Relics
- Relics
Introduction
Relics are a unique and highly sought-after item category within the game, representing fragments of past civilizations, powerful artifacts, or remnants of legendary beings. They are a core component of progression, offering significant boosts to various aspects of your character and providing access to advanced content. Understanding Relics – how to obtain them, how to upgrade them, and how they interact with other game systems – is crucial for success, particularly in the mid-to-late game. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to Relics for beginners, covering all essential aspects of this important game mechanic. We will be focusing on the core mechanics as they exist in version 1.40.
What are Relics?
Relics are not simply items to be equipped; they are complex systems that require investment and strategic planning. Each Relic possesses a base stat bonus, a unique passive ability, and the potential for significant improvement through a process called "Refining." They aren't tied to specific equipment slots like Armor or Weapons; instead, they operate as independent modifiers that enhance your character’s overall capabilities.
There are several different *types* of Relics, categorized by their primary effect. These include:
- **Offensive Relics:** Primarily focused on increasing damage output, critical hit chance, attack speed, or skill potency. Examples include the 'Blade of Aethelred' which increases physical damage, or the 'Orb of Arcane Power' boosting magical damage.
- **Defensive Relics:** Enhancing survivability through increased health, armor, magic resistance, or healing received. The 'Shield of the Stalwart' provides increased armor, while the 'Amulet of Resilience' boosts magic resistance.
- **Utility Relics:** Providing benefits like increased movement speed, resource generation, or cooldown reduction. 'Boots of Swift Passage' grant a movement speed bonus, while the 'Ring of Mana Flow' increases mana regeneration.
- **Hybrid Relics:** Offering a combination of effects, typically leaning towards either offensive or defensive strengths along with a smaller utility benefit.
Each Relic also belongs to a specific *Rarity* level: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. Higher rarity Relics start with better base stats and have more potential for refinement.
Obtaining Relics
Relics can be acquired through a variety of methods:
- **Dungeons:** The primary source of Relics, particularly higher-rarity ones. Running Dungeons on higher difficulty settings increases the chance of obtaining better Relics. Specific dungeons are known to drop Relics of certain types – for example, the ‘Sunken Temple’ is more likely to drop Utility Relics.
- **World Bosses:** Defeating challenging World Bosses often guarantees a Relic drop, typically of Epic or Legendary rarity. These bosses require coordinated group effort – see Group Content for more information.
- **Quests:** Some main story quests and side quests reward Relics as completion bonuses. These are usually lower-rarity Relics, suitable for early-game progression.
- **Trading Post:** Players can buy and sell Relics on the Trading Post, allowing for the acquisition of specific Relics that are difficult to obtain through other methods. Prices fluctuate based on demand and rarity. Analyzing Market Trends on the Trading Post is vital.
- **Events:** Special in-game events often feature unique Relics as rewards for participation. Keep an eye on the game’s official announcements for details.
- **Relic Expeditions:** Introduced in patch 1.38, Relic Expeditions are instanced challenges focused solely on obtaining Relic fragments which can be combined to create a full Relic. These are often time-gated, requiring daily participation. Understanding the optimal Expedition Strategy is crucial for maximizing rewards.
Relic Refining & Enhancement
Once you've obtained a Relic, the real journey begins: Refining. Refining increases the Relic’s stats and unlocks additional passive abilities. It's a resource-intensive process, but absolutely essential for maximizing the Relic’s potential.
- **Refining Materials:** Refining requires specific materials, which are obtained from various sources, including dismantling unwanted Relics, completing daily quests, and participating in dungeons. The type and quantity of materials required depend on the Relic’s rarity and current refinement level. See Resource Management for tips on efficiently gathering these materials.
- **Refinement Stages:** Each Relic has a series of refinement stages. Advancing to the next stage requires a specific amount of refining materials and a small gold cost. Each stage increases the Relic’s base stats and unlocks a new tier of passive abilities.
- **Passive Abilities:** Relic passive abilities are unlocked as you refine the Relic. These abilities provide unique bonuses, such as increased critical hit damage, reduced cooldowns, or enhanced resource generation. Choosing Relics with passive abilities that synergize with your Character Build is critical.
- **Enhancement:** Beyond Refining, Relics can be *Enhanced* using special Enhancement Stones. Enhancement increases the potency of the Relic’s passive abilities. Enhancement Stones are rarer than refining materials and are primarily obtained from high-level dungeons and World Bosses. The Enhancement Rate is not guaranteed; there's a chance of failure, potentially destroying the Enhancement Stone.
- **Imbuing:** A later-game mechanic (unlocked at level 60), Imbuing allows you to add additional effects to your Relics using Imbue Stones. These effects can further customize your Relic to fit your specific needs. Understanding Imbue Synergies is a complex topic.
Relic Types & Notable Examples (Version 1.40)
Here's a more detailed look at some notable Relics available in version 1.40, categorized by type:
- Offensive Relics:**
- **Blade of Aethelred (Epic):** Increases physical damage by 15% at refinement level 5. Passive: "Warrior's Fury" – Grants a 5% chance on hit to trigger a burst of bonus physical damage. Popular with Melee DPS builds.
- **Orb of Arcane Power (Rare):** Increases magical damage by 10% at refinement level 3. Passive: “Arcane Resonance” – Increases mana regeneration by 2% per second. A solid choice for Mage Builds.
