OSRS Guide to Unlocking the Ancient Spellbook

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the Ancient Spellbook, also known as Ancient Magicks, is a powerful set of combat-oriented spells that can elevate your gameplay, especially in player-versus-player (PvP) and high-level bossing scenarios. Unlocking this spellbook requires completing the challenging Desert Treasure I quest, navigating specific locations, and meeting skill requirements. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to unlock the Ancient Spellbook, including preparation, quest walkthrough, and tips for switching spellbooks efficiently. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, this blog post has you covered.

The Ancient Spellbook is renowned for its destructive and versatile spells, making it a favorite for PvP enthusiasts and players tackling tough PvE content. Unlike the Standard Spellbook, which offers a mix of combat and utility spells, or the Lunar Spellbook, which focuses on support, the Ancient Magicks are heavily combat-focused. Here’s why it’s worth the effort:

• Powerful Combat Spells: Spells like Ice Barrage and Blood Barrage deal massive damage and can freeze or heal in multi-combat areas.
• Teleportation Spells: The spellbook includes teleports to locations tied to the ancient Zarosian empire, such as Ghorrock and Lassar.
• PvP Dominance: Ancient Magicks are popular in PvP due to their high-damage output and crowd-control abilities.
• Experience Gains: Spells like Ice Burst are used for efficient Magic training in multi-combat areas.

However, these spells are rune-intensive, requiring expensive runes like death and blood runes, and a minimum of 50 Magic to access the spellbook. Let’s dive into how to unlock it.

Prerequisites for Unlocking the Ancient Spellbook

Before you can wield the Ancient Magicks, you need to complete the Desert Treasure I quest, which has its own prerequisites. Below, we outline the required quests, skills, and recommended preparations.

Required Quests

Desert Treasure I is a Master-difficulty quest with several prerequisite quests. You must complete the following:

• The Dig Site
• Temple of Ikov
• The Tourist Trap
• Troll Stronghold (requires Death Plateau)
• Priest in Peril
• Waterfall Quest

These quests ensure you have the necessary experience and access to key areas, such as Trollheim for Troll Stronghold. Completing them also grants experience that helps meet the skill requirements.

Skill Requirements

To start Desert Treasure I, you need the following minimum skill levels:

Skill	Level
Thieving	53
Magic	50
Firemaking	50
Slayer	10

Additionally, having higher combat stats (70+ in Attack, Strength, Defence, and Hitpoints) and Prayer (43+ for Protect from Melee) is highly recommended to handle the quest’s tough bosses.

Recommended Items

Preparation is key to surviving the desert and defeating the bosses in Desert Treasure I. Here’s a list of recommended items:

• Combat Gear: Rune armor or better, a strong weapon (e.g., Dragon Scimitar), and a Magic staff.
• Runes: For casting combat spells like Fire Bolt or Iban’s Blast (if you have Underground Pass completed).
• Food: High-healing food like sharks or monkfish (15–20 pieces).
• Potions: Prayer potions (4–6), super energy potions, and combat-boosting potions.
• Teleportation: Teleport tablets or runes for Al Kharid, Lumbridge, or Trollheim.
• Desert Survival: Waterskins, desert clothing, and a Shantay Pass (5 gp).

Having a Rune Pouch is also useful for carrying runes efficiently, as Ancient Magicks spells will require many runes post-quest.

Completing Desert Treasure I Quest

The Desert Treasure I quest is the gateway to the Ancient Spellbook. It involves collecting four ancient jewels guarded by powerful bosses across Gielinor. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough.

Starting the Quest

Begin by speaking to the Archaeologist in the Bedabin Camp, south of Shantay Pass in the Kharidian Desert. You’ll need a Shantay Pass (5 gp) and desert survival gear to reach the camp. The Archaeologist will send you to the Bandit Camp to gather information, setting the stage for your adventure.

