Key Takeaways
- Dispatching the Howling Hill expansion unlocks the camp upgrade system and is required to progress the Bustling Hill quest.
- You only need Luke and Ronald along with basic resources to start your first expansion mission.
- Missions run in the background, so using time efficiently with side quests or resting is important.
The Crimson Desert Howling Hill Expansion unlocks during the Bustling Hill quest in Chapter 3, where Kliff and the Greymanes begin rebuilding their lost base. The system looks simple, but the game barely explains how to actually dispatch missions from the map, which leaves many players stuck at this exact step.
Here’s how to complete the Crimson Desert Expansion mission and get your camp growing.
What is the Crimson Desert Howling Hill Expansion?
Image via YouTube/Lachty.
The Crimson Desert Howling Hill Expansion is part of the Greymane camp system where you send Freeswords on missions to develop your base.
This mechanic directly affects your progression. Expanding the camp unlocks new structures, more missions, and additional systems like farming, trading, and resource generation. It also ties into the main questline, so you cannot skip it.
Requirements for the Crimson Desert Expansion mission
Image via YouTube/Lachty.
Before starting the Crimson Desert Expansion mission, make sure you have:
- 100 Camp Food
- 250 Camp Funds
- Two Freeswords, Luke and Ronald
These are the only characters available at this stage, and they are enough to complete the mission.
If you are short on resources, speak to Carl in your camp and donate coins or food through the supply menu.
How to Dispatch Howling Hill Expansion in Crimson Desert
Image via YouTube/Lachty.
Follow these steps to dispatch Howling Hill Expansion in Crimson Desert:
- Open your world map
- Switch the filter to show all locations
- Hover over the Howling Hill camp icon
- Press Inspect or double-click to enter the camp view
- Move to the Missions tab
- Select Howling Hill Camp Expansion
- Assign Luke and Ronald
- Press Dispatch
The mission starts immediately after you confirm.
Mission duration and How to Speed It Up
The Crimson Desert Howling Hill Expansion takes around 17 to 18 in-game hours to complete.
You have two options while it runs:
- Rest in your camp to skip up to 12 hours
- Leave and complete other quests while the timer runs
You will also notice the camp icon turn yellow on the map, which shows that the mission is active.
What happens after completion
Once the mission finishes, the Crimson Desert Howling Hill Expansion is complete and your camp visibly grows.
New tents, carts, and structures appear, and a follow-up objective unlocks to continue expanding the area. This also introduces the broader dispatch system, where you can send Freeswords on more missions for resources and upgrades.
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FAQs
Why can’t I dispatch the Howling Hill expansion mission?
You may be missing required resources or haven’t selected both Freeswords before confirming the dispatch.
How long does the Howling Hill expansion take to complete?
The mission takes around 17 to 18 in-game hours to finish.
Can I speed up the Howling Hill expansion mission?
You can rest in your camp to skip up to 12 hours, but the remaining time must pass naturally.
Which characters are required for this mission?
Luke and Ronald are the only available Freeswords at this stage, and both are required.
What happens if I leave the area after dispatching the mission?
Nothing changes. The mission continues in the background while you explore or complete other quests.
What does the yellow icon on the map mean?
It indicates that the Howling Hill expansion mission is currently in progress.
