Desert Treasure 2 OSRS Guide – Unravel The Fallen Empire
Desert Treasure II – The Fallen Empire is one of the most ambitious and challenging quests in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). As a grandmaster quest in the Mahjarrat series, it builds on the legacy of Desert Treasure I, delivering a sprawling adventure filled with intense combat, intricate lore, and rewarding loot. Whether you’re a seasoned player or preparing for your first attempt, this guide dives deep into everything you need to know about Desert Treasure 2 OSRS, from requirements and preparation to strategies for its formidable bosses and the treasures that await.
Released on July 26, 2023, Desert Treasure II is billed as OSRS’s hardest and longest quest to date. It continues the Mahjarrat storyline, plunging players into a web of ancient mysteries, betrayals, and epic battles across Gielinor. The quest introduces four new bosses—Duke Sucellus, The Leviathan, The Whisperer, and Vardorvis—each offering unique mechanics and coveted rewards like Virtus Robes, the Soulreaper Axe, and upgraded Ancient Rings.
Why Desert Treasure 2 Stands Out
Unlike many quests, Desert Treasure 2 combines a rich narrative with high-stakes combat, making it a true test of skill and preparation. Its grandmaster difficulty and extensive skill requirements set it apart, while the post-quest content keeps players returning for repeatable boss fights. The quest’s scale, spanning new areas like the Stranglewood and the Ancient Vault, adds to its allure.
Quest Prerequisites
Before embarking on Desert Treasure 2, ensure you meet the following requirements:
- Skills: 75 Firemaking, 75 Magic, 70 Thieving, 62 Herblore, 60 Runecraft, 60 Construction (all unboostable)
- Quests: Desert Treasure I, Secrets of the North, Enakhra’s Lament, Temple of the Eye, The Garden of Death, Below Ice Mountain, His Faithful Servants
- Other: Access to the Ancient Magicks spellbook
These prerequisites ensure you’re ready for the quest’s challenges, particularly its combat-heavy sections.
Preparation for Desert Treasure 2 OSRS
Success in Desert Treasure 2 hinges on thorough preparation. From gear and inventory to understanding the quest’s flow, here’s how to set yourself up for victory.
Recommended Gear
Your gear setup will vary depending on the boss, but a versatile loadout is key. Here’s a general recommendation:
| Slot | Item |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Trident of the Swamp, Arclight (for Sucellus), or Dragon Hunter Crossbow |
| Armour | Torva, Bandos, or Ancestral (depending on combat style) |
| Amulet | Amulet of Torture or Occult Necklace |
| Ring | Ring of Suffering (i) or Lightbearer |
Tip: Bring gear swaps for melee, ranged, and magic to handle the diverse boss mechanics.
Inventory Setup
Your inventory should balance combat supplies with quest-specific items. Consider including:
- Runes: For Blood, Ice, Smoke, and Shadow Burst spells
- Potions: Prayer potions, super combat potions, stamina potions, antipoison
- Food: High-healing items like Karambwans or Saradomin Brews
- Utility: Lockpick, hammer, Dramen staff, Xeric’s Talisman, Digsite teleports
A pickaxe (bronze provided in-quest) and desert heat protection (e.g., waterskins) are also essential.
Combat Training Tips
If your combat stats are on the lower side (e.g., base 80s), consider training at Nightmare Zone or slaying high-level monsters to boost your stats. Familiarize yourself with prayer flicking and gear switching, as these skills are crucial for the boss fights.
Walkthrough of Desert Treasure 2
The quest begins at the Ancient Vault northeast of Nardah, accessible via fairy ring code DLQ or a Nardah teleport. You must be on the Ancient Magicks spellbook to proceed. Below is a streamlined walkthrough to guide you through the major sections.
Starting the Quest
Enter the Ancient Vault and speak to Asgarnia Smith, who proposes a partnership. Inspect the four statues (Vardorvis, Perseriya, Duke Sucellus, and The Whisperer) and the wall plaque to learn their names. This triggers your journey to investigate each boss’s backstory across Gielinor.
Key Quest Locations
The quest spans several unique areas:
- Stranglewood: A dangerous region south of Mount Quidamortem, filled with strangled enemies.
- Lovakengj: Visit the Burning Man monument for clues about Vardorvis.
- The Scar: An underwater area tied to Perseriya (The Leviathan).
- Ghorrock: A frozen wasteland where Duke Sucellus resides.
Each location involves puzzles, combat, and lore, so stay alert and keep your inventory stocked.
