Killing Iron and Steel Dragons

Overview

Iron Dragon Basic Facts (Bestiary Profile)
Combat Level: 189	Lifepoints: 1650	Maximum Hit: 179 (melee) 500+ (dragonfire)	Attack Style(s): Melee+Dragonfire
	Experience Summary
	Killing Iron Dragons with Magic offers fairly good experience, however, due to their high defence and lifepoints they are poor for Melee and Ranged experience.
	Drops Summary
	Their most notable drop is the rare Draconic visage. They are also one of only 3 creatures to drop Dragon platelegs and the Dragon plateskirt. Other notable drops include Elite clue scrolls, Starved ancient effigies, a decent amount of Rune items, and other Dragon items.
	Special Notes
	Iron Dragons can hit hard with their melee attacks, and even harder with their dragonfire, so if you are not paying attention you can die in a matter of seconds. If you are out of melee range they will solely use their long-ranged dragonfire attack, which can be fully blocked by a combination of an Anti-dragon shield or Dragonfire shield and Antifire potion, or a Super antifire potion.

Steel Dragon Basic Facts (Bestiary Profile)
Combat Level: 246	Lifepoints: 2100	Maximum Hit: 229 (melee) 500+ (dragonfire)	Attack Style(s): Melee+Dragonfire
	Experience Summary
	Killing Steel Dragons with Magic offers fairly good experience, however, due to their high defence and lifepoints they are poor for Melee and Ranged experience.
	Drops Summary
	Their most notable drop is the rare Draconic visage. They are also one of only 3 creatures to drop Dragon platelegs and the Dragon plateskirt. Other notable drops include Elite clue scrolls, Starved ancient effigies, a decent amount of Rune items, and other Dragon items. They drop three charms at a time, their most common charm drop being Green charms.
	Special Notes
	Steel Dragons can hit hard with their melee attacks and even harder with their dragonfire so if you are not paying attention you can die in a matter of seconds. If you are out of melee range they will solely use their long-ranged dragonfire attack which can be fully blocked by a combination of an Anti-dragon shield or Dragonfire shield and Antifire potion or a Super antifire potion.

Iron Dragons and Steel Dragons are some of the highest level creatures in Runescape that are not boss monsters. Never underestimate these guys as they could easily kill the best of us with melee or dragon breath when we are not paying attention. It is therefore extremely important to always have an antifire measure active when fighting these.

These creatures have a long-range dragon breath attack which makes them highly aggressive towards players up to 8 paces away, though like any creature, they become unaggressive after around 20 to 30 minutes. This long-range dragon breath prevents players from safely ranging these with a bow, but allows mages and rangers using a crossbow to kill them with ease, since the dragon will ALWAYS use this attack when attacked at range.

Bronze Dragons are excluded from this guide as they have low drop rates of the items mentioned above and are generally much easier to tackle. However, if you decide to slay Bronze Dragons, this guide will provide you with a general idea of how to fight them, as many of the tactics apply directly to Bronze dragons as well.

Whether you are using Super antifire or regular Antifire potions, it is crucially important to keep these potions active when fighting metal dragons. Watch out for the message below when fighting the dragons, and quickly drink another dose before your potion wears off.

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Recommended levels

Iron Dragons

• 80 Attack and Strength and 70 Prayer OR
• 90 Ranged and 44 Prayer OR
• 75 Magic

It is still possible to kill Iron Dragons with levels under these, but kills may be too slow to make a decent profit.

Steel Dragons

• 90 Attack and Strength and 70 Prayer OR
• 99 Range and 74 Prayer and Rigour/Chaotic crossbow (or 90+ Firemaking for Hand cannon) OR
• 95 Magic OR 90+ Magic and means of boosting to use Fire surge

It is still possible to kill Steel Dragons with levels below these, but kills may become too slow to make a decent profit.

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Recommended Equipment Set-ups

Both Steel and Iron Dragons can be effectively killed by all three sides of the combat triangle, though, out of the three, Magic and Melee are preferred. For lower levelled players Magic is the best choice because the Dragons are particularly vulnerable to fire spells.

