OSRS Fractured Archive is live: launch issues, layout and how to prepare
How to get to the Fractured Archive in OSRS: the While Guthix Sleeps requirement, the boss picks (Xarth, Bork, Ezekiel), wipe rules and every raid reward.
Update, Oct 20: the raid is live. Jagex confirmed the archive was open just after 11:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. in Brasília). Below are the launch-day notes from the official Out Today post, followed by the full prep guide.
Launch day: what to know
- Hardcore warning: deaths inside are not safe. HCIM and HCGIM lose their status if they die in the archive
- Wipes: your team is removed from the raid and you get a gravestone outside. Gravestone fees are 75% lower until you have five completions
- Can’t enter? UIMs with items stored at Pete Kayer must reclaim them first. World 345 (permanent Deadman) has no raid access at release
- Practice Mode: not available at launch
- Rewards: Elemental Fragments, Archivist’s Folio, Ascension shards, Zeal, Rondache, Zorya’s Tome, Ascension crossbows and the Obligator megarare
- Same update: Nex’s Crush Defence drops from +60 to +35, so the Obligator works better there
Known issues on day one
- Mystic Vigour and Deadeye look inactive: Jagex suggests turning off the RuneLite “Instant Inventory” plugin. The RuneLite team believes it causes a visual bug where the prayers look off while still active.
- Jeweller’s Chisel doesn’t work on Ascension shards: use a regular chisel until the fix.
- Araxxor’s final phase: the “stepunder” mechanics are off, so you may need to adjust your movement. Jagex says the fix probably waits until next week, since rushing it could affect NPCs inside the archive.
The first three teams to clear get gold, silver and bronze medals. If you missed the official watch party, Jagex says a highlights video goes up on the OSRS YouTube channel on October 21.
Old School RuneScape’s fourth raid, The Fractured Archive, launched on October 20. To get in, finish the entry requirement, settle on a team size and learn how wipes, loot and Practice Mode work. Jagex’s official “Everything You Need To Know” blog covers the systems (but not the boss mechanics). Here is what changes and what to do now.
Access: finish While Guthix Sleeps
Entry requires the quest While Guthix Sleeps. Once you have it, a messenger hands you a note on login. The entrance is on a cliff face near the entrance to the Guthixian Temple. Jagex says limited-account accommodations won’t be ready at launch, and there is no timeline for them.
How to get to the Fractured Archive
The raid is in the Chasm of Tears, under the Lumbridge Swamp, next to the Ancient Guthixian Temple from While Guthix Sleeps. There are four ways in:
- Guthixian temple teleport (scroll): drops you right next to the entrance. The fastest option until you have the Folio.
- Games necklace to Tears of Guthix: bring a lit sapphire lantern in your inventory so one of the light creatures carries you down into the chasm, then crawl through the opening to the southwest to reach the lobby.
- Archivist’s folio: a raid reward that teleports you straight to the Archive entrance lobby. You charge it with ascension shards.
- On foot: run to the chasm through the Lumbridge Swamp caves.
The first time you try to enter, the Fractured Archive miniquest starts automatically.
Ascension rocks: where they are and what they give
The ascension rocks are in the southwest corner of the lobby, so you can mine while you wait for your team. What you need to know:
- Requirement: 80 Mining and any pickaxe. Mining enhancers do nothing here.
- Reward: ascension shards, used to charge the Archivist’s folio and to make ascension bolts for the ascension crossbows.
- How they move: three rocks are active at a time. Every 295 ticks (177 seconds) they sink into the ground and three other rocks nearby become active. Other players do not speed this up.
- Sprites: now and then a sprite appears with a high-pitched sound. Click it (“look at”) within 30 seconds for up to 2 bonus shards.
Team size
- The raid scales from 2 to 8 players. Jagex recommends 3 to 5.
- Solo play uses 2-player scaling, and Jagex calls it “very challenging”, closer to soloing Theatre of Blood.
Layout: 8 encounters, 3 choices
- The Archive Guardian (always first)
- Bork (and the Smorks) or Ezekiel
- Dreadnoth the Jellied or a mysterious necromancer
- Xarth or the Dagon’hai Trio
- The final boss (always last)
The choices are fixed, not random, and each pair awards the same number of points toward loot. There is a points-based resupply mid-raid, but no Overload and no banking inside, so bring everything you need.
Wipes, spectating and Practice Mode
- Team wipe: you are removed from the raid and get a gravestone outside. Gravestone fees are 75% lower until you have five completions.
- Spectating: dead players can click the party orbs to watch teammates’ point of view and inventory, and use pings. Parties can turn spectators off on the grouping board.
- Practice Mode is not available at launch. When it is added, you will be able to practice any boss or phase you have already reached, with supplies refunded.
Loot at a glance
- Tradeable items: Rondache (shield), Zorya’s Tome, Ascension crossbows (dual-wield, a raid-tier upgrade to the Toxic Blowpipe) and the Obligator (Crush megarare).
- Untradeable items: Elemental Fragments and the Archivist’s Folio (teleport).
- Zeal: a Piety upgrade (+5% Attack and Strength), unlocked by a tradeable item.
- Ascension shards can also be mined slowly from Ascension rocks in the lobby.
Before the raid
- Finish While Guthix Sleeps if you haven’t already. Without it you can’t enter.
- Get a group of 3 to 5 together. Lower scales are a much harder challenge.
- Stock up on supplies for a raid with no banking and no Overload.
- Can’t play yet? Jagex’s highlights video of launch day goes up on YouTube on October 21.