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Golden Compass

AncientColorlessAct 2 Only

Upon pickup, replace the Act 2 Map with a single special path.

The Actual Golden Compass Path

When you pick up Golden Compass, Act 2 is replaced with this exact 17-step path:

1.⚔️Battle

2.❓Encounter

3.⚔️Battle

4.🔥Campfire

5.⚔️Battle

6.🔥Campfire

7.❓Encounter

8.📦Chest

9.❓Encounter

10.📦Chest

11.❓Encounter

12.🛒Shop

13.💀Elite

14.🔥Campfire

15.💀Elite

16.🔥Campfire

17.👹Boss

Key insight: Both Elite fights (steps 13 & 15) are immediately followed by Campfires, letting you heal before the boss. The path includes 4 total Campfires and 2 Chests for extra relics.

How It Works

Golden Compass is an Ancient relic offered by Tezcatara (It Which Feeds the Fire), the candle-loving floor guardian who appears at the start of Act 2. When you pick it up, it replaces the entire Act 2 map with a single, predetermined path.

This special path is carefully designed to provide a balanced mix of Elite fights, Rest Sites, Merchants, and combat encounters. It removes all pathing decisions and RNG from Act 2, giving you a fixed 17-step route to follow.

The path is generally more challenging than a typical Act 2 run (2 guaranteed Elites), but offers significantly better rewards — especially for players who want to maximize Elite fights for relics.

Special Path Features

The Golden Compass path includes these guaranteed encounters:

2 Elite FightsGuaranteed at steps 13 & 15, both followed by Campfires

4 Campfire Rest SitesHeal and upgrade opportunities at key moments

1 Merchant ShopGuaranteed shop access before Elite fights

2 Treasure ChestsExtra relics at steps 8 & 10

No Random EventsPredictable path, no RNG surprises

Relic Synergies

Bloody IdolMore Elite fights = more healing from Bloody Idol procs

VajraGain Strength from Elite fights, scales your damage

Black StarElite fights give 2 relics instead of 1 — massive value

Singing BowlMore card rewards = more HP from Singing Bowl

Strategy Tips

▸Golden Compass removes all randomness from Act 2 pathing — you get a fixed, optimized route.

▸The special path includes multiple Elite fights, making it ideal for relic-hungry builds.

▸Best picked up in Act 1 so you can plan your deck around the guaranteed Act 2 path.

▸Strong for players who struggle with Act 2 pathing decisions — the game chooses the optimal route for you.

▸Synergizes with builds that need specific resources (Elites for relics, Rest Sites for upgrades).

▸The special path is generally harder than a normal path, but offers better rewards.

When to Take Golden Compass

✓ Good Situations

• Strong deck that can handle multiple Elites
• Need more relics to complete your build
• Have Black Star (double Elite rewards)
• Comfortable with challenging fights
• Want predictable pathing (no RNG)

✗ Avoid When

• Weak deck that struggles with Elites
• Low HP and need to avoid fights
• Prefer flexible pathing options
• Already have all the relics you need
• Want to avoid Act 2 Elites

Comparison: Normal Path vs Golden Compass Path

Normal Act 2 Path

• 0-2 Elite fights (player choice)
• 1-3 Rest Sites (RNG dependent)
• 0-1 Merchant (RNG dependent)
• Random events and encounters
• Flexible pathing decisions

Golden Compass Path

• 2-3 Elite fights (guaranteed)
• 2-3 Rest Sites (guaranteed)
• 1 Merchant (guaranteed)
• No random events
• Fixed path, no decisions