NOTE: A hatchet (found in your tool belt if you have added one) is only needed if you are killing Iron/Steel dragons in Brimhaven Dungeon (you also need level 12 Agility). Please also note that you need to pay 875gp or have obtained Karamja gloves 3/4 (you do not need to have these on you) to get into the dungeon.

Melee Set-ups

Here are the recommended equipment and inventory set-ups for killing metal dragons using melee. Melee is a commonly used method for players killing metal dragons on a slayer task and is often the most efficient, as the cost of supplies is low compared to its speed. It is recommended to use either Ultimate Strength, Piety, or Turmoil prayers when using melee, as these will lead to faster kills and higher profit.

Melee Set-ups

Void Melee                Slayer - Strength bonus                Proselyte - Minimalist

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: Completionist cape (Max cape) > Fire cape > Ardougne cloak 3/4 > Soul Wars cape Ring: Ferocious ring (Only in Kuradel's Dungeon) or Berserker ring (i) > Berserker ring > Ring of wealth Shield: Dragon defender* > Dragonfire shield > Anti-dragon shield Melee weapon: Chaotic rapier > Chaotic longsword > Korasi's sword > Brackish blade Special Weapon: Korasi's sword = Dragon claws > Dragon dagger (p++) Familiar: Pack Yak > War Tortoise > Spirit Terrorbird This set-up will give the best damage output possible with melee, while also providing a reasonable prayer bonus for longer trips. However, this is not advised for use on a slayer task, as the Slayer helm gives better bonuses. When using a Berserker ring (i) you could bring a Ring of wealth to switch to near the end of a kill to increase the chances of better loot, but it is additional effort. If you have access to overload potions, use them. If you have a pack yak, do not bring alchemy runes and do not forget your winter storage scrolls. Hatchet and coins are optional and only required when you're killing metal dragons in Brimhaven if you have not obtained Karamja gloves. Be sure to select the 'stab' option on your weapon as metal dragons are weakest to this fighting style. *Only when used in conjunction with Super antifire potions. Helmet: Full slayer helmet** > Helmet of Neitiznot > Berserker helm > Proselyte sallet Amulet: Amulet of fury > Amulet of glory Body: Bandos chestplate > Fighter torso > Proselyte hauberk Legs: Bandos tassets > Verac's plateskirt (if tanking) or Monk's robe bottoms (if protect praying) Boots: Steadfast boots > Dragon boots Gloves: Culinaromancer's gloves 10 > Regeneration bracelet > Combat bracelet Cape: Completionist cape (Max cape) > Fire cape > Ardougne Cloak 3/4 > Soul Wars cape Ring: Ferocious ring (Only in Kuradel's Dungeon) > Berserker ring (i) > Berserker ring > Ring of wealth Shield: Dragon defender* > Dragonfire shield > Anti-dragon shield Melee weapon: Chaotic rapier > Chaotic longsword > Korasi's sword > Brackish blade Special Weapon: Korasi's sword = Dragon claws > Dragon dagger (p++) Familiar: Pack Yak > War Tortoise > Spirit Terrorbird This set-up is designed for use on a slayer task. As you will not need to be killing the dragons for an extended period of time, prayer bonus can be sacrificed for strength bonus to speed up kills. Players may also wish to use a Dwarf multicannon to speed up kills, however, this will come at a price and cannot be used in Kuradal's dungeon. If you have Soul Split you will not need to pray Protect from Melee. If you have access to overload potions, use them. If you have a pack yak, do not bring alchemy runes and do not forget your winter storage scrolls. Hatchet and coins are optional and only required when you're killing metal dragons in Brimhaven. Hatchet and coins are only required to access Brimhaven dungeon without Karamja gloves. *Only when used in conjunction with Super antifire potions. **Should only be used when killing Iron or Steel dragons on a slayer task. Helmet: Full slayer helmet** > Helmet of Neitiznot > Proselyte sallet Amulet: Amulet of fury > Amulet of glory Body: Proselyte hauberk Legs: Proselyte cuisse Boots: Steadfast boots > Dragon boots Gloves: Culinaromancer's gloves 10 > Regeneration bracelet > Combat bracelet Cape: Completionist cape (Max cape) > Ardougne Cloak 3/4 > Fire cape Ring: Ferocious ring (Only in Kuradel's Dungeon) > Berserker ring (i) > Berserker ring > Ring of wealth Shield: Dragon defender* > Dragonfire shield > Anti-dragon shield Melee weapon: Chaotic rapier > Chaotic longsword > Korasi's sword > Brackish blade Special Weapon: Korasi's sword = Dragon claws > Dragon dagger (p++) Familiar: Pack Yak > War Tortoise > Spirit Terrorbird This set-up gives a high prayer bonus and is cheaper, sacrificing kill speed in order to spend longer at metal dragons in one trip. It is good to base a set-up on proselyte armour and then add strength boosting items (such as dragon boots and a berseker ring) once you feel you have sufficient prayer bonus to sustain your prayers. If you have access to overload potions, use them. If you have a pack yak, do not bring alchemy runes and do not forget your winter storage scrolls. Hatchet and coins are optional and only required when you're killing metal dragons in Brimhaven. Hatchet and coins are only required to access Brimhaven dungeon if you have not obtained Karamja gloves. *Only when used in conjunction with Super antifire potions. **Should only be used when killing Iron or Steel dragons on a slayer task.

