Dagannoth Kings/Strategies Guide – OSRS

Dagannoth Kings are a trio of bosses found in the Waterbirth Island Dungeon, known for their dragon axe, berserker ring, archers ring, warrior ring and seers ring drops. Their bones are also valuable, making them consistently rewarding to kill.

The Kings

The Kings reside on the sixth floor (the deepest) in Waterbirth Island Dungeon.

• Dagannoth Prime: The Dagannoth King who uses magical attacks. Whenever he is attacking, Protect from Magic must be on at all costs as Prime can hit up to 50 damage and easily kill in two hits. Prime is weak to ranged attacks.
• Dagannoth Rex: The Dagannoth King who uses melee attacks. He is extremely easy to deal with, as he can be either binded or lured to the edges of the islet where he can get stuck easily.
• Dagannoth Supreme: The Dagannoth King who uses ranged attacks. Supreme is also easy to deal with, hitting harder than Rex but lower than Prime. Supreme’s attacks can hit multiple players if they are facing his direction.
• Spinolyps inhabit the moat surrounding the Dagannoth Kings’ island. They are generally weak and have 75 Hitpoints. Their attacks are not very accurate, especially if the player has armour with high ranged defence, but their ranged attacks can inflict poison, and their magic attacks drain one prayer point if they hit. The poison damage starts at 6, so it is worth bringing Antidote++ potions. They can be used to heal with the use of Guthan’s set or Saradomin godsword while waiting for the Kings to respawn.

Dagannoth Prime	Dagannoth Rex	Dagannoth Supreme
Uses Magical Attacks.	Uses Melee Attacks.	Uses Ranged Attacks.
Fight with Ranged	Fight with Magic	Fight with Melee

Suggested skills

•  70+
•  70+
•  75+
•  70+
•  60+ (80+ Recommended)
•  70+
•  45+ for Mystic Might, 70+ for Piety
•  85+ for shortcuts skipping the tunnels and need for Rune Thrownaxe/Pet Rock

Strategy

As the Kings all attack with different styles, reducing the amount of time spent attacking multiple Kings is essential for staying alive and extending trips. This can be done by killing the Kings in a cycle and utilising the downtime before they respawn to safely kill the other kings, by safespotting, or by attacking a King outside the aggression range of the others.

Download the tile markers above to show safespots for Rex, along with ladder locations throughout the entire dungeon route.

Entering the Lair

Upon entering the lair, the player can be targeted by any amount of Kings at the same time, though it is most common to be attacked by both Prime and/or Supreme upon dropping down. Protect from Magic should be activated before entering their lair since Prime is likely to be very accurate and also hits the hardest of the three by far.

For players wishing to safespot Rex or Prime, they should enter and exit the room (leaving via the ladder will nullify some incoming attacks if done quickly enough), until they can safely run along the southern side of the island without being targeted by Supreme or Prime. Once on the eastern wall, players can attack Rex with magic and use either safespot freely.

For players planning on killing all 3 Kings, there are a few common options to start.

• You can sneak to the eastern wall and start the rotation with Rex with magic.
• If Supreme is not aggressive, you can run north and begin attacking Prime with ranged.
• If Prime is not aggressive, you can attempt to kill Supreme quickly with melee. Note that Supreme’s spawn location makes it more likely that a second or third king will notice you, so starting with Supreme is typically the most difficult option.

Handling multicombat

If multiple Kings begin attacking you, you can attempt to off-tick their attacks and correctly pray against all of them. For a more relaxed approach, you can stick with Protect from Magic while quickly killing Supreme first or safespotting Rex.

With very high defence bonuses (such as with 99 Defence and expensive armour), Rex and Supreme will only have 15-30% accuracy against you. This makes it possible to run in with Protect from Magic and strong melee armour to kill both Supreme and Rex before finally switching to weaker ranged armour to defeat Prime. You will typically take very little damage even if all three kings attack you at once.

Tribrid Rotation (3 Kings)

Depending on gear and stats, the Kings can be killed quickly enough that there is very little overlap where multiple kings are alive and able to reach the player. Rex can easily be safespotted on the north-eastern, south-eastern, or north-western walls. With a long range ranged weapon, Prime can be reached from the northern side while staying out of the aggression ranges of Supreme and Rex. Supreme, however, should be defeated with melee, and is very close to Prime and Rex. Ideally, defeat Supreme after Prime so both aren’t attacking the player at once.

A safe example rotation:

• Enter the room without drawing aggression and head counter-clockwise along the southern wall to the east side of the room.
• Attack and safespot Rex with magic along the east wall.
• Rotate counter-clockwise north and begin attacking Prime with ranged along the northern wall.
• Rotate counter-clockwise south and begin attacking Supreme with melee while staying as west as possible to avoid Rex when he spawns.
• Move to the eastern wall and safespot Rex again.

