RuneScape Excavator Guide: Master Mining and Archaeology with One Tool

The Excavator is one of the most exciting Relics introduced in RuneScape, fusing together the skills of Mining and Archaeology into one incredibly powerful utility. Acting simultaneously as a high-level pickaxe and mattock, this Relic saves time, boosts efficiency, and RuneScape gold provides unique bonuses that make skilling more enjoyable and rewarding. If you’re looking to maximize your gathering and restoration potential in Gielinor, the Excavator might just become your go-to tool.

This guide will break down everything you need to know about the Excavator—its features, benefits, and how to use it effectively to advance your Mining, Archaeology, and beyond.

What is the RuneScape Excavator?

The Excavator is a Relic designed for players who enjoy both Mining and Archaeology. Instead of carrying a pickaxe for ores and a mattock for excavations, the Excavator consolidates both into a single tool. At high levels, this saves precious inventory space, reduces swapping, and makes resource gathering seamless.

More than just convenience, the Excavator has special abilities that transform your gameplay:

Dual-purpose tool: Functions as a top-tier pickaxe and mattock.

Automatic processing: Ores smelt into bars and gems are cut instantly.

Direct banking: All resources go straight to your Bank.

Chronote bonuses: More Chronotes gained when excavating.

Restoration efficiency: Half the materials required when restoring artefacts.

Stationary time sprites: Easier Archaeology training with static time sprites.

Rockertunity boost: Extra damage during Rockertunities for faster Mining.

Archaeology materials from geodes: Adds unexpected rewards when cracking geodes.

How to Unlock the Excavator

While the Excavator is a Relic, it requires progression in the Archaeology skill to unlock. Typically, relics are tied to specific discoveries or dig sites, and the Excavator fits into that framework.

Level Requirement: Expect to need a high Archaeology level (90+) along with a strong Mining level to benefit from it fully.

Components: Players often need to combine relic fragments or rare finds from dig sites. Keep an eye on Archaeology caches, boss drops, or special events.

Unlocking via Monolith: Once unlocked, the Excavator is activated at the Monolith in the Archaeology Guild, costing a set number of Relic Power.

Because relics are balanced around late-game benefits, don’t expect to acquire this tool too early in your journey. But once unlocked, it’s a permanent boost to your efficiency.

Benefits of Using the Excavator

Let’s break down the specific benefits and why they matter.

1. Automatic Smelting and Gem Cutting

No more dragging ores to a furnace or gems to a chisel. Every ore mined becomes a bar instantly, and every gem mined is cut on the spot. This:

Saves massive amounts of time.

Reduces inventory clutter.

Boosts Smithing and Crafting indirectly by processing resources instantly.

2. Resources Sent to Bank

All mined bars, cut gems, and artefacts go straight to your Bank. This means:

Endless skilling without worrying about inventory space.

Perfect for AFK Mining or long Archaeology sessions.

Works great in areas like the Mining Guild or Anachronia dig sites.

3. Chronote Boosts

Archaeology’s secondary currency, Chronotes, is crucial for unlocking perks and purchasing useful rewards. By earning more Chronotes passively, the Excavator speeds up progression in this system.

4. Halved Restoration Costs

Artefact restoration can be material-intensive. With the Excavator, you only use half the materials, essentially doubling the value of your collected resources. This is huge for saving time and gold.

5. Stationary Time Sprites

Normally, time sprites move around dig sites, requiring you to chase them. With this Relic, they stay in place, allowing you to park yourself at one location and train efficiently without interruptions.

6. Rockertunity Damage Boost

When a Rockertunity appears while Mining, striking it with the Excavator deals extra damage, allowing you to deplete rocks more quickly and gain ores faster.

7. Archaeology Materials from Geodes

Occasionally, when cracking geodes, you’ll find Archaeology materials alongside the usual loot. This cross-skill synergy ensures nothing goes to waste.

Best Ways to Use the Excavator

The Excavator is a tool meant to be leveraged for both efficiency and profitability. Here’s how to get the most out of it.

Mining

Focus on high-value ores such as Runite, Adamantite, and Light/ Dark animica, since they’ll instantly smelt into high-tier bars.

Use in Mining and Smithing training loops, letting you AFK at rocks while passively building Smithing XP from auto-smelted bars.

Maximize geode farming, since they may yield Archaeology materials with the Excavator.

Archaeology

Stationary time sprites make excavation hotspots far less tedious.

Restoration becomes incredibly cheap, so you can restore more artefacts, earn more Chronotes, and complete collections faster.

Combine with Archaeology consumables (like soil boxes) for the ultimate efficiency setup.

Profit-Making

Auto-smelting means your ores are worth more instantly, saving furnace fees.

