Cult Grounds/Guide

This content is part of the Atlas of Discovery Expansion.

This article is a strategy guide for Cult Grounds.

This guide is meant for single clears and to enable idling with as low as possible requirements. Not to be the most effective method. Information on equipment, mechanics and strategies are on this page.

If you wish to tweak the Combat Simulator Exports yourself, they can be found here.

Standard Guide

Basic Guide

This is a Barrier dungeon introduced with the Atlas of Discovery Expansion, there is a general guide to this dungeon and a more in-depth look into Barrier combat in general in this guide. This page will go deeper into combat options, including when Throne of the Herald Expansion is owned and already completed.
This guide is not meant for optimal kills per hour but instead focuses on easily obtainable ways ranging from just passed God Dungeons to having beaten Throne of the Herald to clear the dungeon effectively.

Requirements

• Complete Trickery Temple
• Find Lost Cursed Text
  • Level 82
  • Level 80

Continue using your Aeris God armour setup for this dungeon. These monsters do not have the mechanic where they base their max hit off of the player's max hit, a crossbow with bolts can be used. As soon as enough Barrier Exalted Shard and Siphoning Barrier Gem have been obtained to upgrade the first item, it is advised to go collect barrier dust. All of the individual armour pieces have the same passive effect, so the order in which they are upgraded doesn't matter. Start with the armour piece that costs the fewest Barrier Shards and Siphoning Gems (You can skip the helm for now if you've got the Shade Summoning set).

Item	Upgrade Cost
	4 Barrier Exalted Shard 2 Siphoning Barrier Gem
	10 Barrier Exalted Shard 5 Siphoning Barrier Gem
	6 Barrier Exalted Shard 3 Siphoning Barrier Gem
	5 Barrier Exalted Shard 5 Siphoning Barrier Gem

Once enough upgrade materials have been obtained, depending on the gear the player has, kill either Cult Imp or Cult Member. The benefit from killing Cult Members for barrier dust, is that only the Aeris set needs to be upgraded for maximum effect. However, the Cult Imp can potentially drop more barrier dust in a given hour. Especially if the player is using Big ol Ron. Terran God armour is also required in the next sections of the guide.

Collect enough barrier dust to obtain 2,000 Imbued Dragonite Bar. Upgrade your armour piece and move back to the Cult Grounds dungeon until enough materials have been obtained for the next upgrade. Repeat this cycle until the full Aeris armour has been obtained. Finally, also upgrade a pair of (U) Ancient D-hide Vambraces as they are slightly better than the previously used Barrier Draining Gloves (Not required if you have the Shade Summon set).

Equipment

Recommended starting gear is similar to that of the previous dungeon.

You can mix and match the gear.

• Prayers: Battleborn and Battleheart
• Potion: Damage Reduction Potion IV (Required if you're at or below Level 111 and don't have the Shade Summon Set), Ranged Assistance Potion IV, Penetration Potion IV.
• Point of Interest: Bandit Hideout

Slot	Option 1	Option 2	Option 3
	Hood of Shade Summon	Aeris God Helmet
	Aeris God Platebody
	Aeris God Platelegs
	Sand Treaders	Aeris God Boots
	Gloves of Greater Shade Summon	Barrier Draining Gloves
	Ancient Infernal Cape
	Amulet of Curse Totem Summon	Adaptive Summoning Amulet
	Ring of Phantom Summon	Summoner's Blessed Ring
	Siphoning Barrier Gem
	Feather Storm Crossbow	Shockwave	Pure Crystal Crossbow
	Shield of Ranged Power	Scaled Shield
	Barrier Draining Gloves	Old Summoning Amulet
	Zephyte Bolts	Jadestone Bolts	Emerald Bolts
	Ranged Hinder Scroll
	Spider Spectre	Tortoise Dragon	Occultist Minotaur

Agility

Agility obstacles aren't required, this is purely an indication how you can get the most out of your Agility if you have it. Follow it untill where you have it.

