Crimson Moon is a fast third person action RPG built around light attacks, charged heavy strikes, parries, dodges, Weapon Arts and Angel Ascension. The basic layout will feel familiar if you have played other melee focused action RPGs, but stamina management and the way Weapon Arts use button combinations make the controls worth learning properly before pushing into harder districts.
The PlayStation controls below reflect the current PS5 layout. Xbox and PC equivalents are included where the bindings are confirmed. Crimson Moon launched on September 1, 2026, and the PC control options are still being improved, so check the in game settings after updates if a binding changes.
Crimson Moon PS5 Controls
| Action | PS5 Control |
|---|---|
| Move | Left Stick |
| Move Camera | Right Stick |
| Light Attack | R1 |
| Heavy Attack | R2 |
| Charge Heavy Attack | Hold R2 |
| Parry | L2 |
| Dodge | Circle |
| Sprint | Hold Circle |
| Jump | Cross |
| Weapon Art 1 | Triangle + R2 |
| Weapon Art 2 | Triangle + L2 |
Crimson Moon Xbox Controls
| Action | Xbox Control |
|---|---|
| Move | Left Stick |
| Move Camera | Right Stick |
| Light Attack | RB |
| Heavy Attack | RT |
| Charge Heavy Attack | Hold RT |
| Parry | LT |
| Dodge | B |
| Sprint | Hold B |
| Jump | A |
| Weapon Art 1 | Y + RT |
| Weapon Art 2 | Y + LT |
Crimson Moon PC Controls
| Action | Keyboard and Mouse |
|---|---|
| Move | W A S D |
| Move Camera | Mouse |
| Light Attack | Left Mouse Button |
| Heavy Attack | Right Mouse Button |
| Charge Heavy Attack | Hold Right Mouse Button |
| Parry | Q |
| Dodge | Shift |
| Sprint | Hold Shift |
| Jump | Space |
| Weapon Art 1 | X |
| Weapon Art 2 | Z |
The PC version launched with preset control layouts rather than full key remapping. ProbablyMonsters has already said expanded keybinding support is being worked on, so PC players should check the Controls menu after installing new patches.
How Light Attacks Work
Press R1 on PS5, RB on Xbox or the Left Mouse Button on PC for a light attack.
Light attacks form your safest basic combo. They come out quickly, allow you to remain mobile and can be interrupted by a dodge or parry more easily than a committed heavy swing.
Use light attacks while learning an enemy
When fighting something unfamiliar, begin with short light attack strings rather than immediately charging a heavy attack. You will have more time to react if the enemy starts an attack of its own.
How Heavy Attacks Work
Press R2 or RT for a heavy attack. Hold the button to charge it for additional impact.
Heavy attacks take longer to begin and consume more commitment, so they are strongest when an enemy is staggered, recovering from an attack or focused on your co op partner.
Do not charge in front of an active enemy
A fully charged heavy attack can hit extremely hard, but standing still while a boss prepares a strike is rarely worth the extra damage. Create the opening first.
How to Parry
Press L2 on PS5, LT on Xbox or Q on PC just before an enemy attack connects.
A successful parry staggers the attacker and also contributes to your Angel Ascension meter. This makes parrying much more than a defensive action. Good timing can create damage openings while accelerating your strongest transformation.
Red attacks cannot be parried
Watch for attacks surrounded by a red aura. These are unblockable and should be dodged instead of parried.
Do not spam the parry button
Parrying uses stamina. Missing the timing can leave you with less stamina available for the dodge you may need immediately afterward.
How to Dodge and Sprint
Press Circle on PS5 or B on Xbox to dodge. Hold the same button to sprint. PC uses Shift for both actions.
The shared button is important to remember because a quick press and a hold do completely different things.
Stop sprinting before combat
Sprint consumes stamina, and that same resource is needed for dodging, jumping and parrying. Release sprint before reaching an enemy group and give the stamina bar a moment to recover.
