King Black Dragon Guide
Overview
The King Black Dragon's Attacks
Recommended Levels
Getting There
Suggested Set-Ups
Strategy
Closing
Credits
|
This area has been rated as HIGH-RISK. You should never attempt to fight the King Black Dragon with items you are not willing to risk losing, and while there, you should expect your death as a possibility at all times. |
|
This activity supports the Grouping System. |
Overview
| King Black Dragon Basic Facts (Bestiary Profile) | |||
| Combat Level: 276
|
Lifepoints: 2400 | Maximum Hit: Melee: 254 Dragonfire: 650+ |
Attack Style(s): Melee and Dragonfire |
| Experience Summary | |||
| The King Black Dragon has good defence and dangerous attack so he is not fought for combat experience. However, his crimson charm drops rival those of waterfiends if one is on a Slayer task so he indirectly provides good summoning experience. | |||
| Drops Summary | |||
| The King Black Dragon drops a large amount of runite items and the odd dragon item, but the main reason he is hunted is for the Dragon kite ornament kit (sp), Dragon kite ornament kit (or), Dragon rider boots and dragon rider gloves, all of which are exclusive drops. The King Black Dragon also has one of the best drop rates for the very rare Draconic visage. Other notable drops are Black dragonhide, Dragon bones, Ancient effigies and also the King black dragon heads. | |||
| Special Notes | |||
| The King Black Dragon's dragonfire attacks are unlike those of his chromatic and metallic brethren. He has four different styles of dragonfire which are: normal, Ice breath, poison breath and a magic based breath which can lower your combat stats. As with all Dragons, the use of anti-fire protection will stop his normal dragonfire attacks from doing damage, however his other dragonfire attacks can still hit you for around 100 lifepoints. | |||
The King Black Dragon (or KBD for short) was once the most powerful monster in the game but with the introduction of more and more high level content in terms of both monsters and equipment, he has fallen from grace. That's not to say he's not dangerous because he is and without the appropriate precautions he can kill even the highest of levels in two hits of his dragonfire. It is highly recommended that one either equips an anti-dragonfire shield or dragonfire shield and uses anti-fire potions OR makes use of super anti-fire potions to minimise the damage taken from his attacks.
Like all chromatic dragons, the King Black Dragon is weak to stab and range attacks while having a good resistance to magic. A chaotic rapier or longsword are the preferred weapons of choice, however anything with a good stab bonus is effective here. Dragonbane bolts are a good choice for players using range as a combination of his weakness to range and their high damage can be very effective.
Note: The Dwarf multicannon cannot be used here, if one is set up the King Black Dragon will destroy it.
The King Black Dragon's Attacks
The King Black Dragon has six different ways of attacking his prey. He has five dragonfire-based attacks and also a melee attack for those who engage him in close quarters.
| King Black Dragon Attack Styles | |
| Melee | Shock Breath |
|
|
| Close Range Dragonfire | Long Distance Dragonfire |
|
|
| Toxic Breath | Ice Breath |
|
|
- Shock Breath: This attack can lower your combat stats when it hits you so players without access to Overloads may want to bring Stat restore potions with them. The use of dragonfire protection reduces the maximum hit of this attack to 100.
- Dragonfire: As with all dragons the KBD has access to dragonfire, however he has the added threat of being able to use it as a long range attack like metallic and frost dragons. The use of dragonfire protection nullifies this attack.
- Poison Breath: The poison from this attack starts at 80 lifepoints so bringing a means of curing poison is a good idea if you want to stay in the KBD's lair for a long period of time. The use of dragonfire protection reduces the maximum hit of this attack to 100.
- Ice Breath: If this attack hits you, you are frozen in place for a few seconds and unable to attack. This is a good opportunity to eat or drink potions if you need to. As with the KBD's other unique attacks, the use of dragonfire protection reduces the maximum hit of this attack to 100.
Return to Top
Recommended Levels
Solo Hunting
- 80+ Attack and Strength for damage and the Chaotic rapier
- 70+ Defence to wear Bandos or Barrows armour
- 80+ Dungeoneering for the Chaotic rapier
- 70+ Prayer for access to Piety
- 88+ Summoning for the Unicorn Stallion familiar
If you are planning to use Range, the following additional requirements are suggested:
- 80+ Range for the Chaotic Crossbow
- 74+ Prayer for Rigour
- 90+ Firemaking if you are using a Hand cannon
You can fight the King Black Dragon with levels lower than these, however you will be less effective and stand a greater chance of dying or being crashed by another player.
