Best Relics in Guildrun

How We Rank Relic Themes

Relic power in Guildrun depends on context: difficulty tier, current roster, shop luck, and active modifiers. Instead of a single tier list, we rank themes by consistency — how often a relic category contributes to a completed run regardless of map layout. A top-tier economy relic weakens if you already have full shops planned, while a mid-tier sustain relic becomes S-rank on modifier-heavy difficulties.

All rankings reflect the July 2026 demo balance from Leyline. Full release in late 2026 may adjust values. Treat this page as a decision framework and verify against your current run state using the relics guide.

S-Tier: Economy and Scaling Relics

Gold and experience relics dominate early demo leaderboards because they compound. Extra income means more item purchases, better shop rerolls, and faster specialization upgrades — each of which multiplies combat power more than a flat five percent damage bonus. Look for relics that grant gold on victory, reduce shop prices, or bonus experience for surviving heroes. These relics feel modest at first but define high-difficulty clears where every shop visit matters.

Scaling relics that grow per encounter — stacking damage, shields, or healing over time — belong in the same tier for endless mode. Runs that exceed the standard arena count reward patience. Pair economy relics with flexible item purchases documented in the items guide.

• Gold-on-win relics: highest priority on difficulties 1–4 when shops are your main power spike.
• Shop discount relics: strong whenever rerolls are part of your plan.
• Per-encounter stacking damage: essential for endless pushes after difficulty 8.
• Experience bonuses: valuable when recruiting heroes mid-run.

A-Tier: Sustain and Defensive Relics

Autobattler losses usually trace to frontline collapse, not insufficient damage. Sustain relics that grant party healing, overheal shields, or damage reduction after each round stabilize hex arena fights while your backline scales. These relics outperform burst damage options on modifier-heavy tiers where enemies hit harder than expected.

Defensive relics shine when pivoting roles. If you convert a support healer into an off-tank, sustain relics already in your pool keep the experiment viable. Review pivot mid-run strategies before sacrificing damage relics for survivability — sometimes one defensive pick replaces two failed item purchases.

A-Tier: Elemental and Synergy Relics

Fire and frost relic clusters remain A-tier because items and specializations frequently tag into those elements. A fire relic that amplifies burn damage multiplies every ignite source on your roster, not just one hero. Frost relics that slow or shatter frozen targets provide defensive value alongside damage. Arcane burst relics sit slightly lower unless your specialization choices already generate arcane charges.

Lovers synergy relics — which buff paired heroes when both are alive — can reach S-tier in dedicated builds. The pairing mechanic rewards equal investment in both partners, so combine Lovers relics with the Lovers synergy guide and balanced item spending. Hybrid pivot builds benefit from generic offensive relics that do not lock you into one element.

B-Tier and Situational Picks

Single-hero relics, summon-dependent effects, and conditional bonuses that require low party health are B-tier or situational. They can win runs when offered at the perfect moment — a boss-killer relic before a boss node, for example — but hurt consistency when taken blindly. Avoid B-tier relics on your first pick unless no better option exists.

On higher difficulties, modifiers from the modifier pool can promote situational relics to A-tier for that run only. Read active modifiers before each relic draft. For sample loadouts combining these themes, see sample builds and the tier list for hero role priorities.

Relics to Skip Early

Skip relics that only benefit heroes you have not recruited yet, unless the relic also helps your current roster. Skip duplicate weaker versions of effects you already own — two small critical chance bonuses rarely equal one coherent scaling package. Skip high-risk relics that deal self-damage or reduce gold income before you have sustain online.

Demo runs last about twenty minutes. Relics with long ramp times that peak after fifteen encounters often never reach full value. Favor immediate impact in the first half of a run and scaling relics only when your route plan guarantees enough combat nodes. Save mid-run to test alternative relic paths — see save and resume for instructions.