That’s the feeling when you first pick up the Eye of Ayak-a brand-new magic weapon from the Delve Boss that’s already changing the PvM meta. With a blistering 3-tick attack speed (magic shortbow speed), it’s one of the fastest magic weapons ever released. In certain scenarios, it can even outperform the Tumeken’s Shadow. For players looking to get their hands on it quickly, many choose to buy OSRS gold to afford it on day one. This guide will break down how the Eye of Ayak works, when it beats the Shadow, how to charge it, and where to use it for maximum DPS.

How the Eye of Ayak Works

· Speed – 3-tick (1.8 second) attack speed.

· Damage Potential – Slightly behind the Shadow in most tanky-enemy situations but stronger in low-HP and phase-transition fights.

· Special Attack – Costs 50% energy and lowers the target’s Magic defence by the amount you hit.

· One-Handed – Allows for shield use or gear swaps without sacrificing attack rate.

· Charges – Uses Chaos + Death runes or Demon Tears (1 tear = 1 charge).

Charging With Demon Tears

Near the Delve Boss are infected roots that drop Demon Tears.

· Rate – ~700/hour with 99 Woodcutting and a Dragon axe; ~800/hour with Crystal.

· AFK Value – 10+ minute AFK intervals before banking/dropping.

· Bonus – Using an Infernal axe burns logs for extra Firemaking XP while gathering.

When the Eye of Ayak Beats the Shadow

While the Shadow dominates in raw magic DPS against high-defence targets, the Eye of Ayak excels in:

1. Low-HP Targets – No wasted damage from overhitting (e.g., Nylo room in ToB).

2. Frequent Target Switching – Maintains constant DPS in fights with rapid phase changes (e.g., Zulrah, melee baboons in ToA).

3. Damage-Capped Bosses – At Zulrah, the Shadow’s higher max hits are capped, but Ayak suffers no DPS loss.

4. Short-Lived Targets – Nightmare pillars, TOA monkeys, or Sleepwalkers benefit from fast kill confirmation.

Key PvM Uses

Zulrah

· Strength – Fast phase transitions, no penalty from damage cap.

· Strategy – Use Ayak for green/red phases and Shadow for blue (Mage) phase if possible.

Fosani’s Nightmare

· Strength – Superior for pillars due to no overhit downtime.

· Bonus – Can tag Sleepwalkers without needing a crossbow.

Tombs of Amascut (ToA)

· Best Room – Monkey puzzle (fast switches).

· Warden Fight – With Confliction Gauntlets, often outperforms Bofa for magic DPS.

· Tip – Magic setups become viable even without Shadow.

Chambers of Xeric

· Best Use – Melee Vanguard and Mage hand as second-best magic weapon.

· Spec – Use to lower Mage hand defence in group runs.

Theatre of Blood (ToB)

· Best Use – Nylo room for rapid blue Nylo kills.

· Tip – Consider hybrid setups with Shadow for advanced DPS cycles.

Muspa

· Strength – Excellent for melee phase transitions.

· Drawback – Less effective in puzzle mechanics requiring heavy movement.

Whisperer

· Strength – Smooth DPS in enrage phase due to matched attack cycles.

God Wars Dungeon

· Bandos – Viable freeze-and-DPS method; kills in ~2 freezes with Confliction Gauntlets.

· Zamorak – Even more consistent than Bandos, often 2-freeze kills.

Gear Synergy

· Confliction Gauntlets – Dramatically boosts DPS thanks to more frequent procs from Ayak’s fast speed.

· Shield Slot – Being one-handed allows tank gear without losing DPS cycles.

· Boots/Ring/Cape Swaps – Only bring max-hit boosting items if they increase your actual max hit; otherwise, save inventory space.

Special Attack Considerations

· Ayak Special – Lowers only magic defence; great for solo magic setups without extra spec gear.

· Occult Sceptre Comparison – Sceptre lowers both magic and physical defence by 15%, making it better for multi-style teams.

When Not to Use Ayak

· Against extremely high-defence enemies where the Shadow’s accuracy advantage outweighs speed.

· Situations requiring long-range attacks; Ayak’s range is shorter than trident/Sanguinesti.

Final Thoughts

The Eye of Ayak isn’t just “Shadow-lite.” It fills a unique niche-speed and efficiency in multi-target, low-HP, or phase-transition fights. In the right situations, it’s not just a budget option-it’s the best tool for the job. If you can afford both Ayak and Shadow, they pair perfectly for hybrid strategies. But even if the Shadow is out of reach, using buy RS gold can help you get Ayak sooner, and its versatility makes it one of the most valuable magic weapons you can add to your arsenal right now.