Activating the power plant in Crimson Desert is a straightforward process once you know the exact interaction order. Miss a step or do things out of sequence, and the machine simply won’t respond.
This guide covers the full Beating Heart subquest, including how to start the generator, what controls to use, and what comes next after the power plant fires up.
What Is the Beating Heart Subquest?
Beating Heart is a subquest inside Chapter 10: Counterattack / Greater Firepower. After clearing the Gorthak Ironworks aboard the A.T.A.G. war machine, the legendary weaponsmith Valgash tasks you with activating the power plant inside the Krall Foundry. His long-range artillery cannon needs a massive power supply to take down the Sky Galleon, and you are the one responsible for bringing the generator online.
How to Reach the Power Plant
Head to the quest marker in Regent’s Rise. Enter the large building and climb to the first floor. The Thermal Power Plant machine sits inside a dedicated room — you cannot miss it.
The generator requires a specific three-step interaction to activate. Doing the steps out of order does nothing, which is the main reason players get stuck here.
How to Activate the Power Plant in Crimson Desert (Step-by-Step)
Follow these three steps in order:
Step 1: Pull the Left Lever Down
Face the generator. On the left side of the machine, locate the large handle. Pull it down.
Step 2: Kick the Button on the Bottom Right
Look toward the bottom right of the machine. You will see a button marked with a circle symbol. You cannot press this button normally — you have to kick it.
Kick controls:
- PC: Hold Ctrl, then press F
- PlayStation: Hold L2, then press Triangle
- Xbox: Hold LB, then press X
Step 3: Pull the Second Lever Down
After you kick the button, a second lever drops down just above the kickable switch. Grab it and hold it down. This triggers the ignition cutscene, the gas ignites, and the power plant roars to life.
The objective marks complete once the cutscene ends.
What Happens After the Power Plant Activates
Speak with Valgash immediately after the cutscene. A new wave of Clockwork Insects moves in to destroy the Power Plant’s turbine before the weapon fully charges.
Mount the A.T.A.G. available in the nearby hangar and shoot down the insects before they reach the turbine. You need to hold them off for 3 minutes (180 seconds). If the turbine takes too much damage before the timer expires, the sequence resets.
After surviving the defense phase, the subquest moves into Invaders from the East. Use Valgash’s long-range artillery cannon to take down the two Sky Galleons in the air. Each goes down in a single clean shot. Play Now!
FAQs
How do you activate the power plant in Crimson Desert?
Pull the left lever down, kick the button on the bottom right of the machine, then pull the second lever that drops down. The generator fires up after you hold the second lever.
What button do you kick in the Beating Heart quest?
The button with a circle symbol on the bottom right of the generator. On PC, hold Ctrl and press F. On PlayStation, hold L2 and press Triangle. On Xbox, hold LB and press X.
What happens if you interact with the generator out of order?
Nothing activates. The machine does not respond unless you follow the exact sequence: left lever first, kick the button second, pull the second lever third.
How long do you need to defend the power plant after activating it?
You need to hold off the Clockwork Insects for 3 minutes (180 seconds). If the turbine takes too much damage before the timer runs out, the defense sequence resets.
Where is the power plant located in Crimson Desert?
Inside the large building in Regent’s Rise. Head to the first floor and enter the room housing the Thermal Power Plant machine. The quest marker points you directly to it.
