Best Place to Farm Dragon Bones in OSRS

Dragon bones are a cornerstone of training the Prayer skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Offering 72 Prayer experience when buried, up to 288 when used at the Ectofuntus, or 252 at a gilded altar with both burners lit, they’re a highly sought-after resource for players aiming to level up efficiently. With their high experience yield and decent market value, farming dragon bones can also be a profitable venture. But where’s the best place to farm them? This guide dives into the top locations, strategies, and tips to maximize your dragon bone collection, whether you’re an Ironman or a main account player.
Farming dragon bones is appealing for several reasons. They provide substantial Prayer experience, making them one of the most efficient ways to reach high Prayer levels, which unlock powerful combat prayers like Piety or Augury. Additionally, dragons always drop bones alongside valuable hides, making this a lucrative activity. For Ironmen, self-farming bones is often necessary, while main accounts can profit significantly from selling hides and other loot. Understanding the best spots and methods ensures you get the most out of your time in Gielinor.
Key Benefits of Dragon Bones
- High Prayer XP: 72 XP when buried, up to 288 XP at Ectofuntus.
- Profit Potential: Dragon hides and other drops can yield 150K–450K GP per hour.
- Accessibility: Available to both F2P and members, with varying difficulty levels.
Top Locations for Farming Dragon Bones
The best place to farm dragon bones depends on your combat level, gear, and risk tolerance. Below, we explore the most efficient locations, focusing on accessibility, safety, and bone yield. Green and blue dragons are the primary targets due to their lower combat levels and consistent bone drops.
Green Dragons in the Wilderness
Green dragons (level 79) are the lowest-level dragons that drop dragon bones, making them ideal for mid-level players. Found in various Wilderness locations, they’re a popular choice due to their high profitability and decent bone drop rate. However, the Wilderness introduces the risk of player killers (PKers).
- Locations: Level 12–15 (north of Goblin Village), level 18–24 (east of Bone Yard), level 48–52 (south of Lava Maze).
- Pros: High profit (up to 450K GP/hour), fast kills, elite Wilderness Diary auto-notes bones.
- Cons: PKer risk, requires anti-PK strategies.
Tip: Use the level 12–15 spot near Goblin Village for quick escapes. Bring a burning amulet for fast teleports to Bandit Camp and only carry items you’re willing to lose.
Blue Dragons in Taverley Dungeon
Blue dragons (level 111) are a safer alternative for players avoiding the Wilderness. Located in Taverley Dungeon, they’re accessible with 70 Agility for the shortcut or a dusty key. These dragons are popular for Ironmen due to their consistent bone and hide drops and safe environment.
- Location: Taverley Dungeon (south of Taverley, near Falador).
- Pros: No PKer risk, afk-friendly, nearby bank in Falador.
- Cons: Higher combat level than green dragons, crowded worlds.
Tip: Use magic (e.g., Fire Bolt with Chaos Gauntlets) for faster kills, as blue dragons have low magic defense.
Myths’ Guild Basement
For high-level players with access to the Myths’ Guild (post-Dragon Slayer II), the basement houses blue dragons in a safe, convenient location. The guild’s teleport and nearby bank make this spot highly efficient.
- Location: Myths’ Guild basement (Corsair Cove).
- Pros: Safe, fast banking, less crowded.
- Cons: Requires Dragon Slayer II, high-level gear recommended.
Tip: Use a high-DPS weapon like a Dragon Scimitar or Abyssal Whip to maximize kill speed.
Catacombs of Kourend (Black Dragons)
Black dragons (level 227) in the Catacombs of Kourend drop dragon bones and are viable for high-level players. The multi-combat area allows for faster kills with a cannon or team, but their high combat level makes them less accessible for mid-level players.
- Location: Catacombs of Kourend (Great Kourend).
- Pros: Safe, multi-combat, additional loot (e.g., totem pieces).
- Cons: High combat level, requires strong gear.
Tip: Bring a cannon and Protect from Melee to handle multiple dragons efficiently.
Strategies for Efficient Farming
To maximize your dragon bone yield, you need a solid strategy. This includes choosing the right gear, managing inventory, and optimizing your trips. Below are key tips to streamline your farming process.
Gear and Setup
Your gear should balance DPS and survivability. For green and blue dragons, mid-to-high-level gear is sufficient, while black dragons require top-tier equipment.
Slot | Recommended Gear | Alternative (Budget) |
---|---|---|
Weapon | Abyssal Whip, Dragon Scimitar | Rune Scimitar |
Shield | Anti-Dragon Shield | Dragonfire Shield |
Armor | Void Knight, Bandos | Rune Armor |
Potions | Super Attack/Strength | Regular Attack/Strength |
Tip: Always bring an Anti-Dragon Shield or Super Antifire potion to negate dragonfire damage.
Inventory Management
Efficient inventory management extends your trips and boosts profitability. Prioritize picking up dragon bones and hides, and consider the following:
- Beast of Burden: Use a Spirit Terrorbird or War Tortoise to carry extra loot.
- Looting Bag: In the Wilderness, store hides in a looting bag to free up inventory space.
- Noting Bones: Elite Wilderness Diary auto-notes bones, reducing banking trips.
Combat Tips
Maximize your kill speed with these combat strategies:
- Protect from Melee: Use this prayer against blue and black dragons to reduce damage.
- Magic for Blue Dragons: Their low magic defense makes spells like Fire Bolt effective.
- Cannon in Multi-Combat: Deploy a dwarf multicannon in the Catacombs for faster black dragon kills.
Maximizing Profit from Dragon Bones
Beyond Prayer training, dragon bones can be a goldmine if you sell them or their associated loot. Here’s how to maximize your profits.
Market Awareness
Check the Grand Exchange regularly for dragon bone and hide prices. Prices fluctuate, so sell when demand is high. Currently, dragon bones fetch around 2,000–3,000 GP each, and green dragonhides sell for about 1,150 GP.
Loot Collection
Always pick up dragon hides, as they significantly boost your hourly profit. Other notable drops include hard clue scrolls (green dragons) and rare items like the Draconic Visage (black dragons).
Prayer Training vs. Selling
Decide whether to use bones for Prayer or sell them. For Ironmen, using bones at a gilded altar or Ectofuntus is ideal. Main accounts might profit more by selling bones and buying cheaper alternatives like big bones for training.
Challenges and Solutions
Farming dragon bones isn’t without its hurdles. Here’s how to tackle common issues:
Dealing with PKers in the Wilderness
PKers are a constant threat when farming green dragons. Mitigate this by:
- 3-Iteming: Only bring an Anti-Dragon Shield, weapon, and armor piece to minimize risk.
- Teleportation: Carry a burning amulet or glory for quick escapes.
- World Hopping: Switch worlds if PKers appear.
Crowded Worlds
Popular spots like Taverley Dungeon can be overcrowded. Hop worlds or farm during off-peak hours to secure a spot.
High Combat Requirements
Black dragons and Vorkath require strong gear and high combat stats. Stick to green or blue dragons if you’re mid-level, and train combat elsewhere before tackling tougher foes.
Conclusion
Farming dragon bones in OSRS is a rewarding endeavor, blending Prayer training with solid profit potential. For mid-level players, green dragons in the Wilderness offer high rewards with some risk, while blue dragons in Taverley Dungeon provide a safer, afk-friendly alternative. High-level players can opt for the Myths’ Guild or Catacombs of Kourend for efficiency and additional loot. By choosing the right location, gear, and strategy, you’ll maximize your bone yield and GP per hour. So, grab your Anti-Dragon Shield, head to your chosen spot, and start farming those bones!