Skeleton mage (Malignius Mortifer)
Malignius Mortifer is a unique non-player character (NPC) encountered in Old School RuneScape, specifically significant to players who delve into the world of magic and combat the undead. This skeleton mage is known for his powerful spells and chilling presence, representing the dark arts and the legacy of those who wielded magic before their demise.
Location: Malignius Mortifer resides in the Haunted Mine where he can be found in the southern part of the mine, guarding the entrance to his lair. He is typically located near the Temple of the Lost Souls, a prominent area within the Haunted Mine, making it an important spot for various quests and activities involving undead enemies.
Combat Level: Malignius Mortifer has a combat level of 61, which makes him a moderate-level enemy. Players should approach with caution, as he employs a variety of magical attacks that can quickly deplete the health of unprepared adventurers.
Hitpoints: Malignius Mortifer possesses 125 hitpoints, allowing him to endure prolonged encounters, especially when engaging in battles that involve multiple enemies or prolonged skirmishes.
Attacks: As a mage, Malignius Mortifer utilizes a range of spell attacks, including high-damage magical bolts and debilitating curses. He is particularly known for his ability to cast the powerful Fire Strike spell at players, dealing significant damage. Additionally, he can summon bursts of magic damage that can affect multiple players if they are grouped together, making positioning crucial during encounters. His magic bypasses most armor, meaning defensive setups against magic are vital in fights.
Experience: Defeating Malignius Mortifer awards players with 500 experience points in Magic and 500 experience points in Attack, making him a valuable target for players looking to level their combat skills.
Items Dropped: Upon death, Malignius Mortifer may drop a variety of items, including but not limited to:
- Bonecrusher – a useful item that grants experience in prayer when bones are collected during combat.
- Runes – various runes may be dropped, providing ammunition for mages looking to replenish their magical inventory.
- Dark essence – rare items linked to quests and crafting, useful for higher-tier activities.
- Coins – a small amount of GP.
Strategies: Players facing Malignius Mortifer should consider the following strategies:
- Utilizing gear that offers magic resistance can mitigate damage significantly.
- Maintaining distance to avoid his powerful ranged attacks.
- Using prayer to reduce the damage taken from his magical attacks.
- Bringing healing items or spells to sustain health throughout the encounter, especially due to his high hitpoints.
Understanding Malignius Mortifer’s combat style and patterns can provide players with a strategic advantage in various encounters throughout the game.