OSRS ToA Expert Mode Guide: Master the Tombs of Amascut in 2025

OSRS ToA Expert Mode Guide: Master the Tombs of Amascut in 2025


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) players looking to push their skills to the limit often turn to the Tombs of Amascut (ToA) Expert Mode. Introduced as the third raid in OSRS, ToA offers a scalable challenge through its invocation system, with Expert Mode kicking in at a raid level of 300 or higher. As of April 4, 2025, this mode remains one of the most rewarding yet punishing experiences in the game. Whether you’re chasing rare drops like Tumeken’s Shadow or just want to test your PvM prowess, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to conquer ToA Expert Mode.

Tombs of Amascut, located in the Kharidian Desert’s Jaltevas Pyramid, is a raid that lets players customize difficulty via invocations—modifiers that tweak mechanics, enemy stats, and resource limits. Expert Mode begins at raid level 300, where the stakes (and rewards) skyrocket. Unlike Entry (0-149) or Normal (150-299) modes, Expert Mode demands precision, preparation, and a deep understanding of the raid’s four demi-bosses and final Wardens fight.

Why Play Expert Mode?

Expert Mode isn’t just about bragging rights. Higher raid levels boost your chances of landing unique loot, like Osmumten’s Fang or Masori Armour, while also increasing the quantity of common drops. For solo players averaging 1.75 kills per hour at 300+ invocation with no deaths, profits can hover around 6M GP/hour—though this dips to 1-2M without rare drops.

Key Differences from Normal Mode

  • Higher Enemy Stats: Bosses hit harder and have more HP and defense.
  • Invocations Galore: You’ll need at least 300 invocation points, often stacking multiple modifiers per boss.
  • Resource Strain: Invocations like “On a Diet” or “Need Some Help?” limit supplies, testing your efficiency.

Gear and Stats for ToA Expert Mode

Success in Expert Mode hinges on your gear and combat stats. While you can scrape by with budget setups, optimal equipment makes a world of difference at higher invocations.

Recommended Stats

For consistent clears at 300+ raid level, aim for:

  • Attack/Strength/Defence: 90+ (ideally 99 for melee DPS)
  • Ranged: 90+ (Bowfa or Tbow shine here)
  • Magic: 85+ (for Trident or Sanguinesti Staff)
  • Prayer: 70+ (Piety/Rigour/Augury are essential)

Budget Gear Setup (150M-300M GP)

If you’re starting out, this setup works for learning Expert Mode:

Slot Item
Head Serpentine Helm
Body Bandos Chestplate
Legs Bandos Tassets
Weapon Osmumten’s Fang
Ranged Blowpipe
Magic Trident of the Seas

Best-in-Slot Gear (1B+ GP)

For peak performance, aim for:

  • Melee: Full Torva, Osmumten’s Fang, Avernic Defender
  • Ranged: Masori Armour, Twisted Bow, Dragon Arrows
  • Magic: Ancestral Robes, Sanguinesti Staff, Tormented Bracelet
  • Special: Lightbearer (for spec regen), Bandos Godsword (BGS) or Dragon Claws

Invocations for Expert Mode

Invocations are the heart of ToA’s difficulty scaling. To hit 300+ raid level, you’ll need to stack general and boss-specific modifiers. Here’s a balanced setup for solo 300-350 invocation runs:

General Invocations

  • Walk the Path (50): Randomly boosts one path’s difficulty—high risk, high reward.
  • Hardcore Run (20): Limits deaths, forcing flawless execution.
  • Overly Draining (20): Special attacks drain more energy, making Lightbearer clutch.
  • On a Diet (15): Fewer supplies from the start—plan your brews and restores wisely.

Boss-Specific Invocations

Spread points across the four demi-bosses and Wardens:

  • Kephri: All except “Medic” (45 total)—manage scarabs and shields.
  • Zebak: All except “Upset Stomach” (45 total)—handle poison and waves.
  • Ba-Ba: All (50 total)—watch for boulders and monkey chaos.
  • Akkha: “Stay Vigilant” (20) and “Feeling Special” (20)—dodge shadows and specials.
  • Wardens: All except “Insanity” (60 total)—survive the core and energy phases.

