Dragon Dagger P OSRS Guide Unpacking Its Power and Uses

The Dragon Dagger (p), often called the poisoned dragon dagger, is a fan-favorite weapon in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Known for its deadly special attack and affordability, it’s a staple for players diving into PvP and PvM combat. This guide explores the Dragon Dagger (p), its stats, how to obtain it, its iconic special attack, and why it remains a go-to choice for many adventurers in Gielinor.

The Dragon Dagger (p) is a poisoned variant of the Dragon Dagger, the second-strongest dagger in OSRS, only surpassed by the Abyssal Dagger. Requiring 60 Attack and completion of the Lost City quest, it’s accessible to mid-level players. The poison effect adds consistent damage over time, making it a versatile weapon for both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-monster (PvM) scenarios.

Key Stats and Features

Attack Bonuses: +40 Stab, +25 Slash, -4 Crush, +1 Magic
Strength Bonus: +40
Defense Bonuses: +1 Magic
Attack Speed: 4 (2.4 seconds per hit)
Poison Effect: Deals 4 damage per tick initially (regular poison)

The Dragon Dagger (p) cannot be crafted via Smithing, like most dragon equipment, and its poisoned versions (p, p+, p++) vary in poison potency, with (p) being the base level.

Why Choose the Dragon Dagger (p)?

Its affordability (around 15,000–20,000 coins on the Grand Exchange) and potent special attack make it a budget-friendly knockout weapon. The poison adds extra damage without relying on special attack energy, ideal for prolonged fights.

Obtaining the Dragon Dagger (p)

Getting your hands on a Dragon Dagger (p) is straightforward, but poisoning it requires additional steps. Here’s how to acquire and prepare this weapon.

Purchasing the Base Dragon Dagger

The unpoisoned Dragon Dagger can be obtained through several methods:

Grand Exchange: The easiest option, costing 15,000–20,000 coins.
NPC Shops: Jukat in Zanaris sells it for 30,000 coins, or Rasolo near Baxtorian Falls for 60,000 coins. Urbi in Sophanem may stock it if players sell to her first.

Monster Drops: Rare drops from monsters like Dark Beasts or as loot from Magpie Implings (requires 65 Hunter).
Clue Scrolls: Elite clue scrolls occasionally reward Dragon Daggers.

Poisoning the Dagger

To create a Dragon Dagger (p), you need Weapon Poison, which applies the base poison effect. Here’s how:

Obtain Weapon Poison: Buy it from the Grand Exchange, get it as a drop (e.g., Ankou for regular poison), or craft it with 60 Herblore using Kwuarm and Dragon Scale Dust.
Apply Poison: Use the Weapon Poison on the Dragon Dagger to create the (p) variant. For stronger poisons (p+ or p++), you’ll need Weapon Poison (+) or (++) and higher Herblore levels (73 or 82).

Tip: Ironmen can farm Temple Spiders for Weapon Poison (+) or Chaos Elemental for Weapon Poison (++), as these are accessible without high Herblore.

The Puncture Special Attack

The Dragon Dagger’s special attack, Puncture, is what makes the (p) variant shine. It’s a devastating move that can turn the tide in combat.

How Puncture Works

Puncture delivers two simultaneous hits with the following boosts:

Accuracy: +15% per hit
Damage: +15% per hit
Energy Cost: 25% of special attack energy

In PvP, both hits land instantly, while in PvM, there’s a slight delay between hits against NPCs. The maximum hit under normal conditions is 50 damage per hit (100 total), or 54 per hit (108 total) with a Black Mask or Slayer Helm on a Slayer task. Rarely, poison damage can stack with the special, pushing the theoretical max to 106 (or 114 on-task).

Best Uses for Puncture

Puncture excels in specific scenarios:

PvP Combat: Its high burst damage makes it a popular “finisher” in player-killing, often paired with weapons like the Granite Maul for combo knockouts.
PvM: Great for Slayer tasks or bossing (e.g., Sarachnis) where quick, high-damage specs speed up kills.
Low-Defense Targets: Puncture’s accuracy boost shines against targets with low slash defense.

Comparing Dragon Dagger (p) Variants

The Dragon Dagger comes in multiple poisoned forms, each with different poison strengths. Here’s a breakdown:

Variant	Poison Type	Starting Poison Damage	Herblore Level to Craft	High Alchemy Value
Dragon Dagger (p)	Regular Poison	4 per tick	60	14,400 coins
Dragon Dagger (p+)	Weapon Poison (+)	5 per tick	73	14,400 coins
Dragon Dagger (p++)	Weapon Poison (++)	6 per tick	82	14,400 coins
Unpoisoned	None	0	N/A	18,000 coins

Note: Use a Cleaning Cloth to remove poison for higher alchemy profits, as the unpoisoned version yields 18,000 coins.

Which Variant Should You Use?

For most players, the Dragon Dagger (p) is sufficient, as the poison difference (4 vs. 6 damage) is minor compared to the cost of stronger poisons. Ironmen or budget players might stick with (p) due to easier access, while high-level players may opt for (p++) for maximum PvP efficiency.

Tips and Strategies for Using Dragon Dagger (p)

Maximize the Dragon Dagger (p)’s potential with these practical tips and combat strategies.

Combat Tips

Pair with High-Strength Gear: Equip items like the Berserker Necklace or Amulet of Strength to boost Puncture’s damage.
Combo with Other Specials: In PvP, use Puncture after a high-damage weapon like the Armadyl Godsword to secure kills.
Slayer Synergy: Bring the Dragon Dagger (p) on melee Slayer tasks for quick specs, especially with a Slayer Helm for the damage boost.

Conserve Special Energy: Since Puncture uses only 25% energy, you can spam it multiple times in longer fights.

Economy and Flipping Tips

The Dragon Dagger (p) and its variants are popular on the Grand Exchange, making them viable for flipping:

Buy Limit: 70 per 4 hours, allowing bulk purchases.
Price Volatility: Monitor GE Tracker for price trends, as demand spikes during PvP events or updates.

Alchemy Trick: Buy poisoned daggers, clean them with a Cleaning Cloth, and high-alch for a small profit (14,400 vs. 18,000 coins).

Myths and Misconceptions

Several myths surround the Dragon Dagger (p):

Myth: Poison weakens the special attack. Fact: Poison doesn’t affect Puncture’s damage, though you miss out on poison XP.

Myth: Unpoisoned daggers hit harder. Fact: All variants have identical stats; poison only adds extra damage over time.

Cultural Impact in OSRS

The Dragon Dagger, often called “DDS” (Dragon Dagger Super, from its old poisoned name), is iconic in OSRS culture. Its nickname persists despite Jagex renaming it to avoid confusion and scams. Reddit discussions highlight its nostalgic value, with players recalling its dominance in early PvP and even quirky rumors, like poisoning it with mushrooms.

In conclusion, the Dragon Dagger (p) is a powerful, budget-friendly weapon that punches above its weight in OSRS. Whether you’re a PvP enthusiast, Slayer grinder, or Ironman, its Puncture special attack and poison effect make it a versatile tool. Grab one from the Grand Exchange, poison it up, and unleash its potential in your next adventure!