Ancient Relics/Guide

This page was last updated for (v1.2.2).

Dungeons

While dungeons are unchanged, the Ancient Relics game mode requires players to complete dungeons to increase their skill levels, which are otherwise locked to a very low level.

While dungeons can be completed in any order up to

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Air God Dungeon

, the following is a suggested order based on the max hit of the boss of each dungeon and ease of clearing, included is a link to the guide to that dungeon, as well as the combat level cap the player will have for that dungeon.

Lvl Dungeon Guide Max Hit
10
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Chicken Coop
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Chicken Coop/Guide
52
15
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Undead Graveyard
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Undead Graveyard/Guide
106
20
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Spider Forest
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Spider Forest/Guide
142
25
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Frozen Cove
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Frozen Cove/Guide
172
30
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Deep Sea Ship
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Deep Sea Ship/Guide
204
35
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Bandit Base
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Bandit Base/Guide
174
40
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Hall of Wizards
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Hall of Wizards/Guide
208
45
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Miolite Caves
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Miolite Caves/Guide
240
50
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Dragons Den
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Dragons Den/Guide
470
55   Golem Territory   Golem Territory/Guide 240
60
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Unholy Forest
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Unholy Forest/Guide
260
65
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Volcanic Cave
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Volcanic Cave/Guide
520
70
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Air God Dungeon
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Air God Dungeon/Guide
780
75
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Water God Dungeon
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Water God Dungeon/Guide
1014
80
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Earth God Dungeon
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Earth God Dungeon/Guide
1235
85
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Fire God Dungeon
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Fire God Dungeon/Guide
1300
90
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Infernal Stronghold
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Infernal Stronghold
898
95   Trickery Temple   Trickery Temple/Guide 500
99   Cult Grounds   Cult Grounds 740
99
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Into the Mist
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Into the Mist/Guide
800
99   Underwater City   Underwater City/Guide 3090
99
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Impending Darkness Event
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Impending Darkness Event
960

Make 100% sure to clear ALL Dungeons and spend ALL skill cap increases before clearing

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Impending Darkness Event

, this includes the optional

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Miolite Caves

and

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Infernal Stronghold

which have

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Slayer

requirements. If you do those after

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Impending Darkness Event

your skill caps will bug out.


Note: The recommended order for dungeons does not match the order shown in the game.

Skills

Throughout the game the skills level are initially capped 10 which means that you will need to carefully manage resources and equipment early on. Completing a dungeon will raise your skill caps, so this is a good first goal. Fishing and cooking are locked until you beat

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Impending Darkness Event

, making dungeons considerably more difficult. You will need creative ways of getting food that heals more hitpoints.

Any skill XP earned over the cap will be deleted. But the mastery and global mastery XP works as normal.

You can see the recommendations here.

Food

There are 3 good options for Food before

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Fishing

and

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Cooking

are unlocked:


Ancient Relics

Performing any skill will give you a small chance of discovering an ancient relic. Whilst it is possible to get all of the ancient relics without completing dungeons, it is not recommended. It is worth noting that many of the ancient relics will give you passive rewards that go beyond the skill and should not be overlooked. There is however a guaranteed ancient relic when you reach skill level 20 which is likely to happen after completing your first dungeon. You should try to get these relics as soon as they are available.

Lesser Relics

While skilling you can be rewarded with Lesser Relics, which can be equipped to give boosts to that skill. One lesser relic will be used for every action. For example, in

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Mining

the   Mining Lesser Relic will guarantee one gem for every ore, which is a great way to earn   early in the game. Similarly, the   Thieving Lesser Relic provides an extra +30 stealth which will come in handy when you want to progress

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Thieving

.

Lesser Relics have a 1/1,000 chance on dropping every skilling action you do, they always drop per 300. They are just normal items and don't require you to spend them all before you can get new ones, they stack up to the global maximum items of 4.6 billion.

Skill Cap Recommendations

After each Dungeon you defeat you get 5 Skill Cap increases (6 in  ). This is the recommended priority of choices in descending order. When offered the option between 2 skills, always go for the lowest number on the list first until at least the level in the 3rd column is reached, once the 3rd columns level has been reached, you can disregard the skill unless mentioned otherwise.

