General Graardor OSRS Solo Guide: How to Conquer Bandos Alone

General Graardor OSRS Solo Guide: How to Conquer Bandos Alone


General Graardor, the fearsome leader of Bandos’ forces in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), is one of the most iconic bosses in the God Wars Dungeon. Known for his brutal melee attacks and valuable drops like the Bandos Chestplate and Tassets, he’s a popular target for solo players looking to test their skills and earn big rewards. Soloing General Graardor can be intimidating, but with the right setup, strategy, and practice, it’s entirely achievable—even for mid-level players. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to take on General Graardor solo in OSRS, from gear and inventory to combat tactics and tips for success.

Soloing General Graardor offers a unique challenge and a chance at some of the game’s most coveted loot without needing a team. Whether you’re an Ironman who can’t rely on group support or just enjoy the thrill of solo PvM, this boss fight is a rewarding endeavor. The potential profit—ranging from 500k to 2M GP per hour depending on your kill speed and luck—makes it a lucrative option too. Plus, mastering the solo method hones your skills for other high-level content in OSRS.

The Appeal of Soloing Bandos

Unlike team setups where roles like tank and DPS are split, soloing means you’re handling everything: tanking Graardor’s heavy hits, dealing damage, and managing his minions. This self-reliance builds confidence and offers a sense of accomplishment when you secure that first kill—or a rare drop like the Bandos Hilt.

Profit Potential

General Graardor’s drop table includes high-value items such as the Bandos Chestplate (1/127 chance per unique piece), Tassets, and Hilt, alongside consistent drops like runes and coins. Soloing maximizes your loot share, making each trip a potential goldmine.

Prerequisites for Soloing General Graardor

AFK General Graardor HM PvM Encyclopedia Guides

Before you step into Bandos’ Stronghold, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements and prepare adequately. This section covers the essentials to ensure you’re ready to face Graardor alone.

Stat Requirements

While there’s no strict minimum, the following stats are recommended for a smoother solo experience:

  • Attack: 80+ – For better accuracy with melee weapons.
  • Strength: 80+ – To maximize damage output (70 is required to enter the stronghold).
  • Defence: 80+ – To withstand Graardor’s melee and minion attacks.
  • Ranged: 80+ – If opting for a ranged kiting method.
  • Prayer: 70+ – For access to Piety or Rigour, boosting your combat effectiveness.
  • Hitpoints: 80+ – To survive prolonged fights.

Quest and Item Requirements

You’ll need to complete or partially complete certain quests and gather specific items:

Getting to the God Wars Dungeon

The fastest way to reach General Graardor is via a Trollheim Teleport (requires Eadgar’s Ruse and 61 Magic). From there, head north to the dungeon entrance. Bring a rope if it’s your first visit, and wear Bandos or Zamorak-aligned gear to avoid aggression from other factions’ minions.

Gear and Inventory Setup for Soloing General Graardor

Your gear and inventory are critical to surviving and succeeding against Graardor solo. Below, we’ll outline setups for both melee and ranged methods, catering to different budgets and playstyles.

Melee Setup

Melee is the most straightforward way to solo Graardor, balancing offence and defence. Here’s a recommended setup:

Slot High-End Gear Budget Gear
Head Neitiznot Faceguard Helm of Neitiznot
Body Bandos Chestplate Torso or Barrows (e.g., Torag’s)
Legs Bandos Tassets Barrows Legs (e.g., Dharok’s)
Weapon Abyssal Whip or Ghrazi Rapier Dragon Scimitar
Shield Dragonfire Shield Rune Defender
Cape Fire Cape Obsidian Cape
Amulet Amulet of Torture Amulet of Glory
Ring Berserker Ring (i) Warrior Ring

Notes: Prioritize high Ranged Defence to mitigate minion attacks, especially from Sergeant Steelwill (Magic) and Grimspike (Ranged). Use Protect from Melee at all times against Graardor.

Ranged Setup (Kiting Method)

For advanced players, kiting with ranged weapons like the Bow of Faerghninen (Bowfa) or Rune Crossbow can yield longer trips. Here’s a setup:

Notes: This method relies on the 6:0 or 7:0 kiting technique to avoid Graardor’s melee hits entirely.

Inventory Setup

Your inventory should balance food, potions, and utility items:

  • Food: 10-15 Sharks or Manta Rays (Anglerfish for combo eating).
  • Potions: 2-3 Super Combat Potions, 4-6 Prayer Potions, 1 Stamina Potion.
  • Teleports: Trollheim Teleport tabs, one-click emergency teleport (e.g., Ectophial).
  • Optional: 1-2 Saradomin Brews for emergencies, Bones to Peaches tabs for extended trips.

Combat Strategy: How to Solo General Graardor

General Graardor uses two main attacks: a melee punch (up to 60 damage) and a ranged slam (15-35 damage to all players in the room). His three minions—Sergeant Strongstack (Melee), Grimspike (Ranged), and Steelwill (Magic)—add complexity. Here’s how to tackle him solo.

Melee Strategy

The melee approach is simple but requires careful management:

  1. Enter the Room: Activate Protect from Melee and attack Graardor immediately to secure aggro.
  2. Walk Under Technique: After every 2-3 hits, walk under Graardor to reset his attack cycle, reducing damage taken.
  3. Minion Management: Once Graardor is down, switch to Protect from Magic to kill Steelwill, then Protect from Missiles for Grimspike, and finally Strongstack.
  4. Healing: Use food between kills or Bones to Peaches on minion bones (32 HP per cast).

Ranged Kiting Strategy (6:0 Method)

The 6:0 method lets you attack Graardor six times while taking zero hits per cycle:

  1. Positioning: Start in the southwest corner and run clockwise around the room.
  2. Kiting: Attack Graardor from max range (e.g., 10 tiles with Bowfa), moving after every 6 attacks to avoid his melee range.
  3. Prayer Flicking: Flick between Protect from Ranged (for Graardor’s slam) and Protect from Magic/Missiles for minions.
  4. Minions: Kill them after Graardor, using the same prayer switches as melee.

Tip: Practice in a low-risk environment first—this method is click-intensive but highly efficient.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Maximize your solo Graardor trips with these pro tips:

Optimizing Kill Count

To enter the boss room, you need 40 Bandos follower kills. Target the level 12 goblins north of the dungeon—they’re quick and easy. An Ecumenical Key (tradeable, up to 3 per trip) skips this step.

Extending Trips

  • Bones to Peaches: Convert minion bones for extra healing.
  • Minion Drops: Pick up sharks or chili potatoes dropped by minions to save inventory food.
  • Prayer Flicking: Flick Protect from Melee on Graardor’s attack ticks to conserve Prayer Potions.

Dealing with RNG

Graardor’s drops are luck-based, so don’t get discouraged by dry streaks. Average kills are worth 145k GP (including uniques), but a single Bandos item can net millions.

Soloing General Graardor in OSRS is a rite of passage for many players. Whether you’re swinging a whip or kiting with a bow, the key is preparation, practice, and persistence. Start with shorter trips to learn his mechanics, then scale up as you gain confidence. Ready to take on the Bandos boss alone? Grab your gear, head to the God Wars Dungeon, and claim your loot!