Best Way to Kill Elvarg in OSRS

Best Way to Kill Elvarg in OSRS

Defeating Elvarg in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rite of passage for players tackling the iconic Dragon Slayer I quest. This female green dragon, residing in the dungeon beneath Crandor, is a formidable foe, especially for free-to-play (F2P) players. With her ranged dragonfire attack and high damage output, preparation is key. This guide covers the best strategies, gear, and tactics to slay Elvarg efficiently, whether you’re a low-level adventurer or a seasoned player looking to optimize your approach.

Elvarg is no ordinary green dragon. Unlike typical chromatic dragons, she boasts unique abilities that make her a challenging opponent. Knowing her mechanics is crucial for a successful kill.

Combat Stats and Attacks

Elvarg has a combat level of 83, with 21000 lifepoints and a max hit of 720 (melee) or higher with dragonfire if unprotected. She uses two primary attacks:

  • Melee Attack: A standard close-range attack that can hit hard if your defense is low.
  • Dragonfire Attack: A ranged magic-based attack that can deal up to 1200 damage without an anti-dragon shield and drains 5-10% of your Prayer points per hit.

Unlike other dragons, Elvarg is not vulnerable to dragonbane weapons, and her dragonfire is particularly potent, making the anti-dragon shield mandatory.

Weaknesses and Resistances

Elvarg is weak to stab attacks, making weapons like the rune sword or rune dagger ideal for F2P players. She has high magic defense, so magic attacks often splash and are less effective. Ranged attacks are viable but less efficient due to her ranged defense.

Recommended Stats and Requirements

While it’s possible to defeat Elvarg at lower combat levels, having the right stats significantly reduces the difficulty. Here’s what you need to aim for.

Minimum and Optimal Stats

For F2P players, a combat level of 40-50 is sufficient, though higher stats make the fight smoother. Recommended stats include:

Skill Minimum Level Optimal Level
Attack 30 40+
Strength 30 40+
Defense 30 40+
Hitpoints 30 40+
Prayer 13 (Protect from Melee) 37 (Protect from Magic)

Members can benefit from 43 Prayer for Protect from Melee and access to antifire potions.

Quest Requirements

You must progress through the Dragon Slayer I quest to access Elvarg’s lair. This includes collecting the three map pieces, securing a ship, and obtaining an anti-dragon shield from Duke Horacio in Lumbridge.

Best Gear and Inventory Setup

Your gear and inventory are critical to surviving Elvarg’s onslaught. Since Dragon Slayer I is an F2P quest, we’ll focus on F2P setups, with notes for members.

F2P Melee Gear

The following setup maximizes damage and defense while staying affordable:

Inventory Setup

Your inventory should prioritize food and emergency items:

  • Food: 20-25 lobsters or swordfish (monkfish for members).
  • Potions: Strength potion (optional for F2P); super antifire potion (members).
  • Teleport: Amulet of glory (charged, for members) or Lumbridge teleport runes.
  • Spare Anti-dragon Shield: In case you accidentally unequip it.

Pro Tip: Fill remaining slots with food to maximize survivability. Avoid bringing too many potions, as eating food is more critical.

Combat Strategies and Tactics

With the right strategy, you can minimize Elvarg’s damage and take her down efficiently. Melee is the most effective approach for F2P players.

Melee Strategy

Melee is the go-to method due to Elvarg’s stab weakness and the simplicity of F2P combat:

  1. Preparation: Equip your anti-dragon shield before entering the lair. Drink a strength potion if available.
  2. Prayer Management: Use Protect from Melee (43 Prayer, members) or toggle Protect from Magic (37 Prayer) to reduce dragonfire damage. Be cautious, as dragonfire drains Prayer points.
  3. Positioning: Stand in melee range to avoid her ranged dragonfire attack becoming more frequent. There’s no safespot, so stay engaged.
  4. Combat: Use the “Accurate” attack style for stab weapons to maximize hit chance. Eat food when your health drops below 50% to avoid being comboed out.
  5. Flinching (Low Levels): If your stats are low, try flinching by attacking, then walking under Elvarg to reset her attack cycle. This reduces damage taken but is slower.

Ranged and Magic Alternatives

While less effective, ranged and magic are viable for specific playstyles:

  • Ranged: Use a maple shortbow with adamant arrows. Stay in melee range to reduce dragonfire frequency. Requires 40+ Ranged and lots of food due to lower accuracy.
  • Magic: Cast Wind Blast or Fire Bolt with a staff of air. Wear wizard robes and stand in melee range to avoid splashing. High magic defense makes this inefficient for F2P.

Note: Ranged and magic are riskier for low-level players due to Elvarg’s defenses and the need for more food. Melee is strongly recommended.

Tips for Low-Level Players

If your combat level is below 40, consider these additional tactics:

  • Train Stats: Grind to at least 30 in Attack, Strength, and Defense to use adamant gear and deal consistent damage.
  • Flinching: As mentioned, flinch by attacking and moving under Elvarg to minimize hits taken.
  • Team Up: Another player can weaken Elvarg, and you can deal the final blow to complete the quest. Be cautious of kill-stealing.

Post-Kill and Rewards

After defeating Elvarg, you’ll need to sever her head as proof for Oziach to complete the quest. This grants access to the Champions’ Guild and the ability to wear the rune platebody, green dragonhide body, and mystic top (for members).

Nightmare Zone Option

Once the quest is complete, you can fight Elvarg again in the Nightmare Zone for practice or rewards. The Nightmare Zone version always drops dragon bones and has slightly different mechanics (pure dragonfire attacks), but the anti-dragon shield is provided in the arena.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are pitfalls to steer clear of:

  • Forgetting the Anti-dragon Shield: Without it, Elvarg’s dragonfire can one-shot you.
  • Using Slash Weapons: Weapons like the rune scimitar are less effective due to Elvarg’s stab weakness.
  • Over-relying on Prayer: Dragonfire drains Prayer points, so don’t depend solely on Protect prayers.
  • Understocking Food: Bring a full inventory of high-healing food to avoid running out mid-fight.

With the right preparation, gear, and strategy, killing Elvarg in OSRS is an achievable and rewarding challenge. Equip your rune sword, stock up on lobsters, and head to Crandor to claim your title as a Dragon Slayer. Good luck, adventurer!