The Ancient Bucket is the Legendary-rarity tool in Drain the Lake, and it is one of the strongest free upgrades you can carry into a run. It raises your Token income and pulls high-tier gems out of the lake bed on its own, which shortens the grind toward the Phone ending. You do not need to spend Gems or Robux to get it, but you do need to clear two separate requirements before it appears in the lobby.
Quick answer: Collect 10 Badges in a single account, join the IWTM10GTMPLS Roblox group, then claim the Ancient Bucket from its dedicated station in the lobby.
What the Ancient Bucket does
The bucket carries two passive effects that run at the same time while it is equipped. Both feed directly into the two currencies that drive progression, so it pays off across an entire run rather than in a single burst.
| Effect | What it changes |
|---|---|
| +10% Token gain | Every drain pours out more Tokens, speeding up Skill Tree upgrades. |
| Random high-tier gem digs | Automatically unearths better gems as you empty the lake, adding Gem income without extra effort. |
Because Gems carry over between runs while Tokens reset, the gem-digging effect is what makes this bucket worth the setup time. Faster Token gain then compounds inside each run, letting you clear deeper checkpoints sooner.
The 10 Badges to target first
Badges are the game’s achievements, and reaching 10 of them satisfies the first requirement. Several unlock almost immediately, while the checkpoint-based ones fall into place naturally as the water level drops. The set below covers 10 Badges that most players can clear inside a single session.
| Badge | How to earn it |
|---|---|
| First Drop | Drain your first bucket. |
| Plunge | Swim in the lake. |
| Shark Bait | Drain enough water for the shark to appear, then let it bite you. |
| Lucky Find | Find and open 10 Chests. |
| Bucket Brigade | Drain 100 buckets. |
| Sunken Secrets | Reach the Shipwreck Checkpoint. |
| Deep Dive | Reach the Cavern Checkpoint. |
| The Mines | Reach the Mineshaft Checkpoint. |
| Fire Below | Reach the Molten Checkpoint. |
| Ancient Ruins | Reach the Lost City Checkpoint. |
Clearing all 10 usually takes up to 20 minutes in an average run, as long as you keep buying upgrades along the way. Prioritize movement speed and Bucket Capacity early so you reach each checkpoint faster and rack up the 100 drains needed for Bucket Brigade.
Tip: Watch the water for the shark and other hostile entities. Shark Bait wants you to take a bite, but the same threats can end your run before you claim the later checkpoint Badges, so bank easy Badges before pushing deep.
How to claim the Ancient Bucket
How to confirm it worked
The Ancient Bucket station in the lobby unlocks the claim once you hold 10 Badges and belong to the group. After claiming, equip the bucket at the end of a run so it is active on your next attempt. If the claim is still locked, you are usually short on Badges or the group membership has not registered yet.
- Fewer than 10 Badges claimed at the Badge station, so the count has not reached the threshold.
- You earned Badges in a run but did not return to the lobby to claim their rewards.
- You have not joined the IWTM10GTMPLS group, or the membership needs a rejoin of the game to update.
Once both boxes are ticked, the Ancient Bucket stays on your account like other unlocked buckets. Slot it in before your next dive and its 10% Token boost plus the automatic high-tier gem digs will start working from your first scoop, cutting down the time it takes to reach the phone at the bottom of the lake.
