How Long Does Desert Treasure II Take in OSRS?

Desert Treasure II – The Fallen Empire is one of the most ambitious and challenging quests in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Released on July 26, 2023, this Grandmaster quest continues the iconic Mahjarrat storyline from Desert Treasure I, introducing players to four formidable bosses, intricate puzzles, and a sprawling narrative across Gielinor. A common question among players is, “How long does it take to complete Desert Treasure II?” The answer depends on several factors, including preparation, skill levels, experience with OSRS quests, and combat prowess. This comprehensive guide breaks down the time required, key requirements, strategies to save time, and tips to streamline your journey through this epic quest, aiming to keep you informed without spoiling the adventure.

Understanding Desert Treasure II

Desert Treasure II is billed as OSRS’s hardest and longest quest to date, featuring intense combat, complex puzzles, and exploration of four new areas: the Ancient Vault, the Scar, and the lairs of the Forgotten Four bosses (Duke Sucellus, Vardorvis, the Leviathan, and the Whisperer). The quest rewards players with access to these bosses post-quest, along with valuable items like Virtus Robes, ancient rings, and components for the Soulreaper Axe. Its Grandmaster difficulty means it’s not a quick endeavor, but understanding its structure can help estimate completion time.

The quest’s duration varies based on:

Player Experience: Veterans familiar with OSRS mechanics (combat, puzzle-solving, and inventory management) will progress faster than newer players.
Preparation: Pre-gathering items, leveling skills, and researching boss mechanics can shave hours off the total time.
Combat Efficiency: High combat stats and optimal gear reduce time spent on boss fights.
Puzzle-Solving Skills: Some sections, like the Scar’s mazes, can be time-consuming without a clear approach.
Playstyle: Whether you play solo, use guides, or tackle it blind affects the timeline.

On average, completion takes 10–20 hours for most players, with outliers ranging from 8 hours (highly optimized runs) to 25+ hours (first-time, blind attempts). Let’s dive into the details to see how this breaks down.

Quest Requirements

Before starting Desert Treasure II, you must meet specific quest and skill requirements, which can add preparation time if you haven’t already completed them. Below is a table summarizing the prerequisites.

Requirement	Details	Estimated Prep Time (if unmet)
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	10–20 hours (varies by quest)
Firemaking	75	5–10 hours from level 60
Magic	70	5–15 hours from level 60
Thieving	70	5–10 hours from level 60
Runecraft	60	5–15 hours from level 50
Strength	60	3–8 hours from level 50
Hitpoints	60	Typically already met
Other	Ability to defeat tough bosses (no cannon allowed)	Varies by combat level

Quest Prerequisites

The prerequisite quests are substantial, especially if you haven’t completed Desert Treasure I, which itself takes 4–8 hours. Here’s a rough estimate of completion times for each:

Quest	Estimated Time
Desert Treasure I	4–8 hours
Secrets of the North	2–4 hours
Enakhra’s Lament	1–2 hours
Temple of the Eye	1–2 hours
The Garden of Death	1–2 hours
Below Ice Mountain	1–2 hours
His Faithful Servants	1–2 hours

If you need to complete all of these, expect 11–22 hours of prep work before even starting Desert Treasure II. Veterans with these quests done can skip this step, diving straight into the main quest.

Skill Requirements

The skill requirements are steep, with Firemaking (75) being the highest for any quest in OSRS at the time of release. If you’re starting from lower levels (e.g., 50–60), training these skills could add significant time:

Firemaking (75): Burning logs or Wintertodt can take 5–10 hours from level 60.
Magic (70): High-alchemy, combat spells, or Bursting tasks can take 5–15 hours.
Thieving (70): Blackunion Blackjacks or Pyramid Plunder takes 5–10 hours.
Runecraft (60): Essence mining or ZMI altar runs take 5–15 hours.
Strength/Hitpoints (60): Most players have these from combat training, but if not, expect 3–8 hours.

Tip: Use lamps, Tears of Guthix, or quest rewards to boost skills to save time. Total skill prep could range from 0 hours (if requirements are met) to 20–50 hours for an underprepared account.

Quest Breakdown and Time Estimates

Desert Treasure II is structured around exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. Below is a breakdown of the major sections and their approximate time requirements, assuming moderate experience and preparation.

