Dagannoth Kings Guide

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Skill Defence Logo The Dagannoth Kings are some of the most dangerous monsters in Runescape, due to the multi-combat nature of their lair. You will be under constant attack at all times, and even the most experienced players can die in seconds. You should never attempt to fight the kings with items you are not willing to risk losing.
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Overview

Waterbirth Island is the place where Fremennik warriors go to fight the infestation of dagannoth that threatens their city and harbour. While the island itself is interesting for various reasons, this guide focuses on the three bosses located in the island depths. For more information on Waterbirth Island, check out our Waterbirth Island Dungeon.

The island has many monsters that can be extremely dangerous, including Dagannoth, Giant rock crabs, Rock lobsters, and Wallasalki.

The Dagannoth Kings are three bosses, each using a specific style from the combat triangle, and provide one of the most consistent ways of making money in the game. Rex attacks with melee, Supreme attacks with ranged, and Prime attacks with magic. While dangerous, the profit is well worth the risk.

The lair is a round piece of land surrounded by a monster-filled moat. The kings only wander in specific areas of the islet, so it is possible to avoid attacks by certain kings for the most part, provided you step carefully, but you'll eventually be spotted. If they spot you, all Kings can follow you to any part of the islet, where they won't stop attacking you until you kill them, leave, or die.

The Dagannoth Kings count towards a Dagannoth slayer assignment. A Full slayer helmet or Slayer helmet can be used in any of the following set-ups to get the usual slayer task boosts.

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Enemies

Dagannoth Rex (Bestiary Profile)
Combat Level: 156 Dagannoth Rex Lifepoints: 37,400 Maximum Hit: 979 Attack Style(s): Melee Weakness: Fire spells
Experience Summary
There are many better methods for gaining XP than killing the Dagannoth Kings, but the XP gained over an extended trip can add up over time.
Drops Summary
Rex, like the other Dagannoth Kings, can drop dragon hatchets, and is the only monster to drop berserker rings and warrior rings. The common drops from Rex are not the best, however the high rate of rare drop table drops and the rarer but more valuable drops like Rock-shell plate and legs make up for this. Rex also has a 100% drop rate for a dagannoth bones and dagannoth hide.
Special Notes
Rex's accuracy isn't very high when you're wearing armour with high melee protection, such as magic armour, but when he does hit, it's generally quite high, so come prepared. Rex is completely immune to ranged and melee attacks, so magic combat styles are a must!
Recommended Levels
75+ Magic, 70+ Defence, and 70+ Prayer.
Dagannoth Supreme (Bestiary Profile)
Combat Level: 156 Dagannoth Supreme Lifepoints: 37,400 Maximum Hit: 1000-1100 Attack Style(s): Ranged Weakness: Stab/Balmung
Experience Summary
There are many better methods for gaining XP than killing the Dagannoth Kings, but the XP gained over an extended trip can add up over time.
Drops Summary
Supreme, like the other Dagannoth Kings, can drop dragon hatchets, and is also the only monster to drop archer's rings and Seerculls. Supreme's common drops are not as good as some monsters', but the high rate of rare drop table drops and the rarer but more valuable drops like noted yew logs make up for this. Supreme also has a 100% drop rate for dagannoth bones and dagannoth hide.
Special Notes
Supreme has decent accuracy, even when you're wearing armour with high ranged protection, such as melee armour, and when he does hit, it's generally quite high, so come prepared. Rex is completely immune to magic and ranged attacks, so melee combat styles are a must!
Recommended Levels
80+ Attack and Strength, 70+ Defence, and 70+ Prayer.
Dagannoth Prime (Bestiary Profile)
Combat Level: 156 Dagannoth Prime Lifepoints: 37,400 Maximum Hit: 1300+ Attack Style(s): Magic Weakness: Arrows
Experience Summary
There are many better methods for gaining XP than killing the Dagannoth Kings, but the XP gained over an extended trip can add up over time.
Drops Summary
Prime, like the other Dagannoth Kings, can drop the Dragon hatchets, and is also the only monster to drop Seer's ring and the Mud battlestaff. The common drops are fairly good, as Prime has a high drop rate for noted talimans (most notably, Water talismans which are in high demand for summoning), and other items like Pure essence, as well as the high rate of rare drop table drops. Prime also has a 100% drop rate on one Dagannoth bones and Dagannoth hide.
Special Notes
Prime has high accuracy, even when you're wearing armour with high magic protection, such as ranged armour, and he can hit dangerously high, so come prepared. Prime is completely immune to melee and magic attacks, so ranged combat styles are a must!
Recommended Levels
80+ Ranged, 70+ Defence, and 70+ Prayer.
Spinolyp (Bestiary Profile)
Combat Level: 76 Spinolyp Lifepoints: 750 Maximum Hit: 100 approx Attack Style(s): Ranged and Magic Weakness: Crush
Experience Summary
Spinolyps spawn around the islet, and while they aren't "submerged", they can't be attacked (they can't attack you however). If a cannon is used, small amounts of ranged xp can be gained by killing them.
Drops Summary
Spinolyps extremely rarely drop hard clue scrolls.
Special Notes
The magic attack of Spinolyps will drain a small amount of prayer points, which can be blocked by protection prayer.
Recommended Levels
70+ Defence, and 70+ Prayer.