A faster rotation, best done with powerful equipment capable of defeating the Kings quickly.

• Enter the room and attack Supreme with melee, taking care to either avoid Prime or correctly pray against its attacks.
• Attack Rex with magic while dragging him to the north-western safespot, praying against Prime if they have noticed the player.
• Move to the north side and attack Prime with ranged, avoiding being too close to Supreme when he spawns.
• Attack Supreme with melee, avoiding Rex by staying as north/west as possible.
• Attack Rex with magic and use the north-west safespot again.

Rex Only

Once safely on the eastern wall of the lair, Rex can be attacked with a long range magic spell or staff without alerting the other Kings. As Rex approaches the eastern wall, pray Protect from Melee and move north or south until they are stuck on a wall and unable to reach the player. From there, you can attack with magic. Bring equipment with high range defence, as Spinolyps attack with Ranged-based magic and will be the main drain on your supplies. Players can utilise blood spells, Guthan’s equipment, Regen bracelet, Hitpoints cape, the Saradomin godsword, or Sanguinesti staff to passively heal off Rex or Spinolyps to greatly extend trips. Players should use caution even while in the safe area. Others may attempt to kill you with Dagannoth Prime’s AOE attack.

Prime Only

Prime can be reached in a similar manner to Rex from the eastern wall with ranged attacks. However, he will not approach the player and instead attack from a distance. This means the player needs to wait until it is safe to grab his drops or bring Telekinetic Grab to loot. Players can safely alternate between Rex and Prime if desired.

Equipment

The Dagannoth Kings can take a long time to reach and can be difficult to setup properly, so it is often more valuable to reduce unnecessary gear switches and bring extra supplies in order to extend trips. Balance damage output between each style, (if killing all 3 Kings), with ranged defence and prayer bonus to reduce unnecessary damage taken from the Spinolyps.

A tribrid setup means a single player using Magic, Ranged and Melee to kill all three Dagannoth Kings. It is only recommended for people who can afford good enough equipment to be able to kill all Kings fast enough. If the player is not experienced, an alternative to attacking all three kings is to have another person targeting Rex, while the player targets Prime and Supreme. The person targeting Rex may help defeat Prime/Supreme if needed. Because the run there takes so long, especially without the shortcuts, overall kills per hour are maximized by ensuring you complete a full Slayer task in only 1 trip, or as few trips as possible. It’s preferable to sacrifice some DPS in favour of sustainability if you need to do so in order to last the full task. It’s often worthwhile minimising gear swaps to bring more supplies (e.g. using Barrows gloves instead of Ferocious gloves + Zaryte vambraces, ignoring Bandos tassets) or favouring sustainability oriented gear (e.g. using Spectral spirit shield instead of a defender, using Guardian boots over Primordials, using SGS + Lightbearer over offensive options)

Slot	Recommended equipment for Tribrid (All Kings) – Item (most effective → least effective)
	Slayer helmet (i) / Black mask (i) (if on task)	Torva full helm / Serpentine helm[a]	Neitiznot faceguard	Crystal helm[b]	Helm of neitiznot
	Amulet of rancour + Occult necklace + Necklace of anguish	Amulet of torture	Amulet of blood fury / Amulet of fury	Bonecrusher necklace / Dragonbone necklace	Amulet of glory
	Infernal cape + Blessed dizana’s quiver	Fire cape + Ava’s assembler	Max cape	Ranging cape(t)	N/A
	Torva platebody + Masori body (f)	Bandos chestplate + Armadyl chestplate	Crystal body[b] / Eclipse moon chestplate	Blessed body	N/A
	Torva platelegs + Masori chaps (f)	Bandos tassets + Armadyl chainskirt	Crystal legs[b]/ Eclipse moon tassets	Verac’s plateskirt + Blessed chaps	N/A
	Scythe of Vitur + Tumeken’s shadow[c] + Twisted bow	Inquisitor’s mace / Ghrazi rapier / Blade of Saeldor / Noxious halberd + Sanguinesti staff + Bow of Faerdhinen[d]	Osmumten’s fang / Abyssal tentacle + Trident of the swamp + Toxic blowpipe	Abyssal whip + Trident of the seas + Eclipse atlatl / Hunters’ sunlight crossbow	Zombie axe + Warped sceptre /Iban’s staff + Crystal bow/Magic shortbow (i)
	Spectral spirit shield	Avernic defender	Dragon defender	Dragonfire shield	Crystal shield / Toktz-ket-xil
	Dragon arrow / Amethyst arrow[e] / Moonlight antler bolts[f]	Rada’s blessing 4[g]	God blessing / Rada’s blessing 3/2[g]	N/A	N/A
	Ferocious gloves + Tormented bracelet + Zaryte vambraces	Barrows gloves	Regen bracelet	Combat bracelet	N/A
	Primordial boots / Pegasian boots[h]	Aranea boots / Echo boots / Guardian boots	Dragon boots / Granite boots[i]	Devout boots	Blessed boots / Boots of brimstone / Bandos boots
	Lightbearer	Ring of the gods (i)	Brimstone ring	Ring of suffering (i)	Berserker ring (i)
	Saradomin godsword	Eldritch nightmare staff	Dragon claws	Toxic blowpipe	Ancient mace

