In PEAK, the new co-op survival climbing video game, danger is never far off—at least, not by more than one step or slip. As you and your team ascend the mountainous terrain which typifies the game, things go wrong, and players will slip or perish from fatigue, environmental hazards, or even monsters in the game.
To keep your team alive, bringing back dead comrades is a necessary part of the game. Among the several different ways to bring back teammates, the Cursed Skull is one of the most powerful—though also most deadly—tools players have at their disposal.
What Is the Cursed Skull in PEAK?
The Cursed Skull is a difficult-to-find artifact that bestows on players a special power: the power to resurrect all dead teammates. But to the skull’s gruesome name, this powerful effect has a horrifying flaw. In order to use the Cursed Skull, the player will have to give his or her life. It’s a literal trade-off—your lives for their life.
Why the Cursed Skull is better than the rest of the revival or healing items is that its effect is so immense. Not only does it revive your team, but it also completely restores their stamina and cures all negative status ailments they possessed when they perished. This makes it one of the most helpful items in a suicide situation, especially when the group is about to let a run fail.
How Does the Cursed Skull Work?
It’s simple to use in combat but tactical when used. When triggered, the skull revives all dead players around you, if you’re still in range of where they died. Your character instantly kills once applied from the curse.
It should be pointed out that proximity plays an important role. If you are distant from your dying friends, the item will not work for them or will simply not work. You need to be close to the bodies of the individuals you are trying to revive in order to work optimally.
Besides bringing them back to life, all revived allies will also be rewarded with full stamina restoration and removal of any current debilitative effects. If they were frozen, exhausted, or injured prior to their death, they’ll return completely refreshed and ready to continue climbing.
When to Use the Cursed Skull?
The best time to use the Cursed Skull is when you’re at the pivotal section of the game—when you are the last one left, your team is wiped out, and your only real chance of continuing is by reviving all of them together. This can particularly be done for quests with puzzles, obstacles, or combat encounters that require multiple players.
Most squads keep the Cursed Skull in reserve as an emergency, something held in reserve for when things turn south. Some players even appoint a team member to carry the skull purely for such incidents, so that a person is always available to lead the party back if they are needed.
It is a risk, but if used at the right time, the Cursed Skull can rescue an entire expedition on its own and turn a failed run into a successful victory.
Where Can You Find the Cursed Skull in PEAK?
Due to its powerful effect, the Cursed Skull is a rare find in the game. It doesn’t spawn often and is usually located in hidden or hard-to-reach locations. You’re most likely to find one inside Ancient luggage, near shrines, or tucked away in cursed alcoves or secluded ledges along the climb.
As it’s not assured to show up on every ride, seeing one should raise the stakes of your climb immediately. If you do encounter one, make sure to coordinate with your group and discuss when and how to utilize it if something goes wrong.