This totals around 325 invocation, a sweet spot for learning Expert Mode without overwhelming complexity.

Strategies for Each Boss in Expert Mode

Each of ToA’s five encounters scales dramatically in Expert Mode. Here’s how to tackle them at 300+ invocation.

Ba-Ba: The Monkey Menace

Ba-Ba, guardian of Apmeken, ramps up with invocations like “Blowing Mud” and “Jungle Japes.”

  • Puzzle: Kill volatile monkeys quickly—run away when they latch on to avoid explosions.
  • Fight: Use Fang or BGS to drain defense, then switch to melee. Dodge boulders and pray against ranged attacks.
  • Tip: Serpentine Helm negates venom from the path.

Kephri: Scarab Swarm

Kephri’s shield phases and scarab spawns get brutal with “Aerial Assault” and “Overclocked.”

  • Puzzle: Use the ToA Helper plugin to mark tiles and solve the light puzzle fast.
  • Fight: Dump BGS or Claw specs early—her defense resets after shields. Position dung strikes to avoid trapping yourself.
  • Tip: Ranged (Bowfa) excels here for scarab cleanup.

Akkha: Shadow Dance

Akkha’s melee and shadow attacks intensify with “Stay Vigilant” and “Feeling Special.”

  • Puzzle: Time mirror clicks with the statue’s attack (green timer via plugin) for a one-cycle clear.
  • Fight: Learn the “butterfly” method to kite melee hits, or tank with Fang and pray Magic. Use Claws for the final phase.
  • Tip: Smelling Salts before the fight boost your stats.

Zebak: Crocodile Tears

Zebak’s poison and tidal waves hit harder with “Arterial Spray” and “Double Trouble.”

  • Puzzle: Match jars to symbols—speed is key with path leveling.
  • Fight: Stand near the ladder to avoid poison pools. Flick prayers (Ranged/Magic) and use Fang or Tbow.
  • Tip: Grab Liquid Adrenaline from the Helpful Spirit post-fight for spec energy.

The Wardens: Final Showdown

The Wardens (Tumeken and Elidinis) test everything you’ve got, especially with “Overclocked 2” and “Ancient Haste.”

  • Phase 1: BGS spec Tumeken’s Warden, then DPS with Fang or Tbow. Dodge energy blasts.
  • Phase 2: Core phase—use melee (Fang) and pray correctly (Magic/Ranged).
  • Phase 3: Elidinis’ Warden—Claws or DDS specs to finish fast. Avoid enrage mechanics.
  • Tip: Skull-skip “Insanity” if it’s too chaotic—simpler and still nets points.

Tips to Master ToA Expert Mode

Expert Mode is a marathon, not a sprint. Here’s how to refine your runs and boost success rates.

Practice and Preparation

  • Start at 300: Don’t jump to 400+ until you’re comfortable—build muscle memory at lower Expert levels.
  • Use Plugins: RuneLite’s ToA Helper and Tile Packs (e.g., Akkha butterfly tiles) are game-changers.
  • Supply Management: Bring 4 brews, 6 restores, and a stamina potion—adjust based on deaths.

Optimizing Your Run

  • Room Order: Try Zebak > Kephri > Akkha > Ba-Ba—Zebak’s Adrenaline helps later fights.
  • Spec Usage: Save Lightbearer procs for BGS or Claw dumps on Wardens.
  • Path Leveling: With “Walk the Path,” pray for a weaker boss (e.g., Zebak) to spike.

Learning from Failure

Deaths are inevitable early on. After each wipe:

  • Note what killed you (e.g., Akkha shadows, Warden core).
  • Adjust supplies or prayer flicks for the next attempt.
  • Watch guides (e.g., Gnomonkey’s 500 invo run) for advanced tricks like red X or butterfly kiting.

Mastering OSRS ToA Expert Mode in 2025 is a grind worth taking. With the right gear, invocation setup, and boss strategies, you’ll turn this punishing raid into a profitable adventure. Start at 300, refine your skills, and soon you’ll be chasing those purple chests with confidence. Happy raiding, Scapers!