OSRS King Black Dragon Strategy Guide

Dragons are some of the toughest creatures to beat in OSRS. But even in their species, there are a few standouts that you might want to avoid - or fight for the sake of glory and rewards. We're, of course, talking about the fearsome king black dragon in OSRS. This challenging boss is what we'll teach you how to beat today.

What Is The King Black Dragon in OSRS?

The King Black Dragon, often called KBD, is a tough three-headed dragon chilling in his lair. You can only get to him by trekking through the wild Wilderness, but don't worry, he's not a Wilderness boss.

He's a big deal with a combat level of 276, making him one of the strongest dragons around. His dragonfire breath is no joke, so don't forget to bring your anti-dragon shield to survive his fiery attacks.

Surprisingly, despite his strength, KBD's kinda bored of fighting adventurers all the time. He even told his buddy Bob the cat about it!

Even though you gotta brave the Wilderness to reach his lair, once you're inside, you're safe from other players. His spot isn't part of the Wilderness, so it's a peaceful place to duke it out with him.

If you're not into sharing your fight with others, you can cough up 50,000 coins for your own private session. No need to carry cash-just deduct it from your bank. Just remember, stuff dropped by KBD lasts 30 minutes in your instance, but your dropped stuff disappears in 3 minutes.

Where To Find The King Black Dragon In OSRS

The king black dragon resides in the King Black Dragon Lair in the Wilderness. As this is the Wilderness, make sure to watch out for PK'ers when trying to get to the boss. To make your journey easier, here's a quick guide to get to it.

1. After descending the ladder near the lesser demons, you will encounter poisonous spiders and a lever, pull the lever to get into the lair.
2. The quickest and most reliable method to reach the area is by using a burning amulet, which teleports players to the Lava Maze just southeast of the fenced entrance to the lair.
3. Wilderness Obelisks can also be utilized, although be cautious as it may increase the likelihood of encountering high-level monsters or player killers (PKers). Players who have completed the hard Wilderness Diary can select the obelisk closest to the lair, located at level 44 Wilderness. To reach the nearest obelisk, players can teleport to the Corporeal Beast area via a games necklace, exit the cave, and head southeast to the obelisk, then southeast again.
4. Starting from Edgeville, players can craft a waka canoe (requires 57 Woodcutting) at the canoe station and sail it to the Wilderness. Upon arrival, trek westward past some green dragons at the southern end of the Lava Maze, then slightly northwest toward the western part of the maze.
5. Northwest of Ardougne Castle, there's a lever that transports players to the Deserted Keep. After slashing through webs, head southward to a long fence and follow it either east or west to find an opening. If heading east, beware of the Chaos Elemental. Once outside, journey westward past the northern end of the Lava Maze before heading slightly southwest toward the western part of the maze.
6. Utilizing the Ice Plateau or Ghorrock Teleport spells is another speedy option. After teleporting, simply head southeast.
7. For players with access to the Arceuus spellbook, the Cemetery Teleport spell can be used to teleport to the Forgotten Cemetery, located just south of the lair.

Preparation

The preparation for the fight is more important than the fight itself. Here's a list of everything you need to prepare beforehand.

Skill Recommendations

For starters, it's highly recommended to have high combat stats for this fight. Aside from the boss itself, you'll have to deal with PK'ers along the way as well. Here's what we suggest for stats.

• If using Melee:

  • Level 80 Attack or higher
  • Level 80 Strength or higher
  • Level 70 Hitpoints or higher
  • Level 70 Prayer or higher for the Piety prayer

• If using Ranged:

  • Level 80 Ranged or higher
  • Level 70 Hitpointsor higher
  • Level 74 Prayer for higher for the Rigour prayer
• Partial completion of Dragon Slayer I for access to anti-dragon shields.
• Completion of Slug Menace for access to proselyte armour.

Recommended Melee Setup

Head:

• Helm of neitiznot
• Slayer helmet (if on task)
• Berserker helm
• Black mask (if on task)

Neck:

• Amulet of torture
• Amulet of fury
• Amulet of glory
• Amulet of power

Back:

• Ardougne cloak 4
• Ardougne cloak 3
• Ardougne cloak 2
• Ardougne cloak 1
• Mythical cape

Body:

• Proselyte hauberk
• Initiate hauberk
• Monk's robe top

Legs:

• Proselyte cuisse / Proselyte tasset
• Initiate cuisse
• Monk's robe

Weapon:

• Dragon hunter lance
• Osmumten's fang
• Ghrazi rapier
• Zamorakian hasta
• Blade of saeldor
• Inquisitor's mace
• Abyssal dagger (p++)

Shield:

• Dragonfire shield
• Anti-dragon shield

Ammo/Spell:

• Rada's blessing 4
• Rada's blessing 3/2
• God blessing

Hands:

