OSRS: Does Augury Increase Damage? A Deep Dive into the Prayer’s Effects
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), players are always on the lookout for ways to maximize their damage output, whether they’re tackling bosses, slaying monsters, or dominating in PvP. One question that frequently pops up in the community is: Does Augury increase damage? Augury, a high-level prayer unlocked via the Chambers of Xeric, promises boosts to Magic Attack and Defence—but does it actually pump up your damage? In this blog post, we’ll explore Augury’s mechanics, its impact on combat, and whether it’s worth the investment for your OSRS adventures.
Before diving into the damage question, let’s break down what Augury is. Augury is a “forgotten prayer” in OSRS, requiring a Prayer level of 77 and a Defence level of 70 to use. It’s unlocked by obtaining an arcane prayer scroll, a tradeable reward from the Chambers of Xeric, which currently costs around 1.4 million GP on the Grand Exchange (as of April 9, 2025). Once unlocked, it’s yours to use indefinitely—no additional scrolls required.
Augury’s Base Stats
Augury provides the following boosts when activated:
These boosts make Augury a versatile prayer, blending offensive and defensive benefits. But the key point of contention is that Magic Damage +4%—does it meaningfully increase your damage output, or is it just a minor perk?
How to Unlock Augury
To get Augury, you’ll need to:
- Complete or participate in the Chambers of Xeric to earn an arcane prayer scroll.
- Purchase the scroll from the Grand Exchange if you’re not into raiding (price fluctuates around 1–1.5M GP).
- Read the scroll with 77 Prayer and 70 Defence to unlock it permanently.
It’s a one-time investment, but the upfront cost and stat requirements make it a mid-to-late-game unlock for most players.
Does Augury Increase Damage? The Short Answer
Yes, Augury does increase damage—but only for Magic-based attacks, and only by 4%. This boost was added as part of the Project Rebalance update in 2024, which aimed to tweak combat gear and prayers for better progression. Before this update, Augury offered no direct damage increase, focusing solely on accuracy and defence. Now, with the 4% Magic Damage boost, it has a tangible effect on your DPS (damage per second)—but the real question is, how significant is it?
Pre-2024: No Damage Boost
Historically, Augury didn’t increase your maximum hit or base damage. It boosted Magic Attack by 25%, which improved your accuracy (chance to hit), but not the raw damage per hit. This made it less appealing for DPS-focused scenarios compared to prayers like Rigour (for Ranged) or Piety (for Melee), which both increase damage directly.
Post-2024: The 4% Magic Damage Boost
The Project Rebalance update changed the game. Augury now adds a flat 4% increase to Magic Damage, stacking with gear like the Occult Necklace (+10% Magic Damage) or Ancestral robes. This applies to spells, magic weapons like the Trident of the Seas, and even powered staves like Tumeken’s Shadow—though there’s a catch with the latter, which we’ll cover later.
How Augury’s Damage Boost Works in Practice
To understand Augury’s impact, let’s look at how Magic Damage works in OSRS. Magic Damage is a multiplier applied to your base damage after accuracy rolls determine if you hit. The 4% boost from Augury increases your maximum hit and average damage by 4%, assuming you land the hit. But its effectiveness depends on your setup and the target’s Magic Defence.
Augury with Standard Magic Gear
Here’s an example with a basic setup:
- Gear: Trident of the Seas, Occult Necklace, Ahrim’s Robes
- Base Max Hit: 28 (Trident at 99 Magic)
- With Occult (+10%): 30.8 (rounded to 31)
- With Occult + Augury (+14% total): 31.92 (rounded to 32)
In this case, Augury bumps your max hit by 1, a modest but noticeable increase. Against low-Defence targets (e.g., Dagannoth Rex), this translates to a small DPS gain.
Augury with Tumeken’s Shadow
Tumeken’s Shadow, a Raids 3 reward, triples Magic Damage and accuracy bonuses from gear—but not from prayers. So, Augury’s 4% remains a flat 4%, not 12%. Example:
- Base Max Hit: 40 (simplified)
- With Occult (+10%, tripled to 30%): 52
- With Occult + Augury (+30% gear, +4% prayer): 54.4 (rounded to 54)
The boost is still just 2 extra damage, showing Augury’s limited impact with Shadow-heavy setups.
DPS Impact Across Scenarios
The actual DPS increase varies:
- Low Magic Defence (e.g., Rex, Nechryaels): ~3–4% DPS boost, since accuracy is already high.
- High Magic Defence (e.g., Wardens in ToA): ~5–6% DPS boost, as the accuracy from +25% Magic Attack pairs with the 4% damage.
It’s not a game-changer like Rigour’s 23% effective DPS boost for Ranged, but it’s a solid addition for Magic users.
When Should You Use Augury for Damage?
Augury shines in specific situations. Here’s when it’s worth flicking on for that 4% damage boost:
Bossing with Magic
For bosses like Zulrah, Chambers of Xeric, or the Corrupted Gauntlet, Augury’s mix of damage, accuracy, and defence makes it valuable. The 4% damage boost is small but stacks with other bonuses, and the +25% Magic Defence helps against magical attacks.
Slayer Tasks with Barraging
When bursting or barraging (e.g., Dust Devils, Nechryaels), Augury’s damage boost is less critical since these monsters have low Magic Defence. The 4% increase is nice, but the Prayer point cost might not justify it over Mystic Might (+15% Magic Attack) unless you’re also tanking hits.
PvP Scenarios
In the Wilderness or PvP worlds, Augury’s +25% Defence and Magic Attack can improve your survivability and splashing chance, while the 4% damage gives a slight edge. It’s a tanky, hybrid option compared to pure DPS prayers.
Is Augury Worth It for Damage? Pros and Cons
Let’s weigh the pros and cons to decide if Augury’s damage boost justifies its cost and Prayer drain (0.6 points per tick).
Pros of Augury
- Versatility: Combines offence (4% damage, 25% accuracy) and defence (25% boost).
- Permanent Unlock: One-time investment, unlike consumables.
- Stacks with Gear: Works alongside Occult, Ancestral, etc., for incremental gains.
Cons of Augury
- Modest Damage: 4% is small compared to Rigour or Piety’s boosts.
- High Cost: 1.4M GP plus 77 Prayer training isn’t cheap for early-game players.
- Prayer Drain: Requires prayer potions or flicking to sustain in long fights.
Comparison Table: Augury vs. Other Prayers
| Prayer | Damage Boost | Accuracy Boost | Defence Boost | Unlock Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augury | 4% Magic | 25% Magic | 25% | ~1.4M GP |
| Rigour | 20% Ranged | 23% Ranged | 25% | ~80M GP |
| Piety | 23% Strength | 20% Attack | 25% | Free (Quest) |
| Mystic Might | 0% | 15% Magic | 0% | Free |
Augury’s damage boost is the smallest, but its Magic focus and defensive utility set it apart.
Final Verdict
For pure damage, Augury isn’t a must-have—4% won’t revolutionize your kills. But if you’re a Magic enthusiast tackling varied content (PvM, PvP, or hybrid fights), its all-in-one package is worth it. Pair it with top-tier gear like Tumeken’s Shadow or Trident for best results.
So, does Augury increase damage in OSRS? Yes, by 4%, and while it’s not a massive leap, it’s a welcome buff that makes this forgotten prayer more relevant in 2025. Whether you unlock it depends on your playstyle, budget, and love for Magic. Happy scaping!