Getting Started
A pre-launch beginner's orientation to The Relic: First Guardian, based on confirmed systems.
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This is a pre-launch orientation to The Relic: First Guardian, based on the systems the developers have confirmed so far. It is meant to set expectations for how the game plays rather than to give step-by-step tactics, which will be added once the game is out. Where something is not yet detailed, it is noted as such.
The Relic: First Guardian is a single-player dark fantasy action RPG with soulslike combat, set in the ruined land of Arsiltus. You play as the First Guardian, gathering the lingering memories of a fallen world while fighting through its corrupted inhabitants and its bosses. Expect tough combat, environmental storytelling, and a heavy folklore influence drawn from Asian mythology.
Stamina is for defence, not attacks. You can attack freely without draining stamina. Save stamina for dodging and blocking, where it actually matters.
Skills run on cooldowns. There is no mana or resource pool, so commit skills based on their cooldowns and on timing.
There are no character levels. You grow by collecting Relics, also called Runes, along with items and crafting. Equipping Relics is how you shape your Guardian.
Gear is unique. Every weapon and armour piece exists only once in the world, so treat each one as a meaningful discovery.
Build your own class. Five weapon types and twelve skill trees can be blended into a class of your own. Weapons can also be imbued with abilities.
Combat builds toward the brutals, the game's up to 80 bosses. Each is a tough fight with a tragic story behind it. The combat system is tuned so you can stay aggressive, so learning when to spend stamina on a dodge or block, rather than rationing attacks, is likely to be the key skill. Defeating a boss reveals its tale.
The game releases July 31, 2026 on PC. Detailed system requirements, specific Relic effects, weapon names, and boss names are still being confirmed by the developers. This guide, and the rest of this wiki, will be expanded with concrete tips, builds, and walkthroughs once the game is available and these specifics are known.