Collecting the Four Jewels

The quest requires you to defeat four bosses to obtain the Blood, Smoke, Shadow, and Ice Jewels. Each boss has unique mechanics:

• Dessous (Blood Jewel): Found in Morytania. Use Protect from Melee and lure him away from his bats. Magic or Ranged attacks work best.
• Fareed (Smoke Jewel): Located in the Smoke Dungeon. Wear an ice cooler or waterskins to douse his flames and use Protect from Melee.
• Kamil (Ice Jewel): In Trollheim’s Ice Path. Use Protect from Melee, warm clothing, and Fire spells to counter the freezing environment.
• Damis (Shadow Jewel): Found in the Shadow Dungeon. He has two forms, with the second being tougher. Use Protect from Melee and high-damage attacks.

Warning: While carrying the jewels, you may be attacked by a level 95 Stranger wielding a poisoned dragon dagger. Bank the jewels as soon as possible to avoid this risk.

Final Steps and Unlocking the Spellbook

After collecting all four jewels, return to the Jaldraocht Pyramid (southwest of Pollnivneach) and navigate its four floors to reach the altar. Place the jewels in the pyramid’s obelisks, and you’ll face Azzanadra, a Zarosian Mahjarrat. Completing the dialogue with him unlocks the Ancient Spellbook, automatically switching your spellbook to Ancient Magicks.

Switching to and From the Ancient Spellbook

Once unlocked, you can switch to the Ancient Spellbook at specific locations. Here are the most efficient methods:

Jaldraocht Pyramid Altar

The primary location is the altar inside the Jaldraocht Pyramid in the Kharidian Desert. After completing Desert Treasure I, use the rear entrance (tunnel) south of the pyramid to access the throne room directly. Praying at the altar switches to Ancient Magicks but drains all Prayer points to zero (you can still switch with 0 Prayer).

Teleport Options:

• Pharaoh’s Sceptre: Teleports directly to the pyramid (Jaldraocht option).
• Camulet: Teleports to Enakhra’s Temple, west of the pyramid.
• Magic Carpet: From Shantay Pass to Pollnivneach, then run southwest.

Player-Owned House (POH) Altar

At 80 Construction (or 75 with a +5 spicy stew boost), you can build an Ancient Altar in your POH’s Achievement Gallery. This allows you to switch between Standard and Ancient Spellbooks without Prayer drain. Visit other players’ houses on World 330 (Rimmington) using the House Advertisement board if you don’t have the Construction level. Note: This method doesn’t work for Ironman accounts.

Other Methods

Additional ways to switch include:

• Magic Cape: With 99 Magic, switch spellbooks up to five times per day.
• Astral Altar (Lunar Isle): After Lunar Diplomacy, pray twice to revert to the Standard Spellbook, then visit the pyramid for Ancients.
• Tyss at Dark Altar: With 60% Arceuus favor, speak to Tyss (near fairy ring code CIS) to switch to Arceuus, then back to Standard or Ancients.

Tips for Using the Ancient Spellbook

Once you’ve unlocked the Ancient Spellbook, here are some tips to maximize its potential:

Stock Up on Runes

Ancient Magicks are rune-intensive. Stock up on death, blood, and chaos runes via the Grand Exchange or Runecrafting. A Rune Pouch or Large Rune Pouch saves is essential for casting spells efficiently.

Train Magic Efficiently

Use spells like Ice Burst or Ice Barrage in multi-combat areas (e.g., Monkey Madness II tunnels) for fast Magic experience. Combine with a Slayer task for dual XP gains.

PvP and Bossing

Leverage spells like Ice Barrage for crowd control in PvP or Blood Barrage for healing during boss fights like the Inferno or Chambers of Xeric.

Teleport Management

< Ascendancy ensures teleports don’t consume additional runes, making them ideal for quick travel to key locations.

Unlocking the Ancient Spellbook in OSRS is a rewarding journey that opens up powerful combat and teleportation spells. By completing Desert Treasure I and preparing adequately, you can wield the might of Ancient Magicks. Follow this guide, and you’ll be casting Ice Barrage in no time. Happy adventuring!