• Barrows gloves
• Dragon gloves
• Rune gloves
• Adamant gloves
• Combat bracelet

Boots:

• Rune boots
• Climbing boots
• Adamant boots
• Fremennik sea boots 4

Ring:

• Treasonous ring (i)
• Brimstone ring
• Berserker ring (i
• Treasonous ring
• Berserker ring

Make sure to follow these notes for a successful encounter:

• Equip antidote++ and extended antifire potions to protect against poison and dragonfire, respectively.
• Bring enough super combat potions to last for one trip.
• Ensure you have a balanced supply of super restore potions and food to sustain you throughout the battle.
• Have a means of teleporting directly to the King Black Dragon Lair.
• Carry a teleport to house tablet for a swift exit at the end of your trip.

For players who may not have access to or find the best-in-slot setup too expensive, refer to the table below for alternative equipment options. With the right preparation and gear, you'll be ready to take on the King Black Dragon with confidence.

Alternative Melee Setup For Suicide Method

Head:

• Neitiznot faceguard
• Slayer helmet (if on task)
• Serpentine helm
• Black mask (if on task)
• Inquisitor's great helm
• Helm of neitiznot
• Berserker helm
• Obsidian helmet

Neck:

• Amulet of torture
• Amulet of fury
• Amulet of glory
• Amulet of power
• Amulet of strength

Back:

• Infernal cape
• Fire cape
• Ardougne cloak 4
• Ardougne cloak 3
• Ardougne cloak 2

Body:

• Bandos chestplate
• Fighter torso
• Inquisitor's hauberk
• Obsidian platebody
• Proselyte hauberk
• Initiate hauberk
• Monk's robe top

Legs:

• Bandos tassets
• Inquisitor's plateskirt
• Fremennik kilt
• Obsidian platelegs
• Proselyte cuisse / Proselyte tasset
• Initiate cuisse
• Monk's robe

Weapon:

• Dragon hunter lance
• Ghrazi rapier
• Zamorakian hasta
• Blade of saeldor
• Inquisitor's mace
• Abyssal dagger (p++)

Shield:

• Dragonfire shield
• Anti-dragon shield
• Ammo/Spell:
• Rada's blessing 4
• Rada's blessing 3/2
• God blessing

Hands:

• Ferocious gloves
• Barrows gloves
• Dragon gloves
• Rune gloves
• Regen bracelet

Boots:

• Primordial boots
• Dragon boots
• Spiked manacles
• Guardian boots
• Granite boots
• Rune boots
• Climbing boots

Ring:

• Treasonous ring (i)
• Brimstone ring
• Berserker ring (i)
• Treasonous ring
• Berserker ring

When utilizing the suicide method to transport items to the King Black Dragon Lair, first bring nothing but supplies to KBD, then die to KBD on purpose. After this keep withdrawing the supplies you need from your bank and killing your character by whatever method possible. This will stack your supplies on top of your other ones in the KBD lair. Items stacked like this last for an hour so don't over do it.Here's what you'll need:

• Bring sufficient food to last for one hour at the King Black Dragon. Stock up on high-healing food items to keep your health topped up during the battle.
• Pack an ample supply of super restore potions to maintain your prayer points and combat stats throughout the hour-long encounter.
• Just before embarking on your trip, take a sip of both the 4-dose antidote++ and extended antifire potions. This will provide you with a total of 48 minutes of protection against poison and dragonfire, respectively.
• Ensure you have enough super combat potions to last for the entire hour. These potions will enhance your combat abilities and increase your chances of success against the King Black Dragon.
• Have a reliable means of teleporting directly to the King Black Dragon Lair to minimize travel time and maximize efficiency.
• Don't forget to bring a teleport to house tablet for a quick exit once your trip is complete. This will allow you to teleport out safely and efficiently.

Recommended Ranged Setup

Head:

• Ancient coif / Blessed coif
• Slayer helmet (i) (if on task)
• Karil's coif
• Archer helm

Neck:

• Necklace of anguish
• Amulet of fury
• Amulet of glory

Back:

• Ava's assembler
• Ava's accumulator
• Ava's attractor

Body:

• Black d'hide body
• Red d'hide body

Legs:

• Black d'hide chaps
• Red d'hide chaps

Weapon:

• Twisted bow
• Ammo/Spell:
• Dragon arrow
• Amethyst arrow

Hands:

• Ancient bracers / Blessed vambraces
• Black d'hide vambraces
• Red d'hide vambraces

Boots:

• Pegasian boots
• Ancient d'hide boots / Blessed boots
• Boots of brimstone

Ring:

• Venator ring
• Archers ring (i)
• Brimstone ring

Alternative Ranged Setup For Suicide Method

Head:

• Masori mask (f)
• Slayer helmet (i) (if on task)
• Ancient coif / Blessed coif
• Karil's coif