Team Hunting
- 60+ Attack and Strength for damage and the ability to wield the Brackish blade
- 70+ Defence to wear Bandos or Barrows armour (depending on the size of your team, Runite armour can be worn)
- 43+ Prayer for access to Protect from Melee
- 52+ Summoning for the Spirit Terrorbird familiar
If you are planning to use Range, the following additional requirements are suggested:
- 61+ Range for damage and the ability to wield a Rune crossbow
These levels are the minimum you should have for players in a team of 5 or more, obviously the smaller the team the higher the levels one requires.
Return to Top
Getting There
The King Black Dragon's lair is located deep in the Wilderness, just west of the Lava Maze. The quickest way of getting to his lair is by using the artefact located in the north west of Edgeville, by the Wilderness wall. Alternatively you can traverse the Wilderness and gain the 10% damage bonus against the Dragon for doing so. If you go through the Wilderness be wary of
player killers, particularly if you are using the Obelisks as a means of transportation. Outside the entrance to the lair there are a few Lesser Demons which one will have to dodge. The lair itself is not in the Wilderness, however if you have been teleblocked you cannot use the lever to enter the lair.
There are many different ways to get to the Dragon's lair through the Wilderness as illustrated by the map below, however the quickest way is to use the Obelisks or the Lava titan's teleport which takes you to the entrance of the Lava Maze.
| Bank | Mage Arena OR Grand Exchange |
| Teleport | Ghorrock Teleport OR Lava Titan OR Games Necklace (Corporeal Beast's Lair) |
| Fairy Ring | DKR - Grand Exchange |
If you have 57 woodcutting, you can travel by canoe from Edgeville to just west of the Corporeal Beast's lair. This is not a widely used method of transportation due to it not being very well known and because prior to the toolbelt update it used up an inventory slot.
Once you arrive at the entrance to the dungeon, climb down the ladder and you will be greeted by some Poison Spiders. Once you're ready, pull the lever on the southern wall and you will be teleported into the King Black Dragon's lair. Be aware that you will be attacked almost immediately unless someone is already there so make sure to prepare your dragonfire protection before you enter.
Return to Top
Suggested Set-Ups
The King Black Dragon can be killed by players of all level and as such this section of the guide will be split into High Level and Low Level set-ups. The low level set-ups assume that you will be killing the King as part of a team.
It is worth noting that players who brave the Wilderness to get to the lair of the Dragon will receive a 10% damage boost over those who use the artefact.
Melee - High Level
Melee is the most effective way of killing the King Black Dragon, the three set-ups below are the most widely used and effective ways to kill the King with melee:
| Melee Set-Ups |
|
|
| Void Melee Standard Melee Proselyte |
|
|
|
Helmet: Void melee helmet
Amulet: Amulet of fury > Amulet of glory Body: Elite void knight top > Void knight top Legs: Elite void knight robe > Void knight robe Boots: Steadfast boots > Dragon boots Gloves: Void knight gloves Cape: TokHaar-Kal > Completionist cape (Max cape) > Ardougne Cloak 3/4 > Soul wars cape > Fire cape Ring: Berserker ring (i) > Tokkul- Zo > Berserker ring > Ring of wealth Shield: Dragon defender* > Dragonfire shield > Anti-poison totem* > Anti-dragon shield Melee Weapon: Chaotic rapier > Chaotic longsword > Brackish blade > Korasi's sword > Vine whip Special Weapon: Dragon claws > Enhanced excalibur > Dragon dagger (p++) Aura: Greater Reverence > Reverence Familiar: Unicorn stallion > Pack yak > War tortoise = Bunyip > Spirit terrorbird This set-up maximises your offensive capabilities at the cost of defence, however seeing as you will be praying against melee defence is not so important. The Unicorn stallion should keep your health topped up, however if you have access to Soul split you can use a Yak instead to extend your stay. Inventory shown: Overload potions, Prayer renewal potions, Super antifire potions, Prayer potions, Antipoison++, Dragon claws, Unicorn stallion pouch, Healing aura scrolls, Emergency teleport (Teleport to house). *Only when used in conjunction with Super antifire potions. |
Range - High Level
Due to the King Black Dragon's low Range defence it is a very effective way of killing him, particularly with the use of Dragonbane bolts.