Slot	Obstacle	Bonuses
1	Cargo Net	+3% Global GP (except Item Sales) +2% Fishing Mastery XP
2	Monkey Bars	-4% Firemaking Interval
3	Pipe Climb	+5% Melee Evasion +5% Melee Max Hit
4	Cave Climb	-40 Maximum Hitpoints +5% Ammo Preservation +5% Rune Preservation +5% Melee Max Hit
5	Cliff Climb	+5% Damage To Slayer Tasks +10% Slayer Task Length/Qty -20% Flat Slayer Area Effect Negation -10% Slayer Skill XP +10% Global Slayer Coins (except Item Sales)
6	Lake Swim	+1% Damage Reduction +5% Damage To All Monsters +3% Chance To Preserve Prayer Points
7	Boulder Trap	-20% Chance to Preserve Resources in Skills
8	Spike Jump	+5% Damage to Monsters in Dungeons +5% Chance To Double Loot in Combat
9	Lava Jump	-6% Damage Reduction -6% Auto Eat Efficiency -6% Global Mastery XP -0.3s Monster Respawn Timer
10	Dragon Fight	-16% Auto Eat Efficiency -0.3s Monster Respawn Timer
11	Frozen Maze	+1% Damage Reduction -0.1s Monster Respawn Timer -3 Prayer Point Cost for Prayers -20% Rune Preservation -20% Ammo Preservation
12	Boulder Balance	-20% Global Accuracy +5% of Maximum Hit added to Minimum Hit -0.1s Attack Interval
13	Balance Trap	+10% Agility Interval +5% Chance to Double Items Globally -30% GP gained from Agility
14	Freezing Climb	+30% Accuracy Rating +30% Global Evasion -150% GP from Combat -6% Chance To Double Loot in Combat +15% Damage to Monsters in Dungeons
15	Waterfall Crossing	-100 Maximum Hitpoints Your Attacks now roll twice (Select highest chance) -10% Global Slayer Coins (except Item Sales)
Pillar	Pillar of Combat	+10% Ranged Evasion -0.2s Monster Respawn Timer +5% Flat Slayer Area Effect Negation +10% Melee Evasion +10% Magic Evasion +5% of Maximum Hit added to Minimum Hit +10 Flat HP Regen
Elite Pillar	Elite Pillar of Expertise	+8% Mastery XP for Melvor Realm only -3% Interval for all Non-Combat Skills +40% Global GP (except Item Sales) +8% Chance to Double Items Globally

Dust Farming

The following gear is starter gear to farm cult imps for barrier. If you do not have Big ol Ron, simulate how many barrier dust you are receiving with your alternative, and potentially use ranged on cult members instead. It is recommended to upgrade the melee armour used, with a preference over upgrading Terran. This is because the extra Damage Reduction is required for the Underwater Ruins. The equipment below will result in roughly 2,400 barrier dust an hour. More or less can be obtained depending on the actual gear and other bonusses used. The amount of barrier dust an hour rises to around 5,200 with Terran fully upgraded to (B). Depending on your choice in the next section, you do not need to fully upgrade Terran.

Equipment

Again, Terran is used in this recommended gear over Ragnar with the assumption that this will be (partially) upgraded into (B). Start by upgrading the Terran Boots, Platelegs and Chestplate.

• Prayers: Battleborn and Battleheart
• Potion: Penetration Potion IV, Critical Strike Potion IV, Melee Accuracy Potion IV.
• Point of Interest: Dark Waters

Slot	Option 1	Option 2	Option 3
	Hood of Shade Summon	Terran God Helmet
	Terran God Platebody
	Terran God Platelegs
	Sand Treaders	Terran God Boots
	Gloves of Greater Shade Summon	Barrier Draining Gloves
	Maximum Skillcape	Ancient Infernal Cape	Infernal Cape
	Amulet of Curse Totem Summon	Lesser Summoning Amulet
	Ring of Phantom Summon	Summoner's Blessed Ring	Ring of Barrier Touch
	Big ol Ron
	Siphoning Barrier Gem
	Barrier Draining Gloves	Old Summoning Amulet
	Melee Hinder Scroll
	Spider Spectre	Tortoise Dragon	Occultist Minotaur

It is advised that the player stays at Cult Grounds until the Summoner's Blessed Ring is obtained. This is also a good time to go back to Magic Mirror with the gear recommended here since the Trickery Mirror is required for the next section. With fully upgraded Aeris (B) and the other barrier damage items, it shouldn't be a problem at all taking these down much faster than before.

