Old School RuneScape's fourth raid, The Fractured Archive, opens on October 20, 2026. Players need to complete While Guthix Sleeps to reach it, and Jagex recommends a team of three to five. A wipe sends the whole group back to the lobby at launch, while Practice Mode will arrive later.
What to finish before entering
The first practical check is the quest requirement. Jagex says a player who has finished While Guthix Sleeps will receive a message on login directing them toward the new raid. The entrance is near the Guthixian Temple, at the site where Lucien's actions opened a path to Guthix's vault. If that quest is still on your list, completing it is the preparation step that matters most.
This requirement also affects restricted accounts. Jagex had explored changes that could help limited builds take part, but says those changes will not be ready for release. The studio is considering that discussion again later, without giving a date. For launch, players should plan around the existing quest gate rather than expect an exception.
The raid takes place beneath Lumbridge, where players defend a vault of Guthix's artefacts. Jagex describes eight boss encounters with no puzzle rooms between them. The October 6 briefing focuses on the systems players need to plan around.
Pick a group that can learn together
The Archive scales from two to eight players. Jagex recommends three to five because its encounters give different players distinct ways to help the team. A small group can feel pressure when several jobs need attention at once; in a larger group, some players may feel less involved.
Duos are possible, but Jagex calls them tough until players know the raid. Solo attempts use a scale equivalent to two players and are described as very challenging. Treat soloing as a longer-term challenge. For a first clear, start with a group in the recommended range.
The lobby is built for forming that group. It has a bank chest and a grouping board where players can create a party and accept applicants. Jagex also describes a strategy board for finding current or recent parties and spectating them, if the party allows it. The lobby includes Ascension rocks that can slowly produce shards while players wait between raids.
Expect a hard reset after a full wipe
At launch, a full team wipe removes the group from the Archive and returns everyone to the lobby, with a gravestone nearby. Jagex chose that consequence to make a failed run matter. The studio says it could reconsider the system if it harms the intended experience, but it has not announced a change for launch.
There are new ways to follow a run after your own character dies. Spectators can switch to a surviving teammate's point of view, check that player's inventory and ping inventory slots. The grouping and strategy boards also allow spectating when the party has enabled it. Those tools may make waiting for a team clearer, but they do not prevent the wipe rule.
Practice Mode will not be ready on October 20. Jagex plans to enable it after launch, with practice access limited to bosses and phases a player has already encountered. Supplies used in that mode will be refunded, and friends can join. It is designed to help players work through a section they have reached, rather than preview the final boss before entering the raid.
Eight encounters, with choices along the way
Each run includes eight encounters. The Archive Guardian comes first and a final boss closes the raid. Between them, players choose from fixed pairs of encounters. Jagex says those choices will not be random and each option in a pair awards the same total points toward reward contribution. A group can choose according to its gear, comfort and preferred pace.
Resupplies depend on a points-based system during the raid. Jagex says players cannot bank or deposit supplies once inside, and there is no Overload equivalent. The studio has not published drop rates yet; those are expected in the second week after release, so this briefing gives no exact chance for a particular unique.
Which rewards are on the table?
The reward pool includes combat upgrades and utility items. Elemental Fragments add two to the base max hit for their matching element. The Archivist's Folio is an untradeable teleport item charged with Ascension shards. Other listed rewards include Zeal, a Piety upgrade, the Rondache shield, Zorya's Tome, Ascension crossbows and the crush-focused Obligator.
Jagex has not given the unique drop rates in its October 6 post. It also says players will receive the same total contribution points whichever encounter they choose from a pair, though performance and route can affect how many raids a group completes. The full official raid briefing has the detailed item effects and encounter rules. For other near-term launches, see our October and November games calendar.
Old School RuneScape: The Fractured ArchiveJagex's official raid page with the October 20 date, access requirement and premise.↗Frequently asked questions
When does the OSRS Fractured Archive raid release?
Jagex lists October 20, 2026. The October 6 briefing does not give an exact launch time.
What quest do I need for The Fractured Archive?
You need to complete While Guthix Sleeps to be directed to the raid.
How many players can enter the raid?
It scales from two to eight players. Jagex recommends groups of three to five; solo clears are very challenging.
Will Practice Mode be available on launch day?
No. Jagex says it will be enabled after launch, and players will need to encounter a boss or phase before practicing it.
Get ready for October 20
Check While Guthix Sleeps completion and find a group before launch if you want to start with the recommended team size. Plan your supplies carefully, since the raid has no mid-run banking and a full wipe sends the team back to the lobby. Jagex has not announced the October 20 opening time or drop rates; its post says drop rates will come in week two.
