Jagex, creators and custodians of the iconic living game RuneScape, today introduces Archaeology. This powerful new skill offers a major addition for the game, introducing intricate gameplay and beginning an epic new storyline that is steeped deep in lore. Players will journey on an adventure across five massive new locations to unearth mysteries that will reveal secrets from Gielinor’s rich history.
The launch of this new skill also teases the highly anticipated Elder God Wars Dungeon, which will see the titans that created the world rise up again, coming later this year.
Check out the Archaeology Launch Trailer below:
Archaeology is the 28th skill to come to RuneScape, and the most powerful in the game’s 19-year history. Skills are a key feature in RuneScape and bring a whole new way to level your avatar. The skill is available up to level 20 for free-to-play players, giving them plenty of chance to explore the first dig site.
It sees players excavate and restore artefacts using their gathering talents, while the discovery of ancient relics will unlock powerful game-wide perks. As players explore the expansive dig sites they’ll also uncover ancient training methods for new powers – Ancient Summoning and Ancient Invention.
Kharid-Et, the first dig site players will encounter, lies beneath the sand near the city of Al Kharid. Built by the followers of the powerful god Zaros, this fortress was thought to be lost during the God Wars, but hidden within its depths are lost weapons and ancient magics.
Further locations include:
- Everlight: Uncover items and try to extinguish the lighthouse at the heart of this former Icyene settlement.
- The Infernal Source: Located underneath the Wilderness Volcano, players will learn about Zamorak’s connection with demons, and the origins of demons in Gielinor.
- Stormguard Citadel: A former Armadylean fortress and laboratory with a connection to the Temple of Ikov.
- Warforge!: An abandoned Bandosian military installation for goblins in Feldip Hills.
Archaeology arrives with a level cap of 120 for RuneScape members. There will be a six-month grace period where players won’t be able to use bonus experience, experience lamps of other boosts to train this skill – the race is on to be the first to grab the highly desirable Completion Capes!
An elite skilling outfit for Archaeology is also available which grants players exciting perks such as increased excavation success rate, unlimited teleports to dig site camps and more. There’s also the adorable new skilling pet, Archie the child mummy!
Archaeology is far more than simply a skill, offering new materials, new buffs, stupendous rewards and epic locations. Far greater mysteries await discovery and through mastering Archaeology, players will gain powers that will provide significant advantages in the upcoming The Elder God War Dungeon, releasing later this year.
Ryan Ward, Executive Producer, RuneScape commented:
Archaeology is the most powerful and ambitious skill to come to RuneScape. It has been 18 months in development and become a labour of love for the team. The reaction to our announcement at RuneFest last year has been wonderfully affirming and we’re all so excited to see players uncover the secrets of the forgotten past and gain the power they’ll need to take the fight to the Elder Gods later in 2020.
The Archaeology update is the latest in several RuneScape releases set to uncover Gielinor’s ancient past. Starting from last year’s A Land Out of Time, Archaeology is the next step toward revealing some troubling developments.
War is coming, dig deep!
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