Lastly, if the player has finished Into the Mist at least once, and thus has obtained the passive slot, it's a good idea to go for another item. The enemies from now on will have a lot more barrier to take down. The Barrier Burn Shield from the Trickery Temple can be used in the passive slot for a lot of extra barrier damage.

Endgame Setup

Equipment

These 2 gear setups are equal when it comes to chests per hour. You can substitute the Weakness Exploiter Cape with Ancient Infernal Cape for a very minor (0.3) chest per hour loss.

• Potion: Ranged Strength Potion IV
• Prayers: Battleheart & Battleborn
• Point of Interest: Bandit Hideout

Slot	Set 1	Set 2
	Hood of Shade Summon	Aeris God Helmet (B)
	Aeris God Platebody (B)
	Aeris God Platelegs (B)
	Aeris God Boots (B)
	Gloves of Greater Shade Summon	(B) Ancient D-hide Vambraces
	Weakness Exploiter Cape
	Amulet of Curse Totem Summon	Adaptive Summoning Amulet
	Ring of Phantom Summon	Summoner's Blessed Ring
	Feather Storm Crossbow
	Devouring Barrier Gem
	Summoner's Defender
	Knight's Summoning Defender
	Decay Bolts
	Monster Hunter Scroll
	Spider Spectre

Agility

Slot	Obstacle	Bonuses
1	Cargo Net	+3% Global GP (except Item Sales) +2% Fishing Mastery XP
2	Monkey Bars	-4% Firemaking Interval
3	Pipe Climb	+5% Melee Evasion +5% Melee Max Hit
4	Cave Climb	-40 Maximum Hitpoints +5% Ammo Preservation +5% Rune Preservation +5% Melee Max Hit
5	Cliff Balance	+20 Maximum Hitpoints +5% Ranged Accuracy Rating +2 Prayer Point Cost for Prayers +5% Magic Accuracy Rating +5% Melee Accuracy Rating
6	Lake Swim	+1% Damage Reduction +5% Damage To All Monsters +3% Chance To Preserve Prayer Points
7	Boulder Trap	-20% Chance to Preserve Resources in Skills
8	Spike Jump	+5% Damage to Monsters in Dungeons +5% Chance To Double Loot in Combat
9	Ice Jump	+20 Maximum Hitpoints +5% Food Healing Value +5% Chance to Double Items Globally +10 Mining Node HP +10% Chance to Preserve Resources in Skills
10	Dragon Fight	-16% Auto Eat Efficiency -0.3s Monster Respawn Timer
11	Frozen Maze	+1% Damage Reduction -0.1s Monster Respawn Timer -3 Prayer Point Cost for Prayers -20% Rune Preservation -20% Ammo Preservation
12	Boulder Balance	-20% Global Accuracy +5% of Maximum Hit added to Minimum Hit -0.1s Attack Interval
13	Balance Trap	+10% Agility Interval +5% Chance to Double Items Globally -30% GP gained from Agility
14	Freezing Climb	+30% Accuracy Rating +30% Global Evasion -150% GP from Combat -6% Chance To Double Loot in Combat +15% Damage to Monsters in Dungeons
15	Waterfall Crossing	-100 Maximum Hitpoints Your Attacks now roll twice (Select highest chance) -10% Global Slayer Coins (except Item Sales)
Pillar	Pillar of Combat	+10% Ranged Evasion -0.2s Monster Respawn Timer +5% Flat Slayer Area Effect Negation +10% Melee Evasion +10% Magic Evasion +5% of Maximum Hit added to Minimum Hit +10 Flat HP Regen
Elite Pillar	Elite Pillar of Expertise	+8% Mastery XP for Melvor Realm only -3% Interval for all Non-Combat Skills +40% Global GP (except Item Sales) +8% Chance to Double Items Globally

Ancient Relics Guide

On top of no Pets, Astrology or Potions this guide will also assume no Relics.

