Summary
Chrono Ark, the Koreanroguelikethat has recently come out of early access, is swinging hard and heavily hitting the ever-filling genre of roguelike games and has made a significant impression on fans. With its deep narrative and complexity in card-based combat, it’s easy to see why.
In addition to the decks of cards you can build forall four of your party members, you’ll be able to equip gear, but more importantly, relics that can make or break each battle you find yourself in. Being that there are so many relics, this list can narrow down the best of the best. That way, you can choose what fits best for you and your party.
9Time Storage
Time Equals Mana In The Twisted World
You already have tomanage a ton of complex gameplay elements, so why not ease the burden by adding a little more mana in your back pocket for when you need to use that spell that could change the whole fight around? The risk is low, and the only thing you have to decide is whether to choose this relic over another one.
However, playing like this, as if all you should do is hold onto your mana, comes with its risks. Sure, playing safe works, but if you have the chance to do some serious damage, should you use Time Storage to hold on to your mana, or should you take it off and risk it all? It’s your fight and your call.
8Mind’s Eye
Nothing Can Hide From Your Sight
When in battle, do you find yourself missing a lot of your attacks that rely on accuracy? Do you want a relic that not only assists in boosting your accuracy but diminishes your opponents’ accuracy at the same time? Look no further than Mind’s Eye! No, not the one that makes you reflect inward, the one you can equip.
Mind’s Eye removes the accuracy cap for all allies, and sets a 90 percent cap on all enemies, rendering them all but useless in landing their attacks. If accuracy isn’t your priority, or you don’t see any real difference in damage and feel the relic slot could be filled with something more useful, then this relic may not fit your party, and you’re better off getting something else.
7Cross Of Light
Your Healing Can Cause Serious Damage
If you have the bad luck of drawing all single-targeting characters in your run, the Cross of Light might be able to counteract your unlucky RNG in that regard. The Cross of Light will stack a number each time you heal a party member. When you use a healing spell for the fourth time, an attack will hit all four characters.
The biggest drawback is waiting for the right moment to heal so that you time your attacks properly. There is a small stack counter that shows up in the corner of the user’s portrait, but it’s so small, you might miss it. Instead, you might think that keeping count in your head is better, but who has time for that amid battle?
6Last Flame
The Last Spark Of Flame Continues To Fight On
Breaking free from the cage is a battle of will and power. There are going to be times when you find yourself against the ropeswith your strongest characterabout to faint, and in these moments, you’ll be glad to have this relic in your back pocket before your investigation ends and you end up right back at the start.
Once a character faints (it’s similar to death), the relic activates, healing that party member for 10 HP as well as giving them a 33 percent boost in faint resistance. Sounds good, right? However, there is one major drawback once the relic is activated: it won’t be able to save you again. It’s a once-per-investigation deal.
5The Joker
A High Risk, High Reward Skill
A card related to the infamous trickster archetype is bound to have a few tricks up its sleeve. Once equipped, the relic adds a card of the same name to your character’s deck, and once used, it’ll deal 15 damage for each debuff the enemy has, making it a powerful punch to the enemy.
With power like this, there is always a price. Every fourth joker attack you hit the enemy with, you’ll be stunned, unable to make a move, or even defend yourself from incoming attacks for at least one move. That vulnerability at a crucial moment can leave you open to being killed. A strategic penalty, but if you can plan for it, you’ll be fine.
4Atomic Reactor
The Name Is Deadlier Than The Skill
You want to keep an eye out for gear, items, and relics that can help you mitigate some of the mana cost in the game; doubly so, if you’re working with a mage or two in your party. The Atomic Reactor is one relic that does just that by reducing the cost of a skill inside your deck.
As with the Monkey’s Paw, this ideal skill doesn’t come without its drawbacks. It reduces the cost of mana, sure, but you aren’t in control of which skill the relic gets applied to. One turn, it could apply to a skill like Rage Slash, making it free, but wasted if your HP is low. Conversely, it could be placed on something like Lian’s Barricade, which costs two mana but can now save someone close to death’s door for free.
3Purifying Crystal
Healing You From The Bosses’ Clutches
While many fights are tough, the boss battles will truly test your mettle, no matter your party makeup. Come to the fight with less than full stats or healing items, and you’re going to be sent back to the start of the game faster than you can say Faint.
The Purifying Crystal is a relic unique to Lucy that only activates during pivotal battles and is a massive healing spell that will overheal all party members and remove all debuffs cast onto the party. It’s a massive heal, but in normal fights, it’s all but useless. Build your deck accordingly.
2Shadow Orb
That Extra Sneak Attack
Do you know what’s better than an auto heal when you need it most? A sly, extra attack that costs you nothing. If you have less than two cards in your deck, Shadow Orb activates an extra skill, attacking your enemy just before your turn ends. The extra attack makes use of any leftover mana that won’t be wasted.
However, this is only effective if your hand is low. To make the most of this relic, you’ll need to keep your deck as small as possible. When you build your deck with powerful cards that cost more mana, it’s ideal to keep a smaller deck in the first place. The play style neatly complements the utility of this relic.
1Magic Lamp
Random In Choice, But Always Helpful
Plenty of gear and relics have a random factor that makes you need to decide between risking your party, but with a stronger outcome if successful, or playing it conservatively and using relics that didn’t rely on chance. Sometimes, it’s better to take the risk. The Magic Lamp’s luck works better than the other relics that randomly penalize you for using it.
Sure, you don’t have any control over which skill will be activated. Unlike the Atomic Reactor, any skill in your deck could be activated without penalty to you. A little top off of your health here, an extra sucker punch to your opponent there, maybe even a buff or debuff that could help set up your next turn. You can’t go wrong with this relic.
