Best Methods for Farming Dragon Bones in OSRS
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), dragon bones are a prized resource for training Prayer, offering 72 Prayer XP when buried, with boosted XP when used at altars or the Ectofuntus. Farming dragon bones efficiently can save you millions of gold and hours of grinding, making it a go-to method for players aiming for high Prayer levels without breaking the bank. This guide dives into the best locations, strategies, gear setups, and tips to maximize your dragon bone farming, whether you’re a mid-level adventurer or a seasoned Ironman.
Dragon bones are one of the most cost-effective ways to train Prayer in OSRS, balancing XP gains with availability. Unlike superior dragon bones or other high-tier options, they’re dropped by a variety of dragons, making them accessible to players with moderate combat stats. Farming them yourself avoids Grand Exchange prices, which can hover around 2,000-3,000 GP per bone, and doubles as a money-making method thanks to dragonhide drops.
Benefits of Farming Dragon Bones
- Prayer XP: 72 XP per bone when buried, 252 XP at a gilded altar, or 288 XP at the Ectofuntus.
- Profit Potential: Dragonhides (e.g., green, blue) sell for 1,000-2,000 GP each, boosting hourly earnings.
- Accessibility: Green and blue dragons are viable for combat levels 70+.
- Ironman-Friendly: Self-sufficiency for Prayer training without relying on GE.
Best Locations for Farming Dragon Bones
Choosing the right spot is key to efficient dragon bone farming. Each location has unique pros and cons, from accessibility to safety. Below are the top spots to hunt dragons in OSRS.
Taverley Dungeon (Blue Dragons)
The Taverley Dungeon is a safe, popular spot for blue dragon farming, ideal for players avoiding the Wilderness. It’s accessible with 70 Agility for the shortcut, reducing banking time.
- Requirements: Dusty key or 70 Agility, anti-dragon shield.
- Pros: No PKer risk, consistent spawns, nearby Falador bank.
- Cons: Can be crowded, requires decent combat (80+ recommended).
Wilderness (Green Dragons)
Green dragons in the Wilderness are a high-risk, high-reward option, offering fast kills and decent loot. Locations include west of the Dark Warriors’ Fortress (level 13-18) and east of the Graveyard of Shadows (level 24).
- Requirements: Anti-dragon shield, teleport method (e.g., Burning Amulet).
- Pros: Fast kills (combat 60+ viable), high bone/hide drop rate, 150-200K GP/hour.
- Cons: PKer threat, gear loss risk, need for quick banking.
Myths’ Guild Basement (Blue Dragons)
For players who’ve completed Dragon Slayer II, the Myths’ Guild basement offers a less crowded blue dragon spot with convenient banking via the guild’s teleport.
- Requirements: Dragon Slayer II, anti-dragon shield.
- Pros: Low competition, fast banking, safe environment.
- Cons: High quest requirement, slightly fewer spawns than Taverley.
Catacombs of Kourend (Various Dragons)
The Catacombs house black dragons and other variants, with the added perk of restoring Prayer points via totems, making it great for prolonged trips.
- Requirements: Access to Kourend, high combat (90+), anti-dragon shield.
- Pros: Multi-combat area, additional loot (e.g., ancient shards), safe.
- Cons: Tougher dragons, longer travel time.
Recommended Gear and Inventory Setup
Your gear and inventory can make or break your farming efficiency. The goal is to maximize damage output, survivability, and inventory space for bones and hides.
Melee Setup for Budget Players
For combat levels 70-90, a melee setup is affordable and effective against green and blue dragons.
| Slot | Item | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Dragon Scimitar | Rune Scimitar |
| Shield | Anti-dragon Shield | Dragonfire Shield (if 75 Defence) |
| Armour | Rune Armour | Granite Armour |
| Amulet | Amulet of Glory | Amulet of Strength |
| Ring | Ring of Wealth | Berserker Ring |
Ranged Setup for Faster Kills
Ranged is ideal for safe-spotting dragons, especially in Taverley or the Wilderness, and works well for combat 80+.
| Slot | Item | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Rune Crossbow | Dragon Crossbow |
| Ammo | Broad Bolts | Diamond Bolts (e) |
| Armour | Black D’hide | Blessed D’hide |
| Shield | Anti-dragon Shield | Book of Law |
| Ring | Archers Ring | Ring of Wealth |
Inventory Essentials
A well-planned inventory ensures long trips and efficient banking.
