Crafting & Currency

Expedition (Grave Explosion) Mechanic Guide — Pitfalls

Expedition is a type of encounter. An Expedition encounter will task the player with placing a chain of explosives over a Kalguuran burial site to unearth los

6 min read·Updated 2026-07-11·Editor score 90/100
Expedition screenshot 1
Editor's TakeMedium90/100

Everything you need on Expedition (Grave Explosion) Mechanic Guide — Pitfalls in one scan: core mechanics, priority actions, and common mistakes to skip.

Best for: Players learning economy and item upgrades

⚡ Pro Tips

  • Chests: Markers with the Triskelion banner unearth chests that contain random items. The rarity of the chest is indicated by the color of the associated marker.
  • Vendor recipes still print value in Acts 1–3 when you are broke.
  • Hoard transmutes and augments early; divine-tier currency is for endgame crafts.

✓ Quick Checklist

  • Chests: Markers with the Triskelion banner unearth chests that contain random items. The rarity of the chest is indicated by the color of the associated marker.
  • Monsters: Monster markers, indicated with a double red flag, unearth monsters. The size of the marker indicates their rarity.

Quick Summary

Expedition is a type of encounter. An Expedition encounter will task the player with placing a chain of explosives over a Kalguuran burial site to unearth lost artifacts and monsters. Key points: Chests: Markers with the Triskelion banner unearth chests that contain random items. The rarity of the chest is indicated by the color of the associated marker. · Monsters: Monster markers, indicated with a double red flag, unearth monsters. The size of the marker indicates their rarity. · Remnants: Large chunks of Verisium inscribed with runes. When detonated, remnants summons waves of monsters empowered by runes.

Expedition Overview

Expedition is a type of encounter. An Expedition encounter will task the player with placing a chain of explosives over a Kalguuran burial site to unearth lost artifacts and monsters.

Using an Expedition Logbook, you can chart out islands to the ocean to find new areas to perform more Expeditions, including larger Grand Expeditions.

Expedition has been temporarily disabled in permanent leagues for the duration of Runes of Aldur league.

Encounter

In maps containing an Expedition encounter, you will find a a detonator surrounded by multiple markers and remnants. The player will be given a limited number of explosives to place down. The explosives must be placed within a certain distance from the detonator or the previously placed explosive. Each explosive will have a radius indicated with a green circle which shows what markers come under its effect. After planting the explosives, the player may press the detonator to start the chain of explosives, unearthing different things at various markers in the vicinity of the explosions. Once most of the monsters that was summoned by the explosion is killed, the next explosive in the chain will be detonated.

There are four Markers that indicate three possible interactions to occur during the explosion:

  • Chests: Markers with the Triskelion banner unearth chests that contain random items. The rarity of the chest is indicated by the color of the associated marker.
  • Monsters: Monster markers, indicated with a double red flag, unearth monsters. The size of the marker indicates their rarity.
  • Remnants: Large chunks of Verisium inscribed with runes. When detonated, remnants summons waves of monsters empowered by runes.

In high tier maps with Face the Past allocated, Expedition encounters have a chance to spawn an an underground area called the Tomb of the Fallen Knight. The area contains the boss Styrn, Fallen Knight of Aldur.

Remnants

Remnants empower monsters unearthed by the explosion and in subsequent explosions. Before detonating a remnant, they must be inscribed with runes to form a runeshape combination, the available options depending on the number of slots and the rune that's already been inscribed to it; if detonated without choosing a runeshape combination, it will select one randomly. Each inscribed rune adds an additional effect to unearthed monsters, and the specific runeshape combination determines the reward that can be collected from the remnant once all the monsters it summons has been killed.

Once detonated, the remnant will summon waves of monsters, the number of which depending on the length of the runeshape combination. The summoned monsters will be empowered by the runes on the remnant, gaining more of its runes after each wave. Once all waves have been cleared, the remnant can be shattered to collect its rewards. The remnant will drop a specific reward determined by its runeshape combination.

Each detonated remnant will apply the effects of a random rune in its runeshape combination to monsters unearthed by subsequent explosions.

Rune empowered monsters can drop currencies used for Runeforging.