Section	Description	Estimated Time
Initial Setup and Story	Talking to NPCs, traveling to the Ancient Vault, early dialogues	1–2 hours
The Scar Puzzles	Navigating mazes, solving environmental puzzles, collecting items	3–5 hours
Boss Fights (Forgotten Four)	Defeating Duke Sucellus, Vardorvis, Leviathan, and Whisperer	4–8 hours
Finale and Wrap-Up	Completing the vault, final dialogues, and cutscenes	1–2 hours

Initial Setup and Story (1–2 hours)

The quest begins with traveling to the Ancient Vault northeast of Nardah (accessible via fairy ring DLQ or Nardah teleport). You’ll engage in dialogue with NPCs, gather initial clues, and set up the quest’s narrative. This section is straightforward but involves some running around Gielinor, which can be sped up with teleports (e.g., Senntisten Teleport, Digsite pendant). Newer players might take closer to 2 hours due to unfamiliarity with locations, while veterans can breeze through in under an hour.

Time-Saving Tip: Pre-stock teleports and ensure you’re on the Ancient Magicks spellbook (unlocked via Desert Treasure I) to access the vault.

The Scar Puzzles (3–5 hours)

The Scar is a multi-level dungeon with randomized mazes, environmental puzzles, and minor combat encounters. You’ll need to collect items like tablets, navigate paths, and solve challenges (e.g., oxygen management in underwater sections, pathfinding in mazes). These puzzles are designed to be challenging, and without a guide, they can be a major time sink. Experienced players using guides can complete this in 3 hours, while blind attempts may take 5+ hours due to trial and error.

Puzzle Area	Key Challenge	Approx. Time
Level 1	Basic navigation, collecting items	0.5–1 hour
Level 2	Ranged-based enemies, pathfinding	1–1.5 hours
Level 3	Complex mazes, Abyssal Tether puzzle	1.5–2.5 hours

Time-Saving Tip: Watch a YouTube guide or follow a written walkthrough (e.g., OSRS Wiki) to avoid getting stuck. Bring stamina potions and lightweight gear to maintain run energy.

Boss Fights (4–8 hours)

The heart of Desert Treasure II is its four boss fights, each with unique mechanics and high difficulty. These fights are not cannonable, and you’ll gain Hitpoints XP, so pures should plan accordingly. The time per boss varies based on gear, stats, and familiarity with mechanics.

Boss	Level	Weakness	Key Mechanic	Approx. Time
Duke Sucellus	538	Magic (Shadow spells)	Poison pools, drink potions to stay awake	1–2 hours
Vardorvis	572	Slash melee	Dodge axes, avoid bleed effect	1–2 hours
Leviathan	593	Ranged, Shadow spells	Stun with spells, dodge orbs	1–2 hours
Whisperer	587	Melee (Scythe/Tentacle)	Break shields, manage sanity meter	1–2 hours

Each boss may take 3–10 attempts for average players (80–90 combat stats, mid-tier gear like Ahrim’s or Bandos). High-level players (99 combat, max gear like Scythe or Inquisitor’s Mace) can clear each in 1–3 attempts, cutting time to 4 hours total. Deaths add time due to regearing and travel back to the boss lairs.

Time-Saving Tip: Practice at the Nightmare Zone or watch boss-specific guides to learn patterns. Use BiS gear if possible (e.g., Kodai Wand, Torva, or Virtus Robes from other sources). Bring high-healing food (Manta Rays, Karambwan) and Prayer potions.

Finale and Wrap-Up (1–2 hours)

The final section involves returning to the Ancient Vault, solving a last puzzle, and watching cutscenes. This part is mostly linear but includes some dialogue and travel. If you’re efficient, it’s closer to 1 hour; distractions or exploration can push it to 2 hours.

Time-Saving Tip: Keep teleports handy and skip dialogue if you’re speedrunning.

Gear and Inventory Setup

Your gear and inventory significantly impact completion time, especially in combat. Below is a recommended setup for mid-to-high-level players.

Slot	Item	Budget Alternative
Head	Torva Full Helm	Slayer Helmet (i)
Cape	Infernal Cape	Fire Cape
Neck	Amulet of Torture	Amulet of Glory
Body	Torva Platebody	Bandos Chestplate
Legs	Torva Platelegs	Bandos Tassets
Weapon	Scythe of Vitur	Abyssal Tentacle
Shield	Elysian Spirit Shield	Dragon Defender
Gloves	Ferocious Gloves	Barrows Gloves
Boots	Primordial Boots	Dragon Boots
Ring	Berserker Ring (i)	Ring of Suffering (i)

Inventory

Runes for Shadow spells (Chaos, Death, Blood, Soul).
High-healing food (10–15 Manta Rays or Sharks).
Prayer potions (4–8).
Stamina potions (2–4).
Emergency teleport (House tablet).
Ranged gear (e.g., Toxic Blowpipe) for Leviathan.
Pickaxe (bronze provided in-game).