Neck:

• Necklace of anguish
• Amulet of fury
• Amulet of glory
• Amulet of power
• Amulet of accuracy

Back:

• Ava's assembler
• Ava's accumulator
• Ranging cape(t)
• Ava's attractor

Body:

• Masori body (f)
• Ancient d'hide body / Blessed body
• Black d'hide body
• Karil's leathertop
• Red d'hide body
• Blue d'hide body

Legs:

• Masori chaps (f)
• Ancient chaps / Blessed chaps
• Black d'hide chaps
• Karil's leatherskirt

Weapon:

• Twisted bow
• Dragon hunter crossbow
• Armadyl crossbow
• Dragon crossbow
• Rune crossbow

Shield:

• Dragonfire ward
• Ancient wyvern shield
• Anti-dragon shield

Ammo/Spell:

• Dragon arrow (if using Twisted bow)
• Diamond dragon bolts (e) (if using crossbows)
• Amethyst arrow (if using Twisted bow)
• Diamond bolts (e) (if using crossbows)
• Runite bolts (if using crossbows)

Hands:

• Barrows gloves
• Ancient bracers / Blessed vambraces
• Black d'hide vambraces

Boots:

• Pegasian boots
• Ancient d'hide boots / Blessed boots
• Boots of brimstone
• Shayzien boots (5)

Ring:

• Venator ring
• Archers ring (i)
• Brimstone ring
• Archers ring
• Explorer's ring 4

OSRS King Black Dragon Strategy Guide

In addition to his formidable physical attacks, the King Black Dragon poses additional threats to adventurers. Here's what you need to know to prepare for the encounter:

1. Poison and Stat Reduction: The King Black Dragon can inflict poison and reduce your stats. To counter this, it's highly recommended to bring along anti-poison potions (preferably Antidote++) and stat-restoring potions like super restores.
2. Dragonfire: The King Black Dragon's dragonfire packs a serious punch, with a maximum hit of 65 if you're unprotected. Equipping either the anti-dragon shield or dragonfire shield significantly reduces the damage to 15. For complete protection, use both the shield and an antifire potion. Given the high damage potential, always ensure you have one of these shields equipped during the fight.
3. Unblockable Breath Attacks: In addition to regular dragonfire, the King Black Dragon has three unblockable breath attacks: Poison, Shock, and Freeze. While an antifire potion reduces their damage by 75%, it only nullifies damage from regular dragonfire. With the anti-dragon shield equipped, these attacks deal a maximum of 10 damage. It's worth noting that Protect from Magic doesn't defend against or decrease damage from dragonfire when an anti-dragon shield is equipped. However, if you're not using the shield, Protect from Magic can reduce the maximum hit of these attacks from 50 to 20.

By understanding and preparing for these threats, you'll be better equipped to face the King Black Dragon and emerge victorious from the encounter.

King Black Dragon Tips

There are actually more than a few ways to fight the king black dragon.

1. Protection Prayers: Fighting the King Black Dragon in melee distance with Protect from Melee prayer activated is recommended. This reduces the chance of the King Black Dragon using its unblockable special dragonfire attacks while negating all damage from its melee attacks. However, if you're wielding a two-handed weapon like the twisted bow, using Protect from Magic prayer is necessary to partly mitigate the damage from dragonfire attacks.
2. Instance Creation: Due to the popularity of the King Black Dragon as a boss, finding an empty world can be challenging. To avoid this issue, players can create an instance for 50,000 coins. This fee is deducted directly from the players bank. Note that the instance will collapse if the player dies, so having an emergency teleport is highly recommended.
3. Suicide Method: The suicide method allows players to transport items to the King Black Dragon Lair without risking more than three valuable items (four with Protect Item activated). By utilizing a looting bag and a specific technique, players can 'smuggle' more than four valuable items into the lair. However, this method carries some risks, such as encountering player-killers or Tele Block spells.
4. Walk-Under Method: This method is particularly useful when using a twisted bow or dragon hunter crossbow. By walking under the King Black Dragon immediately after performing an attack, players can effectively slow down its attack speed and reduce the damage taken. This requires precise timing and focus, especially if using a twisted bow.
5. Bonecrusher Necklace: Bringing a bonecrusher necklace can save on super restore potions by allowing players to bury dragon bones to restore prayer points. Players can equip their offensive necklace during the kill and then swap to the bonecrusher necklace afterward to benefit from its effect. However, this method requires taking an additional valuable item through the Wilderness.

King Black Dragon Drop Table

Fighting the king black dragon isn't easy but you're getting a lot of rewards at the end of it. Here's the drop table for the boss.

Time To Take On The King Black Dragon

It does take a lot of preparation but the King Black Dragon fight isn't as hard as it seems once you know what to do. Hopefully, our guide has made it easier for you to understand how to take on this menacing foe.