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The Guardian
August 6, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Updated for release with the confirmed defence value change and a clearer account of how the Guardian grows without levels
The Guardian is the player character in The Relic: First Guardian, referred to as the First Guardian. The role is defined by a duty rather than a backstory: to mend the shattered land of Arsilthus and honour the memories of those who came before.
The Guardian gathers the fragments left behind by the people of Arsilthus, fights the monsters that now roam its ruins, confronts the brutals, and works to lead the world back toward prosperity. The world text addresses the player as one of the curious Guardians who venture off the beaten path, framing exploration as part of the role rather than an optional extra.
There is no levelling and no experience. Power is forged entirely through what you find and how you assemble it.
Growth Path | Effect |
|---|---|
More than 70 unique passive effects, freely swappable, altering combat tempo and skill behaviour | |
Runes | A separate equippable layer; one added after launch increases consumable items |
One-of-a-kind weapons and armour, upgradeable at the Blacksmith with crafting materials | |
Twelve trees supplying passives and ultimate abilities, equipped using relic energy | |
Base stats | Adjusted by the developers rather than by the player; base defence was raised by 30 after launch |
Because Relics can be swapped freely, the Guardian is not locked into a build. The developers frame this as choosing the Guardian you wish to become, and the same character can be re-specialised on the fly.
The Guardian attacks without spending any resource, which means aggression is never rationed. Stamina is reserved strictly for dodging and blocking, and parrying is available with a timing window that was widened after launch. High-power magic runs on cooldowns and a dedicated meter. The full rules are on the Combat System page.
The Guardian's own history, name, and appearance options have not been detailed publicly, so this page covers the confirmed role and mechanics rather than a character biography.
