Designing Relics

As a core part of GW2, the current rune system will provide players with additional attributes, and when the player matches a set of 6 runes, they will get additional special effects. But in general, runes still have a lot of room for improvement.

For example, some runes are not often used due to the stats they provided, leaving some interesting bonus effects underutilized. After the Secrets of the Obscure are released on August 22, rune sets will continue to provide the same attribute bonuses as they currently do. You will be able to choose a special combat effect by adding a brand-new equipment type called a relic to its own dedicated slot.

By separating attribute choices from bonus effects, players can customize their collocations according to their needs, which will provide more flexibility and better control so that there will be more wonderful combination schemes, which is in line with the design concept of the game.

Core and Expansion Relics

Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscureill release with 40 core relics and 12 expansion relics. Core relics, which have the same in-game effects as most runes now provide, will be available to all players regardless of expansion ownership. In addition, more core relics will be added over time as part of our ongoing commitment to improving our core game features; the game will provide more viable choices despite fewer overall options.

When the expansion launches, each character above level 60 will receive a relic chest as a starting for the new system. Players can choose three core relics (the exact number is subject to change). Other core relics will not be account bound and can be crafted and shared between players.

Relic of the Zephyrite

After using an elite skill, summon a crystal that applies protection and resolution to allies. Crystal duration scales with the recharge of the used skill.

If you have Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, you can acquire Expansion Relics. While these are not more powerful than core relics, expansion relics allow us to design more intricate, bold, and thrilling effects! They’ll also tie in tightly with the expansion’s story, providing tidbits for players obsessed with story biographies. Expansion Relics can be obtained through collections, achievements, or by completing story chapter progression. While you can’t trade expansion relics between players, they are available to all characters on your account by visiting an NPC relic vendor after you’ve unlocked them.

Relic of the Wizard’s Tower

After using an elite ability, create a barrier that reflects projectiles and summons a wave of energy to pull enemies toward you.

Relics of both types will function in PvE, PvP, and WvW game modes, but some relics will have slight changes in tuning and functionality to fit competitive environments better. In the follow-up quarterly update of Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, more relics will be added for players to choose from, making the battlefield even more unpredictable!

Legendary Runes and Relics

With the addition of relics, players will have more meaningful choices when building their characters. Some legendary runes’ functionality will be transferred to the relics’ slots. Although the legendary rune no longer has a full set of additional special bonus effects, it retains its attribute-swapping flexibility.

Legendary relics will be introduced to Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure during one of the quarterly releases in 2024. These Legendary relics will allow players to conveniently switch between the various relic effects. Players who have crafted legendary runes will be compensated with significant progress toward unlocking legendary relics. In fact, each of your 7 Legendary Runes unlocked further progress toward these relics.