Cut gems sell better and stack neatly in the Bank.

Reduced material use for restorations makes Artefacts more profitable long-term.

Tips for Maximizing Efficiency

Pair with Relic Synergies: Combine the Excavator with relics that boost resource gathering or AFK time for an even smoother experience.

Train Both Skills Together: Switch between Mining and Archaeology seamlessly without swapping tools.

Use Banking Perks: Since resources go straight to the Bank, make sure you’ve organized tabs to keep bars, gems, and Archaeology items easy to access.

Capitalize on Rockertunities: Always pay attention to Rockertunities for the extra damage boost.

Plan Long AFK Sessions: Because the Excavator handles inventory management for you, it’s perfect for long AFK skilling stretches.

Final Thoughts

The Excavator is more than just a convenience Relic—it’s a game-changer for both Mining and Archaeology. By combining the functions of two tools, adding automation, boosting Chronotes, and halving restoration costs, it streamlines some of the most grind-heavy activities in RuneScape.

If you’re looking to save time, maximize profit, and cheap OSRS gold level two of the most rewarding gathering skills at once, the Excavator is worth the effort to unlock. Once you activate this Relic, you’ll never want to switch back to standard pickaxes or mattocks again.

Old School RuneScape: How to Unlock and Use Avernic Hilt

The Avernic Hilt is one of the most coveted melee upgrades in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering players the chance to transform the already powerful Dragon Defender into the legendary Avernic Defender. This upgrade boosts both offense and defense, making it a staple for high-level PvM and PvP encounters. However, acquiring and using the Avernic Hilt requires a blend of skill, preparation, and OSRS gold resources. This guide breaks down how to unlock the hilt, its uses, and how to get the most out of it once you’ve obtained it.

1. What is the Avernic Hilt?

The Avernic Hilt is an upgrade component obtained from the Theatre of Blood (ToB), one of OSRS’s most challenging raids. When combined with the Dragon Defender, it creates the Avernic Defender, which is considered the best-in-slot defender for melee combat. It provides massive offensive stats along with solid defensive bonuses, making it an essential item for endgame players.

Key Benefits of the Avernic Defender (after using the hilt):

Attack Bonuses: +30 stab, +29 slash, +28 crush

Strength Bonus: +8

Defensive Bonuses: +26 to stab, slash, and crush; +7 magic; +22 ranged

Prayer Bonus: +1

Compared to the Dragon Defender, the Avernic offers more strength and defensive boosts, turning it into a luxury yet highly practical upgrade.

2. How to Unlock the Avernic Hilt

The only source of the Avernic Hilt is the Theatre of Blood raid in Ver Sinhaza. Unlike some drops, this hilt can’t be acquired from regular bosses or shops. Here’s the process to unlock it:

Step 1: Meet the Requirements

To have a realistic chance at completing ToB, you’ll need strong stats and equipment:

Combat Level: 115+ is highly recommended.

Key Stats: 90+ Attack, Strength, and Defence; 94+ Magic for utility spells; 77+ Prayer for Augury and Rigour if available.

Gear: High-tier weapons (Scythe of Vitur, Ghrazi Rapier, or Abyssal Tentacle), strong defensive armor (Bandos, Justiciar, or Torva), and endgame utilities like Saradomin Godsword or Zamorakian Hasta.

Step 2: Learn the Theatre of Blood Mechanics

The Theatre of Blood consists of several bosses, each with unique mechanics:

The Maiden of Sugadinti – blood spawns and DPS checks.

Pestilent Bloat – timing and positioning challenge.

Nylocas Vasilias – prayer switching and wave management.

Sotetseg – maze mechanics and coordination.

Xarpus – avoiding poison and reflecting mechanics.

Verzik Vitur – a multi-phase final boss that tests teamwork, DPS, and survival.

Completing all rooms successfully with your party earns you a chance at the Avernic Hilt.

Step 3: Roll for the Drop

At the end of a Theatre of Blood run:

The Avernic Hilt is one of the “non-unique” raid rewards, meaning it is more common than ultra-rares like the Scythe of Vitur.

It is tradeable, so you can also buy it on the Grand Exchange if you don’t want to rely on drops. Its price fluctuates, typically sitting in the tens of millions of GP.

3. How to Use the Avernic Hilt

Once you have the hilt, it must be attached to a Dragon Defender to create the Avernic Defender.

Combining the Hilt

Bring the Avernic Hilt and a Dragon Defender to an anvil.

It requires no additional materials but will consume the Dragon Defender permanently.

The process is irreversible: you cannot get the Dragon Defender back.

Combat Use

The Avernic Defender is universally useful across combat scenarios:

PvM (Bossing & Raids): Best-in-slot for melee DPS while offering enough defense to handle high-level bosses like Nex, Nightmare, or God Wars Dungeon generals.