- **Whisperwind Bow (Uncommon):** Increases ranged attack damage by 8% at refinement level 2. Passive: "Swift Shot" - Slightly reduces the cooldown of ranged abilities.
- Defensive Relics:**
- **Shield of the Stalwart (Epic):** Increases armor by 20% at refinement level 5. Passive: “Unyielding Defense” – Grants a temporary shield after blocking an attack. Essential for Tank Builds.
- **Amulet of Resilience (Rare):** Increases magic resistance by 15% at refinement level 3. Passive: “Arcane Ward” – Reduces the duration of crowd control effects.
- **Bracers of Fortitude (Common):** Increases health by 10% at refinement level 1.
- Utility Relics:**
- **Boots of Swift Passage (Epic):** Increases movement speed by 10% at refinement level 5. Passive: “Fleet-Footed” – Increases dodge chance by 3%. Useful for all builds, especially those requiring mobility.
- **Ring of Mana Flow (Rare):** Increases mana regeneration by 10% at refinement level 3. Passive: “Mana Surge” – Grants a small burst of mana when using a skill.
- **Pendant of Gathering (Uncommon):** Increases resource gathering speed by 5% at refinement level 2.
- Hybrid Relics:**
- **Heart of the Mountain (Legendary):** Increases health by 15% and armor by 10% at refinement level 7. Passive: “Stone Skin” – Grants a stacking armor bonus for a short duration after taking damage. Highly sought-after for its survivability.
- **Shadowveil Cloak (Epic):** Increases critical hit chance by 8% and movement speed by 5% at refinement level 5. Passive: “Ghostly Step” – Grants a short period of invisibility after using a dodge roll.
Relic Sets & Bonuses
In patch 1.35, Relic Sets were introduced. Collecting multiple Relics from the same set grants additional bonuses. These bonuses can be incredibly powerful, significantly enhancing your character’s capabilities.
- **Set Requirements:** Each set requires a specific number of Relics to activate its bonuses. The number of Relics required and the power of the bonuses vary depending on the set.
- **Set Bonuses:** Set bonuses can include increased stats, unique passive abilities, or even access to exclusive content.
- **Popular Sets:** The ‘Crimson Fury’ set (offensive), ‘Ironclad Bulwark’ set (defensive), and ‘Whisperwind’ set (utility) are currently among the most popular choices. Analyzing Set Bonus Efficiency is key to maximizing their benefits.
- **Completing Sets:** Obtaining all Relics from a particular set can be extremely challenging, often requiring dedicated farming and trading.
Advanced Relic Strategies & Analysis
- **Relic Tier Lists:** Regularly updated Relic Tier Lists can help you prioritize which Relics to pursue based on their overall effectiveness.
- **Synergy with Talents:** Understanding how Relic passive abilities synergize with your character's Talent Tree choices is crucial for maximizing their impact.
- **Refinement Cost Analysis:** Calculating the cost of refining a Relic to its maximum level can help you determine whether it’s a worthwhile investment. Cost-Benefit Analysis is essential.
- **Market Fluctuation Prediction:** Tracking Trading Post Data and analyzing market trends can help you buy Relics at the right time and sell them for a profit.
- **Optimizing Enhancement Stone Usage:** Utilizing enhancement stone buff events and understanding the Probability of Enhancement Success can minimize wasted resources.
- **Understanding Relic Scaling:** As your character level increases, the effectiveness of Relics scales accordingly. Don't neglect to upgrade your Relics to keep pace with your progression. See Scaling Mechanics for more details.
- **Utilizing Advanced Filters:** The Trading Post Filters allow for precise searching based on rarity, type, and even specific passive abilities.
- **Monitoring Patch Notes:** Relic mechanics are frequently adjusted in patch updates. Staying informed about these changes is crucial for maintaining an optimal setup. Reviewing Patch Note Analysis is recommended.
- **Analyzing Build-Specific Relics:** Different character builds benefit from different Relic combinations. Researching Build Guides can provide valuable insights.
- **Understanding the Impact of Relics on DPS Meters:** Utilizing Damage Per Second (DPS) Analysis tools can help you assess the effectiveness of your Relic choices.
Conclusion
Relics are a complex but rewarding system that can significantly enhance your character's power and unlock new possibilities. By understanding the different types of Relics, how to obtain them, and how to refine and enhance them, you'll be well on your way to mastering this crucial aspect of the game. Remember to continually adapt your Relic setup to optimize for your chosen build, stay informed about game updates, and utilize the resources available to you within the community. Consistent effort and strategic planning are the keys to unlocking the full potential of Relics.
Dungeons Armor Weapons Group Content Resource Management Character Build Trading Post Market Trends Expedition Strategy Imbue Synergies
Relic Tier Lists Cost-Benefit Analysis Trading Post Data Probability of Enhancement Success Scaling Mechanics Trading Post Filters Patch Note Analysis Build Guides Damage Per Second (DPS) Analysis Enhancement Rate
Start Trading Now
Sign up at IQ Option (Minimum deposit $10) Open an account at Pocket Option (Minimum deposit $5)
Join Our Community
Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive: ✓ Daily trading signals ✓ Exclusive strategy analysis ✓ Market trend alerts ✓ Educational materials for beginners