Is Darklight Better Than Dragon Scimitar in OSRS? A Detailed Comparison
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right weapon can make or break your combat experience. Two popular options for mid-tier players are Darklight and the Dragon Scimitar. Both weapons have unique strengths, but the question remains: is Darklight better than the Dragon Scimitar? In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into their stats, special attacks, use cases, and overall effectiveness to help you decide which one suits your playstyle in OSRS. Whether you’re slaying demons or training Strength, this guide has you covered.
What is Darklight?
Darklight is a demonbane weapon obtained during the Shadow of the Storm quest by upgrading Silverlight. It’s designed specifically to excel against demonic enemies, offering a damage boost that makes it a niche but powerful choice. With an Attack requirement of just 1, it’s accessible early, though its true potential shines when upgraded to Arclight later.
What is the Dragon Scimitar?
The Dragon Scimitar is a fan-favorite melee weapon requiring 60 Attack and completion of Monkey Madness I. Known for its versatility, it’s a go-to option for Strength training due to its speed and decent stats. You can purchase it for 100,000 coins from Daga on Ape Atoll or snag it as a rare drop from Scorpia in the Wilderness.
Why Compare These Two?
At first glance, these weapons seem to serve different purposes: Darklight for demon-slaying and the Dragon Scimitar for general combat. However, their overlapping use cases—especially for mid-level players—make them worth comparing. Let’s break it down.
Stats and Requirements Breakdown
Darklight Stats and Requirements
Darklight’s base stats are modest, equivalent to a Steel Longsword:
- Attack Bonuses: +10 Stab, +10 Slash, +3 Crush
- Strength Bonus: +8
- Attack Speed: 5 ticks (3.0 seconds)
- Requirement: 1 Attack
Against demons, it gains a 60% damage boost, making its max hit comparable to a Dragon Longsword, though its accuracy remains unchanged.
Dragon Scimitar Stats and Requirements
The Dragon Scimitar boasts superior stats for general use:
- Attack Bonuses: +8 Stab, +67 Slash, -2 Crush
- Strength Bonus: +66
- Attack Speed: 4 ticks (2.4 seconds)
- Requirement: 60 Attack, Monkey Madness I completed
Its faster attack speed and higher bonuses make it a standout choice for consistent DPS.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | Darklight | Dragon Scimitar |
|---|---|---|
| Attack Requirement | 1 | 60 |
| Strength Bonus | +8 | +66 |
| Slash Bonus | +10 | +67 |
| Attack Speed | 5 ticks | 4 ticks |
| Special Attack | Weaken (50% energy) | Sever (55% energy) |
| Cost | 1,000 coins (replacement) | 100,000 coins |
Special Attacks and Utility
Darklight’s Weaken Special Attack
Darklight’s special attack, Weaken, uses 50% special attack energy. It reduces an opponent’s Attack, Strength, and Defence by 5% (10% against demons) of their base level + 1. This stacks additively with multiple hits, making it useful for weakening tough demonic foes like Black Demons or Abyssal Demons. However, it only activates on successful hits, and its accuracy rolls against stab defence.
Dragon Scimitar’s Sever Special Attack
The Dragon Scimitar’s Sever special attack consumes 55% energy and boasts 25% higher accuracy against slash defence. In PvP, it prevents opponents from using protection prayers (Magic, Missiles, Melee) for 4.8 seconds, though this effect doesn’t apply in PvE. It’s a tactical choice for PvP scenarios but less impactful against NPCs.
Which Special Attack Wins?
For PvE demon-slaying, Darklight’s Weaken edges out due to its stat-draining effect on demons. In PvP or general PvE, the Dragon Scimitar’s Sever offers more versatility and accuracy. Your choice depends on your target and combat goals.
Use Cases: When to Use Each Weapon
Darklight’s Niche: Demon-Slaying
Darklight shines against demonic monsters, including:
- Lesser Demons
- Greater Demons
- Black Demons
- Abyssal Demons
Its 60% damage boost compensates for its low base stats, but its slow speed and poor accuracy limit its DPS compared to higher-tier options. Upgrading to Arclight (75 Attack, +70% accuracy and damage vs. demons) makes it far more viable, but unupgraded Darklight struggles against non-demons.
Dragon Scimitar’s Versatility: Training and General Combat
The Dragon Scimitar is a jack-of-all-trades, excelling in:
- Strength Training: Its 4-tick speed and +66 Strength bonus make it ideal for efficient XP gains.
- Slayer Tasks: Works well against a wide range of monsters, unlike Darklight’s demon focus.
- PvP: Sever’s prayer disable gives it an edge in player combat.
It’s a staple for mid-level players (60–70 Attack) before transitioning to whips or rapiers.
Black Demons Test Case
Black Demons are a common Slayer task where both weapons might be considered. Darklight’s damage boost helps, but its slow speed and low accuracy often result in lower DPS than the Dragon Scimitar. Unless you’re stacking Weaken specials or upgrading to Arclight, the Scimitar typically outperforms here.
Final Verdict: Which is Better?
Cost and Accessibility
Darklight is dirt cheap (1,000 coins to replace from Sir Prysin) and requires no significant stats or costly quests beyond Shadow of the Storm. The Dragon Scimitar, at 100,000 coins and requiring Monkey Madness I, is a bigger investment but widely accessible to mid-level players.
Long-Term Value
Darklight’s utility wanes as you progress, though Arclight keeps it relevant for demon-heavy content (e.g., K’ril Tsutsaroth). The Dragon Scimitar remains a solid training weapon until you unlock the Abyssal Whip or better, offering broader long-term use.
The Winner Depends on You
Choose Darklight if:
- You’re fighting demons on a budget.
- You plan to upgrade to Arclight later.
- You need a stat-draining special attack.
Choose Dragon Scimitar if:
- You want a versatile, fast weapon for training.
- You’re tackling diverse Slayer tasks or PvP.
- You’ve hit 60 Attack and want consistent DPS.
In general combat, the Dragon Scimitar is superior due to its speed, stats, and flexibility. Against demons, Darklight has a slight edge unupgraded, but Arclight blows the Scimitar away. For most players, the Dragon Scimitar is the better all-around choice in OSRS.
So, is Darklight better than the Dragon Scimitar? Not universally—it’s a situational tool for demon hunters, while the Scimitar reigns as a mid-tier king. What’s your pick? Let us know your thoughts or share your combat setups below!