These recommendations are focused on killing   The Herald as soon as possible, to unlock both   Harold and unlocking all level 120 skill caps. If this is not your goal the recommendations might mean less to you, the reason why the recommendations are made should however still be taken into account.

Base Game

There's some Skills with the same priority number, feel free to pick either if you get a choice between the 2 of them, neither is more impactful than the other.

Priority Number Skill Until level Reason
1
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Slayer
99 You can get locked in your progression if you don't get enough unlocks in
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Slayer
. It is technically possible for the random skill picks to still lock you by not giving this option, make sure you don't skip this choice.
2
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Runecrafting
85 The best way to clear the Dungeons up to
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Volcanic Cave
is using the
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Magic
style so
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Runecrafting
is very important to level up, always pick this option untill
3
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Summoning
99 Summoning levels are crucial for  Atlas of Discovery content.
  Tortoise  
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Dragon
is highly recommended for   Underwater City.
It offers many other benefits along the way, always try to be leveling
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Summoning
when you're not at the level cap.
4
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Astrology
80 The Master Relic in this skill is VERY powerful, start by mastering all the combat-related Constellations, save the pure skilling ones until after you defeat
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Throne of the Herald
. This Master Relic requires you to fully max out all the attributes offered in each Constellation, this involves getting 99
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Mastery
in it plus buying all the options for Dust (even the crossed out ones). Going for the last
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Level 99
unlock is suggested if the other skill cap increase is not on this table or the level has already been reached.
4
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Agility
55 There are several combat boosting
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Agility
obstacles available up to obstacle 7,
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Raft Building
in obstacle slot 8 we can't build because   Swordfish is very hard to come by. You can technically get them from the   Food Box I but the chances are too low and thus you will need to clear too many Dungeons to get enough to build the obstacle. All you need is
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Level 50
for Obstacle 6 (7 only provides negatives).
5
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Thieving
40
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Level 34
unlocks
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Chef
which is a great source of Food. Higher level unlocks can provide good   but shouldn't be prioritized over other options, if the other skill choice is not on this table, feel free to pick until
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Level 99
. If you get
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Thieving
Relic #4 or #5, you can more safely thieve without needing Food.
6
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Mining
40 Best source of   Gold Ore and   Silver Ore to upgrade your Armour to (G), alternative would be killing   Statue, which is incredibly slow. There is no need to level it further as you can get all the Armour you need from Combat
6
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Smithing
40 To turn your   Gold Ore and   Silver Ore into   Gold Bar and   Silver Bar. See
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Mining
for reason why not higher than 40.
7
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Cartography
90 There are several good rewards from
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Cartography
in the form of Points of Interests, check out the full list here. The main goal however for
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Level 90
is (31, 17)   The Sand-Covered Treasure for 1,000   Damage Reduction Potion IV which you can turn in for 5,000   Damage Reduction Potion IV with
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Township
Hard Task 15.
The other goal of
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Level 90
is one of the requirements to unlock   Underwater Ruins to obtain   Engulfing Vortex Longbow as this is one of the best bows in the game for Ancient Relics and it won't be replaced until
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Level 120
.
7
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Archaeology
90
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Level 90
is the other half of the requirement to unlock   Underwater Ruins for   Engulfing Vortex Longbow, which requires (2, 28)   Melantis to be unlocked, this is done by completing the clue chain starting here.
Other worthwhile items to pick up from
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Archaeology
are:   Accuracy Gem,   Agile Gem,   Ancient Silk,   Old Spyglass,   Dirty Mining Boots,   Blacksmith Tongs,   Ring of Summoning,   Old Summoning Gloves,   Golden Leaf (to stick in passive slot after
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Into the Mist
),   Barrier Gem to make   Tortoise.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Level 120
unlock can be useful for   Pirate Hook and   Merman Pendant but it takes a really long time to level that high.
8
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Farming
70 Good source of passive generating low healing Food.

