The Return of the Hunt
If you played the original, you know the thrill of hunting specific monsters for that one missing piece of a Charm. That core loop is back. In this upcoming update, Charms will drop from specific creature types. If you need a specific resistance or damage boost associated with a Satyr or a Boar, you know exactly where to farm.
Relics, on the other hand, function as the rarer, high-tier cousins of Charms. These aren't tied to specific mobs but rather to regions and difficulty, making them a much more elusive prize as you explore the reimagined ancient Greece. At launch of this system, we are looking at 20 unique Charms and 19 Relics.
How do Fragments and Completion Bonuses work?
The system relies on a rule of three. Both Charms and Relics drop as Fragments. On their own, they offer minor stat boosts when socketed. However, the real power spike comes from combining three identical fragments.
Once you unite three matching pieces, they merge into a completed item that unlocks a Completion Bonus. In the world of ARPG min-maxing, these bonuses are often the difference between a good build and a god-slaying one. It adds a compelling layer of "chase" to the loot game—you aren't just looking for the item, you're looking for the best version of the item's completion effect.
Quality of Life Improvements
Grimlore Games has clearly been listening to modern ARPG feedback because they are removing the friction usually associated with socketing systems:
- Dedicated Storage: No more inventory Tetris. Charms and Relics get their own dedicated inventory tab, keeping your main bags clear for weapons and armor.
- Non-Destructive Socketing: This is a massive win for experimentation. You can socket and unsocket items freely without destroying the gear or the relic. This encourages players to test different combinations without the fear of ruining a legendary drop.
Future Potential: The Ritual System
While the current update focuses on the base versions of these items, the developers have teased a Ritual System for future updates. This mechanic will allow players to upgrade Charms and Relics to higher rarities, likely introducing even more potent effects for end-game builds.
With Nemesis corrupting the Threads of Fate, we're going to need every ounce of power we can get. This new system gives us the tools to weave our own destiny—one socket at a time.