Maging Rex

Waterbirth Island hosts a pleasant combination of low-level and high-level boss hunting. The simplest way to kill the Dagannoth Kings is killing only one king and avoiding the others. Of all kings, Rex is the easiest to kill without taking a lot of damage. Killing only Prime or Supreme is not viably worth it and also quite hard to do as their spawns are quite close, potentially getting you attacked by up to all 3 kings at once.

Maging Set-up
Solomage
Helmet: Superior sea singer's hood > Virtus mask > Ganodermic visor > Hood of subjugation > Akrisae's hood > Ahrim's hood
Amulet: Arcane stream necklace (best arcane necklace) > Saradomin's murmur > Amulet of fury > Amulet of glory
Body: Superior sea singer's robe top > Virtus robe top > Ganodermic poncho > Garb of subjugation > Akrisae's robe top > Ahrim's robe top
Legs: Superior sea singer's robe bottom > Virtus robe legs > Ganodermic leggings > Gown of subjugation > Akrisae's robe skirt > Ahrim's robe skirt
Boots: Fremminik sea boots 4 > Ragefire boots > Ganodermic boots > Infinity boots
Gloves: Static gloves > Spellcaster gloves > Culinaromancer's gloves 10 > Regeneration bracelet
Cape: Completionist cape (Max cape) > Zamorak/Saradomin/Guthix cape > Trimmed skillcape > Ardougne cloak 3/4 > Soul Wars cape

Ring: Ring of wealth/Seers' ring (i) > Onyx ring (i)/Sixth-age circuit > Dragonstone ring (i) > Tokkul-zo
Weapon: Chaotic staff > Polypore staff OR Armadyl battlestaff > Staff of light > Ahrim's staff
Aura: Penance > Vampyrism > Reverence

Prayers: Soul split + Torment > Ranged deflect + Leech magic/Leech defence > Protect from ranged + Augury

Familiar: Pack yak > Wolpertinger > Unicorn stallion > Elemental Titan > War tortoise + Bunyip
Spell: Fire surge > Fire wave/Storm of Armadyl (with Armadyl battlestaff) > Polypore staff > Claws of Guthix

Inventory: Winter storage scroll, Overloads (black potions), Prayer potions (light blue potions), Prayer renewals (dark red potions), Super restores (purple potions).

This gear emphasizes magic damage and defence. With Rex being both weak to magic, and immune to range and melee damage, you want to focus on magic defence from the Spinolyp attacks, and magic attack to kill Rex off as quickly as possible. You will have to wait between Rex spawns. It is recommended that you take a partner to get Supreme and perhaps Prime off you at least for the first kill, because there is only a small chance of getting into the lair without getting one or both aggressive towards you. After that you can solo or share the room with a hybrid.

