Brutal Black Dragons Guide OSRS – Ultimate Slayer Strategy
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), brutal black dragons are a formidable yet rewarding Slayer monster found in the Catacombs of Kourend. Requiring 77 Slayer, these dragons offer excellent profit and experience for players willing to gear up and strategize. This guide covers everything you need to know to slay brutal black dragons efficiently, including requirements, gear setups, strategies, and loot potential. Whether you’re a seasoned player or tackling them for the first time, this guide will help you maximize your kills and profits.
Before diving into the Catacombs, ensure you meet the basic requirements to fight brutal black dragons. These monsters are tough, and preparation is key to avoiding costly mistakes.
Slayer Level
You need at least 77 Slayer to damage brutal black dragons. If you’re close, you can use a Slayer wild pie to boost temporarily, but it’s recommended to grind to 77 for consistency.
Combat Stats
While not mandatory, high combat stats make kills faster and safer. Aim for:
- Ranged: 80+ (90+ ideal for efficiency)
- Prayer: 37+ (for Protect from Magic; 70+ for Rigour)
- Defence: 70+ (to reduce melee damage if accidentally hit)
Quests and Unlocks
No specific quests are required, but unlocking the Catacombs shortcut in Lovakengj (by climbing the vine from inside) saves time. Completing Monkey Madness II unlocks dragon javelin heads as a drop, boosting profit potential.
Accessing Brutal Black Dragons
Brutal black dragons reside deep in the Catacombs of Kourend, and getting there efficiently is crucial for sustained trips.
Location and Routes
You can reach them via two main paths:
- Main Route: Enter the Catacombs in Kourend, head west past brutal blue and red dragons, and arrive at the brutal black dragon area.
- Shortcut: Use the hole in Lovakengj (requires climbing the rope from inside the Catacombs first) for faster access. Teleport with Xeric’s talisman to return quickly.
Teleportation Tips
To optimize trips, restore health and prayer at your Player-owned house (POH) or Ferox Enclave. Use a Xeric’s talisman or Kourend Castle teleport to get back to the Catacombs. For Ferox, a Ring of Dueling is handy if your POH lacks an ornate rejuvenation pool.
Gear and Inventory Setup
Brutal black dragons are weak to ranged attacks, making crossbows and bows the go-to weapons. Your gear and inventory choices significantly impact kill speed and profit.
Recommended Gear
Below are three gear setups tailored to different budgets:
| Slot | Budget Setup | Mid-Tier Setup | Max Efficiency Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Rune crossbow | Dragon hunter crossbow | Twisted bow |
| Ammo | Ruby bolts (e) | Diamond bolts (e) | Dragon arrows |
| Head | Black d’hide coif | Armadyl helmet | Masori mask |
| Body | Black d’hide body | Armadyl chestplate | Masori body |
| Legs | Black d’hide chaps | Armadyl chainskirt | Masori chaps |
| Neck | Amulet of glory | Amulet of fury | Necklace of anguish |
| Ring | Ring of wealth | Archers ring | Archers ring (i) |
Notes:
- The dragon hunter crossbow is a cost-effective choice with high accuracy against dragons.
- Elite void armor is viable but less effective than Armadyl or Masori due to the dragons’ high defense.
- Use an Ava’s assembler to save ammo.
Inventory Setup
Your inventory should balance combat essentials with space for loot:
- 2-3 Prayer potions: For Protect from Magic and Rigour (if available).
- 1 Divine ranging potion: Boosts ranged accuracy and damage.
- 1 Extended antifire potion: Nullifies dragonfire with Protect from Magic.
- Teleportation items: Xeric’s talisman, house teleport, or Ring of Dueling.
- Emergency food: 1-2 sharks for mistakes (rarely needed).
- Remaining slots: For loot like dragon bones and hides.
Combat Strategy and Tips
Brutal black dragons use melee, magic, and long-range dragonfire, but with the right setup, you can avoid nearly all damage. Here’s how to slay them effectively.
Preparation Before Combat
Before entering the dragon area:
- Drink a dose of divine ranging potion and extended antifire.
- Activate Protect from Magic and Rigour (or Eagle Eye if no Rigour).
- Click the hole/rope to enter, then position yourself at a safe distance.
Safespotting and Positioning
Brutal black dragons can be safespotted to avoid melee damage:
- Safespot: Stand a few tiles away so only magic and dragonfire attacks reach you. With Protect from Magic and antifire active, these deal zero damage.
- Movement: If picking up loot, watch for aggressive dragons to avoid melee hits, which can deal up to 29 damage.
Maximizing Kills Per Hour
With optimal gear and stats, you can achieve 50-75 kills per hour:
- Budget setup: ~40-50 kills/hr (1.2-1.5M gp/hr).
- Mid-tier setup: ~55-65 kills/hr (1.6-1.9M gp/hr).
- Max setup: ~70-75 kills/hr (2-2.2M gp/hr).
Tip: Switch to diamond bolts (e) after ruby bolts proc to maximize damage output.
Loot and Profit Potential
Brutal black dragons are a top money-making method due to their consistent and valuable drops. Here’s what you can expect.
Common Drops
Every kill guarantees:
- Dragon bones: 100% drop, worth ~2,500 gp each.
- Black dragonhide: 2 per kill, worth ~3,000 gp total.
Other frequent drops include coins, runes, and alchable items like dragon platelegs/skirts (1/512 chance).
Rare and Unique Drops
The real money comes from rare drops:
- Draconic visage: 1/10,000 chance, worth ~5M gp.
- Dragon spear: 1/128 chance from the unique drop table, worth ~40k gp.
- Dragon javelin heads: 1/128 chance (post-Monkey Madness II), worth ~1k each.
- Clue scrolls: Hard (1/128) and elite (1/250) for extra rewards.
Average Profit
The average kill is worth ~30,875 gp, with Konar tasks boosting this to ~33,239 gp. After supply costs (potions, bolts), expect:
- Net profit: 1.1-2.2M gp/hr, depending on gear and luck.
- Costs: ~200-600k gp/hr for potions and ammo.
Pro Tip: Wear a ring of wealth to replace “nothing” drops with a chance at the gem drop table, slightly increasing profit.
Slaying brutal black dragons in OSRS is a profitable and engaging activity for high-level Slayers. With the right gear, a safespot strategy, and efficient teleports, you can rake in millions per hour while progressing your Slayer level. Focus on optimizing your setup, watch your prayer and antifire timers, and enjoy the loot. Ready to take on these dragons? Gear up and head to the Catacombs of Kourend!