How to Get to Bandos in OSRS: A Step-by-Step Guide for Adventurers

Navigating to Bandos’ Stronghold in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a thrilling journey that sets the stage for battling General Graardor, one of the game’s iconic bosses. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer eager to tackle the God Wars Dungeon, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to reach Bandos efficiently. From preparation to travel routes, we’ll cover the essentials to ensure you arrive ready to fight. Let’s dive into the adventure!

Bandos, led by General Graardor in the God Wars Dungeon, is a hotspot for players seeking high-value loot like the Bandos Chestplate, Tassets, or the coveted Bandos Hilt. The challenge of facing this mighty Ourg and his minions is matched by the potential rewards, making it a must-visit for PvM enthusiasts. Getting there, however, requires careful planning due to the dungeon’s remote location and specific entry requirements.

Understanding the God Wars Dungeon

The God Wars Dungeon lies north of Trollheim, a treacherous area filled with aggressive monsters. Bandos’ Stronghold is one of four boss chambers within, each aligned with a god (Bandos, Armadyl, Saradomin, Zamorak). To reach Bandos, you’ll need to traverse the dungeon, gather kill count, and meet a unique stat requirement.

Preparation Before Heading to Bandos

Before you set out, preparation is key to a smooth trip. You’ll need the right stats, quests, items, and gear to avoid setbacks. Here’s how to get ready.

Stat Requirements

To enter Bandos’ Stronghold, you must have:

• Level 70 Strength: Required to access the Bandos chamber (cannot be boosted).
• Recommended Combat Stats: At least 85+ Attack, Strength, and Defence for solo or team fights, plus 70+ Prayer for protection prayers.
• Optional: 60 Agility or 60 Strength to navigate Trollheim shortcuts.

Quests to Unlock Access

Completing certain quests simplifies your journey to the God Wars Dungeon:

• Eadgar’s Ruse: Unlocks Trollheim Teleport (requires 61 Magic).
• Troll Stronghold: Partial completion (fighting “Dad”) grants access to Trollheim shortcuts.
• Death Plateau: Necessary for initial God Wars Dungeon entry.

If you haven’t done these, expect a longer route through Trollheim or reliance on alternative travel methods.

Essential Items to Bring

Packing the right items ensures safety and efficiency. Here’s a checklist:

• Rope: Needed for your first visit to the God Wars Dungeon entrance.
• Hammer: Required to enter Bandos’ Stronghold (can be obtained from goblins if forgotten).
• God Items: Equip one Bandos item (e.g., Bandos Boots) and one Zamorak item (e.g., Unholy Symbol) to avoid aggression from minions in the dungeon.
• Teleport Method: Trollheim Teleport tablets or runes for quick access.
• Food and Potions: Sharks, Saradomin Brews, and Super Restores for combat prep.

Fastest Route to Bandos’ Stronghold

Getting to Bandos involves traveling to the God Wars Dungeon and navigating to the Bandos chamber. The fastest method uses Trollheim Teleport, but alternatives exist for those without the requirements.

Using Trollheim Teleport (Recommended)

If you’ve completed Eadgar’s Ruse, follow these steps:

1. Cast Trollheim Teleport (requires 61 Magic, 2 Law runes, 2 Fire runes) or use a teleport tablet.
2. From the teleport spot, run east and use the agility shortcut (requires 60 Agility) or climb down the rocks (60 Strength).
3. Head north past thrower trolls, using Protect from Ranged prayer to avoid damage.
4. Push the boulder aside (60 Strength) to reach the dungeon entrance.
5. If it’s your first visit, use a rope to descend into the God Wars Dungeon.

Alternative Route Without Teleport

Without Trollheim Teleport, you’ll take a longer path from Burthorpe:

1. Start at Burthorpe and head north toward Trollheim, following the path to Death Plateau.
2. Climb the cliffs (climbing boots recommended unless Troll Stronghold is completed).
3. Navigate through troll camps, avoiding or fighting aggressive trolls.
4. Reach the God Wars Dungeon entrance north of Trollheim and use a rope if it’s your first time.

This route is slower and more dangerous, so prioritize unlocking Trollheim Teleport for efficiency.

Navigating the God Wars Dungeon to Bandos

Once inside the God Wars Dungeon, you’re not at Bandos yet—you need to gather kill count and locate the Stronghold. Here’s how to proceed.

Gathering Kill Count

To enter Bandos’ chamber, you need 40 kill count from Bandos-aligned monsters (e.g., goblins, hobgoblins, ogres). The easiest method:

• Target Goblins: Level 12 goblins spawn just north of the dungeon entrance. They’re weak and drop hammers if you forgot one.
• Use Ranged or Magic: Attack from a distance to minimize damage and speed up kills.
• Track Kills: Your kill count is displayed in the chatbox. Stop at 40 to avoid wasting time.

Pro Tip: If you have an Ecumenical Key (dropped by monsters in the Wilderness God Wars Dungeon), you can skip kill count and enter the chamber directly, but these are rare and single-use.

Entering Bandos’ Stronghold

With 40 kill count and 70 Strength, head to the north-western corner of the dungeon:

1. Navigate past other god factions’ minions, keeping your Bandos and Zamorak items equipped to avoid attacks.
2. Locate the Bandos door, marked by its distinct rocky appearance.
3. Use a hammer to “bang” the door, consuming your kill count and granting access (requires 70 Strength).

Inside, you’ll face General Graardor and his minions—be ready for combat!

Tips for a Successful Bandos Trip

Reaching Bandos is just the beginning. These tips will help you maximize your trip and prepare for the fight ahead.

Gear and Inventory Setup

While this guide focuses on getting to Bandos, your gear matters for surviving the dungeon and boss fight. A basic setup includes:

Slot	Item	Budget Alternative
Head	Neitiznot Faceguard	Helm of Neitiznot
Chest	Bandos Chestplate	Torag’s Platebody
Legs	Bandos Tassets	Torag’s Platelegs
Weapon	Abyssal Whip	Dragon Scimitar
Shield	Dragonfire Shield	Rune Kiteshield

Bring 8-10 high-healing foods (e.g., Sharks), 2-3 Prayer Potions, and a teleport for emergencies.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Steer clear of these pitfalls:

• Forgetting God Items: Without Bandos and Zamorak items, minions will attack, draining your resources.
• Ignoring Kill Count: Always confirm you have 40 kills before heading to the door.
• Underestimating Travel: The Trollheim route is hazardous without Protect from Ranged or proper gear.

Maximizing Efficiency

Save time with these tricks:

• Use Teleport Tablets: Convert House Teleport tablets to Trollheim Teleport using Nightmare Zone reward scrolls.
• Private Instances: Pay 125,000 GP at the dungeon entrance for a private Bandos instance to avoid competition.
• Bank Nearby: Restock at Burthorpe or Trollheim after trips to minimize downtime.

With these steps, you’re now equipped to reach Bandos’ Stronghold in OSRS like a pro. The journey may seem daunting, but with preparation and the right strategy, you’ll be facing General Graardor in no time. Grab your gear, rally your friends, and embark on this epic adventure—glory and loot await!