RuneScape: Vault of the Dead Event Guide
1. Event Overview
The Vault of the Dead is a limited-time event running from October 14 to October 18, designed to reward exploration and luck. Players enter the vault—a mysterious, crystal-lined chamber filled with chests of various rarities—and open them to collect unique rewards.
This year’s edition centers around Undead Diamond Chests, the top-tier variant capable of dropping Last Wills, massive GP bundles, and the ultra-rare Soul Dye. The event plays similarly to past treasure-style events such as the Vault of Shadows or Crystal Chest Bonanza, but with a stronger focus on undead aesthetics and crystal mechanics.
Key features:
Four days only (October 14–18)
Open chests using event keys or earned unlocks
Rewards scale by chest rarity (Standard → Silver → Gold → Undead Diamond)
Exclusive event cosmetics and dyes
It’s short, shiny, and packed with value—so every minute counts.
2. How to Access the Vault of the Dead
To begin, head to the event interface via the in-game noticeboard or event hub icon. You can also access it from Burthorpe, where an NPC named Gravemaster Darnel guards the vault entrance.
When you enter, you’ll find a vault room filled with crystal chests. Each chest can be opened using Vault Keys, which are earned through various in-game activities or microtransaction methods.
Ways to earn Vault Keys:
Daily Playtime Rewards – Logging in each day provides free keys.
Combat & Skilling Activities – Completing skilling tasks or defeating monsters occasionally grants keys.
Treasure Hunter integration – Using earned or purchased keys can unlock Vault chests directly.
Event Missions – Completing daily event challenges grants bonus keys and a chance at chest upgrades.
Once you’ve got your keys, simply click on any chest to open it and reveal your prize.
3. Types of Crystal Chests
There are four main types of chests in the Vault of the Dead, each with its own drop table and rarity level.
1. Standard Chests
Common and plentiful throughout the vault.
Contain small GP bundles, minor skilling supplies, or low-tier Last Will fragments.
Best for early event participation and filler keys.
2. Silver Chests
Mid-tier loot options.
Often contain stronger consumables, small rare item chances, or larger GP drops.
Excellent for building event currency quickly.
3. Golden Chests
High-value options with a chance to yield rare dyes, medium Last Will caches, or unique event cosmetics.
Frequently drop Golden Tokens, used to upgrade future chests.
4. Undead Diamond Chests (The Star of the Event)
The rarest and most rewarding chests in the Vault.
Contain:
Large quantities of GP (up to several million coins)
Last Wills (used in future events or special exchanges)
The coveted Soul Dye – an ultra-rare item that transforms weapons and armor into shimmering spectral versions.
Also have a higher chance of awarding premium cosmetics or limited-edition aura fragments.
4. Rewards Breakdown
Soul Dye
The rarest prize in the Vault. This dye is a cosmetic item that lets players recolor eligible items with an ethereal undead glow—similar to Shadow or Ice Dyes but with a deep soulfire effect.
Tips:
Focus on opening Undead Diamond Chests to maximize your odds.
The drop chance increases slightly with bulk openings.
Trading Soul Dye on the Grand Exchange yields enormous profit margins (expect multi-billion GP value).
Last Wills
Last Wills act as a universal event currency and can be spent on upcoming seasonal events or special shop rewards. They’re tradable and often spike in price post-event.
Efficient use:
Hold onto them for future seasonal exchanges.
Combine smaller fragments into full Wills for better trade rates.
Gold and Skilling Resources
Vault chests are also packed with GP bundles, rare herbs, and high-tier skilling supplies like Divine Charges or Dragonstones.
Even if you don’t score a Soul Dye, the sheer value of loot can easily exceed several million GP over the event period.
Cosmetics and Tokens
Some chests drop event-exclusive outfits, emotes, and Vault Tokens.
Tokens can be traded for event pets or used to enhance your chance of finding Undead Diamond Chests.
5. Efficient Farming and Opening Strategy
Since the Vault of the Dead runs only four days, efficiency is key. Here’s how to get the most out of your time and keys:
Step 1: Log in Daily
Each day grants free keys and mission resets. Missing a day means missing guaranteed loot.
Step 2: Focus on Upgrades
When you earn Silver or Golden Tokens, use them immediately to upgrade chest tiers. Upgraded chests have much better loot tables.
Step 3: Target Undead Diamond Chests
Save your best keys for these. Their drop tables dwarf the rest in profitability. Even if you don’t get a Soul Dye, the Last Wills and GP drops alone make them worthwhile.
Step 4: Open in Batches
Opening 10+ chests in quick succession increases efficiency—and in some cases, the event interface grants small streak bonuses for consecutive openings.
Step 5: Track Event Challenges
Completing daily Vault missions grants bonus rewards, extra keys, or temporary luck buffs that increase rare item odds for the next few openings.
6. Tips for Profit and Progress
Sell early or late: Soul Dye prices often spike in the first few hours or last few hours of the event.
Keep Last Wills: These typically appreciate in value for future exchanges or crafting updates.
Avoid wasting keys on low-tier chests: Prioritize upgrading whenever possible.
Play during peak hours: Increased player activity can influence in-game economy rates for Last Wills and cosmetics.
7. Final Thoughts
The Vault of the Dead is one of RuneScape’s most rewarding short-term events, offering both thrilling RNG and reliable profit potential. Whether you’re chasing the elusive Soul Dye, hoarding Last Wills for future trades, or simply cashing in on skilling resources, this event has something for everyone.
Just remember—the vault closes on October 18, and once it does, those undead riches are gone until next year. So grab your keys, brave the crypts, and cheap RS gold open those Undead Diamond Chests while you still can. Your fortune—or your fate—lies within the Vault of the Dead.