All dragons are most vulnerable to stab attacks, so use the best stab weapon you have when you melee them. Void is the most powerful offensive armour when not on a slayer task and also has great prayer bonusus - it is highly recommended. If you are slaying the main choice is deciding between the Strength bonus offered by Bandos or the Prayer bonus offered by Proselyte. Since it is possible to kill even the largest task's worth of steel dragons without banking (unless banking bones, in which case you can withdraw more prayer potions anyway), Bandos is superior to Proselyte.

If you choose to wear Bandos armour it is possible to forego the use of melee protection prayers and use Soul Split flashing instead. It is also possible to pray Protect from Melee only part of the time, activating it only when your health gets low, and healing up with a bunyip continuously.

Ranged Set-ups

Ranged is the least effective of the three combat styles against Iron and Steel Dragons due to their high defence and the relatively low damage Ranged does compared to the other styles. It is still a feasible method for the high level Ranger, although the best method depends on your levels. Due to their high defence, it is recommended rangers use their highest offensive ranged prayers on the standard prayer book. If you are slaying and have a Firemaking level of 90 or higher, using a Hand cannon is advised, though if you do not have level 90 Firemaking, using a Crossbow is your most effective weapon. Make sure to stand out of range of the Dragons' melee attacks so you do not need to worry about using a protect prayer.

Ranged set-ups

Ranged - Void                Ranged - Standard/Slayer

Helmet: Void ranger helm Amulet: Amulet of fury = Amulet of ranging > Amulet of glory Body: Armadyl chestplate > Black d'hide body > Elite void knight top* > Void knight top* Legs: Elite void knight robe* > Void knight robe* Boots: Glaiven boots > Ranger boots > Snakeskin boots Gloves: Void knight gloves* Cape: Completionist cape > Ava's Device (Accumulator/Alerter) or Soul Wars cape (with handcannon) Ring: Archers' ring (i) > Archers' ring > Ring of wealth Shield: Void knight deflector* or (if not using super antifires) Anti-dragon shield Weapon: Chaotic crossbow = Hand cannon > Rune crossbow Ammunition: Dragonbane bolts = Hand cannon shot > Diamond bolts (e) > Runite bolts Familiar: Pack yak (with scrolls for banking) > War tortoise > Spirit terrorbird This set-up relies on the void set effect to deal high damage while sacrificing accuracy. You must wear the void ranger helm and 3 out of the 4 possible starred items(*) to enable the void set effect. For this reason it is recomended to wear a high accuracy chestplate (such as Armadyl) with the void robe bottoms, gloves and deflector to get the highest accuracy possible. However, those without the deflector or super antifire potions can wear the helm, gloves, robe top and robe bottoms to get the void effect while protecting themselves from dragonfire. **Only when used in conjunction with Super antifire potions. Helmet: Full slayer helmet* = Focus sight* > Armadyl helmet > Any blessed god coif Amulet: Amulet of fury = Amulet of ranging > Amulet of glory Body: Armadyl chestplate > Black d'hide body Legs: Armadyl chainskirt > Black d'hide chaps Boots: Glaiven boots > Ranger boots > Snakeskin boots Gloves: Mercenary's gloves > Culinaromancer's gloves 10 Cape: Completionist cape > Ava's Device (Accumulator/Alerter) or Soul Wars cape (with handcannon) Ring: Ferocious ring (Only in Kuradel's dungeon) Archers' ring (i) > Archers' ring > Ring of wealth Shield: Anti-dragon shield Weapon: Chaotic crossbow > Hand cannon** > Rune crossbow Ammunition: Dragonbane bolts > Diamond bolts (e) > Runite bolts Familiar: Pack yak (with scrolls for banking) > War tortoise > Spirit terrorbird This set-up should be used when on a slayer task, or for killing metal dragons if you do not have the void set. *Only when on an Iron or Steel dragon slayer task **Only when using Super antifire potions.