Do not chain dodges without a reason
Repeated rolls can empty your stamina quickly. Dodge the attack that actually threatens you, then return to normal movement.
Sprint Attacks
Begin sprinting and then use either a light or heavy attack to perform a forward moving attack.
Sprint attacks are useful for closing distance and can become much stronger when your current Boons reward momentum based attacks.
How Weapon Arts Work
Weapon Arts are special abilities attached to weapons and shields. They can deal damage, apply elemental effects, create defensive areas or provide other utility depending on the equipment you are using.
| Weapon Art | PS5 | Xbox | PC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon Art 1 | Triangle + R2 | Y + RT | X |
| Weapon Art 2 | Triangle + L2 | Y + LT | Z |
Weapon Arts use mana and have their own cooldowns. Do not treat them like unlimited replacement attacks. Use them when their effect supports the current situation or your Boons.
Executions
Elite enemies can become vulnerable to an execution when their health is low enough and they enter a staggered state.
Move close and press the execution prompt shown on screen. Executions cannot be interrupted once they begin and are especially valuable because they provide a large amount of Angel Ascension charge.
Do not accidentally finish a staggered elite from range
If an execution prompt appears and the area is reasonably safe, consider using it rather than throwing another attack. The Ascension charge can be worth more than finishing the enemy slightly faster.
Angel Ascension
Combat gradually charges your Angel Ascension meter. Parries, executions and other effects can accelerate the process.
Once activated, Angel Ascension temporarily changes your capabilities and gives your Nephilim access to a much more powerful angelic combat state.
The meter can carry charge between encounters, so you do not need to spend the transformation on the first group of weak enemies you see.
Stamina Controls Nearly Every Defensive Decision
Sprint, jump, dodge and parry all consume stamina. This makes stamina one of the most important resources in Crimson Moon combat.
If you arrive at an elite with an empty stamina bar, even a perfect understanding of its attack pattern may not save you because your defensive options are temporarily limited.
Attack less when stamina is nearly empty
Create space and let the bar recover. One extra light attack is rarely worth losing your ability to dodge an unblockable attack.
Camera and Target Lock
Crimson Moon uses a third person combat camera and target locking for close encounters.
Locking onto an elite or boss can make parry timing and close range attacks easier to read, but remaining locked to one target during a large mob can restrict your awareness.
Unlock when the battlefield gets crowded
If several demons are attacking from different angles, free camera movement can give you a better view of the entire group than staying fixed on one target.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you attack in Crimson Moon?
Press R1 for a light attack and R2 for a heavy attack on PS5. Hold R2 to charge the heavy attack.
How do you parry?
Press L2 just before the enemy attack lands. Red aura attacks cannot be parried and should be dodged.
How do you dodge?
Tap Circle on PS5, B on Xbox or Shift on PC.
How do you sprint?
Hold Circle on PS5, B on Xbox or Shift on PC.
How do you use Weapon Arts?
On PS5, use Triangle with R2 for Weapon Art 1 and Triangle with L2 for Weapon Art 2.
What does a charged heavy attack do?
Hold the heavy attack input to prepare a stronger strike. It takes longer to execute, so use it when an enemy is staggered or distracted.
What should I do when an enemy attack glows red?
Dodge it. Red aura attacks are unblockable and cannot be parried.
Does sprinting use stamina?
Yes. Sprinting, dodging, jumping and parrying all draw from stamina.
Can Crimson Moon be played in co op?
Yes. The game supports two player online co op as well as solo play.
Learn Parry, Dodge and Stamina Before Chasing Damage
The fastest way to become comfortable with Crimson Moon is to forget about perfect damage combos for your first few fights. Learn what can be parried, learn when the red aura means dodge, and get used to keeping enough stamina available for defense.
Once those habits feel natural, Weapon Arts, charged heavy attacks and Angel Ascension become much easier to use without getting punished.
See our Crimson Moon Tips and Tricks Guide for builds, Boons, purification, Weapon Arts, Angel Ascension and boss advice.
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