| Range Set-ups |
|
|
| Void Range Standard Range |
|
|
|
Helmet: Void ranger helm*
Amulet: Amulet of fury > Amulet of ranging > Amulet of glory Body: Elite void knight top* > Void knight top* OR Armadyl chestplate > Karil's top Legs: Elite void knight robe* > Void knight robe* Boots: Glaiven boots > Ranger boots > Snakeskin boots Gloves: Void knight gloves* > Swift gloves > Mercenary's gloves > Barrows gloves Cape: Completionist cape (Max cape) > Ava's alerter > Soul wars cape > Ardougne Cloak 3/4 Ring: Archers' ring (i) > Onyx ring (i) > Dragonstone ring (i) > Tokkul- Zo Shield: Void knight deflector** > Eagle-eye kiteshield** > Illuminated unholy book** > Anti-dragon shield Range weapon: Chaotic crossbow > Hand cannon > Rune crossbow Ammunition: Dragonbane bolts > Diamond bolts (e) > Hand cannon shot Special Weapon: Dragon claws > Enhanced excalibur > Dragon dagger (p++) Aura: Greater Reverence > Reverence Familiar: Unicorn stallion > Pack yak > War tortoise = Bunyip > Spirit terrorbird If you are using a crossbow and have access to Super antifire potions. then you should use the Void knight deflector and wear either an Armadyl chestplate or Karil's top instead of the Void top. If you are using the Hand cannon or do not have access to Super antifire potions then a Void knight top and an anti-fire shield should be worn. The Dragonfire shield is not advised due to its negative range bonus. A Unicorn stallion should be able to sustain you and players with access to soul split may wish to bring a Pack yak instead to extend their trips. Inventory shown: Super antifire potions, Overload potions, Prayer renewal potions, Antipoison++, Prayer potion, Dragon claws, Unicorn stallion, Healing aura scrolls, Emergency teleport (Teleport to house). *Four items of Void equipment need to be worn to get the set bonus. If using the Hand cannon then one
must wear a Void knight top, otherwise Karil's top or an Armadyl chestplate and a Deflector can be worn. |
Low Level and Welfare Set-Ups
The following set-ups are aimed for players with lower combat levels and less money who will be fighting the King Black Dragon in a team. One could solo the Dragon with these set-ups, however it would most likely be slow and the trip would be short.
| Low Level and Welfare Set-Ups |
|
|
| Standard Melee Prayer Bonus |
|
|
|
Helmet: Full slayer helmet* > Helm
of neitiznot > Berserker helm > Proselyte
sallet
Amulet: Amulet of glory > Amulet of power > Amulet of strength > Holy symbol Body: Karil's top > Black d'hide body > Red d'hide body Legs: Karil's skirt > Black d'hide chaps > Red d'hide chaps Boots: Dragon boots > Rune boots > Rock climbing boots > Adamant boots Gloves: Dragon slayer gloves* > Culinaromancer's gloves 10 > Other Culinaromancer's Gloves Cape: Ardougne Cloak > Bladestorm drape > God cloak Ring: Berserker ring > Ring of wealth Shield: Anti-dragon shield Melee Weapon: Brackish blade > Korasi's sword > Vine whip > Leaf-bladed sword > Abyssal whip Special Weapon: Enhanced excalibur > Dragon dagger (p++) Aura: Greater Reverence > Reverence Familiar: War tortoise > Bunyip > Spirit terrorbird This is the standard melee set-up which is ideal if you are in smaller groups or even trying to solo the KBD. Magic defence will help reduce the damage taken from his attacks. The Enhanced Excalibur is the preferred special weapon here, the special attack of Korasi's sword is not particularly effective but it can be used if needed. Inventory shown: Super attack potions, Super strength potions, Anti-fire potions, Antipoison++, Prayer potions, Sharks, Enhanced excalibur, War tortoise pouch, Emergency teleport (Teleport to house). *When on a Black dragon Slayer assignment. |
Range is not particularly effective for lower levels due to its low hits. In larger teams this is not so much of a problem but in smaller teams it can slow you down and also make it difficult to fend of crashers. This is not recommended for people wanting to solo the KBD.
