Rune dragon/Strategies
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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
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Player failed the accuracy roll: You're horribly burnt by the dragon fire! |
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Player won the accuracy roll: You manage to resist some of the dragon fire! |
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Anti-dragon shield |
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Antifire potion(4) |
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Super antifire potion(4) |
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
90+
90+
90+
94+ (optional)
90+
70+
Equipment
With base 90 Melee stats and 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. Vengeance can be used against their healing Ranged attacks. As soon as a number appears in a purple hitsplat on the dragon, cast Vengeance. Additionally, you may bring Thralls along with a Book of the Dead. Summon your thrall at the beginning of the fight, then immediately equip your Anti-Fire Shield, DFS, etc. afterwards, and repeat as needed. Thralls deal 1-3 damage every couple of seconds so this adds up significantly.
- Inventory
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- 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. Additionally, you may bring Thralls along with a Book of the Dead. Summon your thrall at the beginning of the fight, then immediately equip your Anti-Fire Shield, DFS, etc. afterwards, and repeat as needed. Thralls deal 1-3 damage every couple of seconds so this adds up significantly.
- 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.
- ^ With saturated heart
- 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)