It is assumed the Golem Territory Guide Ancient Relics section has been read.

Pre God Dungeon Guides

This Dungeon can not be done completely Idle at this point. Manual Eating will be required.

The provided setup will take roughly 33 minutes to clear the dungeon.
And will use roughly 2,450 Lobster.

Due to the Barrier Mechanic and the general low Combat stats available at this point, rather high levels of Summoning will be required.
It is advised to use Tortoise when doing this Dungeon out of the suggested order.
The gems for this Familiar can be obtained from Archaeology in the Ancient Market Dig Site.
Roughly 850 Tablets will be used per clear.

• Ancient Crossbow clears this dungeon roughly 13 minutes faster.
• Tortoise Dragon clears this dungeon roughly 5-13 minutes faster, depending on weapon.

• Prayers: Hawk Eye & Eagle Eye

Slot	Item
	(G) Adamant Helmet
	(U) Black D-hide Body
	(U) Black D-hide Chaps
	(G) Adamant Boots
	(U) Black D-hide Vambraces
	Fire Cape
	Elite Amulet of Ranged
	Silver Diamond Ring
	Accuracy Gem
	Dragon Crossbow
	(G) Adamant Shield
	Emerald Bolts
	Centaur Tortoise

Post God Dungeon Guide

This Dungeon can be done completely Idle at this stage. Manual Eating will not be needed.

Gear

• With Dragon Crossbow
  • With Unicorn Dragon the clear time is roughly 30 minutes. And will use roughly 1,235 Lobster.
  • With Tortoise Dragon the clear time is roughly 11 minutes. And will use roughly 300 Lobster.
• With Ancient Crossbow
  • With Unicorn Dragon the clear time is roughly 21.5 minutes. And will use roughly 700 Lobster.
  • With Tortoise Dragon the clear time is roughly 9.5 minutes. And will use roughly 250 Lobster.

• Prayers: Hawk Eye & Eagle Eye

Slot	Item
	Aeris God Helmet
	Aeris God Platebody
	Aeris God Platelegs
	Aeris God Boots
	Aeris God Gloves
	Fire Cape
	Elite Amulet of Ranged
	Silver Diamond Ring
	Accuracy Gem
	Dragon Crossbow
	Scaled Shield
	Emerald Bolts
	Unicorn Dragon

Agility

Slot	Obstacle	Bonuses
1	Cargo Net	+3% Global GP (except Item Sales) +2% Fishing Mastery XP
2	Rope Jump	+3% Smithing Mastery XP
3	Pipe Climb	+5% Melee Evasion +5% Melee Max Hit
4	Gap Jump	+3% Runecrafting Mastery XP
5	Cliff Balance	+20 Maximum Hitpoints +5% Ranged Accuracy Rating +2 Prayer Point Cost for Prayers +5% Magic Accuracy Rating +5% Melee Accuracy Rating
6	Lake Swim	+1% Damage Reduction +5% Damage To All Monsters +3% Chance To Preserve Prayer Points

