Crimson Desert Money Guide: How to Get Rich Fast (Early Game Silver & Gold Bar Farming)

When I first stepped into the world of Crimson Desert, I approached it the same way I approach most open-world RPGs: loot everything, kill every bandit in sight, sell junk, and trust that the economy will sort itself out. After decades of playing games ranging from classic RPGs to modern sandbox adventures, I assumed Pywel would follow the same pattern.

I was wrong.

A few hours into the game, I realized that Crimson Desert’s economy is far more demanding than it initially appears. Camp upgrades quickly become expensive, advanced research projects consume huge amounts of resources, and high-quality equipment can drain your savings faster than you expect. If you want to progress smoothly, accumulating Silver and Gold Bars early is not optional—it is essential.

After experimenting with nearly every money-making activity available during the opening chapters, I discovered several methods that consistently outperform standard grinding. Some are completely legal. Others… not so much. But all of them can dramatically increase your wealth during the early stages of the game.

Understanding How Money Works in Crimson Desert

Before discussing farming routes, it is important to understand the three major forms of currency used throughout Pywel.

One of the biggest mistakes new players make involves Gold Bars.

At first glance, selling them to ordinary merchants seems reasonable. The problem is that regular vendors offer dramatically reduced prices. A Gold Bar that sells for around 190 Silver at a merchant can be exchanged for approximately 500 Silver at a proper bank.

That difference adds up quickly.

My personal recommendation is simple: never rush to sell Gold Bars. Store them until you reach a banking institution and exchange them there for maximum profit.

The same principle applies to Coin Purses and Copper Pouches. Instead of selling them as loot, open them directly from your inventory. Doing so converts them into currency immediately and avoids unnecessary value loss.

Preparing for the Most Profitable Money Methods

Many of the highest-paying early-game activities sit in a legal gray area.

If you plan on stealing valuables, opening restricted containers, or robbing wealthy locations, two items become incredibly important.

Obtain a Bandit Mask

The Bandit Mask is arguably one of the most valuable early-game purchases.

Wearing it allows you to perform criminal actions while reducing the long-term consequences associated with reputation loss. Without it, profitable robbery routes become significantly riskier.

Masks can be acquired through bounty activities, purchased from underground traders, or looted from certain outlaw enemies.

Always Carry Spare Keys

Several lucrative locations contain locked rooms and containers.

I learned the hard way that discovering a treasure-filled room without a key is one of the most frustrating experiences in the game. Keeping multiple plain keys in your inventory ensures you never miss an opportunity.

The Fireplace Gold Bar: The Best Early-Game Treasure

Every RPG has that one hidden treasure which feels almost too generous.

In Crimson Desert, the famous fireplace stash inside Lioncrest Manor fits that description perfectly.

Rather than entering through heavily guarded entrances, approach the manor from behind and look for an accessible second-floor window. After climbing inside, carefully navigate toward the main living area and locate the large fireplace.

The secret is easy to miss.

Interact with the fireplace, extinguish the flames, and inspect the interior carefully. Hidden above the visible opening is a concealed Gold Bar waiting to be collected.

The moment you take it, guards become suspicious and a crime alert appears. Do not panic. Instead of sprinting away, simply remain hidden until the alert expires.

Once things calm down, head directly to a bank and exchange the Gold Bar for a sizeable early-game cash injection.

For new players, this single treasure can completely transform the opening hours of progression.

The Wandering Goblin Treasure Carrier

One of my favorite discoveries during exploration involved a peculiar goblin carrying a large chest.

Unlike traditional enemies, this wandering creature functions almost like a mobile treasure event.

If you encounter one during your travels, attack the cargo rather than focusing solely on the goblin itself. The chest can be dropped and opened, rewarding you with valuable loot that often includes a Gold Bar.

The encounter is not guaranteed, which makes spotting one particularly exciting.

Whenever I travel between settlements, I keep an eye on roads and wilderness paths specifically for this event.

Robbing the Bank: Surprisingly Effective Early Income

Few things feel more ridiculous than stealing from the very institution designed to protect wealth.

Yet one of the most profitable early-game loops revolves around the Bank of Hernand.

Using a basic key, players can access a storage room connected to the vault area. Once inside and safely out of sight, containers throughout the room can be looted for Silver, valuables, decorative items, and various sellable goods.

What makes this strategy particularly effective is the respawn potential.

After enough in-game time passes, many of the containers replenish, allowing repeat visits.