PvP (Wilderness & Duels): Its balanced stats make it versatile for both aggressive and defensive builds, though it is considered risky since dying with it may result in losing millions of GP.

4. Strategies to Maximize the Avernic Defender

While the Avernic is a straight upgrade from the Dragon Defender, using it effectively requires smart combat strategies.

Bossing

God Wars Dungeon: The added defensive stats help sustain longer trips, especially against bosses like Commander Zilyana or K’ril Tsutsaroth.

Nightmare/Phosani’s Nightmare: Boosted strength bonus increases DPS during long, high-HP encounters.

Nex: Essential for tanking and DPS roles.

PvP

Main Setups: Use with high-strength gear like Bandos, Torva, or Inquisitor’s armor.

Hybrid Builds: Works well with switches to Armadyl or Ancestral for tribrid fighting.

Risking: Due to its high cost, many players avoid taking it to deep Wilderness fights unless confident.

Training & Slayer

While technically overkill for AFK training, the Avernic Defender shines on high-level Slayer tasks (Abyssal Demons, Gargoyles, Smoke Devils, etc.) where DPS speed matters.

5. Alternatives Before Avernic

If you can’t afford or unlock the Avernic Hilt yet, these defenders work as stepping stones:

Dragon Defender: Best pre-Avernic option, obtained from Warriors’ Guild.

Rune Defender: Decent until you farm Dragon Defenders.

Crystal Shield / Dragonfire Shield: More defensive but lack the offensive bonuses of defenders.

6. Is the Avernic Worth It?

The Avernic Hilt is a luxury upgrade, but for serious players it’s worth every coin. While it doesn’t provide the massive leap in power like a Scythe of Vitur, it is:

Consistently useful in nearly all melee scenarios.

Best-in-slot with no real competition.

A one-time upgrade — once you make it, you never need another.

For PvMers, the Avernic Defender saves time through higher DPS and survivability. For PvPers, it provides an edge in duels and risk fights. Its only drawback is cost, but since it’s tradeable, you can always liquidate it later.

Final Thoughts

Unlocking and using the Avernic Hilt in RuneScape is a milestone for any melee-focused adventurer. While the path through Theatre of Blood is grueling, the reward is an unrivaled defender that bolsters both offense and defense. By mastering ToB, understanding the value of the item, and strategically using it in combat, you’ll turn your melee setup into one of the most formidable in the game.

Whether you earn it through a raid drop or buy  cheap OSRS gold outright, once you wield the Avernic Defender, you’ll know why it’s considered an essential piece of endgame gear in Old School RuneScape.

RSOrder Exploring the High Seas: The Ultimate OSRS Sailing Skill Overview

 

Sailing is one of the most exciting and RuneScape gold highly anticipated skills coming to Old School RuneScape (OSRS). While details are still being finalized, the skill promises to bring new opportunities for exploration, travel, and rewards. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for this upcoming skill and understand the basics of what’s to come.

Getting Started

To begin your journey with Sailing, you’ll need to first unlock the ability to sail. This will likely involve completing a quest or set of activities. Once unlocked, you’ll be able to build and customize your own ship, which will serve as the main method of travel within the Sailing skill. Expect to upgrade your ship, enhance its capabilities, and explore new lands and islands as you progress.

Sailing Mechanics

Sailing will introduce a dynamic world of travel in OSRS. You’ll be able to set sail to various new locations, each offering unique rewards and challenges. The core mechanics will revolve around ship navigation, resource management, and exploration. You’ll need to keep track of your ship’s health, supplies, and crew to ensure a successful voyage.

The sailing system is likely to involve a map or navigation screen where you can chart your course. Some regions may be uncharted, introducing an element of discovery and risk to your voyages. You’ll want to upgrade your ship to handle rough seas, as well as deal with potential hostile forces.

Building and Upgrading Your Ship

Customization will play a major role in the Sailing skill. You’ll begin with a basic vessel and can upgrade it by gathering resources or completing specific tasks. You may find resources through trading, looting, or completing in-game challenges. Upgrades could include:

Sails for increased speed

Stronger hulls for better durability

Cannons or other defensive systems for protection

As you level up your Sailing skill, more upgrades and modifications will become available, allowing you to tackle tougher challenges and explore more dangerous regions.

Exploration and Quests

One of the most exciting parts of Sailing is the possibility for exploration. You’ll be able to sail to new islands, uncover hidden treasures, or interact with new NPCs offering quests and rewards. The skill will likely feature a series of quests that push your ship’s capabilities and your own navigation skills.