Which spell you choose should depend on what you want more: magic experience or money. The Polypore staff is usually the cheapest spell as a whole to usewhile if you want experience more, use Storm of Armadyl with an Armadyl battlestaff. If you use a polypore staff you can be on any spellbook, allowing you to use blood barrage from the ancient spellbook, for healing, or Waterbirth teleport from the Lunar spellbook, for quick banking. Rex has a weakness to fire spells too, so using your best fire spell (fire surge or bloodfire barrage) is extremely effective.

Suiciding
The suicider is a partner whose only job is to provide the mage with a safe entrance to the King's Lair. Their job consists entirely of entering the lair, killing Supreme as fast as possible, then killing Prime if he gets on the mage, and then teleporting out. To do this easily it's suggested to bring the following:

  • Some armour focusing on offence (see Prime and Supreme hybrid gear below).
  • A powerful melee and ranged weapon (such as an Upgraded Balmung and a Crystal bow
  • A prayer potion.
  • One dose each of super/extreme attack, strength and ranged potion.
  • Teleport to house tablet.
  • Some Rocktail.

Overall this is a very easy thing to do and you shouldn't worry too much about what you bring provided you have enough food.

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Tribrid

While Tribrid is the most dangerous role, as you are attacked by all three kings, it is also the most profitable, as you have the chance for every special drop from the kings. Usually done in at least a duo or trio, tribrid is possible solo, but shouldn't be attempted by anyone without extensive experience at the kings, due to the lack of gravestone-blessing partner, and the amount of damage that is taken when king spawns overlap.

Tribrid Set-up
Tribrid
Magic helmet: Superior sea singer's hood > Virtus mask > Ganodermic visor > Hood of subjugation > Akrisae's hood > Ahrim's hood
Melee helmet: Superior tetsu helm > Torva full helm > Bandos helmet > Verac's helm > Torag's/Dharok's/Guthan's helm
Ranged helmet: Superior death lotus hood > Pernix cowl > Armadyl helmet > Karil's coif

Amulet: Amulet of fury > Amulet of glory

Magic body: Superior sea singer's robe top > Virtus robe top > Ganodermic poncho > Garb of subjugation > Akrisae's robe top > Ahrim's robe top
Melee body: Superior tetsu body > Torva platebody > Bandos chestplate > Verac's brassard > Torag's/Dharok's/Guthan's platebody
Ranged body: Superior death lotus chestplate > Pernix body > Armadyl chestplate > Karil's top

Magic legs: Superior sea singer's robe bottom > Virtus robe legs > Ganodermic leggings > Gown of subjugation > Akrisae's robe skirt > Ahrim's robe skirt
Melee legs: Superior tetsu legs > Torva platelegs > Bandos tassets > Verac's plateskirt > Torag's/Dharok's/Guthan's legs
Ranged legs: Superior death lotus chaps > Pernix chaps > Armadyl chainskirt > Karil's skirt

Boots: Fremminik sea boots 4 > Ragefire/Steadfast/Glaiven boots > Ganodermic/Bandos/Armadyl boots
Gloves: Culinaromancer's gloves 10 > Regeneration bracelet
Cape: Completionist Cape (Max Cape) > Trimmed skillcape > Soul Wars cape
Ring: Ring of wealth/Onyx ring (i)/Sixth-age circuit > Dragonstone ring (i) > Tokkul-zo

Magic weapon: Chaotic staff > Polypore staff OR Armadyl battlestaff > Staff of light > Ahrim's staff
Melee weapon: Drygore rapier/Off-hand drygore rapier > Upgraded Balmung > Chaotic maul > Zamorakian spear > Guthan's warspear
Ranged weapon: Zaryte bow/Royal crossbow > Crystal bow > Karil's crossbow

Aura: Penance > Vampyrism > Reverence

Prayers: Soul split + Turmoil/Anguish/Torment > Deflect Prayers + Leech Prayers > Protect Prayers + Piety/Rigour/Augury

Familiar: Pack yak > Unicorn stallion > Elemental Titan > War tortoise + Bunyip

Inventory: Winter storage scroll, Overloads (black potions), Prayer potions (light blue potions), Prayer renewals (dark red potions), Super restores (purple potions), and equipment switches for other combat styles.
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Strategies and Tactics

Abilities

The abilities shown below are examples of ability bars set up specifically for each combat style. Different setups work for different people, but this shows an example of the basic, threshold and ultimate abilities used successfully for solo tribrid setups. Use what works for you!


