Return of the Ancients — new league, new ascendancies, 40+ uniques, 15 bosses, and a completely new endgame. Prepare for the most powerful build possible.
Farrow, a seeker of runes from the eastern reaches of Ezomyr, has uncovered markings that should have remained buried.
Find mysterious Remnants across Wraeclast and awaken their ancient magic by inscribing runic symbols upon them. Depending on which symbols you use, different rewards appear — but the monsters also grow stronger.
Core MechanicThe new metal Verisium enables Runeforging — modify your armor to gain Runic Ward (defense that absorbs damage when your life drops below 1). Later on, you can Runeforge unique items too.
Crafting25+ new skills that use Runic Ward as a resource. No attribute or weapon requirements — any class can use them. Includes Frostflame Nova, Triskelion Cascade, Hollow Shell and more.
SkillsNew Archaic and Warding runes usable in Expeditions. Alloys remove a modifier and add a powerful guaranteed mod (similar to essences).
RunesNew expedition mechanic — explore uncharted seas and their secrets alongside the Kingsmarch crew.
ExplorationThe Origins of Divinity, Masters of the Atlas, Delirium: The Hare & the Raven, Breach: Walking the Dreamer, Ritual: Rite of the Nameless — each mechanic gets its own questline.
EndgamePatch 0.5 introduces two brand new ascendancy classes — one for the Huntress and one for the Monk.
Martial Artist has powerful single-target potential (Hollow Form + Resonance + Stonefist) and excellent clear (Hollow Focus bell + shockwave). Runic Meridians allows adding rune sockets directly to your character — which synergizes perfectly with the new Runes of Aldur rune system. Spirit Walker is strong but relies on companion AI, which can be unpredictable.
25+ new skills that use Runic Ward. No attribute or weapon requirements — any class can use them.
Transforms Ignite into Frostfire — burning cold. A new elemental status effect combination.
Triggers your next spell multiple times. A powerful trigger mechanic.
Infuses your weapon with runic power, granting elemental damage and Runic Ward synergy.
Marks an enemy, pushing away other creatures that approach.
Creates a protective shell that uses Runic Ward to temporarily make you invulnerable.
Places runes that explode with physical damage and stun enemies.
40+ new unique items — new weapons, armors, accessories, and Kalguuran uniques.
| Item | Type | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Serle's Grit | One Hand Mace | Kalguuran unique · Base DPS 57.3 |
| Breach of Aldur | Unique Ring | New Breach-synergy unique |
| Cadigan's Epiphany | Unique Amulet | Runic Ward synergy |
| Uhtred's Sidereus | Unique Staff | Celestial damage — for casters |
| Runic Alloy | Currency | Ring: +(25-30) max Runic Ward · Amulet: (6-10)% inc max Runic Ward |
| Imbued Alloy | Currency | Martial Weapon: (15-20)% inc chance to inflict Ailments |
| Expansive Alloy | Currency | +1 to Melee Strike Range |
| Swift Alloy | Currency | Attack Speed modifiers |
| Mystic Alloy | Currency | Spell modifiers |
| Revered Starlit Ore | Currency | Drops from Expedition pinnacle boss · Runeforging |
| Ward Rune | Rune | New Runic Ward rune |
| Archaic Rune of Retaliation | Archaic Rune | Expedition · retaliation synergy |
| Archaic Rune of Control | Archaic Rune | Expedition · control synergy |
| Archaic Rune of Discovery | Archaic Rune | Expedition · discovery synergy |
| Archaic Rune of the Titan | Archaic Rune | Expedition · titan synergy |
| Warding Rune of Reinforcement | Warding Rune | Expedition · reinforce |
| Warding Rune of Protection | Warding Rune | Expedition · protection |
∗ Full list of 40+ uniques will be revealed after the May 29 patch — these are the datamined/known ones.
A completely new endgame with 5 storylines, 400+ node atlas tree, and 15 new bosses.
New storyline — discover the origin of divinity and fight new bosses.
StorylineAtlas tree overhaul — 400+ nodes, new passives and strategies.
AtlasDelirium gets a new questline and progression system.
DeliriumBreach mechanics updated — new rewards and bosses.
BreachRitual updated — new boss and reward system.
RitualNew bosses: Atziri, Expedition pinnacle, Breach lords, Delirium avatars and many more.
BossesRunic Ward effectiveness and regen through the atlas tree.
Better rewards from Remnants, more Verisium.
Remnants in Expeditions — chain explosion bonuses.
Bonuses against pinnacle bosses, more loot.
The most powerful build — Martial Artist Monk. Here's the complete roadmap.
Best pick for Runes of Aldur league. Why: Runic Meridians allows rune sockets directly on your character, which synergizes with the new rune system. Hollow Form techniques provide powerful single-target and clear. Way of the Stonefist gives the best glove modifiers.
Use quarterstaff melee skills (Tempest Flurry, Falling Thunder). Take Hollow Focus Technique as your first ascendancy node — bell shockwave is the best early game clear.
Add Hollow Form Technique as your second ascendancy point. Start using illusion synergy. Save Verisium for Runeforging to get Runic Ward.
Take Hollow Resonance Technique — crit-based damage spike. Start unlocking the atlas tree. Prioritise Remnant and Expedition nodes for Runic Ward gear.
Take Runic Meridians — rune sockets directly on your character. Runeforge your armor for Runic Ward. Way of the Stonefist replaces your gloves with stronger ones.
Take Way of the Mountain. Immobilise + stun synergy. Start farming the Expedition pinnacle boss for Revered Starlit Ore. Complete the endgame storylines.
Full gearing: Runeforged uniques (high Runic Ward), all Hollow techniques, optimal atlas tree. Defeat all 15 new bosses and complete all 5 storylines.