Dragonbane bolts require completion of the Ritual of the Mahjarrat quest. It is doubtful if they are worth making, but if you have a stack, the additional accuracy from a Chaotic crossbow and ranged top makes them preferable to Hand cannon shot. Another possible weapon choice is the Sagaie. These throwing spears require that you stay at least five spaces away from what you are ranging but they combine the one-handedness of the crossbow with the damage of the handcannon without being untradeable like dragonbane bolts. They are fairly cheap and can be used with a Soul Wars cape.

Magic Set-up

Magic is very effective against metal dragons, and as such it is the recommended method for lower levels. Although the cost of runes will cut into profits somewhat, it is much easier to stay at dragons for long periods of time using mage. Mages should attack metal dragons at a distance with either an antifire potion active and anti-dragon shield equipped OR a super antifire potion active to gain full protection from dragonfire. Rune costs are an issue when using mage, however, items such as the full set of Battle robes, the Tome of frost, and the Staff of light can help to reduce the number of runes you use.

Magic set-up

Helmet: Full slayer helmet* > Third-age mage hat > Healer hat > Farseer helm > Infinity hat > Mystic hat Amulet: Arcane stream necklace (other arcane necklaces) > Amulet of fury > Amulet of glory Body: Ahrim's robetop > Infinity top > Mystic robe top Legs: Ahrim's robeskirt > Infinity bottoms > Mystic robe bottom Boots: Ragefire boots > Infinity boots > Wizard boots > Mystic boots Gloves: Culinaromancer's gloves 10 > Infinity gloves > Lunar gloves Cape: Completionist cape > God cape > Ardougne cloak 3/4 Ring: Ferocious ring (Only if slaying dragons in Kuradal's dungeon) > Ring of wealth Shield: Celestial surgebox** > Arcane spirit shield** > Mages' book** > Zamorak's unholy book** > Anti-dragon shield Weapon: Chaotic staff > Staff of light > Master wand Spell: Your highest level elemental spell (eg. Fire Surge) Familiar: Pack yak (with scrolls for banking) > War tortoise > Spirit terrorbird > Bull ant Magic is highly accurate against metal dragons so your set-up should seek to increase the damage your magic spells do, using items such as the Chaotic staff and Celestial surgebox to increase your maximum hit. Using prayers such as Leech magic, Mystic might, or Augury will increase your accuracy and lead to faster kills. If you wish to use prayers, just bring a few prayer potions in a beast of burden and consider improving the prayer bonus of your set-up. As there is no need for prayer when using magic (except occasionally turning on a protect prayer to pick up a drop), mages can effectively stay as long as their antifire potions last. You should therefore plan ahead and bring enough casts to last. The pictured set-up uses extreme magic potions which you should use to re-boost your magic level every few minutes to maintain a high damage boost. There are two doses of extreme magic for every one dose of super antifire. You should use overloads if you have them. Vecna's skull can help save space on magic potions and wolpertinger scrolls can be used each minute as cheap alternative to overloads. Storm of Armadyl with an Armadyl battlestaff is twice as fast as using fire surge and the fastest overall way of killing metal dragons, but it is very costly. Use it if your wealth allows for it. *Only when on an Iron or Steel dragons slayer task. **Only when also using Super antifire potions.

