OSRS Elder Maul Update What You Need to Know

The Elder Maul, one of the most iconic crush weapons in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), received a significant update in 2024 that transformed its role in both PvM and PvP scenarios. This blog post dives deep into the changes introduced, their impact on gameplay, and how players can leverage the revamped Elder Maul to enhance their adventures in Gielinor. Whether you’re a seasoned raider or a casual player eyeing this two-handed behemoth, here’s everything you need to know about the Elder Maul update.

Before we explore the update, let’s recap what makes the Elder Maul special. Introduced as a reward from the Chambers of Xeric, the Elder Maul has long been a high-tier crush weapon requiring 75 Attack and Strength to wield. It boasts the highest strength bonus among melee weapons, surpassing even the godswords. However, its slower attack speed and lack of a special attack prior to the update limited its versatility compared to alternatives like the Abyssal Bludgeon.

Pre-Update Challenges

Despite its raw power, the Elder Maul struggled to find a consistent place in many players’ inventories. Its high strength bonus was appealing, but its drawbacks were significant:

Slow Attack Speed: With a 6-tick attack cycle, it lagged behind faster weapons like the Abyssal Bludgeon.
No Special Attack: Unlike the Dragon Warhammer, it lacked a utility-driven special attack, reducing its appeal for bosses requiring defense reduction.
Niche Use Cases: It was primarily used against high-defense targets like Tekton or as a PvP finisher, limiting its overall utility.

These factors made the Elder Maul a situational choice, often overshadowed by more versatile options.

The 2024 Elder Maul Update

In April 2024, Jagex rolled out the Project Rebalance update, which included a game-changing overhaul for the Elder Maul. The most notable addition was a brand-new special attack, addressing one of the weapon’s biggest weaknesses and elevating its status in the meta.

Introducing the Pulverize Special Attack

The Elder Maul’s new special attack, Pulverize, costs 50% of your special attack energy and brings the following effects:

Increased Accuracy: Boosts your attack accuracy by 25% for the strike.
Defense Reduction: On a successful hit, reduces the target’s Defense by 35% of its current value.
Stackable Effect: Multiple successful hits further reduce Defense, with each reduction calculated from the target’s current temporary level.

This makes the Elder Maul a superior alternative to the Dragon Warhammer in many scenarios, as it offers a more potent defense drain without requiring an off-hand item like the Avernic Defender.

Comparison to Dragon Warhammer

To understand the Elder Maul’s new role, let’s compare it to its closest competitor, the Dragon Warhammer (DWH):

Feature	Elder Maul	Dragon Warhammer
Special Attack Cost	50%	50%
Accuracy Bonus	+25%	None
Defense Reduction	35% of current level	30% of current level
Crush Bonus	+147	+95
Strength Bonus	+135	+85
Inventory Slots	Two-handed	One-handed (often paired with a defender)

The Elder Maul’s higher crush and strength bonuses, combined with its accuracy boost, make it a more reliable choice for landing critical defense-draining hits, especially in raids like Chambers of Xeric or Theatre of Blood.

Impact on PvM Meta

The update has reshaped the Elder Maul’s role in Player versus Monster (PvM) content, making it a must-have for specific encounters. Let’s break down where it shines.

Raids and High-Defense Bosses

The Pulverize special attack is a game-changer for bosses with high Defense, such as:

Tekton (Chambers of Xeric): The Elder Maul’s first special attack is guaranteed to hit Tekton, and subsequent hits stack Defense reduction, making it ideal for speeding up kills.
Corporeal Beast: With its massive Defense, the Corporeal Beast is a prime target for the Elder Maul’s stacking reductions.
Theatre of Blood: Certain encounters benefit from precise Defense drains, where the Elder Maul outshines the Dragon Warhammer.

Players now have more flexibility in their raid setups, as the Elder Maul frees up an inventory slot compared to the Dragon Warhammer and defender combo.

Other PvM Applications

Beyond raids, the Elder Maul has niche uses against monsters weak to crush attacks, such as:

Chaos Elemental: Its high Defense and crush weakness make it a good target.
Vet’ion: The Elder Maul’s heavy hits complement strategies against this Wilderness boss.
Cerberus: Crush-focused builds benefit from the Maul’s raw power.

While it still doesn’t outclass the Abyssal Bludgeon against low-Defense targets, the special attack gives it a unique utility that justifies its place in specific loadouts.

PvP Implications

In Player versus Player (PvP) combat, the Elder Maul was already a respected finisher due to its high strength bonus. The update has expanded its potential, making it a versatile choice for both primary and knockout roles.

Enhanced Knockout Potential

The Pulverize special attack adds a new layer to PvP strategies:

Defense Reduction: Lowering an opponent’s Defense mid-fight sets up devastating follow-up hits from weapons like the Granite Maul or even the Elder Maul itself.
Accuracy Boost: The +25% accuracy ensures the special attack lands more consistently, critical in high-stakes PKing scenarios.

With most PvP armor offering lower crush Defense compared to slash or stab, the Elder Maul’s natural accuracy remains a significant advantage.

Combo Potential

PKers have started experimenting with Elder Maul combos, pairing its special attack with faster weapons to capitalize on reduced opponent Defense. For example:

Use Pulverize to drop the target’s Defense.
Switch to a Granite Maul for rapid special attack hits.
Finish with a high-damage weapon like an Armadyl Godsword.

This versatility has made the Elder Maul a hot topic in PvP communities, with players debating its place in the meta alongside staples like the Dragon Warhammer and Heavy Ballista.

Market and Accessibility

The Elder Maul update didn’t just change gameplay—it sent shockwaves through the Grand Exchange. Let’s explore how it affected the weapon’s value and availability.

Price Surge Post-Update

Following the April 2024 update, the Elder Maul’s price skyrocketed, jumping from around 40M to nearly 80M in a single day, with peaks as high as 160M during the hype. This was driven by:

Increased Demand: Its new utility in endgame content made it a must-have for raiders and PKers.
Rarity: As a rare drop from Chambers of Xeric, supply remained limited, fueling price spikes.

However, prices later stabilized around 120-140M as the market adjusted, with some players speculating it could climb again if new crush-focused content emerges.

How to Obtain the Elder Maul

Obtaining an Elder Maul remains unchanged—you’ll need to brave the Chambers of Xeric. Here’s a quick guide:

Prepare for Raids: Ensure you have 75 Attack and Strength, plus gear suited for melee builds (e.g., Bandos armor, Inquisitor’s set).
Form a Team: Solo raids are possible but challenging; teaming up increases your chances of success.
Loot the Ancient Chest: The Elder Maul is a rare reward, so expect multiple runs to get lucky.

Patience and persistence are key, as the drop rate is low, making every Elder Maul a hard-earned prize.

The 2024 Elder Maul update has breathed new life into one of OSRS’s most underappreciated weapons. With the Pulverize special attack, it’s now a powerhouse for defense-draining strategies in PvM and a versatile tool for PvP enthusiasts. Whether you’re smashing Tekton in the Chambers of Xeric or landing knockout blows in the Wilderness, the Elder Maul is worth considering for your next build. Have you tried the updated Elder Maul yet? Let us know your thoughts and strategies in the comments below!