Crimson Desert: How to Get Plate of Shadows & Dark Marksman Sets — Full Guide

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to obtain one of the game’s most stylish and powerful pieces of armor—the Plate of Shadows—as well as its alternative version, the Dark Marksman. You’ll learn two methods: the hard way (by defeating a boss) and the easy way (by collecting parts), as well as how to obtain the legendary two-handed sword.

1. How to Get the Full Plate of Shadows Set (Hard Mode)

If you’ve already reached Chapter 6 or 7 of the story, you can get the entire set by defeating one of the strongest bosses.

• Location: Ruins of Hoen Mark.
• Condition: Defeat the boss (a very powerful enemy; it is recommended to have a supply of Palmar pills).
• Reward: After winning, follow the marker inside the ruins. You will find a Helmet; picking it up will automatically grant you the full set.
• Special Feature: The Helmet allows you to breathe frost, freeze enemies, and create ice on water, enabling you to walk on water for a few seconds.

2. Searching for individual set pieces (The Easy Way)

If you’re not ready to take on the boss yet, you can find pieces of armor (except for the helmet) in secret locations throughout the world.

Перчатки (Plate Gloves of the Shadows)

• Location: Everfrost Cave (hidden in the mountainside).
• Details: It is very slippery inside the cave, so be careful. Light your lantern; the chest containing gloves is located deep inside. The gloves have two slots for gems.

Сапоги (Plate Boots of the Shadows)

• Location: Frostclaw Cave (north of the previous location).
• Instructions: Find a large waterfall. A passage is hidden behind it.
• Important: To pass through the stream, you need to use the “Stab” skill—press R1 + Triangle. Inside the chest are boots that grant a bonus to Skill XP. Or Shift + Right-click on PC.

Нагрудник (Plate Armor of the Shadows)

• Location: Near the Everfrost Watchtower.
• Instructions: Find the locked room with bars. To enter, simply light the lantern in front of the entrance. The bars will lower, and you can retrieve the cuirass.

Плащ (Plate Cloak of the Shadows)

• Location: Hoen Mark Ruins (to the left of the boss arena).
• Puzzle: Find the glowing slab on the floor among the ruins.

• Solution: Stand on it, crouch, and use Force Palm (R3). The wall will rotate, and you will fall into a secret room with a chest.

3. Legendary Weapon: Vow of the Dead King

This two-handed sword is the perfect complement to the Shadows set.

• Location: Frostfell Castle Ruins (near Poon).
• Walkthrough:
  1. Go down the stairs in the corner of the ruins.
  2. Get past the spike traps (the easiest way is to climb up the wall).

• Beware of the falling ceiling (areas highlighted in red).
• In the room with fire traps, crouch under the first one and jump over the second.
• Defeat the two stone worms.
• Light the lantern in the side room to lower the spikes.
• Stats: The weapon has 3 Abyss Core slots for percentage damage against different enemy types.

4. Alternative: Dark Marksman Plate Cloak

If you can’t get the boss helmet, this cloak is the best substitute. It looks like a hood with a mask and replaces your helmet.

• Location: Warrior’s Soul Cave (right side of the map, landmark: railroad tracks).
• How to get it: Find the waterfall to the right of the entrance. Use the “Stab” skill (R1 + Triangle) again to break through the water into a hidden niche with a chest.

5. Customization: How to Make “Silver” Armor

All parts of these sets can be dyed by a dyer in Hernand.

Style tip:

1. Select white for all plate parts (standard white and red will work).
2. Change the material type to Metallic.
3. This will give the armor a striking silver sheen, which looks stunning when paired with black fabric.

Subject Summary Table

Tip: All items in the set (except for cloaks) can be upgraded, making them useful mainly in the late game (Endgame).