Darv epochFinish a run (win or lose) once every other Ancient has been visited at least once
What Darv says
The first, second and fifth visit as a character each have their own exchange. Every other visit draws one of the repeating lines: the second-visit line or an Any climber line.
...where did I put... Oh!
Come to see my collection!? Take anything from that pile over there, put it to good use!
Here, take one of these forgotten gems with ya!
I’ve got things to do today!
Take whatever ya want from that pile!!
The flaming warrior has returned!
I’ve got just the thing for ya!
Good to see ya still kickin’ and bashin’ em heads in!
I’m still holding on to that heavy blade of yours... but I can’t find no one to restore it.
The Ironclad stares at Darv.
Maybe the Architect knows somethin’.
Other visits: one of the repeating lines at random, the second-visit line above or an line.
Back in the Spire for you too huh?
Can’t resist those shinies right?!
I’ll trade ya somethin’ nice for that trophy you got there!
Pity ya don’t remember all my generosity!
Yeah yeah, you know how Neow is...
...
Well! Let’s get you equipped for that final showdown or whatevah!
Other visits: one of the repeating lines at random, the second-visit line above or an line.
You’re a beautiful hunk of junk, you know that?
<3
Still keeping at it, I see... Let’s see if we can upgrade ya!
I’ve been holding on to your friend’s uhh... um.
Nevermind nevermind!!
<Inquisitive beeps>
My scrappy scrapper, forget I said all that!
Other visits: one of the repeating lines at random, the second-visit line above or an line.
I can tell you’re a serious one. What can I do for ya missy?
Anything to help me kill a most loathsome man.
Very well then... have a gander!
Still on that warpath? I ain’t gonna stop ya!
This book seems tied to ya, been around longer than you have.
How did you come into possession of that?
Scary things have a way of ending up in my collection.
Other visits: one of the repeating lines at random, the second-visit line above or an line.
What brings the likes of you up here? Wanna take a look at my collection?
I do enjoy fine wares...
Yeah!
Back for more your highness?!
To my new friend, do I have somethin’ for ya!
I’m listening!
I’d give it but the Architect nabbed it from me!!
Help a buddy out! Do me a favor will ya?
Other visits: one of the repeating lines at random, the second-visit line above or an line.
Relics offered
In the draw every visit6 relics
In the draw unless a modifier clears your deck1 relic
Act 3: one of the pair is in the draw2 relics
Half the time, the third relic1 relic
Three of the draw at random, never both relics of a pair. Half the time only two are drawn and Dusty Tome takes the third place.
How the visit works
Where he shows up
- Darv is the one shared ancient: at run start the game deals the unlocked shared ancients at random among the acts after the first.
In an act that receives him: he competes with that act's own ancients for its single ancient node, the first node on the map.- He never appears in Act 1.
Unlocking him
- Takes the Darv epoch, earned by finishing a run after you have visited every other ancient at least once.
Arrival and the offer
Like every ancient: he heals all your missing HP on arrival, or 80% of it at Ascension 2.- He greets each climber differently and lets you take one relic from his pile.
Nine slots: each gives one relic when its condition holds. Astrolabe, Black Star, Calling Bell, Empty Cage, Runic Pyramid and Snecko Eye always qualify.- Conditional slots: Pandora's Box is dropped under a modifier that clears your deck, Ectoplasm or Sozu appear only in Act 2, and Philosopher's Stone or Velvet Choker only in Act 3.
What you see: the rolled relics are shuffled and you see three, or, on a coin flip, two plus Dusty Tome.
Which relic to take from Darv
General picks
Runic Pyramid and Snecko Eye are the strongest general picks: keeping your hand rewrites a deck, and two extra cards a turn outweigh the cost scramble in most attack decks.
Black Star is best in Act 2, where elites remain.
Pandora's Box is a big upgrade for a deck still carrying most of its Strikes and Defends.
Empty Cage is the safe pick for a thin deck.
Dusty Tome's card
Dusty Tome names its card before you choose: an Ancient card from your character's pool, added upgraded.- That is Corruption for the Ironclad, Wraith Form for the Silent, Forbidden Grimoire for the Necrobinder, The Sealed Throne for the Regent and Biased Cognition for the Defect.
Energy relics
Sozu is the cleanest.
Velvet Choker only hurts decks that play more than six cards a turn.
Philosopher's Stone hands every enemy 1 Strength.
Ectoplasm ends your gold income too early.
Calling Bell gives a Common, an Uncommon and a Rare relic for an unplayable Eternal curse.
Worth knowing
In co-op, Darv makes a separate offer to each player, with no vote. Each player's relics and the coin flip for Dusty Tome are rolled on their own, and each player takes one relic for themselves.
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