Scurrius The Rat King OSRS Guide
In the murky depths of Varrock Sewers, a new menace has emerged in Old School RuneScape (OSRS): Scurrius, the Rat King. Introduced in January 2024, this mid-level PvM boss is designed for players with combat levels between 60 and 90, offering a perfect entry point for those looking to hone their bossing skills. Scurrius combines challenging mechanics with rewarding loot, making it a fantastic addition to the game for both new and seasoned adventurers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about defeating Scurrius, from his location and mechanics to the best strategies and rewards.
Scurrius is a hulking, mutated rodent residing in the Varrock Sewers, accessible via a manhole east of Varrock Palace. Unlike typical rats, this boss wields all three combat styles—melee, ranged, and magic—making him a unique challenge. Designed to bridge the gap between mid-level and end-game PvM content, Scurrius introduces core mechanics like prayer switching, dodging attacks, and managing multiple enemies. Whether you’re a solo player or teaming up with friends, Scurrius offers a dynamic fight that’s both engaging and rewarding.
Why Fight Scurrius?
Scurrius isn’t just another boss; he’s a training ground for aspiring PvMers. Here’s why you should take him on:
- Combat XP: Offers some of the best combat experience rates for mid-level players, rivaling Nightmare Zone and Sand Crabs.
- Learning Mechanics: Perfect for mastering prayer flicking, dodging, and multi-enemy management.
- Unique Rewards: Drops like Scurrius’ Spine and Rat Bone weapons enhance your rat-slaying prowess.
- Accessibility: No strict requirements beyond 43 Prayer for Protect from Melee, making it approachable for newer players.
How to Reach Scurrius’ Lair
Getting to Scurrius is straightforward, but the journey through Varrock Sewers requires a bit of navigation. Follow these steps to find his lair:
- Head to Varrock Square and locate the manhole east of Varrock Palace.
- Enter the sewers and travel east from the entrance.
- Look for broken bars leading to Scurrius’ lair. Right-click to choose between a public fight or a free private instance.
Public vs. Private Instance
Scurrius can be fought in two modes, each with distinct characteristics:
| Mode | Health | Strength | XP Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public | Higher (1,000 more) | Stronger stats | Higher |
| Private | Lower | Weaker stats | Lower |
The public version is tougher but offers better XP rates, while the private instance is easier and ideal for solo players or those learning the fight. Note that cannons are prohibited in the lair due to the damp environment.
Scurrius’ Combat Mechanics
Scurrius’ fight is divided into three phases, each introducing unique mechanics that test your adaptability. Understanding his attacks and phases is key to securing a kill.
Phase 1: Melee and Rubble
Scurrius starts in the east chamber, primarily using a fast and accurate melee tail swipe. With an Attack level of 300 and a +150 melee attack bonus, Protect from Melee is essential. He also jumps to trigger a Falling Bricks attack, where rubble falls on your tile and random spots, dealing 15–21 damage if you don’t move. Look for shadows on the ground to dodge these.
Occasionally, Scurrius screeches, summoning six level 46 giant rats. These are accurate but deal 0–1 damage through Protect from Melee and die in one hit. Using Rat Bone weapons eliminates attack delay when hitting them, making them a breeze to clear.
Phase 2: Healing at Food Piles
When Scurrius reaches 80% health, he moves to a Food Pile to heal, restoring 5 or 10 hitascape hitpoints per player every few seconds. During this phase, he stops using melee and relies on ranged (Flying Fur) and magic (Bolts of Electricity) attacks. He continues summoning rats and using Falling Bricks. The healing stops after five actual heals (despite ten animations). If poisoned with a smoke ancient sceptre, his healing is reduced to 4 or 8 hitpoints.
Phase 3: Enraged Assault
At 30% health, Scurrius moves to the center of the lair, attacking exclusively with faster ranged and magic attacks. He can chain multiple Falling Bricks attacks, so stay vigilant and keep moving. Giant rats may still spawn, but focus on dealing damage to end the fight quickly.
