OSRS Desert Treasure Requirements: Your Ultimate Guide to Unlocking Ancient Magicks

OSRS Desert Treasure Requirements: Your Ultimate Guide to Unlocking Ancient Magicks


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers players a treasure trove of quests, but few are as iconic or challenging as Desert Treasure I. Known for unlocking the coveted Ancient Magicks spellbook, this quest sends you deep into the Kharidian Desert to face formidable foes and unravel a story tied to the Mahjarrat Azzanadra. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a mid-level player looking to power up, understanding the OSRS Desert Treasure requirements is key to success. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need—skills, quests, items, and strategies—to conquer this legendary quest.

Desert Treasure isn’t just another quest; it’s a rite of passage for many OSRS players. Completing it grants access to powerful spells like Ice Barrage, a favorite among PKers, and opens doors to further adventures like Recipe for Disaster. But with great rewards come great challenges—think high-level bosses, treacherous deserts, and a laundry list of prerequisites. Let’s dive into what you need to prepare.

The Rewards That Make It Worthwhile

  • Ancient Magicks: Switch between standard and Ancient spellbooks at the Jaldraocht Pyramid altar.
  • 20,000 Magic XP: A hefty boost for your Magic training.
  • 3 Quest Points: Progress toward that Quest Cape.
  • Ring of Visibility: Unlocks the Curse of the Empty Lord miniquest.
  • Ancient Staff: Purchase from Eblis for 80,000 coins.

Who Should Attempt This Quest?

This quest is tailored for mid-to-high-level players comfortable with combat and resource management. If you’re a pure build avoiding Hitpoints XP, beware—bosses can be cannoned, but you’ll need patience and plenty of cannonballs.

Skill Requirements for Desert Treasure

OSRS Desert Treasure 1 Quest Guide Ironman Friendly Old School

Before you set foot in the Kharidian Desert, you’ll need to meet specific skill thresholds. These ensure you can handle the quest’s challenges, from thieving to magic combat. Here’s the breakdown:

Mandatory Skill Levels

  • 10 Slayer: Required to fight Fareed in the Smoke Dungeon.
  • 50 Firemaking: Needed to light torches in the Smoke Dungeon.
  • 50 Magic: Essential for placing the Diamonds of Azzanadra in the pyramid obelisks.
  • 53 Thieving: Crucial for picking the chest lock to obtain the Gilded Cross.

Recommended Skill Levels

While the minimums get you started, higher skills make the journey smoother:

  • 43+ Prayer: Protect from Melee is a lifesaver against bosses.
  • 60+ Magic: Boosts your damage output against magic-weak foes.
  • 65+ Hitpoints: Helps you survive hard-hitting enemies.
  • 70+ Defense: Reduces damage taken from bosses like Damis.
  • High Agility: Speeds up navigation through the desert and pyramid traps.

Skill Training Tips

Need to grind? Try these:

  • Slayer: Kill low-level tasks like cave crawlers.
  • Firemaking: Burn oak logs at the Duel Arena bank.
  • Magic: High Alchemy or teleports to 50.
  • Thieving: Pickpocket NPCs like men or warriors until 53.

Quest Prerequisites for Desert Treasure

Desert Treasure isn’t a standalone adventure—you’ll need to complete several quests first. These build the skills and story context you’ll need.

Required Quests

Quest Why It’s Needed
The Dig Site Gives access to Terry Balando for translations.
The Tourist Trap Unlocks desert travel knowledge.
Temple of Ikov Introduces lore tied to Azzanadra.
Priest in Peril Grants Morytania access for Dessous.
Waterfall Quest Provides access to Baxtorian Falls for Damis.
Troll Stronghold Unlocks Trollheim for Kamil.

Optional but Helpful Quests

Consider these for an easier experience:

Item Requirements and Preparation

Stocking up is critical—desert heat, boss fights, and dungeon traps demand a well-packed inventory. Here’s what you’ll need at various stages.

Starting the Quest

  • 650 Coins: Buy a Bandit’s Brew at the Bandit Camp.
  • 12 Magic Logs: For Eblis’ scrying mirrors (can be noted).
  • 6 Steel Bars: Same as above.
  • 6 Molten Glass: Ditto.
  • Ashes, Bones, Charcoal, Blood Rune: One each for the mirrors.
  • Waterskins: Combat desert heat.
  • Shantay Pass: Enter the desert.

Boss-Specific Items

  • Dessous (Blood Diamond): Garlic, silver pot (made from a silver bar, spice, pestle, and mortar), prayer potions, food.
  • Damis (Shadow Diamond): 20+ lockpicks, antipoison, magic gear, 5,000 coins for Rasolo.
  • Fareed (Smoke Diamond): Facemask or Slayer helmet, tinderbox, ice gloves (optional), water runes.
  • Kamil (Ice Diamond): Cake or chocolate bar, spiked boots, fire spells, super restores.

Recommended Gear

Optimize your setup:

  • Armor: Dragonhide or Mystic robes for magic defense.
  • Weapons: Iban’s Staff, Trident of the Seas, or runes for Fire spells.
  • Inventory: Prayer potions, Saradomin brews, stamina potions, teleport runes (Varrock, Al Kharid, Trollheim).
  • Weight-Reducing Gear: Graceful or Boots of Lightness for pyramid running.

Strategies for Success

Preparation is only half the battle—execution matters. Here’s how to tackle the quest’s toughest parts.

Navigating the Kharidian Desert

Use carpet rides (200 coins each) from Shantay Pass to Bedabin Camp and Bandit Camp. Avoid Saradomin or Zamorak gear in the Bandit Camp to prevent aggression. Keep waterskins filled at desert sources like cacti.

Defeating the Four Guardians

  • Dessous: Use Protect from Melee, bless the silver pot with a priest in Canifis, and lure him into a magic fight.
  • Damis: Equip the Ring of Visibility, use magic (Fire Bolt works well), and beware his second, harder-hitting form.
  • Fareed: Wear a facemask, cast water spells or melee with ice gloves, and dodge his melee attacks.
  • Kamil: Cast Fire spells while using Protect from Melee; super restores counter stat drain from the cold.

Conquering the Pyramid

With all four diamonds, head to the Jaldraocht Pyramid. Place each diamond in its color-coded obelisk (50 Magic required). Inside, run through trap-laden floors—keep weight low (under 0 kg) and stamina high to avoid resets. Mummies and scarabs hit hard, so stay alert.

Tips for Pures

Pures can use a dwarf multicannon on bosses to avoid HP XP, but expect to burn through 500+ cannonballs. Stock up on supplies and plan escapes if prayer runs dry.

Final Thoughts on Desert Treasure

Desert Treasure is a test of skill, patience, and preparation, but the payoff—Ancient Magicks and a sense of triumph—is unmatched. Start by meeting the OSRS Desert Treasure requirements, gather your gear, and face the desert’s dangers head-on. Ready to take on Azzanadra’s guardians? Share your progress or tips in the comments below, and happy ‘scaping!