| Low Level Range |
|
|
|
|
|
Helmet: Full slayer helmet* > Karil's coif > Black d'hide coif
Amulet: Amulet of ranging > Amulet of glory Body: Karil's top > Black d'hide body > Red d'hide body Legs: Karil's skirt > Black d'hide chaps > Red d'hide chaps Boots: Ranger boots > Snakeskin boots Gloves: Dragon slayer gloves* > Mercenary's gloves > Culinaromancer's gloves 10 > Black d'hide vambraces > Red d'hide vambraces Cape: Ava's alerter > Ardougne Cloak > Arrowstorm drape > God cloak Ring: Archers' ring > Ring of wealth Shield: Anti-dragon shield Range Weapon: Rune crossbow > Zanik's crossbow** > Adamant crossbow Ammunition: Dragonbane bolts > Diamond bolts (e) > Adamant bolts > Broad bolts Special Weapon: Enhanced excalibur > Dragon dagger (p++) Aura: Greater Reverence > Reverence Familiar: War tortoise > Bunyip > Spirit terrorbird This set-up utilises the fact that defence is not overly important when fighting the King. The idea here is to protect from melee while using a healing familiar or soul split to keep oneself healed. Players without access to at least a Bunyip may find this method unsustainable due to the constant dragonbreath hits. Inventory shown: Ranged potions, Anti-fire potions, Antipoison++, Prayer potions, Sharks, Enhanced excalibur, War tortoise pouch, Emergency teleport (Teleport to house). *When on a Black dragon Slayer assignment. |
Return to Top
Strategy
The King Black Dragon is capable of dealing a fairly large amount of damage in a short period of time, particularly if one allows their super-antifire to run out. Fortunately he only attacks with two sides of the combat triangle so defensively he is much easier to manage than other boss monsters and even non-boss monsters such as Mithril Dragons and Skeletal Wyverns.
Melee
Before entering the Dragon's lair it is a good idea to drink any potions, especially your antifire potions as you will almost certainly be attacked by long-ranged dragonfire upon entering the lair. Once in the lair, activate your melee prayers and run over to the Dragon. The only damage one will take is from the dragonfire attacks which cannot be blocked, however players with soul split should be able to maintain their health. Without soul split a Unicorn stallion combined with Enhanced Excalibur and some food should maintain one's health. Lower levelled players will find it more effective to bring a beast of burden full of supplies than to bring a Bunyip.
Range
There are two methods one can use to deal with the King Black Dragon and it comes down to personal
preference more than anything else. The most obvious method is to range the Dragon from a distance with
Dragonbane bolts or a Hand cannon as this eliminates the need to use protection prayers, however this does
expose you to more damage as the King will be exclusively using unblockable dragonfire attacks.
The second method requires prayer, however less damage is taken overall. Instead of attacking the Dragon from
afar, attack it from within melee range and use melee protection prayers. This encourages the Dragon to use his
melee attacks, thus reducing the number of un-blockable attacks you are subject to.
Team Strategies
Killing the King Black Dragon in a team is easy, he is not a complex boss nor a particularly powerful one.
That's not to say he cannot kill you, because he can using the plethora of dragonfire attacks he has at his
disposal. When killing him in a team it is a good idea to either have a team of melee fighters or a combination of
melee and range fighters.
Proselyte armour is arguably the best armour for players who do not have access to Void armour as, providing
melee protection prayers are being used, defence is unimportant since the Dragon will not focus on the same
player all the time.
Return to Top
Closing
The King Black Dragon was once the most powerful boss in RuneScape, however since the classic days he has
fallen from grace quite considerably. Nowadays he considered a boss for mid level players and is a good start point for low level players learning how to fight
bosses. For higher levels he is killed for fun or as a substitute for black dragons when assigned them as a slayer
task. The KBD's drops are decent for the type of players he is aimed at, for higher levelled players there are considerably better
options such as Skeletal Wyverns and Frost Dragons.
Happy hunting!
Return to Top
Credits
Original Guide by: Kaeporo and headshot007111
Revised Guide by: BloodAngel
Thanks to: Adamskii, Agent1777, Alxking666, Brainymidget, Dragontotem, Georgelemmons, Guy The Best, halo2_rocks7, Headnazgul, Howlin1, JoeDaStudd, Lady_Shahdie, Lakster, Mchainmail, Mdeoxys, Mecakoto, Metoo1000, Misplacedme, n_odie, oddfaery2, Pokemama, Racheya, rilo kiley, Shasta_SMS, Sheynara, Speedyshel, SportsGuy, The_Kuniva, TheLeonardo, Wachtwoord, Warriormonkx
Last updated by: Arceus
Last updated: 11-Nov-2014
Return to Top
| RuneScape 2007 |
| Find this page on the Internet Archive with a date as close to Aug 10, 2007 as possible. |
Add a Tip.It button to your web site:
© 1999 - 2023 RuneScape Tips, all rights reserved.
RuneScape® and Jagex® are trademarks of Jagex Ltd © 2000 - 2023 Andrew Gower.
Reproducing or copying any material found on this page is not allowed. Designed for IE8+, Firefox 3.5+, Safari 4+, Opera 10+, and Chrome by Mil.