Rune dragon/Strategies Guide – OSRS

After completion of Dragon Slayer II, rune dragons can be found and fought in the Lithkren Vault. They are the strongest of all metal dragons, so caution should be exercised at all times.

Attacks

Similar to their mithril and adamant counterparts, rune dragons use standard dragonfire and attack from all sides of the combat triangle. They also have two unique special attacks:

  • Electricity: Signalled by throwing two small balls that appear to be electricity on the floor, which will then arc to other tiles around the player, dealing rapid hits of 2-5 damage if the player doesn’t move away. This can be reduced to 1-2 damage by wearing insulated boots.
  • Life Leech: An augmented ranged attack, similar to the Life Leech effect of enchanted onyx bolts, that hits through Protect from Missiles and heals the dragon for whatever it hits on the player.

Dragonfire

Protection used Maximum damage
Metallic[a]
Unprotected 50 30
5
35 15
0
0
0
Legend
Player failed the accuracy roll:
You’re horribly burnt by the dragon fire!
Player won the accuracy roll:
You manage to resist some of the dragon fire!
  1. Protect from magic does not reduce damage taken from metallic dragonfire.

Transportation

The fastest way to get to rune dragons is by using a digsite pendant to teleport Lithkren Vault directly. Alternatively, players can take the boat by Jardric, found to the north-west of Fossil Island, to Lithkren, and navigate the ruins there to reach the vault.

Suggested skills

  • Attack 90+
  • Strength 90+
  • Defence 90+
  • Magic 94+ (optional)
  • Ranged 90+
  • Prayer 70+

Equipment

With base 90 Melee stats and a Osmumten’s fang or dragon hunter lance, using melee against rune dragons is a reliable option. With worse weapons magic or ranged may be more effective. Rune dragons have accurate and strong attacks, so Bandos, Justiciar, or Barrows equipment is recommended along with Protect from Magic and Piety in tandem to reduce damage taken. Also, Vengeance can be used for dealing with their healing Ranged attacks. As soon as a number appears in a purple hitsplat on the dragon, prepare Vengeance.

  1. Fang out damages Dragon hunter lance when using full Justiciar, Amulet of fury, and Barrows gloves, while DHL outperforms in damage oriented gear and while wearing full Justiciar if you bring Amulet of torture or Amulet of rancour and Ferocious gloves
  2. Set to stay
  3. Noxious Halberd has the additional benefit of negating all melee attacks due to the increased range
Inventory
  • Digsite pendant or a mounted one in POH with house tabs
  • Special attack weapon choice
  • 1 divine super combat potion, super combat potion or super set
  • 1 extended antifire, or extended super antifire if using a shield without dragonfire protection
  • 3-4 prayer potions
  • Rune pouch with runes to cast Vengeance or High Level Alchemy (set warning value to 162,000) (optional)
  • One-click teleport (optional)
  • Food (sharks / manta rays / anglerfish / karambwan)
  • Bracelet of slaughter (optional, if on task)

With level 90 Ranged and a dragon hunter crossbow, rune dragons can easily be killed due to the crossbow’s passive effect, as well as circumventing their melee attack. Protect from Missiles is recommended with Rigour or Eagle Eye in tandem. Also, Vengeance could be used for dealing with their healing Ranged attacks, which hits through Protect from Missiles. As soon as a number appears in a purple hitsplat on the dragon, prepare Vengeance.

  1. with bow of Faerdhinen
  2. with Super antifire potions only
Inventory
  • Digsite pendant or a mounted one in POH with house tabs
  • 1 divine ranging potion or ranging potion
  • 1 extended antifire, or extended super antifire if using a shield without dragonfire protection
  • 3-4 prayer potions
  • Rune pouch with runes to cast Vengeance or High Level Alchemy (set warning value to 162,000) (optional)
  • One-click teleport (optional)
  • Food (sharks / manta rays / anglerfish / karambwan)
  • Bracelet of slaughter (optional, if on task)

Rune dragons have relatively low Magic defence. The most effective weapon for killing rune dragons across all styles is the Tumeken’s shadow, surpassing even dragonbane weaponry. For those without a Shadow, Earth spells can be a viable alternative, especially when used with a dragon hunter wand and/or while on a slayer task. Protect from Missiles is recommended due to the dragons’ accurate ranged attacks.

Inventory
  • Digsite pendant or a mounted one in POH with house tabs
  • Saturated heart
  • 1 extended antifire, or extended super antifire if using a shield without dragonfire protection
  • 3-4 prayer potions
  • Rune pouch with runes to cast the spell of choice
  • One-click teleport (optional)
  • Food (sharks / manta rays / anglerfish / karambwan)
  • Bracelet of slaughter (optional, if on task)