The safest approach is to remain hidden after the theft until your wanted status disappears. Patience here prevents unnecessary confrontations with guards and allows you to walk away with clean profits.

Crafting Your Own Gold Bars

Eventually, relying solely on theft becomes inefficient.

Once crafting systems begin opening up, a much more sustainable strategy emerges: manufacturing Gold Bars yourself.

This approach requires obtaining the proper crafting recipe and gathering two critical resources:

• Golden Apples
• Gold Ore

The combination allows players to create Gold Bars rather than hunt for naturally spawned ones.

Mining Gold Ore Efficiently

One of the most rewarding mining locations I found lies within a hidden cave system near the mountain routes connecting major settlements.

Inside, players can discover dense clusters of high-quality gold deposits.

Ignore mixed mineral nodes whenever possible and prioritize pure gold veins. This significantly improves efficiency and reduces wasted gathering time.

The cave eventually replenishes its resources, making it one of the strongest long-term farming locations in the game.

Collecting Golden Apples

Golden Apples are scattered across specific regions of Pywel and can often be gathered while exploring forests and orchards.

The key is consistency.

Even if you are not actively crafting Gold Bars at the moment, collecting every Golden Apple you encounter ensures you always have a stockpile available later.

Gambling: High Risk, Massive Rewards

I normally avoid recommending gambling strategies in RPGs because most are designed to drain player resources.

Crimson Desert is different.

The tavern card games offer enormous profit potential if approached carefully.

My preferred strategy is straightforward:

1. Save manually before sitting down.
2. Evaluate your opening hand.
3. Fold weak hands immediately.
4. Push aggressively when dealt a strong starting position.
5. Save again after major wins.

This method dramatically reduces risk while maximizing potential earnings.

Some players dislike using save-reload tactics, and that is perfectly understandable. However, for those focused strictly on efficiency, few activities can match the earning speed of successful gambling sessions.

Hijacking Trade Wagons

Among all the criminal activities available early on, wagon theft feels the most immersive.

Major trade roads regularly generate merchant wagons traveling between settlements. With a mask equipped, players can ambush drivers, seize control of the wagon, and sell the stolen vehicle to black-market contacts.

Individual payouts are not spectacular compared to Gold Bars, but consistency is what makes this route attractive.

Because wagons appear frequently, the income stream remains reliable.

Players who enjoy active open-world gameplay often prefer this method over repetitive mining routes.

Safe Alternatives for Law-Abiding Players

Not everyone wants to spend their adventure robbing banks and stealing transportation.

Fortunately, Crimson Desert includes legitimate methods of earning money.

Archery Competitions

The archery range provides one of the safest repeatable activities in the game.

Entry costs are low, rounds are quick, and skilled players can generate steady profits over time.

While it will never compete with bank robbery or Gold Bar farming, it remains an excellent option for beginners.

Red Croton Gathering

The forests surrounding Witchwoods contain large concentrations of Red Croton flowers.

Gathering and selling these plants creates a reliable income source with virtually no risk involved.

Players who enjoy exploration-focused gameplay will likely find this route more relaxing than combat-heavy farming methods.

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My Recommended Early Wealth Route

After testing virtually every major money-making strategy available during the opening chapters, this is the progression path I personally recommend:

• Earn your first Silver through archery or gathering.
• Purchase a Bandit Mask and spare keys.
• Secure the hidden Lioncrest Manor Gold Bar.
• Exchange it at a bank for maximum profit.
• Loot the Hernand vault storage room.
• Build a financial cushion through gambling if desired.
• Transition into Gold Ore farming and Gold Bar crafting.
• Use wagon theft and exploration events as supplemental income.

Following this route allowed me to fund camp upgrades, purchase stronger equipment, and progress through the game without ever feeling constrained by money shortages.

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Final Thoughts

Crimson Desert rewards players who think beyond traditional RPG grinding. Simply farming enemies and selling random loot works for a while, but the real wealth comes from understanding the game’s hidden systems, taking advantage of valuable opportunities, and investing time into activities with the highest returns.

Whether you prefer legal gathering routes, high-stakes gambling, large-scale mining operations, or a life of organized crime, Pywel offers multiple paths toward financial success.

And after spending countless hours experimenting with nearly every method available, one thing became clear: the earlier you start building your fortune, the smoother—and far more enjoyable—your entire Crimson Desert journey becomes.

Crimson Desert – This is OP – How to Get Rich Early & Fast – Best Easy Silver Money Farm Guide!