Navigating Challenges
Expect tasks like gathering herbs (korbal and argian berries), solving stone chest puzzles, and surviving waves of enemies. For example, in the Stranglewood, you’ll need to protect Kasonde from strangled attacks while building barricades. Use magic to attack over barricades and prioritize threats to progress efficiently.
Boss Fights in Desert Treasure 2
The heart of Desert Treasure 2 lies in its four boss fights, each requiring distinct strategies. These encounters are not only part of the quest but also unlock repeatable post-quest battles for rewards.
Duke Sucellus
Location: Ghorrock Dungeon
Weakness: Demonbane weapons (e.g., Arclight)
Strategy:
- Use Protect from Magic to mitigate his ice attacks.
- Hide behind pillars during his ground slam to avoid chip damage from spikes.
- Flinch him by attacking after his slam, then retreating to the pillar.
- Watch for his acid spray and move to the opposite side of the room.
Reward: Ice Ancient Sigil (post-quest)
The Leviathan
Location: The Scar
Weakness: Ranged attacks
Strategy:
- Use Protect from Missiles to block its ranged attacks.
- Dodge the falling debris by moving to safe tiles.
- Switch to Protect from Magic when it uses lightning strikes.
- Stay mobile to avoid its enrage phase AoE attacks.
Reward: Smoke Ancient Sigil (post-quest)
The Whisperer
Location: Lassar Undercity
Weakness: Magic (Toxic Trident recommended)
Strategy:
- Tag tentacles to prevent sanity drain during the Insanity phase.
- Use Protect from Magic and dodge her shadow attacks.
- Switch prayers based on her attack style (melee, ranged, or magic).
- High DPS is key—Blood spells are too slow, so opt for a powered staff.
Reward: Shadow Ancient Sigil (post-quest)
Vardorvis
Location: Stranglewood
Weakness: Melee (slash weapons)
Strategy:
- Tank some hits to maintain DPS, using Protect from Melee.
- Dodge his axe swings by moving diagonally.
- Watch for his head slam attack and sidestep to avoid heavy damage.
- Bring high-healing food to sustain through his bleed effects.
Reward: Blood Ancient Sigil (post-quest)
Tips for All Bosses
Practice prayer switching and movement, as all bosses punish mistakes harshly. If you struggle, consider watching guides (e.g., Slayermusiq1) to learn attack patterns. Post-quest, these bosses are nerfed slightly for the quest version, so maxed players can brute-force with high-end gear like Torva or a Shadow of Tumeken.
Rewards and Post-Quest Content
Completing Desert Treasure 2 OSRS unlocks a treasure trove of rewards, both immediate and through post-quest grinding.
Quest Completion Rewards
Upon finishing the quest, you receive:
- Ring of Shadows: An upgraded Ring of Visibility with teleport options.
- Experience: Significant XP in combat and skilling (exact amounts vary).
- Access: Ability to fight the four bosses in repeatable encounters.
Post-Quest Boss Drops
Each boss drops unique, high-value items:
| Boss | Notable Drops |
|---|---|
| Duke Sucellus | Virtus Mask, Ice Ancient Sigil |
| The Leviathan | Virtus Robe Top, Smoke Ancient Sigil |
| The Whisperer | Virtus Robe Bottoms, Shadow Ancient Sigil |
| Vardorvis | Soulreaper Axe component, Blood Ancient Sigil |
Virtus Robes: Offer +3% Magic Damage (12% with Ancient Magicks), ideal for mid-tier mages.
Soulreaper Axe: A powerful 2-handed weapon requiring four untradeable components.
Ancient Rings: Best-in-slot rings (Bellator, Magus, Ultor, Venator) crafted from boss sigils and DK rings.
Why Grind Post-Quest?
The bosses are profitable and engaging, with unique mechanics that keep fights fresh. The tradeable Virtus Robes and axe components fetch high prices, while the rings offer long-term combat upgrades. Death fees are reduced for your first five kills per boss, encouraging early grinding.
Lore Implications
Without spoilers, Desert Treasure 2 expands the Mahjarrat storyline, introducing twists involving Sliske and Azzanadra. It sets the stage for future quests, with references to unseen Mahjarrat and potential rituals, making it a must-play for lore enthusiasts.
Desert Treasure 2 OSRS is a monumental quest that tests every aspect of a player’s skill, from combat prowess to puzzle-solving. With its challenging bosses, rewarding loot, and deep lore, it’s a journey worth undertaking. Prepare thoroughly, study the boss mechanics, and dive into The Fallen Empire to claim your place in Gielinor’s history. Happy adventuring!