How to Charge Arclight in OSRS: A Complete Guide

If you’re an Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player looking to wield one of the most powerful demonbane weapons, the Arclight is likely on your radar. Known for its effectiveness against demonic foes, this upgraded version of the Darklight requires charges to maintain its power. But how do you charge Arclight in OSRS? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about charging your Arclight, from obtaining it to keeping it powered up for your adventures in Gielinor. Whether you’re a seasoned slayer or a newcomer, this guide is packed with tips to help you maximize this weapon’s potential.
Before diving into how to charge Arclight, let’s first understand what it is. The Arclight is a melee weapon requiring 75 Attack to wield, famed for its 70% boost in accuracy and damage against demons. It’s an enhanced variant of the Darklight, offering improved attack bonuses and speed, making it a go-to choice for slaying bosses like Skotizo, Cerberus, or K’ril Tsutsaroth.
Key Features of Arclight
- Demonbane Boost: 70% increased accuracy and damage against demonic creatures.
- Special Attack: Retains the “Weaken” special attack, draining enemy stats without consuming charges.
- Charge System: Starts with 1,000 charges and can hold up to 10,000, consuming one per successful hit (except special attacks).
Why Charge Arclight?
Without charges, Arclight reverts to an inactive state with stats akin to Darklight, losing its demonbane prowess. Keeping it charged ensures you maintain its superior combat capabilities, crucial for tackling high-level demonic enemies efficiently.
How to Obtain Arclight in OSRS
To charge Arclight, you first need to own one. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get it before we focus on the charging process.
Steps to Acquire Arclight
- Complete Prerequisite Quests: Finish “Demon Slayer” to obtain Silverlight, then “Shadow of the Storm” to upgrade it to Darklight.
- Gather Ancient Shards: Head to the Catacombs of Kourend and slay monsters like Nechryaels or Abyssal Demons to collect at least three ancient shards.
- Create Arclight: Use Darklight on the altar in the center of the Catacombs with three ancient shards in your inventory. This gives you Arclight with 1,000 initial charges.
What If You Lose Arclight?
If you lose your Arclight, you can reclaim Darklight from Sir Prysin in Varrock for 1,000 coins and repeat the creation process with ancient shards. Keep it safe to avoid this hassle!
How to Charge Arclight in OSRS
Now, let’s get to the core of this guide: charging your Arclight. The process is straightforward but requires specific items and a trip to the right location.
Requirements for Charging Arclight
- Ancient Shards: Dropped by monsters in the Catacombs of Kourend.
- Access to the Catacombs: Located beneath Kourend Castle in Great Kourend.
- Arclight or Darklight: You’ll need the weapon itself to add charges.
Step-by-Step Guide to Charge Arclight
- Collect Ancient Shards: Farm at least three ancient shards from Catacombs monsters. Each set of three adds 1,000 charges.
- Travel to the Catacombs Altar: Enter the Catacombs via the statue in Kourend Castle courtyard and head to the central altar.
- Use Shards on the Altar: With Arclight or Darklight in your inventory, use three ancient shards on the altar. If starting with Darklight, this creates Arclight; if you already have Arclight, it adds charges.
- Repeat as Needed: Add more sets of three shards to reach the 10,000-charge cap.
Charging Tips
- Avoid Overcharging: If your Arclight has over 9,000 charges, adding more shards wastes them since the cap is 10,000.
- Bank Configuration: Right-click “Configure-Charges” on Arclight in your bank to add shards without visiting the altar, as long as you have the materials.
Best Methods to Farm Ancient Shards
Charging Arclight relies heavily on ancient shards, which can be a grind to obtain. Here are the best strategies to farm them efficiently.
Top Monsters for Ancient Shards
Monster | Drop Rate | Combat Level | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Nechryael | 1/120 | 115 | Great for Slayer tasks; spawns Death Spawns. |
Abyssal Demon | 1/240 | 124 | High Slayer level (85) required. |
Greater Demon | 1/160 | 92 | Easier to kill, decent shard rate. |
Superior Slayer Variants | 1/66–1/120 | Varies | Higher rates during Slayer tasks. |
Efficient Farming Strategies
- Slayer Tasks: Assign tasks in the Catacombs to kill shard-dropping monsters like Nechryaels or Greater Demons, doubling up on Slayer XP and shard collection.
- Skotizo Totems: Assemble dark totems (also dropped in the Catacombs) to fight Skotizo, which guarantees at least one shard per kill.
- Burst Magic Training: Train Magic by bursting Dust Devils or Nechryaels in the Catacombs for XP and shards simultaneously.
How Many Shards Do You Need?
To fully charge Arclight from 0 to 10,000 charges, you’ll need 30 ancient shards (10 sets of 3). Plan your farming sessions accordingly, especially if you use Arclight frequently against bosses.
Tips to Manage Arclight Charges Effectively
Charging Arclight is only half the battle—keeping it charged requires smart usage. Here’s how to stretch those charges further.
When to Use Arclight
- Boss Fights: Reserve it for demonic bosses like Skotizo, Cerberus, or Zamorak GWD (K’ril Tsutsaroth) where its demonbane bonus shines.
- Avoid Overuse: For regular Slayer tasks with weaker demons, a whip or other weapon can suffice to save charges.
Maximizing Charge Longevity
- Special Attack Advantage: Use the “Weaken” special attack freely—it doesn’t consume charges and stacks stat drains on demons.
- Monitor Charges: Right-click “Check” on Arclight to see remaining charges and infusion levels, helping you plan recharges.
- Upgrade Option: At 74 Smithing and after “While Guthix Sleeps,” upgrade to Emberlight with a tormented synapse. Emberlight retains Arclight’s benefits without degrading.
What Happens When Charges Run Out?
If Arclight hits 0 charges, it becomes inactive, mirroring Darklight’s stats. You’ll need three more shards to reactivate it at the Catacombs altar, so always keep a few spares handy.
Conclusion: Keep Your Arclight Shining
Charging Arclight in OSRS is a simple yet essential task for any demon-slaying adventurer. By farming ancient shards in the Catacombs of Kourend and using them at the central altar, you can keep this powerful weapon ready for action. Whether you’re tackling Slayer tasks or demonic bosses, a fully charged Arclight ensures you’re at your best. Pair efficient shard farming with strategic usage, and you’ll never be caught off-guard with an uncharged blade.
Ready to power up your Arclight? Head to the Catacombs, stock up on shards, and let this radiant weapon light your path through Gielinor’s darkest corners. Happy slaying!