OSRS Elder Maul Update: Everything You Need to Know About the Latest Changes

The Elder Maul in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) has long been a fan-favorite weapon for its raw power and iconic design. Recently, Jagex rolled out a significant update to this two-handed crush weapon as part of the Project Rebalance initiative, breathing new life into its utility and sparking excitement across the community. Whether you’re a PvM enthusiast, a PvP warrior, or just a curious adventurer, this blog post dives deep into the OSRS Elder Maul update, its impact on gameplay, and why it’s making waves in Gielinor. Let’s explore what’s changed, how it affects your strategies, and what the future holds for this mighty maul.

A Brief History of the Elder Maul

Introduced as a reward from the Chambers of Xeric raid, the Elder Maul quickly established itself as a top-tier crush weapon requiring 75 Attack and Strength to wield. Known for its massive +135 Strength bonus—surpassing even the godswords—it was a symbol of brute force. However, despite its impressive stats, the weapon lacked a special attack and suffered from a slow attack speed, limiting its practical use in many scenarios.

Pre-Update Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: Highest Strength bonus in OSRS, excellent for high-damage single hits, particularly in PvP as a knockout (KO) weapon.
Weaknesses: No special attack, slow attack speed (5 ticks), outclassed by faster weapons like the Abyssal Bludgeon in sustained PvM damage.

Before the update, the Elder Maul found its niche against specific bosses like Tekton in Chambers of Xeric or as a finisher in PvP, but its lack of versatility kept it from being a meta-defining weapon.

The Project Rebalance Update: A Game-Changer for the Elder Maul

Introducing the Pulverize Special Attack

The centerpiece of the Elder Maul update, announced in the Project Rebalance blog on April 23, 2024, is the addition of the Pulverize special attack. Here’s what it brings to the table:

Cost: 50% special attack energy
Effect: Increases accuracy by 25% and, on a successful hit, reduces the target’s Defence by 35% of its current value
Stacking: Defence reductions stack with multiple successful hits, making it a potent tool for prolonged fights

This change transforms the Elder Maul from a one-dimensional damage dealer into a utility powerhouse, rivaling and even surpassing the Dragon Warhammer (DWH) in certain scenarios.

Comparison to Dragon Warhammer

Feature	Elder Maul (Post-Update)	Dragon Warhammer
Special Attack Cost	50%	50%
Accuracy Bonus	+25%	None
Defence Reduction	35% of current value	30% of current value
Strength Bonus	+135	+95
Inventory Slots	2-handed	1-handed (often paired with a defender)

The Elder Maul now offers superior accuracy and a slightly higher Defence reduction compared to the DWH, plus it frees up an inventory slot by not requiring a shield or defender—perfect for raids where space is precious.

Impact on PvM and PvP Gameplay

Elder Maul in PvM: A New Meta?

The Pulverize special attack has elevated the Elder Maul’s role in PvM, particularly in end-game content like Chambers of Xeric, Theatre of Blood, and Corporeal Beast fights. Against high-Defence bosses, its ability to stack Defence reductions makes it a viable alternative—or even a replacement—for the DWH. For example:

Tekton: The first Pulverize hit is guaranteed to land, followed by stacking reductions that shred his Defence.
Corporeal Beast: Paired with a high-damage weapon like the Scythe of Vitur, the Elder Maul maximizes team efficiency.

Players using two-handed weapons like the Scythe can now swap the DWH and defender combo for the Elder Maul, gaining an extra inventory slot for supplies or switches.

Elder Maul in PvP: A Knockout King

In PvP, the Elder Maul was already a respected KO weapon due to its high Strength bonus. The addition of Pulverize enhances its utility by softening up tanky opponents, making follow-up hits from weapons like the Granite Maul or Ancient Godsword even deadlier. The +25% accuracy boost ensures it lands more consistently, cementing its place in hybrid and max-strength builds.

Community Reception and Market Impact

Player Feedback on the Update

The OSRS community has largely embraced the Elder Maul update, with discussions on Reddit (e.g., r/2007scape) praising its newfound versatility. Some players argue it outshines the DWH in most scenarios, while others feel the Bandos Godsword (BGS) retains its edge for massive single-hit Defence drains (e.g., in Tombs of Amascut). The consensus? It’s a welcome buff that gives the Elder Maul a distinct identity without breaking game balance.

Grand Exchange Price Surge

Following the Project Rebalance announcement, the Elder Maul’s price skyrocketed from around 40M GP to over 80M GP in a single day, peaking at 160M GP as speculators and PvMers stockpiled it. As of April 7, 2025, it has stabilized around 120M-140M GP, reflecting its increased demand. However, some Reddit users (e.g., r/OSRSflipping) warn of a potential post-update crash if supply floods the market from hoarders cashing out.

Tips and Strategies for Using the Elder Maul Post-Update

Best PvM Scenarios

To maximize the Elder Maul’s potential in PvM, consider these strategies:

Team Coordination: Use Pulverize early in boss fights to lower Defence, letting teammates deal higher DPS.
Solo Play: Pair it with a fast-attacking weapon (e.g., Inquisitor’s Mace) to alternate between Defence reduction and damage.
Inventory Management: Leverage its two-handed nature to bring extra food or potions instead of a shield.

PvP Combos

In PvP, try these combos to dominate:

Elder Maul + Granite Maul: Use Pulverize to weaken Defence, then chain into a Granite Maul spec for a quick KO.
Elder Maul + Ancient Godsword: Stack Defence reduction and finish with the godsword’s massive special attack.

Gearing Up

Optimize your setup with crush-focused gear:

Helmet: Inquisitor’s Great Helm (+2.5% crush bonus with set)
Armor: Full Inquisitor’s Armour for the +2.5% damage and accuracy boost
Amulet: Amulet of Torture for raw Strength

What’s Next for the Elder Maul?

Future Content and Buffs

With Sailing set to launch in Autumn 2025 and new grandmaster quests like The Blood Moon Rises on the horizon (early 2026), the Elder Maul could see even more relevance if Jagex introduces crush-weak bosses or mechanics favoring Defence reduction. Community suggestions on forums like Reddit also hint at potential tweaks, such as a slight attack speed buff, though Jagex has yet to confirm further changes.

Long-Term Value

As a rare drop from Chambers of Xeric, the Elder Maul’s supply remains limited, supporting its long-term value. If its meta status solidifies—especially in raids and PvP—it could climb to 150M-200M GP, making it a worthwhile investment for flippers and players alike.

The OSRS Elder Maul update has redefined this iconic weapon, blending raw power with strategic utility. Whether you’re smashing bosses or foes in the Wilderness, the Pulverize special attack opens up new possibilities. Have you tried the updated Elder Maul yet? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned for more OSRS guides and updates!