RIFTWAKEExpedition and arena guide
RIFTWAKE is a free browser survival roguelike with real-time 1v1 duels. Carry up to six weapons and six artifacts, discover evolutions and set your best score.
Your first expedition
Start in Jade Sanctum. To clear an expedition, defeat the Rift Lord and survive until 11 minutes and 30 seconds. Your weapons attack automatically. Move to collect XP crystals, choose upgrades as you level up and leave yourself a way out of danger. You can practice on the first map without an account. Sign in to save your progress and compete.
Movement and controls
On desktop, move with WASD or the arrow keys, dash with Space and use your class ability with Q. On touch screens, use the left joystick and the ability buttons on the right. Red and orange warnings show where enemy attacks will land. Move or dash clear before they hit. In settings, you can adjust the sound and reduce screen shake and effects.
Choose your character
Vanguard fights up close, Arcanist controls space with magic, and Warden slows enemies from a distance. Each character has a class ability for expeditions and a separate Q, W, E and R kit for the Arena. Try them in Jade Sanctum to find a style you enjoy.
Weapons, artifacts and evolutions
You can carry up to six weapons and six artifacts. Upgrade weapons as you level up and choose artifacts that complement their attacks. Open Recipes to check the combinations. To evolve, you need a level 8 weapon, its matching artifact at level 3 and an elite chest after three minutes of combat. Some fusions require two fully leveled weapons. Available evolutions and fusions appear on the reward screen.
Choose a Rift
A normal rift requires one guardian defeat and completed capture, awarding one imprint and one chest choice. An overcharged rift requires two guardians in sequence and adds a map-specific hazard. Complete it for one imprint and two chest choices.
Unlock more maps
Clearing a map unlocks the next. The six maps run from Jade Sanctum to the Nameless Rift, with increasingly demanding enemies and hazards. Earn Shards from play, missions and qualifying rewards. Spend them on unlocked expedition upgrades or cosmetics. Check each upgrade's requirements and cost before spending.
Three ways to compete
Map leaderboards keep your best eligible score for each map in the current season. The Daily Challenge gives everyone the same character and starting conditions, without expedition upgrades. The Weekly Circuit adds your best five daily scores from that week. Check the leaderboards for Circuit and map reward requirements. Weekly expedition leaderboards close Monday at 00:00 UTC, and rewards are calculated at 01:00 UTC. A lower score never replaces your best. Actual dates and times in the interface are shown in your local time zone.
Face another player
Find a ranked opponent in the Arena or invite a friend to a private room. Use Q, W, E and R, movement and cover to create an opening. If neither player wins in regulation, overtime starts and the safe zone shrinks. Cosmetics and expedition upgrades do not increase your duel stats. Friendly matches do not change your rating.
Keep what you earn
Your account saves your nickname, avatar, unlocked cosmetics, records and desktop HUD layout. Check the avatar collection for each unlock requirement. The Shop offers cosmetics and account utility items, with Shard or cash prices shown for each item. Cosmetics do not increase combat power. Test checkouts are labeled and do not charge real money.
Know your pickups
Walk over an item to collect it. Reward choices pause combat. Health kits, magnets and bombs disappear after 30 seconds.
XP crystalGain XP and level up.
Dropped by enemies. Nearby crystals drift toward you; leveling up opens a choice of upgrades.
Health kitRestore up to 35 health.
Cannot exceed maximum health. Collect before it disappears.
XP magnetDraw in XP crystals from a wide area.
Collects XP crystals only. Health kits, bombs and reward chests stay where they are.
BombDeal 70 damage to every current enemy.
Triggers immediately on collection. Save it for a crowded fight.
Reward chestChoose an upgrade or an eligible evolution.
Walk right up to it to open it; pickup-radius upgrades do not extend this range. Evolutions require the recipe and 3 minutes of combat.
Artifact crateChoose an artifact upgrade.
The metal crate offers available artifacts, with fallback rewards when needed. It stays until collected.
Map supply chestFind an artifact choice while exploring.
A wooden chest marked by a crystal. Walk right up to it once revealed. Its choices follow the artifact-crate rules.