OSRS Kraken Boss Guide
The Kraken is one of the most approachable yet rewarding Slayer bosses in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Known for its straightforward mechanics and valuable drops like the Trident of the Seas, it’s a favorite for players looking to combine Slayer tasks with profit. This guide covers everything you need to know to tackle the Kraken efficiently, from requirements and gear to strategies and loot. Whether you’re a mid-level player or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find tips to optimize your Kraken kills.
Before diving into the Kraken’s lair, you need to meet specific requirements to even deal damage. The Kraken is a Slayer boss, so preparation is key.
Mandatory Requirements
- Slayer Level 87: Required to harm the Kraken; this cannot be boosted.
- Active Cave Kraken Slayer Task: Assigned by Slayer masters like Chaeldar, Konar, Nieve, or Duradel.
- Magic Level 50: Necessary to access the Kraken as part of the Slayer task.
Recommended Skills and Quests
- Magic Level 75+: Boosts damage output with stronger spells like Fire Wave or Trident of the Seas.
- Partial completion of Fairytale II – Cure a Queen: Unlocks fairy rings for quick access to Kraken Cove (code AKQ).
- Defense Level 70+: Improves survivability with better armor options.
Getting to Kraken Cove
The Kraken resides in Kraken Cove, located near the Piscatoris Fishing Colony in Kandarin. Getting there is straightforward with the right teleports.
Fastest Travel Methods
- Fairy Ring (AKQ): Teleport to the fairy ring east of Kraken Cove, then run west to the dungeon entrance.
- Piscatoris Teleport Scroll: Drops you at the Piscatoris Fishing Colony; run southwest to the cove.
- Western Banner 3 or 4: An alternative for those without fairy ring access, teleporting to Piscatoris.
Navigating Kraken Cove
Once inside the cove, head north to find the crevice leading to the Kraken’s lair. You can right-click the crevice and select “Private” to create an instance for 25,000 GP, ensuring no interruptions from other players. This fee is deducted directly from your bank.
Gear and Inventory Setup
The Kraken is highly resistant to Ranged (dealing 1/7th normal damage) and immune to Melee, making Magic the only viable attack style. Below is a recommended setup to maximize damage and survivability.
Optimal Gear
| Slot | Item | Budget Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Slayer Helmet (i) | Black Mask (i) |
| Neck | Occult Necklace | Amulet of Glory |
| Body | Ancestral Robe Top | Ahrim’s Robetop |
| Legs | Ancestral Robe Bottom | Ahrim’s Robeskirt |
| Weapon | Trident of the Seas | Slayer’s Staff (e) |
| Shield | Malediction Ward | Book of Darkness |
| Cape | Imbued God Cape | Saradomin Cape |
| Gloves | Barrows Gloves | Combat Bracelet |
| Boots | Eternal Boots | Infinity Boots |
| Ring | Seers Ring (i) | Ring of Wealth |
Inventory Recommendations
- Prayer Potions (4-6): To maintain Augury or Mystic Might for accuracy and Magic defense.
- Sharks or Anglerfish (10-15): For healing; the Kraken drops food, so you may need less.
- Magic Potion (1-2): Boosts Magic level for higher damage.
- Rune Pouch: Stores runes for High Level Alchemy or Blood spells to extend trips.
- Fishing Explosive (1): Instantly starts the fight by disturbing the large whirlpool.
- Toxic Blowpipe or Magic Shortbow: Used to disturb whirlpools if not using explosives.
- Teleport to House: For quick escapes or banking.
Combat Strategy and Mechanics
The Kraken fight is simple but requires attention to its mechanics. With no unique attacks, it’s a great boss for players new to PvM.
Starting the Fight
To summon the Kraken, you must disturb the large whirlpool in the center of the lair. You have two options:
- Fishing Explosive: Throw it at the large whirlpool to instantly spawn the Kraken and its four Enormous Tentacles.
- Manual Disturbance: Attack each of the four smaller whirlpools with a ranged weapon (e.g., Toxic Blowpipe or Magic Shortbow) to spawn a tentacle, then disturb the large whirlpool to summon the Kraken.
Using a fishing explosive (60 GP from Slayer masters) is faster and recommended for efficiency.
Fight Mechanics
The Kraken and its tentacles attack with typeless magical ranged attacks, meaning protection prayers like Protect from Magic are ineffective. Key points:
- Kraken: Max hit of 28, but very inaccurate. It rarely lands significant damage.
- Enormous Tentacles: Max hit of 2, but highly accurate. These deal most of your incoming damage.
- Prayer: Use Augury or Mystic Might to boost Magic accuracy and defense, reducing tentacle hits.
Focus all your attacks on the Kraken itself. Killing tentacles is not worth the time, as they have high hitpoints and don’t affect the fight’s outcome.
Tips for Efficiency
- Juggle Drops: The Kraken drops sharks and edible seaweed. Pick these up before they disappear (2 minutes in public worlds, 30 minutes in instances) to extend trips.
- Private Instance: For 25,000 GP, an instance prevents other players from interfering and lets loot pile up for 30 minutes.
- Bracelet of Slaughter: Has a 25% chance to not count a kill toward your Slayer task, extending trips.
- Saturated Heart: Boosts Magic by 4 + 10% of your level for 5 minutes, increasing DPS.
Loot and Rewards
The Kraken’s drop table makes it a profitable boss, especially for its unique items. It’s one of the few monsters that drop the Trident of the Seas and Kraken Tentacle, alongside consistent resource drops.
Notable Drops
| Item | Drop Rate | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Trident of the Seas | 1/512 | Powerful Magic weapon for Slayer and PvM. |
| Kraken Tentacle | 1/400 | Upgrades Abyssal Whip to Abyssal Tentacle. |
| Pet Kraken | 1/3,000 | Rare cosmetic pet. |
| Jar of Dirt | 1/1,000 | Collectible item for completionists. |
| Clue Scroll (Elite) | 1/500 | Leads to high-value treasure trails. |
Profit Potential
On average, a Kraken task yields 500,000-800,000 GP per hour, depending on luck with unique drops. Common drops like runes, battlestaves, and seeds add consistent value. The boss’s food drops reduce supply costs, making it a low-maintenance money-maker.
Why Farm the Kraken?
- Low Skill Ceiling: Simple mechanics make it accessible for players new to bossing.
- High Reward: Trident and tentacle drops are valuable for personal use or profit.
- AFK Potential: Minimal input is required, allowing you to multitask during kills.
- Slayer XP: Each kill grants 255 Slayer XP, boosting task efficiency.
With this guide, you’re ready to take on the Kraken and reap its rewards. Equip your Magic gear, grab a fishing explosive, and head to Kraken Cove for a relaxing yet profitable bossing experience. Happy slaying!