Magic abilities
Dks Ability Magic
Melee abilities
Dks Ability Melee
Ranged abilities
Dks Ability Ranged

Defence - Surviving the Kings
You will be under attack by four of the monsters described above: each of the Dagannoth Kings and Spinolyps. Always keep above 3000 health unless you are experienced and have a special reason to let your health drop. Keep your prayer high as well, as one disconnect at low prayer could mean death.

Of the three kings, Prime hits hardest. While he is alive and you are within his range, you should be wary of taking large amounts of damage very quickly.

Rex uses melee attacks and hits approximately as well as Supreme. There is an elegant way to deal with Rex: using distance. There viable way to ensure he can never attack you is to lure him around the edges of the islet, allowing you to safely mage him to death. Running to as far east of the islet as you can, and then to either the north-east or south-east spots will usually lure Rex into a spot where he can't hit you while you mage him from afar.

Lured Monster

This image shows Rex in a lured position, where the player can cast magic spells without retaliation from Rex. This is possible by luring him as far east on the islet as possible, and then moving either north or south along the edge of the islet, trapping Rex. You will not be able to use the Dragonbreath ability, due to not standing in direct melee range.

For higher levels, you can survive purely on Soul split as long as you have enough prayer to maintain the heavy drain. Penance is useful because you shouldn't need to drink many doses of Prayer restore potion for the hour that Penance is running. Soul split is viable to use when killing a single king, or tanking up to two at once, but if you're tanking all three at the same time, you should use magic protection prayers, your best melee stat-boosting prayer, and kill Supreme first.

Offence - Killing the Kings
Each king is weak to one attack style as stated above. They are completely immune versus other attack styles, so you always have to use the correct combat style against them. That means you always have to mage Rex, range Prime and melee Supreme. In order to effectively use multiple attack styles, you need to bring different pieces of gear, depending on which kings you will be killing.

A dwarf multicannon greatly increases your damage output on Prime, who is the slowest king to kill without it. The following image shows the position your cannon should be in, which is directly on top of the Prime spawn. Once Prime spawns, you start the cannon firing, and with the majority of the cannonballs hitting Prime instead of the Spinolyps, he should die within 30 cannonballs. The black dot represents where on the minimap Prime spawns, and where your cannon should be set up.
Cannon Dks

If you have a dagannoth task you should wear a Full slayer helmet while killing the kings at all times! It provides the full 15% increase in max hit and accuracy as normal which speeds up kills of all three kings!.

Mechanics - Avoiding the kings

Each king spawns at a certain point on the islet and will wander within a certain range. These ranges are not the same and do not cover the entire lair, although they have a large overlap. If you stay in the right zones, mostly around the edges of the lair, you can avoid being seen by some kings. This is extensively used while killing the kings, because it can dramatically reduce damage taken. When a king is killed, its range becomes safe to use until it respawns. The kings now have a further line of sight range than before the EoC update, but as long as you are on the extreme edges of the islet, you should be relatively safe.

The respawn rate depends on world population. Depending on how quickly you can kill the kings, you will want a high or low population world. If only one king is alive at the time, you can use the equipment giving you high bonuses against them, and theoretically stay the same health or even heal using Soul split.

You should be very careful when using a dwarf cannon, because it will cause the kings to see you as it hits them. There is no way to escape Prime and Supreme if they've caught your scent, and the only way to escape Rex is to feed him someone else. Of course you can leave the lair to make them forget about you, either by taking the ladder or by teleport.

