Shellbane Gryphon
The Shellbane Gryphon is a brand-new, mid-level Slayer boss. It can also only be fought while on a Slayer task. At just 51 Slayer, it will be the lowest-level Slayer boss in the game. We think it can help give players a taste of Slayer bosses and their unique mechanics much earlier than currently available. Just remember, it’s a solo-instance fight!
Like normal Gryphons, the Shellbane Gryphon is weak to magic, but melee will also be able to defeat it. It primarily attacks with melee, but has a ranged attack it can use, too.
While it shares traits and mechanics with regular and superior Gryphons, the Shellbane Gryphon brings a few nasty surprises of its own. Its wings are capable of generating immense power, so this battle’s sure to be anything but a breeze! Pay very close attention to where you’re standing. If that isn’t challenging enough, its salivary glands are capable of delivering corrosive spit. Keep your skin covered, preferably with something tanky. Let’s just say that sunburn is going to be the least of your worries on the Great Conch.
Unique Drops
Gleaming Rapier
The Gleaming Rapier is a new tradeable melee weapon, requiring 65 Attack to equip. It has the following stats:
- 100 Stab Attack
- 78 Slash Attack
- -3 Crush Attack
- 15 Slash Defence
- 20 Stab Defence
- -9 Crush Defence
- 102 Strength Bonus
- 5 Attack Speed
Essentially, the Gleaming Rapier is the stab equivalent of the Zombie Axe, sitting between the Dragon Sword and the Zamorakian Hasta as a new mid-level stab weapon.
You can only obtain this as a drop from the Shellbane Gryphon.
Dev Comment: Stab options can feel limited in the mid-game with the Tier 60 Dragon Sword being the only option until you get a Zamorakian Hasta, or the coveted Osmumten’s Fang. We expect this to hold a similar spot in the game to the Zombie Axe as a Tier 65 stab alternative which could see use for accounts fighting the Eclipse Moon or for accounts dipping their toes into Tombs of Amascut. While it competes with the Zamorakian Hasta in pure stab output, we believe the Hasta will still hold value as a flexible option, capable of all three styles, while still being valuable in the creation of the Dragon Hunter Lance, or when a 4-tick weapon is preferred.
Gryphon Pet
The Shellbane Gryphon will also have a pet. As we’re looking to poll the general Sailing pet, we thought it’s worth mentioning here in case you were wondering why a Gryphon isn’t in the line-up!
Poll Question: Should we add Gryphons and a superior variant as a new, unlockable Slayer task?
Poll Question: Should we add the Shellbane Gryphon as a new Slayer boss?
Poll Question: Should we add the Horn of Plenty as described in the blog? This would also include Gryphon Feathers used to charge the Horn of Plenty as a common drop from all Gryphon variants.
Poll Question: Should we add the Gleaming Rapier as described in the blog?
