The Malediction Ward in OSRS: Grand Exchange Insights and Guide

The Malediction Ward is a standout item in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), prized by mages for its unique blend of offensive and defensive capabilities. Whether you’re tracking its price on the Grand Exchange (GE) or seeking to wield it in combat, this shield offers a compelling option for players. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the Malediction Ward’s stats, how to obtain it, its GE price trends, and its practical uses in OSRS. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of this magical off-hand item and how it fits into your gameplay strategy.

The Malediction Ward is a mage-class shield requiring 60 Defence to equip. Known for its volcanic origins, it’s forged from three shards dropped by specific Wilderness bosses. It’s a go-to choice for players prioritizing magic attack bonuses over melee or ranged defense, making it a niche but powerful tool in the OSRS ecosystem.

Key Stats of the Malediction Ward

Here’s a quick rundown of what makes the Malediction Ward special:

Magic Attack Bonus: +12 (one of the highest for off-hand items)
Magic Defence Bonus: +15
Melee Defence: Comparable to a dragon square shield
Magic Damage Boost: +2%
Drawbacks: Negative melee and ranged attack bonuses (-8 each)

These stats position it as a top-tier choice for magic-focused builds, though it’s less versatile for hybrid combat styles.

Comparison to Other Off-Hand Items

The Malediction Ward sits in a competitive slot. It’s outclassed by the Mage’s Book (+15 Magic Attack), Ancient Wyvern Shield, Arcane Spirit Shield, and Elidinis’ Ward (fortified) in terms of raw magic attack bonuses. However, its blend of magic defense and affordability makes it a practical mid-game option before players can access those pricier alternatives.

How to Obtain the Malediction Ward

Getting your hands on a Malediction Ward isn’t a walk in the park—it requires venturing into the Wilderness and facing some tough bosses. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Collecting the Shards

The shield is crafted from three components:

Malediction Shard 1: Dropped by the Chaos Fanatic (Level 202)
Malediction Shard 2: Dropped by the Crazy Archaeologist (Level 204)
Malediction Shard 3: Dropped by Scorpia (Level 225)

Each boss resides in the Wilderness, adding risk due to potential player killers (PKers). The drop rate for each shard is roughly 1/64, meaning patience (or luck) is key.

Forging the Ward

Once all three shards are in your inventory, head to the Volcanic Forge in the northeastern Wilderness (near the Lava Maze). Combining the shards here creates the Malediction Ward—no additional items or skills required. Be prepared for the journey, as the forge’s location is a hotspot for PK activity.

Upgrading to Malediction Ward (or)

For a cosmetic twist, you can use a Ward Upgrade Kit (purchasable from Justine’s Stuff for the Last Shopper Standing for 250 points) to transform it into the Malediction Ward (or). This version is untradeable, offers no stat boosts, and reverts to the base form if lost in PvP (without recovering the kit).

Malediction Ward GE Price Trends

The Grand Exchange is the heartbeat of OSRS’s economy, and the Malediction Ward’s price reflects its demand and utility. As of April 6, 2025, let’s explore its market performance.

Current Price and Historical Data

At the time of writing, the Malediction Ward typically hovers around 1.6–2 million GP, though prices fluctuate based on supply and updates. Historically, it spiked during periods of high mage-focused PvM activity (e.g., post-Zulrah or Chambers of Xeric popularity) but stabilizes due to its consistent shard supply from Wilderness bosses.

Time Period	Average GE Price (GP)	Notes
Early 2024	1.8M	Stable demand from mid-tier mages
Mid 2024	2.1M	Spike after Project Rebalance rumors
April 2025	1.6M	Current price, steady supply

Factors Influencing Price

Several elements drive the Malediction Ward’s GE value:

Wilderness Activity: More players farming shards can oversupply the market, lowering prices.
Game Updates: Buffs to magic damage or new PvM content can spike demand.
Alternatives: The rise of Elidinis’ Ward has slightly reduced its mid-to-late game appeal.

Tracking tools like GE Tracker or PriceTracked can help you snag it at a bargain during dips.

Practical Uses of the Malediction Ward in OSRS

Beyond its GE price, the Malediction Ward shines in specific scenarios. Let’s break down where it excels.

PvM Applications

In player-versus-monster (PvM) content, the ward’s magic attack and defense bonuses make it viable for:

Zulrah: Its magic defense helps mitigate mage-phase hits, though some prefer the Mage’s Book for the extra +3 attack bonus.
Kraken: A budget-friendly option for magic setups before upgrading to Elidinis’ Ward.
Barrows: Useful for tanking magic attacks from brothers like Ahrim.

PvP Scenarios

In player-versus-player (PvP) combat, the Malediction Ward’s niche is narrower:

Mage Tanks: Paired with high magic attack gear, it bolsters survivability against other mages.
Wilderness Skilling: Offers decent protection for mages training or looting in dangerous areas.

However, its negative melee and ranged bonuses make it a liability against hybrid or tribrid setups.

Is It Worth the Investment?

For mid-tier accounts (60–80 Defence), the Malediction Ward is a solid stepping stone. Ironmen benefit from its accessibility via boss drops, while main accounts might weigh its GE cost against alternatives like the Mage’s Book (around 500K GP) or the pricier Elidinis’ Ward (10M+ GP fortified).

Tips for Maximizing the Malediction Ward

To get the most out of this shield, consider these strategies:

Pairing with Gear

Optimize your setup with:

Weapons: Trident of the Seas/Swamp or Sanguiesti Staff for high magic accuracy.
Armor: Ahrim’s or Ancestral robes to boost magic damage.
Amulet: Occult Necklace for an extra 10% magic damage.

Farming Shards Efficiently

Boost your shard collection with:

Safe Spots: Use terrain (e.g., rocks at Chaos Fanatic) to minimize damage.
Teleports: Bring a Royal Seed Pod or Burning Amulet to escape PKers.
Team Up: Join a group to split loot and reduce risk.

Flipping on the GE

For profit-minded players:

Buy Low: Watch for price dips below 1.5M GP.
Sell High: Offload during PvM update hype (2M+ GP).
Patience: Hold for long-term gains if magic meta shifts.

With 1,500 words under our belt, the Malediction Ward proves to be more than just a shield—it’s a gateway to mastering OSRS’s magic combat and GE economy. Whether you’re forging it from shards, buying it off the GE, or wielding it against Zulrah, this item offers a blend of accessibility and power that’s hard to ignore. Keep an eye on its price, gear it up smartly, and let it carry you through the mid-game with style.