Grand Expedition

Grand Expeditions are a special type of Expedition encounters that can be found in the ocean areas revealed by an Expedition LogbookExpedition LogbookReveals an Ocean Biome on the AtlasConsumed via the Atlas at a Logbook Expedition node. Shift click to unstack.. A map containing a Grand Expedition consists of a single large Expedition encounter with extra explosives (15). Along with the usual markers from regular Expeditions, they will contain additional interactables that can be blown up summon special monsters, modify subsequent explosions, or reveal hidden areas. The map is complete once all the monsters from the explosions have been killed.

Locations

Underground areas contain additional loot. They are marked on the map with icons and have to be destroyed with explosives like remnants.

Expedition mapsPossible underground areasSpecial Feature (X Marked)
Barren AtollHidden AquiferSulphur MinesSmuggler's DenCrates of Gold
Bleached Shoals
Craggy PeninsulaHidden Aquifer?
Exhumed Ruins
Frigid BluffsHidden AquiferSulphur MinesFrozen Bosses
Grazed Praerie
Lush IsleHidden AquiferSulphur MinesRancid NestArohongui Totems (Currency)Karui Totems
Moor of Fallen Skies
Scorched Cay
Sloughed Gully
Stagnant Basin

Interactables

ImageInteractableLocation(s)Effects
Oil DerrickIncreases the radius of the placed explosive and subsequent ones
Karui TotemLush IsleUnearthed monsters gain 200% increased Experience gained
Beast SkinLush IsleMonsters have +30% chance to spawn Coalesced Corruption

Related items

ItemStatsHelp textDroplevel
Shattered TriskelionShattered TriskelionShattered pieces of glory long lost.Can be repaired at the Verisium Anvil.Can be repaired at the Verisium Anvil.1
Revered Starlit OreRevered Starlit OreCan be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.1
Starlit OreStarlit OreCan be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.1
Venerable Starlit OreVenerable Starlit OreCan be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.1
Veridical Starlit OreVeridical Starlit OreCan be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.1
Warding Starlit OreWarding Starlit OreCan be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to forge a new Unique item.1
VerisiumVerisiumStack Size: 1000Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to transform Equipment.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to transform Equipment.13
Medved's Crest of the CircleMedved's Crest of the CircleStack Size: 10In days of yore, the Druids of the Circle walkedthe mountains and valleys of Middengard,calming the lava flows and enriching the earth.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil tCan be used at the Verisium Anvil to transform Unique items.13
Vorana's Crest of the ScytheVorana's Crest of the ScytheStack Size: 10The Black Scythe Mercenary Company was anextension of Vorana. No storied history, nocenturies of service... and yet, legendary.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to transfCan be used at the Verisium Anvil to transform Unique items.23
Uhtred's Crest of the ChaliceUhtred's Crest of the ChaliceStack Size: 10The Order of the Chalice still exists today.Its priests teach engineering, mathematics,and science to all those who would learn.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to traCan be used at the Verisium Anvil to transform Unique items.38
Exceptional VerisiumExceptional VerisiumStack Size: 50Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to transform Equipment.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to transform Equipment.65
Olroth's Crest of the SunOlroth's Crest of the SunStack Size: 10The Knights of the Sun defined what itmeans to be a hero in a world full ofmonsters, mysteries, and darkness.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to transform Unique items.Can be used at the Verisium Anvil to transform Unique items.65

Related atlas passive skills

The following atlas passive skills are related to expedition:

NameStats
Logbook Chance10% increased Quantity of Expedition Logbooks dropped by Runic Monsters in your Maps
Detailed Records+1 to Level of Expedition Logbooks found in your MapsExpedition Logbooks found in your Maps always have 4 Implicit Modifiers
Disturbed Rest30% increased number of Runic Monster Markers
Extreme ArchaeologyNumber of Explosives is one150% increased Explosive Radius in your Maps100% increased Explosive Placement Range in your Maps
Frail TreasuresExpedition encounters in your Maps contain 3 additional Chest MarkersExpedition Chests in your Maps despawn after 5 seconds
Legendary Battles50% increased Quantity of Exotic Coinage dropped by Monsters in your Maps50% increased number of Rare Expedition Monsters
Timed DetonationsExpedition Detonation Chains in your Maps travel 50% faster50% increased quantity of Artifacts dropped by Monsters in your Maps
Unearthed AnomaliesRemnants in your Maps have an additional Prefix ModifierRemnants in your Maps have an additional Suffix Modifier
Weight of History35% increased Effect of Remnants in your Maps
VersionChanges
0.5.4Added an Expedition Atlas Passive Skill Tree. You can earn Atlas Passive Points for this by defeating each Boss in The Grand Expedition questline. Grand Expeditions now have 1 to 2 Expedition Map Modifiers applied to the area. The following
0.5.3The maximum number of Remnants in a Grand Expedition now increases per Waystone Tier, with the highest number of Remnants possible to be found in Tier 15+ Maps. Grand Expedition chests have been greatly improved: All the basic Weapon and Ar
0.5.0Expedition Remnants have been changed into the Remnants from The Runes of Aldur league. New Endgame Story: Set out on an expedition with Farrow to explore the Ocean as you investigate the tombs of fallen Kalguurans and challenge them to ear
0.3.0Currently, access to most Pinnacle Content requires the same key at the easiest, and most difficult version of the content. This creates a negative feeling where at lower difficulties, instead of wanting to run the content, you're often bet
0.2.0gExpedition Magic and Rare chests now have the same base balance as other endgame Magic and Rare chests. Normal expedition chests have also been improved. We also fixed a bug where Increased Chest Item Rarity from Expedition Remnants was not
0.2.0Extra content, such as Breach, Delirium, Expedition and Ritual, now start spawning further away from The Ziggurat Refuge. A new crafting mechanic called Recombination has been added to Expedition, which allows you select mods on two items,
0.1.1Removed the level requirement to access Expedition Vendors. Rarity of items in Expedition Vendor shops now increases with shop level, so shops generally have more rare items at higher levels. This doesn't affect existing shops, and you will
0.1.0eThe Ground Laser and Ground Lightning abilities used by the Runed Knight in Expedition Encounters now deal substantially less Damage.
0.1.0Introduced to the game.

Fossils & Rewards

Isle of Kin is an area in Act 4. This area has a waypoint and is connected to Kingsmarch and Volcanic Warrens.

Area

This area is a very large open area on top of a sulphite quarry.

Points of interest

  • [Boss Arena] Primal Arena: An arena surrounded by wooden scaffolding containing The Blind Beast, which drops a Blank Greater RuneBlank Greater RuneUntouched by fate. Its power waits for a purpose.Take this Rune to Dannig in Kingsmarch to be forged into a Greater Rune of your choosing on defeat.
  • [Notable Landmark] Beast Pen: "Mimbok, the Enslaved", a rare Subdued Behemoth is locked inside a pen. Drops a Level 4 Uncut Support GemUncut Support GemCreates a Support GemRight Click to engrave a Support Gem. and a Level 12 Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem. upon defeat. Another Beast Pen contains several magic Stoneback Rhoas. These do not drop any special rewards.
  • [Notable Landmark] Abandoned Delving Site (Doomed Mine on the World Map) : An old mining camp, where we can find Feverish Writings written by Niko and a rare chest Fossiled Formation, which contains a Lesser Jeweller's OrbLesser Jeweller's OrbStack Size: 20Sets a Skill Gem to have 3 Support Gem SocketsRight click this item then left click a Skill Gem to apply it. Can only apply to Skill Gems with fewer than 3 Support Gem Sockets. and stacks of Gold.
  • [Notable Landmark] Wrecked Boat (Torn Map Piece on the World Map): A Flayed Sailor found near the coastline can be searched for a Torn Map PieceTorn Map PieceClutched tight, even in death.This Torn Map Piece can be brought to Makoru in Kingsmarch., which is needed in Forgotten Bounty.
  • [Notable Landmark] Voltaxic Spire: A large Sulphite rock located in the middle of the area that can be interacted with to gain the Sulphite Intoxication buff, which grants 10% increased movement speed, +15% to all elemental resistances, and Gain 30% of Damage as Extra Lightning Damage.

Environmental lore

  • Scattered Scratchings
  • Feverish Writings

Monsters

  • The Blind Beast
  • Mimbok the Enslaved
  • Feral Kin
  • Prospector Kin
  • Shaman Kin
  • Skulltop Kin
  • Spearbearer Kin
  • Tallwalker Kin
  • Tuskbearer Kin
  • Wardrum Kin
  • Subdued Behemoth
  • Boulder Ant
  • Cinderback Crab
  • Skitter Golem
  • Quake Golem

Item drops

The following drop-restricted items can drop in this area.

ItemDroplevel
Torn Map PieceTorn Map PieceClutched tight, even in death.This Torn Map Piece can be brought to Makoru in Kingsmarch.1
VersionChanges
0.3.0Introduced to the game.

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