Strategies for Defeating Scurrius
Defeating Scurrius requires preparation and adaptability. Here’s how to tackle him effectively, whether you’re using melee, ranged, or magic.
Recommended Gear
Scurrius isn’t vulnerable to any specific combat style, so use your best gear for your preferred style. Here’s a breakdown:
- Melee: Rune Armour, Amulet of Glory, Barrow’s Gloves, Dragon Scimitar or better. Rat Bone Mace (post-first kill) for bonus damage against rats.
- Ranged: Green Dragonhide, Archer’s Ring, Rune Crossbow or Bone Shortbow for rat efficiency.
- Magic: Mystic Robes, Magic Potion, Bone Staff for free casts after crafting.
Inventory should include high-healing food (Monkfish or Sharks), Prayer Potions, a Super Combat Potion or Ranging Potion, and a Varrock Teleport for quick escapes. If you die, your grave appears next to Historian Aldo outside the lair.
Combat Tips
To maximize your success, keep these strategies in mind:
- Prayer Management: Use Protect from Melee until phase 2, then switch between Protect from Ranged and Protect from Magic as needed. Prayer flicking can conserve potions.
- Dodge Rubble: Watch for shadows and move one tile away to avoid Falling Bricks damage.
- Handle Rats: Clear giant rats quickly with Rat Bone weapons to avoid distraction. Without them, a Venator Bow or Rune Thrownaxe special attack works well.
- Phase 2 Focus: Deal consistent damage to limit Scurrius’ healing. Avoid standing still to minimize ranged and magic hits.
- Phase 3 Aggression: Stay mobile to dodge multiple Falling Bricks and prioritize DPS to finish the fight before rats overwhelm you.
Rewards and Loot
Scurrius offers a mix of consistent drops and rare loot, making every kill worthwhile. The average kill is worth around 9,651.2 GP for MVPs in private instances, with non-MVPs averaging 2,139.5 GP in public fights.
Guaranteed Drops
Every kill yields:
Notable Drops
Rare and valuable drops include:
| Item | Drop Rate | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Scurrius’ Spine | 1/100 | Crafts Rat Bone Mace, Staff, or Shortbow |
| Medium Clue Scroll | 1/25 (MVP) | Leads to treasure trails |
| Scurry (Pet) | 1/3,000 (MVP) | Cosmetic follower |
Rat Bone weapons require a Spine plus a Rune Mace (35 Smithing), Yew Shortbow (35 Fletching), or Battlestaff (35 Crafting, 1,000 Chaos Runes). Alternatively, pay Historian Aldo 50,000 GP to craft them. These weapons deal +10 damage against rats and are ideal for subsequent Scurrius kills. Excess Spines can be traded to Aldo for 5,000 XP per Spine (3,500 for Prayer).
Combat Achievements
Scurrius has five Combat Achievement tasks, offering 8 points:
- Scurrius Novice: Kill Scurrius once.
- Sit Rat: Finish Scurrius with a Rat Bone weapon in a private instance.
- Scurrius Champion: Kill Scurrius 10 times.
- Perfect Scurrius: Kill Scurrius without taking damage from Tail Swipe or Falling Bricks, praying correctly against Flying Fur and Bolts of Electricity.
- Efficient Pest Control: Kill six giant rats in three seconds.
Completing these tasks unlocks better clue scroll rates (1/23 for mediums) and showcases your PvM skills.
Final Thoughts
Scurrius, the Rat King, is a game-changer for mid-level OSRS players. His lair in Varrock Sewers is a proving ground for PvM mechanics, offering both a challenge and a chance to grow as a combatant. With rewarding XP rates, unique Rat Bone weapons, and the adorable Scurry pet, there’s plenty of incentive to face this royal rodent repeatedly. Whether you’re a solo adventurer or fighting alongside friends, Scurrius is an accessible and fun boss that prepares you for tougher challenges like Jad or the Fight Caves. So, gear up, head to the sewers, and show Scurrius who’s boss!
Ready to take on Scurrius? Share your best kills or tips in the comments below, and happy bossing!