It is highly recommended you do not pick any unlocks for

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Township

until the point you no longer want to farm Casual Township Tasks for Slayer Coins. Keeping the cap at Level 10 will keep the rerolling them free.

All skills not mentioned on this table or levels above those that are listed do not really matter, you can pick and choose whatever you desire.

Throne of the Herald

Skill cap increases for the  Throne of the Herald Expansion are pretty simple. You gain 3 levels in all combat related skills including

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Slayer

here. The top priority is to get at least 1 (preferably 2)

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Runecrafting

unlock for   Despair Rune and   Soul Rune to cast   Despair which will be almost mandatory for

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Throne of the Herald

Phase 3.
Other than that pick

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Prayer

whenever offered when the alternative is not your first

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Runecrafting

unlock to make combat easier/better.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Astrology

Level 116 unlock is a good 3rd option as Ashtar adds a lot of combat value.

All other options shouldn't really matter as you don't need to level any other skills at all, although level 20 can be fun to get your first free random Relic.

Starting tips

  • Township Tasks: Check out the easier
    Error creating thumbnail: File missing
    Township
    tasks as often these will give useful rewards such as food,   or   which can be a big boost early on. Use a   Bronze Dagger to kill 100   Plant. This will complete the township task and reward you with 2,000   Potatoes.
  • Cartography: Starting
    Error creating thumbnail: File missing
    Cartography
    will give you   50. Surveying the   Farmer's Market at (13, 16) which is close to your starting position for   500.
  • Slayer Tasks: Selecting a new slayer task is free, and so for every task keep re-rolling until you get a low level monster. You will need to stick to   Plant,   Chicken and   Cow. Use potatoes while training combat, and save high healing food items such as   Shrimp for the
    Error creating thumbnail: File missing
    Chicken Coop
    dungeon.
  • Runecrafting: Ancient Relics uses the hardcore Combat Triangle. This means magic is powerful against melee monsters.
    Error creating thumbnail: File missing
    Runecrafting
    will let you unlock more damaging spells. Mine plenty of   Rune Essence to create runes and obtain staves such as the   Staff of Earth including the highest magic gear you can obtain. You can train
    Error creating thumbnail: File missing
    Level 10
    on the   Cow.
  • Mining: The   Mining Lesser Relic provides a guaranteed gem. This makes mining ore a good source of   early on. Sell jewels to obtain 1,000,000  and unlock Auto Eat Tier 1 early, as this will give a considerable advantage.
  • Melee: Train melee to 10 XP and unlock the   Golbin Thief. Use
    Error creating thumbnail: File missing
    Mining
    and
    Error creating thumbnail: File missing
    Smithing
    to create   50. Make at least one
    Error creating thumbnail: File missing
    Golbin Thief
    so that you can receive more marks.
  • Chicken Coop The
    Error creating thumbnail: File missing
    Chicken Coop
    can be defeated once you have maxed out your magic, hitpoints and prayer XP. You should wear your strongest magic gear possible, and a good supply of runes. Use Earth Strike magic, and Thick Skin as your prayer for a small advantage. Use   Shrimp to maintain your health.

Once you have defeated the dungeon, you will unlock level 15 in combat, and the skills you have selected.


Here are some suggestions on where to go next:

Continue defeating dungeons to increase your skill caps and along the way you will discover the ancient relics. Good luck!

Dungeon Walkthrough

This section gives a walkthrough on how to defeat the early dungeons without relying too much on player skill and/or luck. In your playthrough, you should use the ancient relics and skills that you unlock. It is possible that your route will deviate quickly from this path. This guide does not rely on any particular skills or relics being obtained and so should work for most playthroughs, but will necessarily be optimum for your relics and skills.

For the walkthrough, it is assumed that you have levelled all of the combat stats to the maximum after every dungeon. And that all combat training is done using Slayer Tasks to give  . You will need a supply of  , and it is assumed that you are either mining ore to obtain jewels, or thieving and selling items. When equipped, the   Mining Lesser Relic will give a guaranteed jewel for every ore which is a good way to make early  .

