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Crimson Desert / Graphics & performance

Crimson Desert: reduce DLSS flicker and blurry output

Flickering smoke, unstable edges on clouds or an overall soft image in Crimson Desert are usually a question of the upscaling combination. Hotfix 1.01.02 from March 2026 improved certain DLSS and Ray Reconstruction artefacts, and since patch 2.04.00 on October 29, 2026, upscaling and frame generation can be chosen separately. The comparison below finds the cleanest setting for your system.

Updated: ·2 min read·Windows / PC
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STRAIGHT TO THE SOLUTION

Start here

01Place your version↓02Reproduce the artefact↓03Isolate Ray Reconstruction↓
01

Place your version

  1. Install offered game updates and note the version. The March hotfix is a historical fix; do not roll back to old versions.
  2. Check: the version number is shown in game and in the patch notes; compare it with the latest entry before changing settings.
02

Reproduce the artefact

  1. Pick a fixed camera position with smoke, foliage or clouds. Take a screenshot and note resolution, upscaler, quality level and whether frame generation is enabled.
  2. Check: the following comparisons are only meaningful if the artefact appears again at the same spot.
03

Isolate Ray Reconstruction

  1. Turn Ray Reconstruction off for a test, if available, and compare the same scene. Do not change other graphics options at the same time, or you cannot attribute the result.
04

Separate upscaling and frame generation

  1. Since patch 2.04.00, upscaling and frame generation are chosen separately, for example DLSS upscaling with FSR Frame Generation. Check artefacts without frame generation first, then re-enable it on its own.
  2. Check: if the flicker only appears with frame generation, the upscaler is not the cause; try a different frame generation method.
05

Compare sharpness

  1. Compare DLSS Quality with native resolution, if offered. Use the cleaner setting if the frame rate allows.
  2. If you use FSR4 and rain disappears or the image distorts in rain, that is a separately known issue; see our FSR4 guide.
06

If artefacts remain

  1. Report remaining issues with comparison images, version and graphics settings to Pearl Abyss support. Images of the same spot with and without an option show the problem most clearly.

Related guide

Sources and current status

Frequently asked questions

Should I install a third-party DLSS DLL?

No file replacement is needed for this test. Use the options offered by the game.

Can I combine DLSS with FSR Frame Generation?

Yes, since patch 2.04.00 upscaling and frame generation can be selected separately.

Is native rendering always sharper?

Often, but it costs frame rate. Decide using the same comparison image, not by feel.

Why does it only flicker in certain scenes?

Smoke, foliage and fine clouds are especially hard for upscalers and Ray Reconstruction. That is why comparing exactly those spots is worthwhile.

← All fixes for Crimson Desert