Inventory & Healing - Extending your trip
Because it takes around ten minutes to get to the King's Lair, reducing the number of times you have to bank increases your net kills per hour and profit. It's also more convenient because you need another player to access the lair. These are some of the items you might want to carry with you to restore prayer and health, or to avoid damage, as well as items you will need for other things:

  • You need runes to mage Rex if you do not use a Polypore staff. A celestial surgebox can save some inventory space. If you also kill another king, you need to bring a staff and an arcane stream necklace or their replacements in your inventory as well. (2-4 spaces for runes and 2 for attack style switches)

  • You can bring familiar scrolls and additonal pouches. Familiars are worth bringing at almost any summoning level.(1-3 spaces depending on trip length)

  • You can bring a dwarf multicannon and cannonballs. This can be set up under Prime and then moved to his spawn to deal very heavy damage. It is recommended to bring a cannon if you are killing all three kings, although not necessary. (5 spaces)

  • You can't survive for long without a way to restore prayer. Your main form of prayer restoration should be prayer renewals. You can also bring prayer potions, super restore potions, super prayer potions, a Falador shield 4 and a holy wrench to do this. The wrench increases prayer restore from the four types of potion but is only worth it if you bring 100 doses of prayer restore or more.

If you have a Pack yak, you can have it carry all the prayer and healing you need for around two to three hours. If you don't have a yak but you have a Unicorn stallion, you will probably not need any other form of healing, but you will have far less space to fill with prayer potions. Elemental titans provide comparatively little healing, and should be used along with a War tortoise filled with potions if you are killing multiple kings.
You should carefully weigh your stats, equipment and inventory to ensure a combination of kill speed and staying power to ensure maximum profit. In the end the inventories provided above are only indications of what you should bring.

Death
If you die, it will take around 10 minutes to get back to your grave, so make sure you have the very best grave available to you. If you can, try to get a bless on your grave - 60 minutes is certainly enough to make it back. Asking a friend to get you past the Waterbirth Dungeon buttons is a good idea if you can get one to help, or you can ask the people that generally camp Dagannoth near the doors, who might be kind enough to let you in. Make sure you have the best grave available to you! It can't be stressed enough that a 500k gp investment in a grave could save you potentially millions of gp in gear!

Prime Dks Action
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Rewards

The Dagannoth Kings provide one of the most consistent ways of making money in the game, with the high prices in Dagannoth bones, the less valuable Dagannoth hide, and the Dagannoth King unique drops.

The Dagannoth Kings have a fair amount of common noted drops, ranging from Coal, to Yew logs, to Water talismans. Picking up all noted items if you have the space, is worth the extra effort, because the one inventory space will usually be worth more than the un-noted bone or hide drop.

Dagannoth Rex drops the Berserker ring, and the Warrior ring, both worth a decent chunk of money.

Dksguide Rewards

Dagannoth Supreme drops the Archer's ring, and the Seercull bow. While the Seercull isn't an extremely valuable drop, the Archer's ring is, but both are worth the inventory space to pick up.

Dagannoth Prime drops the Seer's ring, one of the best magic-boosting ring available (even better when imbued). Prime also drops the Mud battlestaff, an item sometimes in high demand for Lunar spells.

Each of the kings drops the Dragon hatchet, a highly valuable high level hatchet. The kings also have a high rate of Rare Drop Table drops, which can consistently add more profit to a trip.

After the cost in potions, someone that kills the Dagannoth Kings in solo tribid can make around 2-4 million gold per hour. This is one of the best, consistent money making methods available to players with the skills to solo the Dagannoth Kings.

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Credits

Original Guide by: oddfaery2

Rewritten by: Dragonkng198, Quyneax

Special thanks to: Aiel, Brainymidget, Jaffy1, Octarine19

Thanks to: abomb67, AHappySeeker, berserking1, Darth Seers, Jeremy841, JoeDaStudd, Lady_Shahdie, Metallica56, Picard7777, pokemama, PopeDevourer, Octarine19, oddfaery2, misplacedme, metoo1000, Solemnis, SportsGuy, stonewall337, TheLeonardo, Tryto, Wachtwoord, Warriormonkx

Last Updated by: Arceus

Last updated: 11-Nov-2014


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