Purifying and Using the Decaying Relic Weapon
The 
Decaying Relic is a specialized unique weapon in Simply Swords that offers heavy combat strikes alongside the ability to be smelted down into an 
Empowered Remnant.
Combat Characteristics of the Decaying Relic
The Decaying Relic is an uncraftable artifact that reaches a player through the loot Simply Swords attaches to village chests, ruined portal chests and the Ender Dragon. It features a distinctive weathered appearance that reflects centuries of corrosion, but its combat capabilities remain potent.
In hand, the weapon delivers damage that outclasses standard iron and baseline diamond swords. Its swing animations and attack speed make it an effective sidearm when navigating dangerous mob-filled caves or Nether fortresses. Because it is a unique weapon, it cannot be duplicated through crafting grids.
Unlike craftable swords that can be mass-produced at an iron or diamond crafting bench, each Decaying Relic represents a unique piece of archaeological loot.
Smelting the Weapon for Empowered Remnants
When players progress toward endgame equipment and forge specialized runic armaments, the Decaying Relic can be repurposed as a valuable crafting component.
To recycle the weapon:
- Place the Decaying Relic into the top slot of a furnace, smoker, or blast furnace.
- Add fuel (such as coal, charcoal, or blaze rods) into the lower slot.
- Allow the smelting process to complete.
The output slot will yield exactly one Empowered Remnant. This process permanently destroys the Decaying Relic, so ensure you have a replacement weapon ready before recycling it.
Crafting Pathways with the Recovered Remnant
The Empowered Remnant harvested from the Decaying Relic unlocks several critical progression recipes:
1. Runefused Gem Smithing
At a 
Smithing Table, combine:
Runic Tablet (template slot)- Empowered Remnant (base item slot)
Crying Obsidian (material addition slot)
This produces one 
Runefused Gem, used in higher-tier weapon upgrades.
2. Netherfused Gem Smithing
At a Smithing Table, combine:
- Runic Tablet (template slot)
- Empowered Remnant (base item slot)
Netherite Ingot (material addition slot)
This produces one 
Netherfused Gem, required for apex weapon enhancements.
3. Contained Remnant Assembly
At a crafting table, combine:
- 4
Iron Ingots (placed in the four corners) - 2
Glass (placed on the middle-left and middle-right) - 3 Empowered Remnants (filling the central vertical column)
This crafts one 
Contained Remnant.
Enchanting and Upkeep
If you choose to keep the Decaying Relic as an active combat weapon, protect it against accidental loss. Apply Mending and Unbreaking III at an anvil so that enemy experience orbs repair its durability during mob farming sessions.