In your playthrough, it is recommended that you level every skill to 20, as soon as it becomes available, as this will give a guaranteed Ancient Relic. Ancient relics often give benefits outside of the skill itself, so so not overlook the benefits these and the lesser relics. Leveling township and farming as you go along is recommended as these passive skills will pay dividends in time.

Chicken Coop: Level 10

Start mining   Rune Essence until you reach level 10. Equip the   Mining Lesser Relic if it becomes available. With

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Runecrafting

make roughly equal numbers of air runes, mind runes and earth runes. After that, craft enough runes to create the following magic gear;

Start

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Cartography

to unlock   50, but save this for the dungeon. Survey and discover   Farmer's Market in (13, 16) to obtain   500 which will be your main combat training food supply. Next, survey and discover   The Restless Sanctum at (13, 14) to get   1000 which can be buried for   . Level up all of your combat skills to level 10 on   Plant and   Cow using low-level slayer tasks. When you obtain

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Golbin Thief

craft   50 to allow more marks to be discovered. For the dungeon battle, equip

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Earth Strike

and equip

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
25

and

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Thick Skin

. Time your   Shrimp eats carefully when battling   Mumma Chicken so that you get the most hits in.

You should now unlock Level 15, and will be given a random selection of skill boosts.

Undead Graveyard: Level 15

Level up all of your combat skills to level 15. If you have any skills that are 20 (or higher) then level these up to give you more Ancient Relics.

If needed, mine more   Rune Essence and craft the slightly stronger magic equipment as shown in the table below. If

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Runecrafting

was not upgraded by the first dungeon then consider a melee build instead:

Survey and discover   Old Village to unlock

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Archaeology

. Navigate a path that follows the lowest cost tiles (and avoids any other POIs) until you reach the   The Friendly Fisherman at (6, 27), which rewards   50. Next, survey and discover   Shrouded Horizon at (4, 26) to get 50,000 . Purchase   5 from the Shop to complete the township task that gives you   1000. Obtain the   Occultist and then craft as many

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Occultist

as you can.

Using your remaining  , purchase as many Basic Resupply as you can afford to give you   Lobster. You should now have more than enough food to complete the dungeon.

For the dungeon battle, equip   Manta Ray or   Lobster,

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Fire Strike

,

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Soul Split I

and

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Blinding I

spells. Use

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Occultist

and

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Thick Skin

to increase your chances of success.

Spider Forest: Level 20

Level up all of the combat skills to unlock all of the Ancient Relics. Do the same for any new skills that you have obtained (only level them to 20 for the Ancient Relics. For this dungeon, it is recommended to switch to a melee build unless your runecrafting has been upgraded.

Obtain the   Silver Ruby Necklace from   Mummy or

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Crafting

, if available. To get the Mithril gear, kill   Mithril Knight until you have a full set of Armour. Submit this to the township task to get the upgraded gear Mithril Armour. Then continue killing   Mithril Knight to complete the set, as shown below:

If you still did not get

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Runecrafting

unlocks you can continue up to

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Water God Dungeon

with Melee, at which point it is recommended you switch to

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Ranged

.
If you do get some

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Runecrafting

Skill cap choices at a later stage the choice is yours whether you keep going as Melee or switch to Magic, please do note that Melee will take more time and effort than Magic. Using the   Mining Lesser Relic mine your best ore available to obtain   Jewel of Rhaelyx which you can sell. When you have 1,000,000  available, purchase

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Auto Eat - Tier I

to make combat slightly easier. It is especially important that you spend the time to train your prayer and hitpoints. Use

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Burst of Strength

and

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Clarity of Thought

to increase your odds. Equip

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Occultist

summon. During the battle with   Spider King you will need to time your eats carefully to avoid being killed and it may take more than one attempt.

The optimal way to Manual Eat is to wait with eating your food until you have preformed your attack and before the monster attacks again. This will take some practice but it is suggested you learn how to do this effectively at this stage of the game, as you will be needing to Manual Eat for the majority of your playthrough.

Congratulations, you are well on the path of Ancient Relics. You can check out all of the dungeon guides for more hints and tips. Good Luck!