it serves as the hub for your clan’s logistics.
Step 2: Upgrade the “Scavenger” Skill Tree
Once your village is established, you will unlock a management menu where you can assign tasks to your companions and upgrade your clan’s capabilities. Among the upgrade branches is a Scavenger or Logistics tree.
Auto-Loot is typically the final upgrade in this branch. To reach it:
- Send Companions on Expeditions: You can command your recruited clan members to “farm” or “hunt” in specific regions. Successfully completing these dispatch missions provides the necessary resources and experience to upgrade the Scavenger branch.
- Complete the “Artifact of Efficiency” Puzzle: According to early impressions, some of the most powerful upgrades are locked behind puzzles found in the Abyss areas—the sky-based puzzle zones. There is speculation that a specific Abyss puzzle in the Delésia region (the technological area) rewards the player with the “Auto-Loot” ability as a permanent artifact.
Step 3: Gameplay Implications
Once unlocked, Auto-Loot is contextual. It does not simply vacuum up every item on the screen. Instead:
- After Combat: Upon defeating a group of enemies, a prompt appears to “Collect All.” Activating it instantly harvests all materials, gold, and common items from the bodies in the immediate vicinity.
- Gathering: While riding your horse or exploring, you will automatically harvest basic resources (herbs, ores) without needing to dismount or press a button, provided you are close enough.
Important Considerations and Warnings
Before you set your expectations too high, it is crucial to temper them with the reality of the game’s current state.
Performance and Bugs
As noted in the source material, while Crimson Desert is ambitious, it is not without its flaws. Early reviews (including footage on the PlayStation 5 Pro via Digital Foundry) have shown the presence of bugs, ranging from visual pop-in to occasional mechanical glitches. If you are playing on a base PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, or an older PC, it is highly advisable to wait for post-launch performance reviews before purchasing. The game utilizes Denuvo on PC, but early reports suggest it hasn’t caused significant performance issues so far—though caution is still recommended.
Reputation is Everything
Both the dog-taming and auto-loot systems are heavily tied to your reputation. If you go on a rampage in a city, accidentally or otherwise, you will become a wanted criminal. Guards will hunt you, shops will close, and stray dogs will refuse to approach you. You may end up spending your hard-earned gold to pay off bounties simply because you mis-clicked an attack button in a crowded market. Patience and precision are key.
Timing and Progression
Do not expect to tame a dog or unlock Auto-Loot within the first two hours of the game. The early game is deliberately designed to make you feel like a powerless survivor. You start on horseback, with basic gear, and must work your way up from being a “Zé Ninguém” to a clan leader. The systems described above are rewards for engaging with the world deeply—exploring the five main regions (Hernand, Pailon, Deminis, Delésia, and the Crimson Desert itself), solving puzzles, and building relationships.
