Archeology
Archeology
Archeology is a skill-based activity that allows players to explore the world in search of hidden treasures and valuable artifacts. By using a Metal Detector, players can uncover a wide variety of items, from common trinkets to rare and sometimes illegal artifacts.
Getting Started
To begin your career as a treasure hunter, you will need some essential equipment:
- Metal Detector: This is the primary tool for locating hidden treasure spots. It cannot be crafted and must be purchased or acquired.
- Shovel (Optional but Recommended): While you can dig with your bare hands, using a shovel is 3 times faster. Shovels have a limited durability and will break after a certain number of uses.
Treasure hunting can be done in designated Archeology Areas scattered across the map. These areas are marked with a Template:Blip icon on the map, labeled "Treasure Hunt".
How to Hunt for Treasure
The process of finding treasure involves a mini-game using the Metal Detector.
- Equip the Metal Detector: Go to an Archeology Area and equip your Metal Detector. This will activate a special UI on the device's screen.
- Locate a Signal: As you walk around, the detector's screen will light up and it will start to beep when you are near a hidden item. The closer you get, the more lights will appear on the screen (from 1 to 10) and the faster the beeping will become.
- Pinpoint the Location: Your goal is to find the exact spot where the signal is strongest (10 bars on the detector). The required precision depends on your Archeology skill level; a higher level allows for a larger margin of error.
- Dig: Once you believe you are on the right spot, press E to start digging. A progress bar will appear, indicating the time it will take to excavate the item.
- Collect Your Reward: If you were correct about the location, you will unearth a treasure! The item will be dropped on the ground for you to pick up. If you were too far from the spot, the dig will fail, and you will find nothing.
Upon a successful dig, the treasure spot is consumed and will respawn at a different location within the area later.
Archeology Skill & Progression
Every successful dig earns you experience points in the Archeology skill. The amount of experience gained is based on the value of the item you find. Leveling up your Archeology skill provides significant bonuses that make you a more efficient and profitable treasure hunter.
| Level | Unlocks | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Beginner Explorer | Access to Beginner archeology areas. Dig speed: 15 seconds. |
| 5 | Improved Efficiency | Dig speed reduced to 12 seconds. |
| 10 | Careful Handling | Metal detector condition degrades 10% slower. |
| 15 | Enhanced Precision | Dig speed reduced to 10 seconds. Detection tolerance is increased. |
| 20 | Better Connections | Sell prices for artifacts increased to 80% of their base value. |
| 25 | Intermediate Explorer | Access to Intermediate archeology areas. Dig speed reduced to 7 seconds. |
| 30 | Professional Equipment | Metal detector condition degrades 40% slower. |
| 35 | Market Knowledge | Sell prices for artifacts increased to 90% of their base value. Detection tolerance is further increased. |
| 40 | Expert Technique | Dig speed reduced to 5 seconds. |
| 45 | Master Conservator | Metal detector condition degrades 50% slower. |
| 50 | Advanced Explorer | Access to Advanced archeology areas. Sell artifacts for their full (100%) value. |
| 55 | Precision Master | Detection tolerance is significantly increased. |
| 65 | Equipment Specialist | Metal detector condition degrades 70% slower. |
| 75 | Expert Explorer | Access to Expert archeology areas. Detection tolerance is at its maximum. |
Equipment Degradation
- Metal Detector: The detector's condition slowly depletes with use (every 15 seconds while active). A higher Archeology skill reduces the rate of degradation. If its condition reaches zero, it will become unusable until repaired.
- Shovel: The shovel's condition degrades with each successful dig. A broken shovel cannot be used.
Archeology Areas
Archeology areas are categorized by difficulty, requiring a certain Archeology skill level to access. Higher-level areas contain more valuable loot.
- Beginner Areas: Level 0+
- Intermediate Areas: Level 25+
- Advanced Areas: Level 50+
- Expert Areas: Level 75+
Illegal Dig Sites
Some areas are designated as illegal. Digging in these locations between 22:00 and 04:00 game time carries a risk of alerting the police, who will be notified of "unauthorized digging activity" in the area. These sites often contain more valuable, albeit illicit, treasures.
Treasures & Loot
You can find a wide range of items, from mundane objects to priceless historical artifacts. Each item has a different value, weight, and in some cases, legality. Loot is specific to the area you are digging in. You can use the Analyze action on an artifact in your inventory to learn more about it and its value.
Illegal artifacts are marked as "Stolen" and may be difficult to sell through legal channels. Possessing them can also lead to trouble with law enforcement.
Legal items can be sold to the pawn shop and illegal items to criminal smuggler NPC.