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Locations

Iron and Steel Dragons are found in only four areas in Runescape and are always found together so it is advised that you pay attention at all times, particularly if you want to avoid Steel Dragons. Be aware that in Kuradal's dungeon you can only attack the metal dragons you have been assigned so take extra care to stay out of the range of the dragons you were not assigned. The Iron and Steel dragons are always in single combat areas so you will not be attacked by more than one at once. Below is a list of the locations of the dragons and the quickest ways to get to them:

Locations
Pic	Name	Requirements	How to get there
	Brimhaven Dungeon	875 coins, A hatchet, 12 Agility.	You can use the Brimhaven tablet to teleport you to the Brimhaven house portal, just north of the dungeon. A ship can also be chartered to Brimhaven docks north of the dungeon. You can travel by boat from Ardougne for 30 coins. If you have completed the Hard/Elite Karamja Tasks then you do not need to pay the 875 coins to enter the dungeon. Nearest bank: Ardougne.
	Brimhaven Resource Dungeon	875 coins, A hatchet, 12 Agility, 80 Dungeoneering.	The entrance to the Brimhaven resource dungeon is about halfway along the western wall. Nearest bank: Ardougne.
	Frozen Fortress	Complete The Temple at Senntisten quest.	After completing the Ritual of the Mahjarrat quest you can teleport to the fairy ring DKQ, and run north through the cave, across the ritual site. Another option is to teleport to the fairy ring DKS, and then travel by canoe from the west coast of the hunter area to the north. Alternatively, if you are on Ancient Magicks, you can use the Ghorrock teleport and run north west to the Fortress, however, this route passes through the wilderness. Nearest bank: Grand Exchange or Zanaris (when using fairy rings).
	Kuradal's Dungeon	75 Slayer, 110 Combat, A Slayer assignment of Iron or Steel Dragons from Kuradal herself.	The Ferocious ring has a teleport option which teleports you right outside the entrance to the dungeon. Alternatively you can use the Ancient Cavern fairy ring BJQ, and walk from there. Nearest bank: Zanaris (Note: The fairy ring requires 5 mushrooms and a spade in order to first activate it).

Tips & Tricks

Conserving Free Inventory Space

Free inventory space is a luxury at Iron and Steel Dragons. High alchemy runes are recommended for all set-ups so that you can alch many of the rune and adamant items they drop while saving space. When using a Beast of Burden you can store dragon bone drops as you get them, or teleport them to your bank using a Pack yak familiar. If not, bury the bones for more inventory space.

Try to keep teleportation devices/runes to at most two inventory spaces. One space is ideal, so try to only use teleports such as tiny elf crystals, house teleport tablets, or ectophials for teleporting away from the dragons. An item such as a charged ring of wealth would be even better as it can teleport you and be equipped, saving inventory space.

Beasts of Burden

Using a Beast of burden helps a TON at conserving inventory space at Iron & Steel Dragons. Since the area is single-combat you cannot use fighting familiars. Also, if you are using prayers against the dragon's attacks you do not need a healing familiar. Beast of Burdens include Bull Ants, Spirit Terrorbirds, War Tortoises, and Pack Yaks. When you use a familiar for a melee trip it is useful to bring it pre-summoned carrying extra potions (prayer, antifire, and boost) with another pouch of the same type. When the first familiar's timer runs out, summon another and store your loot and excess potions in it. There are summoning obelisks near the entrances to Kuradal's dungeon and the Brimhaven dungeon, however, when using the Frozen fortress area you will need to bring a Summoning potion to sustain your familiars.

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Credits

Original Guide by: Headnazgul

Revised Guide by: BloodAngel & Octarine19

Special Thanks to: Jaffy1 & Quyneax

Thanks to: carl0dublin, DarkKnightRider, Ezkaton, Howlin1, Lady_Shahdie, Lood333, mchainmail, metoo1000, msiGC, Nmealtime, oddfaery2, scorpiongemy, Speedyshel, SportsGuy, tonguetamer3, tryto, violentj1100, Vulxai, wachtwoord, Wozfe, Zaaps1

Last updated by: Aurhora

Last updated on: 26-Mar-2012