Time-Saving Tip: Use a rune pouch to save inventory space, and bank frequently to restock without long trips.

Factors Affecting Completion Time

Several variables can extend or shorten your Desert Treasure II experience:

Combat Stats: Players with 90+ Attack, Strength, Defence, Magic, and Ranged clear bosses faster than those at 70–80.
Gear Quality: BiS gear (e.g., Torva, Scythe) vs. budget setups (e.g., Bandos, Whip) can halve boss fight times.
Guides vs. Blind: Using a guide cuts puzzle and boss time by 30–50%. Blind runs are immersive but slow.
Account Type: Ironmen spend extra time gathering supplies, adding 2–5 hours. Main accounts can buy everything instantly.
Playtime Continuity: Playing in one session is faster than multiple short sessions due to setup and travel time.

Example Timelines

Player Type	Stats/Gear	Approach	Total Time
Veteran	99 all, BiS gear	Uses guide, optimized	8–10 hours
Mid-Level	80–90 combat, mid-tier gear	Uses guide, some mistakes	12–16 hours
Newer Player	70–80 combat, budget gear	Partial guide, many retries	18–22 hours
Blind Runner	Any stats	No guide, trial and error	25+ hours

Tips to Minimize Completion Time

Pre-Gather Items: Stock runes, potions, and food before starting to avoid mid-quest banking.
Use Teleports: Equip a Digsite pendant, Nardah teleport, and House tabs for quick travel.
Study Boss Mechanics: Watch YouTube videos (e.g., “Desert Treasure II Boss Guide”) to learn patterns before fighting.
Optimize Inventory: Prioritize lightweight gear and stamina potions to maintain run energy in the Scar.
Join a Clan: Clanmates can offer advice or gear loans, saving prep time for Ironmen.
Practice Combat: Train at easier bosses (e.g., Vorkath, Zulrah) to hone mechanics like prayer flicking and dodging.
Take Breaks: Fatigue leads to mistakes in long sessions. A 5-minute break every 2 hours keeps you sharp.

Rewards vs. Time Investment

Is the 10–20 hour grind worth it? The rewards are substantial:

Three Ancient Lamps: 100,000 XP each in Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Ranged, Magic, or Prayer (level 60+).
Ancient Rings: Best-in-slot for Melee, Ranged, and Magic (e.g., Ultor Ring: +12 Melee Strength).
Virtus Robes: Boost Ancient Magicks damage, tradeable.
Soulreaper Axe: Components for a powerful 2H weapon.
Boss Access: Post-quest, fight the Forgotten Four for profit (1–5M GP/hour).

The XP alone can save hours of training, and the gear unlocks new combat opportunities, making the time investment worthwhile for most players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I complete Desert Treasure II as an Ironman?
A: Yes, but expect 2–5 extra hours for gathering supplies (runes, potions, food). Use Barrows or Slayer for gear and runes.

Q: Is it safe for Hardcore Ironmen?
A: No, the bosses are deadly, and the environment (e.g., the Scar) can kill you. Jagex advises against attempting it on HCIM first try.

Q: Do I need max combat stats?
A: No, 70–80 combat stats are enough with good gear and mechanics, but 90+ makes it faster and easier.

Q: Can I skip puzzles with a guide?
A: You can’t skip them, but guides reduce trial and error, saving 1–3 hours.

Q: Are the bosses repeatable?
A: Yes, post-quest, you can fight them for loot, including Virtus Robes and axe components.

Q: What’s the hardest part?
A: The boss fights, especially Vardorvis and Leviathan, due to their mechanics (dodging axes, stunning). Puzzles can also frustrate unprepared players.

Q: Can pures avoid Hitpoints XP?
A: No, boss fights give Hitpoints XP, so pures must accept this or skip the quest.

Q: How much GP do I need?
A: About 1–3M for runes, potions, food, and teleports. Budget players can manage with 500k by farming supplies.

Conclusion

Completing Desert Treasure II – The Fallen Empire is a monumental task that takes 10–20 hours for most players, with preparation potentially adding another 10–50 hours if you lack the required quests or skills. The time varies based on your experience, gear, and whether you use guides or go blind. By optimizing your setup, pre-gathering items, studying boss mechanics, and using teleports, you can hit the lower end of the estimate. The rewards, from massive XP lamps to best-in-slot gear, justify the grind for dedicated players aiming to conquer OSRS’s toughest content. Approach it with patience, preparation, and a willingness to learn, and you’ll emerge as a stronger adventurer in Gielinor. Good luck, and happy questing!