This setup is used to solo Dagannoth Rex. Rex is the easiest out of all the Kings as it can be safespotted, and offers the chance of receiving the berserker ring. Long trips can be achieved using Guthan’s armour set, a Saradomin godsword or blood spells on the Spinolyps in between kills. Magic is highly effective against Rex due to his extremely low magic defence. With a decent Magic level, players can wear full melee armour for the increased ranged defence and still hit Rex consistently.

Slot	Recommended equipment for Magic (Rex only) – Item (most effective → least effective)
	Slayer helmet (i) / Black mask (i) (if on task)	Justiciar faceguard	Serpentine helm[a]	Barrows helm[b]	Helm of neitiznot
	Occult necklace	Amulet of fury	Amulet of the damned[c]	Bonecrusher necklace / Dragonbone necklace	Amulet of glory
	Imbued god cape	Infernal cape / Fire cape	Cape of accomplishment	Ardougne cloak[d]	Vestment cloak
	Justiciar chestguard / Torva platebody	Bandos chestplate / Barrows body[b]	Granite body	Dragon chainbody	Rune platebody
	Justiciar legguards / Torva platelegs	Bandos tassets / Barrows legs[b]	Granite legs	Dragon platelegs	Rune platelegs
	Sanguinesti staff(Provides passive healing)	Trident of the swamp / Trident of the seas	Toxic staff of the dead[e]	Void knight mace[f] > Warped sceptre[g]	Iban’s staff (u)[h]
	Elidinis’ ward (f) / Arcane spirit shield	Elysian spirit shield / Spectral spirit shield	Crystal shield / Dragonfire shield	Granite shield / Toktz-ket-xil	Dragon sq shield / Rune kiteshield
	Rada’s blessing 4	God blessing / Rada’s blessing 3/2	N/A	N/A	N/A
	Tormented bracelet	Regen bracelet	Barrows gloves	Combat bracelet	N/A
	Echo boots/ Guardian boots	Eternal boots / Bandos boots	Boots of brimstone	Bloodbark boots	Wizard boots / Mystic boots
	Ring of suffering (i)	Ring of the gods (i)	Brimstone ring	Ring of shadows	Explorer’s ring

Players may wish to kill only Dagannoth Prime for its unique drops or the pet. Once inside the northeast corner of the room, Prime can be ranged while remaining out of aggression range of Supreme and Rex. Use of Telekinetic Grab will aid in collecting drops. Maximize ranged strength and accuracy, or bring additional tank gear or switches to heal while waiting for Prime to respawn.

Slot	Recommended equipment for Range – Item (most effective → least effective)
	Slayer helmet (i) / Black mask (i) (if on task)	Masori mask (f) / Justiciar faceguard	Crystal helm[a]	Barrows helm[b]	N/A
	Necklace of anguish	Amulet of fury	Amulet of glory	N/A	N/A
	Dizana’s quiver	Ava’s assembler / Ranging cape(t)	Ava’s accumulator	N/A	N/A
	Masori body (f) + Justiciar chestguard	Crystal body[a] + Barrows body[b]	Armadyl chestplate / Karil’s leathertop	Blessed body	Black d’hide body
	Masori chaps (f) + Justiciar legguards	Crystal legs[a] + Barrows legs[b]	Armadyl chainskirt / Karil’s leatherskirt	Blessed chaps	Black d’hide chaps
	Twisted bow / Bow of faerdhinen[a]	Toxic blowpipe	Crystal bow	Hunters’ sunlight crossbow	Rune crossbow
	Elysian spirit shield / Twisted buckler	Crystal shield / Odium ward	Granite shield	Spirit shield	Rune kiteshield
	Dragon arrow / Amethyst arrow	God blessing / Rada’s blessing 3/2	Moonlight antler bolts	Diamond bolts (e)	Runite bolts
	Zaryte vambraces	Regen bracelet	Barrows gloves	Blessed vambraces	Combat bracelet
	Pegasian boots	Blessed boots	Boots of brimstone	Ranger boots	Bandos boots
	Venator ring	Archers ring (i) / Ring of shadows	Brimstone ring	Ring of the gods (i)	Explorer’s ring
	Toxic blowpipe	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Inventory Setups

