The Relic: First Guardian Tips & Tricks

Before You Start

Check for the latest patch before playing -- the developers have been open about ongoing technical and performance issues since launch, with six patches released so far and more explicitly on the way.

Since attacks carry no stamina cost while stamina is reserved purely for defense and dodging, don't play as conservatively with your offense as you might in other soulslikes -- the real resource management here is about when to block or dodge, not when to attack.

Approaching Gear and Relics

Since every weapon and armor piece exists only once in the entire game, treat each one you find as genuinely significant rather than a disposable upgrade -- there's no duplicate to fall back on later. Experiment freely with swapping relic passives, since the system is specifically designed to let you recombine effects on the fly rather than lock into one build permanently.

Facing the Brutals

Remember that many Brutals are confirmed to be tragic figures -- cursed or starved people transformed into monsters -- rather than pure evil by birth. This context is confirmed as central to the game's storytelling, so pay attention to what each fight reveals rather than treating every boss as a simple obstacle.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming Xbox Series X|S or Switch 2 versions are available now -- only PS5 and PC have launched; the other platforms are confirmed but still awaiting a specific date.
• Overcommitting to one relic passive combination early -- the system is built for experimentation, and swapping is deliberately free and easy.

See the full data: The Relic: First Guardian Getting Started