Ancient Relics/Guide

This content is part of the Atlas of Discovery Expansion.

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 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.

The guides are not Ancient Relics exclusive and are only meant to be used as a guideline. You will have to manually eat in every single dungeon (with the exception of Underwater City). Doing the first Dungeons idle is possible with the right Ancient Relics, however it would require an extreme amount of time and effort and is thus highly recommended against.

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

Make 100% sure to clear ALL Dungeons and spend ALL skill cap increases before clearing Impending Darkness Event, this includes the optional Miolite Caves and Infernal Stronghold which have Slayer requirements. If you do those after 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 Impending Darkness Event, making dungeons considerably more difficult. You will need creative ways of getting food that heals more hitpoints.

Skill choices don't always pop up in the middle of the screen after defeating a dungeon, if this happens your skill choices will be in green text on the left side next to the bank in the side menu.
If you're using steam or epic and are not sure of which skills to pick or don't want to make a choice right at that moment they pop up, you can just press Escape and the choices will be waiting for you in green text next to the bank in de side menu.
There is currently a bug which happen very rarely that you don't get any skill choices at all after clearing a dungeon, in that case it is recommended you visit the Melvor Discord channel #aod-ancient-relics and ask for the solution.

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 Fishing and Cooking are unlocked:

1) Thieving Level 34 unlocks Chef. Chef only has food as common steals.
2) Slayer Resupplies are a good option for Food and Prayer Points, it also provides Arrows and Bolts and Light Runes.
- Slayer Coins can be gotten from doing Slayer tasks
- Casual Township Tasks are also a very good source of large amounts of Slayer Coins, they reward 1,000 per Slayer level, any % increases from other sources can be applied to these rewards.
3) Farming provides large amounts of low-healing food, which is very useful for auto-eating. Potatoes are a good option for the very beginning.

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 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 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 Throne of the Herald). 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	Slayer	99	You can get locked in your progression if you don't get enough unlocks in 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	Runecrafting	85	The best way to clear the Dungeons up to Volcanic Cave is using the Magic style so Runecrafting is very important to level up, always pick this option untill
3	Summoning	99	Summoning levels are crucial for Atlas of Discovery content. Tortoise Dragon is highly recommended for Underwater City. It offers many other benefits along the way, always try to be leveling Summoning when you're not at the level cap.
4	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 Throne of the Herald. This Master Relic requires you to fully max out all the attributes offered in each Constellation, this involves getting 99 Mastery in it plus buying all the options for Dust (even the crossed out ones). Going for the last Level 99 unlock is suggested if the other skill cap increase is not on this table or the level has already been reached.
4	Agility	55	There are several combat boosting Agility obstacles available up to obstacle 7, 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 Level 50 for Obstacle 6 (7 only provides negatives).
5	Thieving	40	Level 34 unlocks 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 Level 99. If you get Thieving Relic #4 or #5, you can more safely thieve without needing Food.
6	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	Smithing	40	To turn your Gold Ore and Silver Ore into Gold Bar and Silver Bar. See Mining for reason why not higher than 40.
7	Cartography	90	There are several good rewards from Cartography in the form of Points of Interests, check out the full list here. The main goal however for 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 Township Hard Task 15. The other goal of 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 Level 120.
7	Archaeology	90	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 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 Into the Mist), Barrier Gem to make Tortoise. Level 120 unlock can be useful for Pirate Hook and Merman Pendant but it takes a really long time to level that high.
8	Farming	70	Good source of passive generating low healing Food. Which is very useful when Auto-Eating.

It is highly recommended you do not pick any unlocks for 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 Slayer here.

The top priority is to get at least 1 (preferably 2) Runecrafting unlock for Despair Rune and Soul Rune to cast Despair which will be almost mandatory for Throne of the Herald Phase 3.

Other than that pick Prayer whenever offered when the alternative is not your first Runecrafting unlock to make combat easier/better.

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 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 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 Chicken Coop dungeon.
Runecrafting: Ancient Relics uses the hardcore Combat Triangle. This means magic is powerful against melee monsters. 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 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 Mining and Smithing to create 50. Make at least one Golbin Thief so that you can receive more marks.
Chicken Coop The 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 Chicken Coop, you will unlock level 15 in combat, and the skills you have selected in the choices that popped up.

Here are some suggestions on where to go next:

Discovering the Wet Forest at (9, 16) will reward 60 Oxilyme Seeds, 60 Mantalyme Seeds and 60 Lemontyle Seeds which can help you get started in Farming and Herblore.
The Runed Battlefield at (7, 15) provides 1,000 Mind Rune, 1,000 Chaos Rune and 1,000 Death Rune which will give added boosts to Magic for the early bosses.
The Holy Isles at (17, 17) will reward 100 Medium Urn and if buried will give you a big Prayer advantage.
The Castle of Kings at (21, 16) gives you Knight's Cape and (G) Mithril Platebody which is a great way to get some early damage reduction (DR). However, you will need Level 20 to equip these items.
Discovering The Eye-Conic Cave at (10, 18) unlocks the Eye-conic Cave combat area which grants access to Blind Ghost which drops Lesser Summoning Amulet which is extremely powerful and remains Best in Slot until you get 100% special weapons (damage wise), the only real alternative to this amulet is Fury of the Elemental Zodiacs which provides Damage Reduction and some offensive stats, which only gets better with 100% special weapons or when you need Damage Reduction over damage.
Defeating this enemy should be rather easy with a simple Barrier Gem equiped.
Discovering Mucky Cave at (22, 18) unlocks the Mucky Cave combat area which provides Barrier Dust and Barrier Sapping Gloves. Defeating Vampiric Bat should also be rather simple with a Barrier Gem.
Discovering Shrouded Horizon at (4, 26) provides 50,000 which can be used to purchase 10 slayer re-supplies. There is a relatively direct path available from the starting position that can be done with 10 cartography, but will cost up to 500,000 in travel.
Discovering The Shadow Lurkers at (8, 14) provides 500 and 500 which can be used to upgrade armour before getting the ability to mine and smith these materials.

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 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 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 Golbin Thief craft 50 to allow more marks to be discovered.

For the dungeon battle, equip Earth Strike and equip 25 and 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 Runecrafting was not upgraded by the first dungeon then consider a melee build instead:

Slot	Item
	Fire Acolyte Wizard Hat
	Air Acolyte Wizard Robes
	Water Acolyte Wizard Bottoms
	Earth Acolyte Wizard Boots
	Staff of Fire

Survey and discover Old Village to unlock 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 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, Fire Strike, Soul Split I and Blinding I spells. Use Occultist and 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 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:

Slot	Item	DR%
	Mithril Helmet	0%
	(G) Mithril Platebody	3%
	(G) Mithril Platelegs	3%
	Mithril Boots	0%
	Silver Ruby Necklace	0%
	Mithril Scimitar	0%
	(G) Mithril Shield	3%
Total		9%

If you still did not get Runecrafting unlocks you can continue up to Water God Dungeon with Melee, at which point it is recommended you switch to Ranged.
If you do get some 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 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 Burst of Strength and Clarity of Thought to increase your odds. Equip 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!

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Ancient Relics

Lesser Relics