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OSRS Desert Treasure Rewards Unlocking Ancient Magicks and More

The Desert Treasure quest in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most iconic and challenging quests in the game, renowned for its engaging storyline, tough boss fights, and highly rewarding outcomes. For players seeking to unlock powerful abilities and unique items, this quest is a must-complete. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the rewards of Desert Treasure I, exploring why they’re so valuable and how they impact gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a new player aiming to conquer this quest, understanding its rewards will help you prepare and maximize your gains.
Desert Treasure I is a master-level quest set in the Kharidian Desert, where players help free the Mahjarrat Azzanadra from his pyramid prison. The quest involves collecting the four Diamonds of Azzanadra, battling formidable bosses, and navigating treacherous environments. Its difficulty, requiring high combat skills and preparation, makes the rewards even more satisfying. The primary draw is the Ancient Magicks spellbook, but there are additional perks that enhance both PvM and PvP experiences.
Why Desert Treasure Rewards Matter
The rewards from Desert Treasure I are game-changers, particularly for players focused on magic-based combat. The Ancient Magicks spellbook introduces unique spells that excel in multi-target scenarios and crowd control, making it a favorite for Player Killers (PKers) and PvM enthusiasts. Beyond the spellbook, other rewards like the Ring of Visibility and access to new areas provide long-term utility.
Primary Reward Ancient Magicks Spellbook
The standout reward of Desert Treasure I is the Ancient Magicks spellbook, unlocked upon quest completion when Azzanadra grants you access to the magic of Zaros. This spellbook is a cornerstone for high-level magic users, offering powerful combat spells like Ice Barrage, which is a staple in PvP and PvM.
Key Spells in Ancient Magicks
The Ancient Magicks spellbook includes four elemental spell types: Smoke, Shadow, Blood, and Ice. Each type has Rush, Burst, Blitz, and Barrage variants, increasing in power and area-of-effect. Here’s a breakdown of the most notable spells:
- Ice Barrage: Level 94 Magic, freezes multiple targets for 20 seconds, dealing up to 30 damage. Essential for PKing and bossing.
- Blood Barrage: Level 92 Magic, heals the caster for 25% of damage dealt, ideal for sustaining in prolonged fights.
- Smoke Barrage: Level 86 Magic, poisons targets, dealing consistent damage over time.
- Shadow Barrage: Level 88 Magic, reduces target attack levels, useful for weakening opponents.
How to Access and Switch Spellbooks
Upon completing the quest, your spellbook automatically switches to Ancient Magicks. To revert to the standard spellbook or toggle between them, pray at the altar in the Jaldraocht Pyramid. A shortcut via the pyramid’s back entrance makes this process quick, though switching drains your Prayer to 0. Alternatively, after completing Plague’s End, you can use the Elven Grimoire in Prifddinas to switch spellbooks. Pro Tip: Pray at the altar twice after the quest to complete a Hard Desert Diary task.
Additional Item Rewards
Beyond the spellbook, Desert Treasure I offers several item-based rewards that enhance gameplay and open new content. These items are practical and provide access to unique features in OSRS.
Ring of Visibility
The Ring of Visibility is a quest reward that allows you to see hidden ghosts and objects, such as those in the Curse of the Empty Lord miniquest. If lost, you can reclaim it from Rasolo near Baxtorian Falls for free. While its combat utility is limited, it’s essential for specific post-quest content.
Ancient Staff
After the quest, you can purchase an Ancient Staff from Eblis for 80,000 coins. This weapon requires 50 Attack and 50 Magic to wield and boosts Ancient Magicks spells by 10%. It’s a cost-effective option for players using the spellbook, though it can also be obtained from mummies in the pyramid or the Grand Exchange for around 67,396 coins. Note: Completing the Hard Desert Diary allows you to buy an unlimited supply of ancient signets from Eblis for free.
Experience and Access Rewards
Desert Treasure I also grants experience and access to new areas, making it a milestone for account progression.
Magic Experience
Completing the quest rewards 20,000 Magic XP, a significant boost for mid-to-high-level players. This can help push your Magic level closer to unlocking higher-tier spells like Ice Barrage.
Access to New Areas and Content
The quest unlocks several areas and activities, including:
- Smoke Dungeon: Accessible via the well in Pollnivneach, ideal for Slayer tasks like Dust Devils.
- Bandit Camp Lodestone: Automatically unlocked, simplifying travel in the Kharidian Desert.
- Nightmare Zone: Post-quest, you can fight the quest bosses (Dessous, Damis, Fareed, and Kamil) in the Nightmare Zone for combat training.
- Zarosian Gravestone: Requires The Giant Dwarf quest but adds a cosmetic gravestone option.
Strategic Value of Desert Treasure Rewards
The rewards from Desert Treasure I are not just shiny trophies; they have strategic applications across various aspects of OSRS gameplay. Let’s explore how these rewards shine in different scenarios.
PvP Applications
The Ancient Magicks spellbook, particularly Ice Barrage, is a game-changer in PvP. Its ability to freeze multiple opponents for 20 seconds allows PKers to control fights, combo attacks, or escape. Blood Barrage’s healing effect also provides sustainability in prolonged Wilderness encounters. The Ancient Staff’s affordability makes it a staple for budget PK builds.
PvM and Bossing
In PvM, Ancient Magicks excel in multi-combat scenarios. Ice Barrage is perfect for crowd control in Slayer tasks or group bossing, while Blood Barrage sustains health during fights like the Theatre of Blood. The Smoke Dungeon and Nightmare Zone access further enhance training and farming opportunities.
Quest and Diary Progression
Desert Treasure I is a prerequisite for major content like Recipe for Disaster (to defeat the Culinaromancer) and partially for Curse of the Empty Lord. The Hard Desert Diary task (praying twice at the altar) and Varrock Hard Diary task (teleporting to Paddewwa) tie directly to the quest’s rewards, making it a stepping stone for achievement hunters.
Reward | Description | Utility |
---|---|---|
Ancient Magicks | Spellbook with Ice, Blood, Smoke, and Shadow spells | PvP crowd control, PvM sustainability |
Ring of Visibility | Reveals hidden ghosts/objects | Access to miniquests like Curse of the Empty Lord |
Ancient Staff | Weapon boosting Ancient Magicks by 10% | Cost-effective for magic combat |
20,000 Magic XP | Experience reward | Boosts Magic level progression |
Area Access | Smoke Dungeon, Bandit Camp Lodestone, Nightmare Zone | Slayer, travel, and training benefits |
Tips for Maximizing Desert Treasure Rewards
To make the most of Desert Treasure I’s rewards, consider these tips:
- Train Magic Post-Quest: Use the 20,000 Magic XP to get closer to level 94 for Ice Barrage.
- Stock Up on Runes: Ancient Magicks spells are rune-intensive, so farm or buy Blood, Death, and Chaos runes in bulk.
- Complete Diaries: Knock out the Hard Desert and Varrock Diary tasks right after the quest to save time.
- Use Nightmare Zone: Fight the quest bosses for efficient combat training and imbue rewards.
- Safeguard the Ring: Keep the Ring of Visibility in your bank when not needed to avoid losing it in the Wilderness.
Desert Treasure I’s rewards, from the versatile Ancient Magicks to practical items like the Ancient Staff, make it a cornerstone quest in OSRS. By unlocking these rewards, you gain access to powerful tools that elevate your combat capabilities and open new gameplay opportunities. Ready to tackle the Kharidian Desert and claim your prizes? Share your Desert Treasure experiences in the comments below, and happy adventuring!