Ultimate Guide to OSRS Black D’hide Armour
In the vast world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), black dragonhide armour, commonly known as black d’hide, stands out as a staple for rangers and PvPers alike. Renowned for its affordability, solid defensive stats, and versatility, this ranged armour set is a go-to choice for players tackling PvM, PvP, and even clue scrolls. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, understanding the ins and outs of black d’hide can elevate your gameplay. This comprehensive guide dives into its stats, crafting process, uses, and strategies to maximize its potential, all while exploring its place in the OSRS meta.
Black dragonhide armour is a type of ranged armour requiring 70 Ranged to equip, with the body and shield also needing 40 Defence. Crafted from black dragon leather, it offers a balance of defensive bonuses comparable to mithril or adamant armour but with a lighter weight and no negative magic defence penalty. Its accessibility and cost-effectiveness make it a favorite for players engaging in Wilderness activities, bossing, or grinding clue scrolls.
Components of the Black D’hide Set
The full black d’hide armour set includes several pieces, each with specific requirements and benefits:
- Black d’hide body: Requires 70 Ranged and 40 Defence; provides strong magic defence.
- Black d’hide chaps: Requires 70 Ranged; lightweight with solid ranged bonuses.
- Black d’hide vambraces: Requires 70 Ranged; boosts ranged attack accuracy.
- Black d’hide shield: Requires 70 Ranged and 40 Defence; offers balanced defensive stats.
Comparison with Other Dragonhide Armours
Black d’hide is the strongest standard dragonhide armour, surpassing green, blue, and red variants. Unlike the green d’hide body, which requires completing Dragon Slayer I, black d’hide has no quest prerequisites, making it more accessible. However, blessed dragonhide armour offers slightly better defensive stats and a +1 prayer bonus per piece, though at a higher cost.
Crafting Black D’hide Armour
Crafting black d’hide armour is a viable way to obtain it while earning Crafting experience. The process involves tanning black dragonhides and using a needle and thread to create the armour pieces.
How to Obtain Black Dragonhide
Black dragonhide is a 100% drop from black dragons, brutal black dragons, lava dragons, and the King Black Dragon. You can tan these hides into black dragon leather by paying a tanner (20 coins per hide, or 45 in Canifis) or using the Tan Leather lunar spell.
Crafting Requirements and Experience
Each piece of black d’hide armour requires a specific Crafting level and number of black dragon leathers. The table below outlines the details:
| Item | Crafting Level | Leathers Needed | Experience Gained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black d’hide body | 84 | 3 | 258 |
| Black d’hide chaps | 82 | 2 | 172 |
| Black d’hide vambraces | 79 | 1 | 86 |
| Black d’hide shield | 83 | 2 | 172 |
Uses of Black D’hide in OSRS
Black d’hide’s versatility makes it a popular choice across various activities. Its low cost and high defensive stats, especially against magic, make it ideal for specific scenarios.
PvP in the Wilderness
In the Wilderness, black d’hide is a staple for PvP due to its low risk and effectiveness. Costing around 10-15k for a full set, it’s affordable for players engaging in low-risk fights. Its magic defence is particularly valuable against mages, though a 2021 nerf slightly reduced its melee defensive bonuses to balance its cost-effectiveness. Despite this, it remains a go-to for rangers and hybrids.
PvM and Bossing
For PvM, black d’hide is effective against bosses with magic-based attacks, such as black dragons or Vorkath. Its high magic defence and ranged bonuses make it a budget-friendly alternative to expensive gear like Armadyl or Karil’s armour. Ironmen often use it while grinding for upgrades due to its accessibility via clue scrolls or crafting.
Clue Scrolls
Black d’hide pieces are commonly obtained from hard clue scrolls, making them a frequent reward for treasure hunters. Trimmed variants, like black d’hide (t) or (g), come from elite or master clues and offer the same stats with cosmetic flair, perfect for flexing your clue scroll prowess.
Strategies to Maximize Black D’hide Effectiveness
To get the most out of black d’hide, consider these strategies tailored to different playstyles:
Optimizing for PvP
In PvP, pair black d’hide with high-damage ranged weapons like the Toxic Blowpipe or Rune Crossbow. Complement it with accessories like the Ava’s Accumulator for ammo conservation and a Necklace of Anguish for ranged bonuses. Use Protect from Magic to bolster your defence against mages, and switch to Protect from Melee when facing melee opponents.
Budget PvM Setup
For PvM, combine black d’hide with a Slayer Helmet (i) for tasks or a God Blessing for prayer bonuses. Use Archer’s Ring and Book of Law for additional ranged accuracy. This setup is cost-effective and works well for mid-level content like Slayer or early bossing.
Clue Scroll Efficiency
When grinding clues, store black d’hide in your Costume Room’s Treasure Chest to save bank space. Pair it with teleports and a Clue Scroll Plugin on RuneLite to speed up completions. The armour’s lightweight nature ensures you don’t burn through run energy quickly.
Black D’hide in the OSRS Meta
Black d’hide has been a contentious topic in the OSRS community, particularly due to its 2021 nerf. Let’s explore its current standing and debates surrounding it.
The 2021 Nerf Controversy
In September 2021, Jagex nerfed black d’hide’s melee defensive stats, arguing it was too strong for its low cost (~15k). The nerf aimed to make PvMers and PvPers consider alternatives like God d’hide or Karil’s armour. However, community feedback, especially on Reddit, highlighted that the nerf primarily made PvMers more vulnerable in the Wilderness without significantly impacting PvP risk dynamics. Many argued for buffing alternatives like Karil’s instead of nerfing black d’hide.
Current Value and Alternatives
Despite the nerf, black d’hide remains a budget-friendly option. Its Grand Exchange price hovers around 5-7k per piece, making it far cheaper than blessed d’hide or Karil’s. For players seeking better stats, Armadyl armour offers superior offensive bonuses but at a much higher cost, while Karil’s provides better magic defence but weaker melee protection.
Community Sentiment
The community is split. Some players, especially PvMers, feel the nerf was unnecessary, as it increased their vulnerability without addressing PvP balance. Others, particularly PvPers, argue that black d’hide’s low cost still makes it viable, and the nerf encouraged gear diversity. Posts on Reddit and the RuneScape forums show ongoing debates about reverting the nerf or adjusting related gear like Karil’s.
Conclusion: Black d’hide armour remains a cornerstone of OSRS for its affordability, versatility, and accessibility. Whether you’re crafting it for experience, using it in PvP or PvM, or stacking clue scroll rewards, it’s a reliable choice for rangers. While the 2021 nerf sparked controversy, its place in the meta is secure for budget-conscious players. Experiment with the strategies above, and don’t hesitate to mix and match gear to suit your playstyle. Happy ranging!