Inventory – Tribrid Example Setup

10

• Switch equipment
• Saradomin godsword (for special attacks)
• Rune pouch filled with runes for Death Charge
• Saturated heart (optional but recommended)
• Araxyte venom sacks if not bringing sanfew serums or wearing the serpentine helm
• 2-3 super combat and ranging potion(s)
• Sanfew serums or super restores
• Explorer’s Ring 4 (Energy restore for run to lair, High Level Alchemy for drops) / Stamina Potion(4)
• Rune thrownaxe and pet rock to get there (can be skipped via a shortcut requiring 85 Agility, alternatively 80 Agility with the boost from Summer pie)
• 1-2 Saradomin brews for emergency healing

Rex Safespot inventory

• Special weapon/switch equipment
• Guthan the Infested’s equipment (optional)
• Rune thrownaxe and Pet rock (both may be skipped via a shortcut requiring 85 Agility, alternatively 80 Agility with the boost from a Summer pie)
• Stamina potion (optional)
• 1-2 Super combat and Ranging potion(s) (only if tribridding)
• 4-8 Prayer potions
• Anti-poison protection (not needed if bringing Serpentine helm)
• Emergency teleport
• Rune pouch filled with runes for Blood spells, and optionally Ice spells to freeze Rex
• Rest of inventory filled with sharks or better

Inventory – Early Ironman Rex Safespot Setup

• Rune thrownaxe and Pet rock (both may be skipped via a shortcut requiring 85 Agility, alternatively 80 Agility with the boost from a Summer pie)
• 2-5 Prayer potions
• 2-5 Superantipoisons or better
• Emergency teleport
• Runes for spell-casting (i.e. spells you plan on using, such as blood spells, Iban blast, High alchemy.
• Rest should be high healing food

Tips and tricks

• The use of the dwarf multicannon with 1,000–2,000 cannonballs to kill Dagannoth Prime can be helpful to smooth out the rotation when fighting all three Kings. Place the cannon on Prime’s spawning area, and only load cannonballs when it spawns; do not keep reloading, as it is less effective on Rex and Supreme and will cause them to attack you immediately upon being struck by a cannonball.
• Attune a portal in your house to Waterbirth. This will make travel time significantly easier and will negate the need of having your house in Rellekka or have redirecting scrolls for it.
• The suggested food is Super restore potions and Saradomin brews, although for simplicity and cost-effectiveness, sharks and a few Saradomin brews/Super restores for emergency will suffice. Bringing Guthan’s set and Saradomin godsword can help reduce the use of food.
• If bringing Saradomin brews for food, always try to use a super restore before re-boosting your combat potions. IF timed correctly, (with when you would normally reboost with a combat potion), this can greatly increase the amount of healing in your inventory with little to no loss of your damage output.
• Various Ancient Magicks can prove useful: Ice Barrage can be used to freeze Dagannoth Rex and Blood spells can be used in combination with a Trident of the seas or swamp to heal.
• Antipoisons are important to bring, as the Spinolyps residing in the water around the lair will poison players. This is not the case if the player wears a Serpentine helm throughout the trip. Sanfew serums are also useful, as they function as both an antipoison and a super restore, however it is worth noting the resistance to poison given to the player lasts half as long as that of an antidote++.
• There is a safe spot if you jump over the root slightly east of the Dagannoth Kings’ ladder where you can ‘peek’ to see if there is someone within the arena. This is also a convenient spot to hop worlds looking for a vacant lair.
• Completion of the elite Fremennik Diary will cause Dagannoth Kings’ bones to drop in noted form, substantially increasing trip profitability.
• Bringing an explorer’s ring in place of a stamina potion for high alchemy will bring a bit more profit.
• If your melee stats are high enough (80+) and you’re on a dagannoth task, consider using a Saradomin godsword or any other godsword as your spec weapon and your melee weapon to kill Supreme with, saving an inventory space.
• Bringing Divine boost potions along with a Menaphite Remedy can significantly increase how long your boosts last while saving an inventory slot over bringing 2 Super Combat and 2 ranging potions
• A shortcut requiring 85 Agility (or 80 Agility with the boost from a Summer pie) will skip the need for a rune throwing axe and pet rock, saving two inventory spaces. It is best to pre-boost prior to arriving at Waterbirth Island to minimise stat decay, especially if the player is not 81 Agility.