Ensouled Giant Head OSRS Guide for Prayer Training
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the ensouled giant head is a unique item that offers players an alternative method for training Prayer, combining Magic and combat for a rewarding experience. Dropped by giants, this item can be reanimated using the Arceuus spellbook to summon a reanimated giant, which, when defeated, grants 650 Prayer experience. This guide explores everything you need to know about ensouled giant heads, from obtaining them to maximizing their use for efficient Prayer training, all while keeping your OSRS journey engaging and cost-effective.
An ensouled giant head is an item dropped by various giants in OSRS, including hill giants, fire giants, and moss giants. It’s used primarily for Prayer training through the level 41 Magic spell Adept Reanimation from the Arceuus spellbook. When reanimated, it spawns a reanimated giant with 35 hitpoints, which grants 650 Prayer experience upon defeat. This method is particularly appealing for players seeking a cheaper alternative to using bones on a gilded altar, though it involves Magic and combat, making it slightly slower but multifaceted in terms of experience gained.
Key Details of Ensouled Giant Heads
- Release Date: January 7, 2016
- Members Only: Yes
- Weight: 0.453 kg
- Grand Exchange Value: Approximately 763 coins (as of January 6, 2025)
- High Alchemy: 191 coins
- Buy Limit: 3,000
Why Use Ensouled Giant Heads?
Ensouled giant heads are a cost-effective Prayer training method, especially for players on a budget. Compared to dragon bones, which cost around 11.9 GP per Prayer XP, ensouled giant heads offer a GP/XP ratio of approximately 3.28, making them significantly cheaper. Additionally, reanimating heads provides Magic and combat experience, adding value for players leveling multiple skills simultaneously.
How to Obtain Ensouled Giant Heads
Ensouled giant heads are dropped by giants across Gielinor, with varying drop rates depending on the monster. To maximize your chances, focus on giants that are accessible and align with your combat level and Slayer tasks.
Monsters That Drop Ensouled Giant Heads
| Monster | Combat Level | Location | Drop Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hill Giant | 28 | Edgeville Dungeon, Wilderness | 1/50 |
| Fire Giant | 86, 104, 109 | Catacombs of Kourend, Giant’s Den | 1/50 |
| Moss Giant | 42, 84 | Varrock Sewers, Moss Giant Island | 1/50 |
| Obor | 106 | Obor’s Lair (Edgeville Dungeon) | 1/30 |
Best Locations for Farming
- Edgeville Dungeon (Hill Giants): Ideal for low-level players and free-to-play accounts. Use an Amulet of Glory to teleport to Edgeville and access the dungeon via the trapdoor south of the bank.
- Catacombs of Kourend (Fire Giants): Offers safespots and additional drops like dark totem pieces. Recommended for higher-level players with Slayer tasks.
- Varrock Sewers (Moss Giants): Easily accessible for mid-level players, with a decent drop table including seeds.
Tip: Killing hill giants in the Wilderness increases the drop rate to 1/25, but beware of player killers.
Reanimating Ensouled Giant Heads
To use an ensouled giant head, you’ll need access to the Arceuus spellbook and the Adept Reanimation spell, which requires 41 Magic. The process involves casting the spell on the head while it’s on the ground, spawning a reanimated giant that you must defeat.
Requirements for Adept Reanimation
- Magic Level: 41
- Runes: 1 Soul Rune, 2 Nature Runes, 4 Body Runes (cost ~730 GP per cast)
- Arceuus Spellbook: Unlock by gaining 60% Arceuus favor in Zeah.
Where to Reanimate
Ensouled heads can be reanimated in two scenarios:
- Within a 31×31 Area of the Drop Location: If the head hasn’t been banked, traded, or price-checked, you can reanimate it where it dropped. This is ideal for Slayer tasks or farming giants.
- Near the Dark Altar in Arceuus: If the head has been picked up and banked, you must take it to the Dark Altar. Use the Fairy Ring (code C-I-S, unlocked for 80,000 GP) for quick access.
Combat Strategy
Reanimated giants have 35 hitpoints and are relatively easy to kill, especially for players with high combat stats. They override single-way combat rules, so be prepared for immediate combat after reanimation.
- Melee: Use a high-damage weapon like a Rune Scimitar or Dragon Longsword.
- Ranged: Safespot using a Magic Shortbow or Crossbow for low-risk kills.
- Magic: Cast high-damage spells like Fire Bolt to combine Magic XP with Prayer training.
Maximizing Efficiency with Ensouled Giant Heads
To get the most out of ensouled giant heads, optimize your setup and strategy to reduce costs and increase XP rates.
Recommended Gear and Inventory
Gear:
- Zealot’s Robes: Each piece provides a 1.25% chance to save the ensouled head after reanimation (5% for the full set).
- Soul Bearer: Send heads directly to the bank, saving inventory space. Obtained from the Bear Your Soul miniquest.
- Rune Pouch: Store runes to free up inventory slots.
Inventory:
- 26 Ensouled Giant Heads
- Rune Pouch (Soul, Nature, Body Runes)
- Bank Teleport (e.g., Teleport to House)
- Slayer Ring (for Fairy Ring access)
XP Rates and Cost Analysis
Using ensouled giant heads yields around 200,000–250,000 Prayer XP per hour for high-combat players, assuming 200–250 kills per hour. The cost per head is roughly 1,400 GP (head + runes), totaling 2,130 GP per 650 Prayer XP. This is significantly cheaper than gilded altar methods but slower due to the combat and casting time.
| Method | GP/XP | XP/Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Ensouled Giant Heads | 3.28 | 200,000–250,000 |
| Dragon Bones (Gilded Altar) | 11.9 | 500,000 |
| Superior Dragon Bones (Gilded Altar) | ~10 | 1,050,000 |
Tips for Efficiency
- Combine with Slayer Tasks: Reanimate heads during hill giant Slayer tasks to gain Slayer XP simultaneously.
- Use Safespots: In the Catacombs, use eastern wall safespots to minimize damage.
- Batch Reanimations: Teleport to the Dark Altar, reanimate multiple heads, and bank using a house teleport for quick cycles.
Pros and Cons of Using Ensouled Giant Heads
Like any training method, ensouled giant heads have their strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if they’re right for your OSRS goals.
Advantages
- Cost-Effective: Cheaper than bones, with a low GP/XP ratio.
- Multi-Skill Training: Gain Magic, combat, and Prayer XP in one activity.
- Accessible: Dropped by common monsters like hill giants, making them easy to farm.
- Ironman-Friendly: Ideal for Ironmen who can farm heads without relying on the Grand Exchange.
Disadvantages
- Slower XP Rates: Significantly slower than gilded altar methods, capping at ~250,000 XP/hour.
- Combat Requirement: Requires decent combat stats to kill reanimated giants efficiently.
- Arceuus Favor: Needs 60% Arceuus favor to access the spellbook, which can be time-consuming for new players.
Conclusion
Ensouled giant heads in OSRS offer a budget-friendly and versatile method for training Prayer, especially for players who enjoy combining Magic and combat with their skilling. While slower than gilded altar methods, their low cost and multi-skill benefits make them a compelling choice for Ironmen, budget players, or those tackling Slayer tasks. By farming heads from giants, optimizing your gear with Zealot’s Robes and Soul Bearer, and using efficient reanimation strategies, you can make significant progress toward your Prayer goals without breaking the bank. Whether you’re battling hill giants in Edgeville Dungeon or reanimating heads at the Dark Altar, this method adds a dynamic twist to your OSRS adventure.