A proper Derelict Roblox mage build centers on leveraging staff spell slots, stacking Arcane damage buffs, and selecting armor sets that reward casting or basic attacks with high magic scaling. Whether you are progressing through early crystal caves or farming end-game bosses like Melisande, choosing the right combination of staves, tomes, and armor perks determines your damage output and survivability.
This guide breaks down verified gear setups, mage-friendly armor ratings, core spells, and progression routes based on available data from Scrambledly Studios' open-world action RPG on Roblox.
Recommended Mage Builds
Community testing and wiki data highlight two primary setups for magic users in Derelict: an early-to-mid progression loadout and an optimized late-game build.
Late-Game Lunar Mage Build
This setup maximizes burst Arcane damage and ranged projectile procs during difficult endgame encounters.
| Slot | Recommended Equipment | Function / Perk Source |
|---|---|---|
| Armor Set | Lunar Mage Set | Requires 2 basic attacks to launch a lunar projectile clone attack and grants a 30% Arcane damage buff. |
| Alternative Armor | Thrice Armor | Fire spell focus; grants 12 Combustion per fire cast, stacking for heavy burn damage. |
| Weapon | Shadowsilver Staff or Aurelfrost Staff | Staves expand default ability slots, adding +1 extra slot. |
| Offhand | Book / Tome (Lunar Tome or Solar Tome) | Standard caster offhand recommended by community theorycrafters. |
| Rings | Baron's Ring & Storm Ring | Recommended ring pairing for endgame magic scaling. |
Mid-Game Progression Build
Before entering the high-level winter regions of Aurealis, mid-game mages rely on accessible crafting drops from Lab Delta and early quest zones:
| Slot | Recommended Equipment | Function / Perk Source |
|---|---|---|
| Armor Set | Apprentice Set | On any hit (basic attack or ability), fires three damaging orbs. Extremely forgiving consistency. |
| Weapon | Staff crafted with Soul Amalgam | Unlocks early casting potential using Inner Crystalline Caverns materials. |
| Rings | Gambit Ring, Lionheart Ring, or Skyfall Ring | Obtained via mid-game exploration, with Skyfall Ring sold by Asher. |
Mage Armor Options Compared
Armor choices in Derelict directly affect how spells scale and trigger secondary procs. Multiple sets offer direct magic synergy:
Lunar Mage Set
Ranked high for late-game combat, the Lunar Mage armor requires two basic attacks to unleash a lunar projectile clone attack inspired by the boss Melisande. It also applies an automatic 30% Arcane damage increase.
Apprentice Armor
A reliable choice across the mid-game. Unlike armor pieces that demand long basic-attack combos, the Apprentice armor triggers three projectile balls off a single basic attack or ability hit. Community testing ranks this as an easy A-tier set for sustained PvE damage.
Thrice Armor
Dedicated strictly to pyromancy builds. Casting fire magic while wearing Thrice armor builds 12 stacks of Combustion. When stacked repeatedly, it significantly multiplies total fire burst damage, earning it an S-tier rating in spell-focused armor tier lists.
Solar Mage Set
Similar to the Lunar set, this armor provides a 50% Arcane damage buff and launches a hammer projectile. However, it requires landing three basic attacks (and does not trigger off spell abilities), making it slightly more cumbersome to trigger against agile bosses than the Apprentice or Lunar sets.
Arderus Armor (Avoid)
While themed around support casting, community testing places Arderus armor in F-tier. Its perk triggers only when healing yourself or an ally, giving a slight boost to Power and Arcane that proves negligible during standard combat loops.
Ability Slots and Staff Mechanics
Every character in Derelict starts with two baseline ability slots:
- One combat skill slot
- One magic (spell) slot
Equipping a staff immediately adds one additional slot, allowing mages to run multiple spells or combine utility arts with offensive magic. Players can manage and equip their unlocked spells through the Bonsai ability menu.
Core Spells and Progression
Early Spells & Ingredients
- Soul Artillery: A tier 1 offensive wizard skill found in the Inner Crystalline Caverns. It serves as the primary ranged projectile for new casters.
- Soul Amalgam: Also gathered in the Inner Crystalline Caverns east of Asher's Castle, this material is mandatory for crafting baseline staves.
- Asher's Spell Essences: The NPC Asher sells five elemental spell essence types: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Darkness. Note that game data currently indicates Dark Essence has no learnable spell associated with it; players should avoid purchasing it until developer Scrambledly Studios updates the tree.
Utility & Gamepass Spells
- Umbral Grasp: A spell used by mid-game mages alongside heavy attacks, Infernal Divider, or Soul Artillery.
- Angel's Respite & Arbiter's Penance: Exclusive Holy and Dark skills granted to players who purchase the Early Sponsor gamepass (399 Robux). These are equipped through the standard Bonsai ability menu.
Recommended Progression Route for Mages
- Gideon's Camp to Feeding Grounds: Complete early starter quests, mine copper and tin, and take down Sigvard at Dominion Pass to open the route forward.
- Inner Crystalline Caverns: Head east of Asher's Castle. This area is critical for aspiring mages. Collect the recipe materials for Soul Amalgam to build your first staff and unlock the Soul Artillery skill.
- Baron's Route & Asher: Defeat Asher to unlock spell essence purchases. High mobility and ranged casting make the Baroness encounter significantly easier.
- Lab Delta: Clear Lab Delta to fit plasteel equipment and apprentice sets, and face boss NR-02 at the end of the area.
- Aurealis Pass & Winterhold: Enter the late-game winter zone through Clara's questline. Gather Azurite Ingots and craft Aurelfrost Ingots at the Moon Altar on the way to Aurealis Gateway, and advance through Winterhold Chambers toward Melisande.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get my first mage staff materials in Derelict?
Soul Amalgam, the core material for crafting early staves, is gathered inside the Inner Crystalline Caverns located to the east of Asher's Castle.
Should I buy Dark Essence from Asher?
No. Current game data notes that Asher's Dark Essence currently has no learnable spells attached to it, making it an unnecessary expenditure of resources.
Why do mages need to equip a staff instead of swords?
Equipping a staff raises your baseline ability slots by 1, allowing you to equip two spells alongside a combat skill rather than being limited to the default single spell slot.
Which is better: Apprentice Armor or Solar Mage Armor?
Apprentice Armor triggers its three-orb projectile on any single basic hit or ability hit. Solar Mage requires three basic attacks to grant its hammer attack and 50% Arcane buff. Because basic attack strings leave mages vulnerable in Soulslike combat, many players favor Apprentice for consistency until they reach the Lunar Mage set.