Monsters & Combat

Combat Areas Farmlands Plant  • Chicken  • Cow  • Junior Farmer  • Adult Farmer  • Master Farmer Golbin Village Golbin  • Ranged Golbin Eye-conic Cave Blind Warrior  • Blind Archer  • Blind Mage  • Blind Ghost Graveyard Skeleton  • Zombie Hand  • Zombie  • Ghost Sandy Shores Seagull  • Tentacle  • Giant Crab  • Confused Pirate Wet Forest Leech  • Sweaty Monster  • Wet Monster  • Moist Monster Bandit Hideout Bandit Trainee  • Bandit Mucky Cave Green Slime  • Vampiric Bat  • Slime Shooter Giant Dungeon Hill Giant  • Moss Giant Icy Hills Frozen Archer  • Frozen Mammoth  • Ice Monster Castle of Kings Steel Knight  • Black Knight  • Mithril Knight  • Adamant Knight  • Rune Knight Wizard Tower Wizard  • Master Wizard  • Dark Wizard Dragon Valley Green Dragon  • Blue Dragon  • Red Dragon  • Black Dragon Elerine Battlegrounds Elerine Archer  • Elerine Warrior  • Elerine Mage Tree Overgrowth Evil Oak  • Grumpy Willow  • Angry Teak  • Raging Maple Collapsed City Poison Leecher  • Poison Roamer  • Poison Slime  • Poison Bloater Lost Temple Magic Mirror  • Possessed Barrel  • Fake Door  • Illusive Roots Ritual Site Cult Member  • Cult Imp  • Lich  • Cult Monster Shipwreck Cove Ghost Sailor  • Ghost Mercenary  • Shipwreck Beast  • Cursed Pirate Captain Underwater Ruins Merman  • Mermaid Archer  • Merman Guard  • Treacherous Jellyfish Slayer Areas Penumbra Mummy  • Statue  • Stone Snake  • Undead Werewolf  • Vampire  • Fierce Devil Forest of Goo Goo Monster  • Green Goo Monster  • Purple Goo Monster  • Scattered Goo Monster Strange Cave Lots of Eyes  • Many Eyed Monster  • Strange Eyed Monster  • Eyes  • Superior Eyed Monster  • Eye of Fear Holy Isles Fairy  • Valkyrie  • Angel  • Holy Archer  • Paladin  • Priest Runic Ruins Druid  • Thief  • Shaman  • Necromancer  • Elementalist Crystal Caves Crystal Barrager  • Crystal Smasher  • Crystal Prowler Dark Quarry Granite Golem  • Ranged Golem  • Earth Golem  • Magic Golem Arid Plains Turkul Riders  • Turkul Archers  • Turkul Throwers  • Turkul Giant  • Turkul General  • Sand Beast High Lands Griffin  • Pegasus Toxic Swamps Noxious Serpent  • Venomous Snake  • Giant Moth Desolate Plains Raging Horned Elite  • Seething Horned Elite  • Dark Horned Elite  • Furious Horned Elite Shrouded Badlands Rancora Spider  • Elder Vampire  • Cursed Maiden  • Bounty Hunter Perilous Peaks Wicked Greater Dragon  • Hunting Greater Dragon  • Chaotic Greater Dragon Crystal Depths Crystal Manipulator  • Crystal Shatterer  • Crystal Behemoth Dark Waters Umbora  • Rokken  • Ku-tul Unhallowed Wasteland Legaran Wurm  • Cursed Lich  • Spiked Red Claw  • Greater Skeletal Dragon Jungle Labyrinth Hungry Plant  • Poison Toad  • Kongamato  • Conda  • Alraune Lava Lake Burning Snake  • Infernal Golem  • Magic Fire Demon  • Manticore  • Gret-Yun Forsaken Tundra Large Ice Troll  • Frost Golem  • Polar Bear  • Spectral Ice Wolf  • Ice Hydra Foggy Lake Siren  • Monster Croc  • Leviathan  • Twin Sea Dragon Serpent Afflicted City Shadow Beast  • Plague Doctor  • Cockatrice  • Goliath Werewolf Midnight Valley Phantom  • Banshee  • Spectre Golden Cloud Mountains Torvair  • Arctair  • Harkair Millennium Gate Vorloran Devastator  • Vorloran Watcher  • Vorloran Protector  • Guardian of the Herald Dungeons Chicken Coop Chicken  • Chick  • Mumma Chicken Undead Graveyard Zombie Hand  • Zombie  • Ghost  • Zombie Leader Bandit Base Bandit Trainee  • Bandit  • Bandit Leader Hall of Wizards Wizard  • Master Wizard  • Dark Wizard  • Elder Wizard Spider Forest Spider  • Brown Spider  • Evil Spider  • Spider King Miolite Caves Miolite Sprig  • Miolite Trio  • Miolite Warden  • Miolite Monarch Deep Sea Ship Pirate  • First Mate  • Pirate Captain  • The Kraken Frozen Cove Ice Monster  • Ice Troll  • Ice  • Protector of Ice Golem Territory Granite Golem  • Ranged Golem  • Earth Golem  • Magic Golem  • Lava Golem Unholy Forest Evil Oak  • Grumpy Willow  • Angry Teak  • Raging Maple  • Furious Mahogany Dragons Den Green Dragon  • Blue Dragon  • Red Dragon  • Black Dragon  • Elder Dragon Trickery Temple Magic Mirror  • Possessed Barrel  • Fake Door  • Illusive Roots  • Puppet Master Volcanic Cave Bat  • Big Bat  • The Eye  • Resurrected Eye  • Vicious Serpent  • Fire Spirit  • Prat, the Protector of Secrets  • Malcs, the Guardian of Melvor Infernal Stronghold Cerberus  • Fearful Eye  • Red Devil  • Phoenix  • Incendius  • Prat, the Guardian of Secrets  • Malcs, the Leader of Dragons Cult Grounds Cult Member  • Cult Imp  • Lich  • Cult Monster  • Soul Taker Witch Air God Dungeon Air Guard  • Air Monster  • Air Golem  • Aleron  • Voltaire  • Aeris Water God Dungeon Water Guard  • Water Monster  • Water Golem  • Lissia  • Murtia  • Glacia Earth God Dungeon Earth Guard  • Earth Monster  • Earth Golem  • Mistral  • Ophidia  • Terran Fire God Dungeon Fire Guard  • Fire Monster  • Fire Golem  • Pyra  • Ignis  • Ragnar Into the Mist Afflicted Monsters  • Mysterious Figure - Phase 1  • Mysterious Figure - Phase 2  • Ahrenia Underwater City Merman  • Mermaid Archer  • Merman Guard  • Treacherous Jellyfish  • Nagaia Impending Darkness Event Slayer Areas  • Bane  • Bane, Instrument of Fear Ancient Sanctuary Hungry Plant  • Poison Toad  • Kongamato  • Conda  • Alraune  • Morellia Underground Lava Lake Burning Snake  • Infernal Golem  • Magic Fire Demon  • Manticore  • Gret-Yun  • Trogark Lightning Region Lightning Spirit  • Lightning Monkey  • Lightning Golem  • RaZu, Lord of the Skies Lair of the Spider Queen Basher Spider  • Enforcer Spider  • Guardian Spider  • Scouter Spider  • Trapper Spider  • Wicked Spider  • Spider Queen Cursed Forest Tree Giant  • Tree Spirit  • Cursed Spirit  • Lady Darkheart Necromancers Palace Cursed Skeleton Warrior  • Bel-Noth  • Dark Knight  • Fiozor, the Ancient Necromancer Throne of the Herald The Herald Phase 1  • The Herald Phase 2  • The Herald Guides Chicken Coop  • Undead Graveyard  • Bandit Base  • Hall of Wizards  • Spider Forest  • Miolite Caves  • Dead Sea Ship  • Frozen Cove  • Golem Territory  • Unholy Forest  • Dragons Den  • Trickery Temple  • Volcanic Cave  • Infernal Stronghold  • Cult Grounds  • Air God Dungeon  • Water God Dungeon  • Earth God Dungeon  • Fire God Dungeon  • Into the Mist  • Underwater City  • Impending Darkness Event  • Ancient Sanctuary  • Underground Lava Lake  • Lightning Region  • Lair of the Spider Queen  • Cursed Forest  • Necromancers Palace  • Throne of the Herald

Melvor Idle version v1.3 (Released: 13th June 2024)
Combat: Attack Strength Defence Hitpoints Ranged Magic Prayer Slayer Error creating thumbnail: File missing Corruption
Skills: Farming Township Woodcutting Fishing Firemaking Cooking Mining Smithing Thieving Fletching Crafting Runecrafting Herblore Agility Summoning Astrology Alternative Magic Cartography Archaeology Error creating thumbnail: File missing Harvesting
Other: Beginners Guide Guides Bank Combat Mastery Money Making Shop Easter Eggs Pets Golbin Raid Full Version Throne of the Herald Atlas of Discovery Error creating thumbnail: File missing Into the Abyss
Reference Tables: Items, Equipment, Experience Table, Upgrading Items, Combat Areas, Slayer Areas, Dungeons, Strongholds, The Abyss, Monsters