How to Summon Thralls in OSRS: A Complete Guide for 2025

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers players a variety of magical abilities, and one of the most intriguing additions to the game is the ability to summon thralls. Introduced with the Arceuus spellbook rework, thralls are undead minions that assist you in combat, providing consistent damage to your enemies. Whether you’re tackling tough bosses or grinding combat achievements, mastering thralls can give you a significant edge. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about summoning thralls in OSRS, updated for 2025, including requirements, mechanics, and practical tips to maximize their potential.
Thralls are undead entities summoned via resurrection spells in the Arceuus spellbook. These spectral allies attack your target alongside you, dealing small but reliable damage. Unlike traditional summoning mechanics in other games, thralls are tied to the magic skill and require specific conditions to be met before you can call them to your side. They’re particularly valued for their ability to bypass accuracy checks, making them a consistent damage source in various PvM scenarios.
Types of Thralls
There are three tiers of thralls, each with a corresponding resurrection spell:
- Lesser Thrall: The entry-level thrall with a max hit of 1.
- Superior Thrall: A mid-tier option with a max hit of 2.
- Greater Thrall: The strongest thrall, boasting a max hit of 3.
Each tier also comes in three combat styles: melee, ranged, and magic, allowing you to adapt them to different situations, though their damage output remains consistent across styles.
Why Use Thralls?
Thralls shine in prolonged fights or speed-based challenges. Their guaranteed hits (ranging from 0-3 depending on the tier) ignore enemy defenses, providing an average of 0.625 damage per second with Greater Thralls. This makes them invaluable for bosses like the Phantom Muspah, Zulrah, or even Chambers of Xeric, where every bit of extra damage counts.
Requirements for Summoning Thralls
Before you can summon thralls, you’ll need to meet several prerequisites. These involve quest completion, magic levels, and specific items. Here’s what you need to get started:
Quest Completion: A Kingdom Divided
To unlock the resurrection spells, you must complete the quest A Kingdom Divided. This quest is part of the Kourend storyline and requires the following:
- Quest Prerequisites: Completion of Client of Kourend, The Queen of Thieves, The Depths of Despair, The Ascent of Arceuus, and The Forsaken Tower.
- Skill Requirements: 54 Magic, 52 Mining, 42 Thieving, 38 Crafting, and 36 Woodcutting.
Finishing this quest grants access to the full Arceuus spellbook, including the thrall-summoning spells.
Magic Level and Runes
Each resurrection spell has a specific magic level requirement and rune cost:
Thrall Type | Magic Level | Runes Required | Prayer Points |
---|---|---|---|
Lesser Thrall | 38 | 1 Soul, 2 Air, 2 Fire | 2 |
Superior Thrall | 57 | 1 Soul, 2 Blood, 3 Fire | 4 |
Greater Thrall | 76 | 1 Soul, 2 Blood, 4 Fire | 6 |
Stock up on these runes, as you’ll need to recast the spell every 45 seconds (or longer with certain combat achievements).
Required Items
You’ll need the Book of the Dead, obtained upon completing A Kingdom Divided. This item must be either equipped or in your inventory to cast resurrection spells. Without it, the spell icons may appear active, but you’ll get an error message in the chatbox.
How to Summon Thralls: Step-by-Step
Summoning thralls is straightforward once you’ve met the requirements. Follow these steps to bring your undead allies into battle:
Step 1: Switch to the Arceuus Spellbook
Head to the Dark Altar in Arceuus or use a spellbook swap if you’re on another spellbook. The resurrection spells are exclusive to the Arceuus spellbook.
Step 2: Equip or Carry the Book of the Dead
Ensure the Book of the Dead is in your inventory or wielded in your off-hand slot. This is a common oversight for new users, so double-check before heading into combat.
Step 3: Cast the Resurrection Spell
Select the appropriate resurrection spell from your spellbook (e.g., Resurrect Greater Ghost for a Greater Magic Thrall). Ensure you have the required runes and at least 2-6 prayer points, depending on the spell. The thrall will appear and begin attacking your current target.
Step 4: Manage Your Thrall
Thralls last for 45 seconds (or up to a minute with certain combat achievements) and attack every 2.4 seconds. They’ll follow your target but won’t switch rooms or enter certain restricted areas (e.g., Corporeal Beast’s arena). Recast the spell as needed to keep them active.
Thrall Mechanics and Limitations
Understanding how thralls work is key to using them effectively. Here’s a breakdown of their mechanics and limitations:
Combat Mechanics
- Attack Speed: Thralls attack every 2.4 seconds (4 game ticks).
- Damage Output: Lesser (0-1), Superior (0-2), Greater (0-3), with 100% accuracy against most targets.
- Style Differences: Magic thralls hit one tick faster than ranged, while melee is instant on stationary targets.
While their damage is low, their reliability makes them a steady DPS boost.
Limitations and Restrictions
Thralls aren’t universally usable. They can’t be summoned in certain areas, such as:
- Vorkath’s lair
- Inside instanced boss rooms (e.g., Corporeal Beast)
- Areas where cannons are prohibited
Additionally, thralls won’t follow you between rooms and can’t attack other players, limiting their use in PvP.
Tips for Maximizing Thralls in OSRS
To get the most out of thralls, consider these practical tips tailored for 2025 gameplay:
Choose the Right Thrall
While Greater Thralls are the strongest, use the highest tier you can cast based on your magic level. For style, prioritize:
- Magic Thralls: Best for most scenarios due to their faster projectile hit.
- Melee Thralls: Ideal for stationary bosses (e.g., Xarpus in Theatre of Blood).
- Ranged Thralls: Situational, mainly for style-specific encounters.
Combine with Combat Achievements
Completing certain combat achievements extends thrall duration to 60 seconds, reducing the need to recast. Prioritize these tasks for efficiency.
Use in Specific Boss Fights
Thralls excel at bosses where extra DPS matters but magic spells aren’t critical. Examples include:
- Zulrah: Summon after boarding the boat for consistent damage.
- Phantom Muspah: Magic thralls boost DPS across phases.
- Duke Sucellus: Free damage during long fights.
Inventory Management
Carry extra runes and the Book of the Dead, but balance this with food and potions. Use a rune pouch to save space if possible.
Summoning thralls in OSRS is a game-changer for PvM enthusiasts. With the right setup and strategy, these undead allies can tip the scales in your favor, whether you’re chasing high scores or simply exploring Gielinor. Start with A Kingdom Divided, level your magic, and experiment with thralls in your next adventure. Happy summoning!