- Food: 6-8 Sharks or Monkfish for healing.
- Potions: Super Attack/Strength (melee) or Ranging Potion (ranged).
- Teleport: Burning Amulet (Wilderness), Falador Teleport, or Games Necklace (Myths’ Guild).
- Looting Bag: Essential for Wilderness to store extra bones/hides.
- Emergency Teleport: Glory or Royal Seed Pod for quick Wilderness escapes.
Strategies to Maximize Efficiency
Farming dragon bones isn’t just about killing dragons—it’s about optimizing every aspect of your trip, from combat to banking.
Safe-Spotting for Ranged Users
In Taverley Dungeon, use rocks or walls to safe-spot blue dragons, minimizing damage taken. For green dragons in the Wilderness, stand behind gravestones or trees to avoid melee attacks while ranging.
Wilderness Survival Tips
To reduce PKer risks:
- Scout Worlds: Hop worlds to find empty ones (avoid peak hours).
- Low-Value Gear: Risk only 3-4 items (e.g., scimitar, shield, teleport).
- Protect Item Prayer: Use at 43 Prayer to save one valuable item if killed.
- Bank Often: Bank every 10-15 kills to minimize losses.
Using Altars for XP Efficiency
Instead of burying bones, save them for a gilded altar (252 XP per bone) or Chaos Altar in the Wilderness (252 XP with a 50% chance to save bones). The Chaos Altar can effectively double your XP per inventory, but carry only what you’re willing to lose due to PKers.
Combine with Slayer for Extra Gains
If assigned a dragon task, use a Slayer helm or Black Mask to boost damage and XP. This stacks Prayer training with Slayer progress, especially for blue dragons in Taverley or black dragons in the Catacombs.
Alternative Methods for Dragon Bones
Beyond traditional farming, there are niche methods to gather dragon bones, particularly for Ironmen or players looking for low-risk options.
Nightmare Zone (NMZ) Elvarg Method
After completing Dragon Slayer I, enter NMZ practice mode with Elvarg enabled. Each kill drops one dragon bone, and it’s completely safe since it’s instanced.
- Requirements: Dragon Slayer I, NMZ access, 50K GP to start.
- Pros: Zero risk, no food/potions needed, bank nearby in Yanille.
- Cons: Slow (20-30 bones/hour), repetitive, no hide profit.
Vorkath for High-Level Players
For combat 100+ with Dragon Slayer II, Vorkath drops 2 superior dragon bones per kill (150 XP each when buried, 525 XP at gilded altar). It’s highly profitable (500K-1M GP/hour) but requires skill.
- Requirements: Dragon Slayer II, 80+ Ranged/Melee, anti-dragon gear.
- Pros: High XP and GP, consistent drops, safe instance.
- Cons: Steep learning curve, gear-intensive.
Ensouled Dragon Heads
With 90 Prayer and Slayer, reanimate ensouled dragon heads for bones and combat XP. Buy heads from the GE or earn via Slayer tasks.
- Requirements: 90 Prayer, 60 Magic, runes (e.g., Soul, Nature).
- Pros: Safe, decent XP, stacks with Prayer training.
- Cons: High cost (heads ~3,000 GP each), rune expense.
Farming dragon bones in OSRS is a rewarding grind that blends Prayer training with profit. Whether you’re safe-spotting blue dragons in Taverley, braving the Wilderness for green dragons, or tackling Vorkath for superior bones, there’s a method for every playstyle. Optimize your gear, plan your trips, and use altars to stretch your bones further. With these strategies, you’ll hit your Prayer goals faster while keeping your bank intact. Happy farming!