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OSRS ToA Invocation Guide | Tombs of Amascut Difficulty Explained
Need help with Tombs of Amascut (ToA) invocations in OSRS? This guide explains Path/Speed/Combat/Puzzle invocations, suggests presets (Learner, Farm, Expert), & offers tips.
OSRS ToA Invocation Guide – Mastering Raids 3 Difficulty
The Invocation System is what makes Tombs of Amascut (ToA / Raids 3) unique. It lets you fine-tune the raid's difficulty – making it harder earns you a higher Raid Level (RL) which, in turn, boosts your chances at valuable loot like the Fang, Shadow, or Masori armour. This guide explains the different types of invocations, which ones are generally good/bad picks, and provides example presets for learning, farming, and expert runs.
Need the basic boss strategies first? Check our main OSRS Tombs of Amascut Guide.
1. Understanding Invocation Categories
Invocations fall into several groups based on what they change:
| Category | Example Invocations | What They Usually Affect | Raid Level Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Path Level | Walk the Path, Pathfinder, Pathmaster | Boss/Mob HP, Damage, Defence (Major Scaling) | +15 to +50 each |
| Speed/Time | Time Trial, Overclocked, Acceleration | Global Timers, Boss Attack Speeds | +5 to +25 each |
| Combat Modifiers | Softcore/Hardcore Run, Penetration, Feeling Special? | Accuracy, Defence, Special Attacks | +10 to +30 each |
| Puzzle/Mechanics | Shaking Things Up, Blowing Mud, Need Some Help? | Adds complexity to room mechanics | +10 to +25 each |
| Aid Removal | On a Diet, Need Less Help?, Gotta Have Faith | Removes helpful supply drops/restores | +15 to +30 each |
(Raid Level values are approximate, check in-game panel for exact numbers)
2. "Free" or High-Value Invocations (Good Choices Early On)
Some invocations add Raid Level points without making the raid drastically harder, especially for decent teams:
- Walk the Path (+50 RL): The "standard" difficulty scaler. Increases stats linearly. Usually worth having on unless doing pure Entry mode (RL 0).
- Pathseeker / Pathfinder / Pathmaster (+15 / +20 / +25 RL): Increases boss HP/stats more. Add these gradually as you get comfortable. Pathfinder is often a good early add after Walk the Path.
- Softcore Run (+10 RL): Allows one death without penalty. Usually free points unless team wipes are common. Don't confuse with Hardcore Run!
- Time Trials (Ancient Inv.): Start with lower time limits if your team clears reasonably fast (<35-40 mins). Free points if you make the time.
- Acceleration / Overclocked (Levels 1/Maybe 2): Slightly speeds up Warden pillars/attacks. Level 1 is usually very manageable for the RL points.
Turning on these can easily push you towards the crucial Raid Level 150 breakpoint for significantly better unique chances, without adding overly complex new mechanics.
3. High-Risk Invocations (Avoid While Learning!)
These invocations dramatically increase difficulty and are usually reserved for experienced teams pushing high RL for faster purples or leaderboard times:
| Invocation Name | RL | Why It's Dangerous |
|---|---|---|
| Insanity | +50 | Wardens P3 Enrage phase becomes incredibly chaotic & deadly. |
| Dehydration | +30 | Removes Ambrosia (full heal) & Nectar (stat boost) drops. |
| Overly Draining | +25 | Special attack energy restores much slower. |
| Need Less Help? | +15 | Reduces number of supplies from helpful spirit significantly. |
| Hardcore Run | +25 | ANY death ends the raid immediately for the whole team. |
| All Path Levels Maxed | Max | Makes bosses hit extremely hard and have massive HP pools. |
Only add these once your team consistently clears lower-RL runs with few mistakes and ample supplies remaining.
4. Example Invocation Presets for Different Goals
(Customize these based on team strength & comfort level!)
- Preset 1: ~150 RL "Learner / Normal Mode Start"
- Walk the Path (+50)
- Pathseeker (+15)
- Softcore Run (+10)
- Need Some Help? (+15)
- Mind the Gap! (+20)
- Shaking Things Up (+15)
- Ancient Haste (+5) / Overclocked 1 (+10) / Acceleration 1 (+5) --> Pick one or two speed ones
- Focus: Learn base mechanics with boosted loot chance over RL 0.
- Preset 2: ~250-300 RL "Consistent Purple Farming"
- Walk the Path (+50)
- Pathfinder (+20)
- Pathmaster (+25)
- Softcore Run (+10)
- Mind the Gap! (+20)
- Shaking Things Up (+15)
- Blowing Mud (+15)
- Need Some Help? (+15)
- Aerial Assault (+10)
- Stay Vigilant (+15) --> This adds Kephri swarms
- Overclocked 1 & 2 (+10, +20)
- Maybe Time Trial (+15 if fast)
- Focus: Good balance of difficulty vs improved unique rates. Assumes good gear/skill.
- Preset 3: ~350+ RL "Expert / Speed Potential"
- Includes most of the above, PLUS:
- Upset Stomach (+20) --> Ba-Ba boulders
- Not Just a Head (+15) --> Kephri range attack
- Arterial Spray (+15) --> Zebak blood spawns
- Blood Thinners (+15) --> No adrenaline pot effect
- Feeling Special? (+20) --> Akkha spec spam
- Potentially Hardcore Run (+25) if team is god-tier.
- Focus: Pushing loot potential higher, requires near-flawless play and BiS gear like Tbow.
5. Tips for Picking Invocations
- Aim for Breakpoints: RL 150 is the first big loot boost. RL 300 (Expert) further increases unique rates and enables the Enrage phase.
- Consider Your Team: If someone struggles with a specific boss, avoid invocations that make that boss much harder (e.g., don't add Ba-Ba boulders if people die there often).
- Trade-offs: Sometimes adding a "supply removal" invocation (like 'On a Diet') is easier to handle than adding a tough combat modifier, if your team finishes with extra supplies.
- Start Small, Add Gradually: Don't jump from RL 50 to 300. Add one or two new invocations per successful run to learn their impact.
Need Help Navigating Invocations or Clearing Higher RLs?
ToA can be complex. Raiding with experienced players who can explain invocation strategies, carry you through tough mechanics, or coach your team is a great way to learn faster and secure more loot. We offer safe, hand-done services.