These quests will provide you with lore, resources, and items to help you on your sailing journey. As you explore, you may encounter unique challenges that require problem-solving and strategic thinking.

PvP and Piracy

There will likely be a PvP element within the Sailing skill. Pirates may attempt to board your ship, leading to intense combat on the open sea. You could also have the opportunity to engage in piracy, attacking other players' ships for loot and resources.

This competitive aspect will add excitement, especially in regions known for their danger or treasure. Keep an eye out for hostile ships and be prepared to defend your vessel or become the attacker!

Training the Sailing Skill

To level up your Sailing skill, you’ll likely need to engage in various activities such as:

Sailing to specific locations

Completing mini-games

Engaging in ship combat

You may also gather resources like fishing or treasure hunting during your voyages. Some aspects of training will likely be passive, such as setting your ship to sail while you work on other tasks. Other activities may be more active, requiring you to navigate tricky waters or handle combat encounters.

Conclusion

Sailing promises to be an exciting and cheap OSRS gold innovative addition to Old School RuneScape. With its blend of adventure, strategy, and exploration, it’s sure to provide players with fresh gameplay opportunities. While details are still emerging, the Sailing skill is shaping up to bring a whole new dimension to OSRS. Prepare to set sail, explore new territories, and reap the rewards of your adventures. Keep an eye out for official updates as the release of Sailing draws nearer!

Mastering the Arts of Old School RuneScape: A Guide to the Magic Skill

The Magic skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a powerful and versatile ability that can be harnessed for both combat and utility purposes RuneScape gold. This guide delves into the world of magic, exploring its mechanics, training methods, and the numerous spells and abilities at your disposal.

The Magic Skill: An Overview

Magic is one of the three combat skills in OSRS, alongside Attack and Ranged. However, what sets Magic apart is its wide array of uses, making it a vital skill for every adventurer. Here's an overview of what the Magic skill offers:

Combat Spells: Magic provides various combat spells, including standard combat spells, elemental spells, and ancient spells, which can be used to vanquish foes in PvE and PvP situations.

Teleportation: Magic allows you to teleport to different locations across Gielinor, making it a convenient skill for quick travel.

Enchantment and Alchemy: With the Magic skill, you can enchant jewelry and cast high alchemy spells to convert items into coins.

Utility Spells: Magic also offers utility spells like telekinetic grab, which can be handy for specific in-game situations.

Training the Magic Skill

Training Magic in OSRS involves casting spells, which consume runes and grant experience. Here are some common methods for training Magic:

Combat: Combat spells, such as Wind Strike and Fire Bolt, are used to defeat monsters. This is a common way to level up Magic while earning combat experience.

High Alchemy: Casting the High Alchemy spell on items is an effective way to train Magic. It converts items into coins, and it's often used for profit.

Teleportation: Teleportation spells like Varrock Teleport and Falador Teleport provide Magic experience while facilitating easy travel across Gielinor.

Enchantment: Enchanting jewelry, like Sapphire Rings and Amulets of Glory, offers Magic experience and the possibility of valuable enchanted items.

Splashing: This method involves casting a spell with no intention of hitting a target, effectively allowing players to afk train Magic. It is popular for leveling with minimal effort.

Magic Gear and Runes

To enhance your magical abilities, you'll need the appropriate gear and runes:

Mage Gear: Equipping items that provide magic bonuses can boost your spell-casting accuracy and damage. Robes, wands, and staffs are common mage gear options.

Runes: Magic spells require specific runes, such as air, water, fire, and earth runes. High-level spells, especially in combat, may demand multiple types of runes. It's essential to carry an ample supply of runes when casting spells.

Staffs: Certain staffs, like the Staff of Air or Staff of Water, can provide unlimited runes of a specific type, which can be extremely useful for conserving inventory space and reducing costs.

Exploring Magic's Versatility

The Magic skill is known for its versatility, and players can harness this power for various purposes:

Combat: Magic is a potent combat skill with a wide range of offensive and defensive spells, making it a valuable asset in battles against both monsters and players.

Skilling: Magic is intertwined with other skills. For example, you can cast the Superheat Item spell to smelt ores while training Smithing.

Transportation: Teleportation spells can significantly reduce travel time in the game, making them a convenient tool for quests and everyday activities.

Money-Making: High alchemy and enchantment spells can be used for profitable activities, such as alching valuable items or enchanting jewelry.

The Journey to Mastery

Becoming a master of the Magic skill in OSRS requires dedication and practice. Experiment with various spells, gear, and training methods to find the path that suits your playstyle. As your magical abilities grow, you'll unlock new possibilities in combat, skilling, and cheap OSRS gold exploration. The Magic skill in OSRS is a powerful and multifaceted tool, and it's your key to conquering the enchanted world of Gielinor.