Drakes are formidable, wingless draconic monsters in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), primarily encountered as a high-level Slayer task. Found exclusively in the Karuulm Slayer Dungeon within Mount Karuulm, these aggressive creatures offer valuable drops-including Drake's Tooth and Drake's Claw-and solid Slayer experience, but they require careful preparation and strategy to defeat efficiently. Whether you're tackling them for a Slayer task or chasing their lucrative OSRS gold, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to kill Drakes effectively.

1. Prerequisites to Fight Drakes

Before venturing into the Karuulm Slayer Dungeon, you must meet two non-negotiable requirements to avoid unnecessary damage and ensure you can even damage Drakes.

First, you need a Slayer level of 84. Drakes are high-level Slayer monsters, and you cannot deal damage to them without meeting this requirement. Slayer masters Konar, Nieve, and Duradel will assign Drakes as a task, making them a common choice for players looking to level up their Slayer skill or farm rare drops.

Second, you need protection from the extreme heat of the Karuulm Slayer Dungeon. The dungeon's volcanic floor will burn you continuously unless you wear Granite Boots, Boots of Stone, or Boots of Brimstone. If you've completed the Elite Kourend & Kebos Diary, this requirement is waived-you can wear any footwear (or none at all) without taking heat damage.

2. Getting to Drakes: Fast Travel Tips

Drakes reside in the mid-level of the Karuulm Slayer Dungeon, and getting there quickly will save you time and resources. Here are the most efficient methods to reach the dungeon entrance:

The fastest option is using Rada's Blessing 3 or 4 to teleport directly to Mount Karuulm. This teleport drops you right near the dungeon entrance, allowing you to dive into the fight immediately.

If you don't have Rada's Blessing, use the fairy ring network with the code "CIR." This will take you just south of Mount Karuulm; from there, ascend the volcano to reach the dungeon entrance.

Other alternatives include using a Battlefront Teleport (or its magic tablet) and heading northwest, or teleporting to the Farming Guild via a Skills Necklace or Farming Cape and running southwest to the mountain. Choose the method that best fits your available items and convenience.

3. Recommended Stats and Equipment

Drakes have high defensive stats and hit hard with both melee and ranged attacks, so having the right stats and equipment is crucial for survival and efficiency. Below are the recommended setups for melee, ranged, and magic-melee being the most popular choice for its damage output.

Stat Requirements

For melee (the most effective combat style against Drakes), aim for at least 80 Attack, 80 Strength, 80 Defense, 80 Hitpoints, and 70 Prayer. Higher stats will significantly speed up kills and reduce damage taken.

For ranged, a minimum of 75 Ranged is recommended, while magic users should have 85+ Magic to deal consistent damage. Drakes are weak to both melee and magic, so either style works if you have the right gear.

Equipment Setups

Melee (Best Overall): The Dragon Hunter Lance is the best-in-slot weapon, as it tears through Drakes' defenses. Pair it with a Slayer Helmet (for Slayer task bonuses), Amulet of Torture, Infernal Cape, Bandos Chestplate and Tassets, Ferocious Gloves, Primordial Boots, Berserker Ring, and Avernic Defender. For mid-tier or budget players, replace high-end items with a Whip, Fighter Torso, Obsidian Legs, Barrows Gloves, and Granite Boots.

Ranged: Use a Dragon Hunter Crossbow with Diamond Dragon Bolts, Slayer Helmet, Necklace of Anguish, Ava's Assembler, Armadyl Chestplate and Chainskirt, Zaryte Vambraces, Pegasian Boots, and Archers Ring. This setup is effective but slightly less efficient than melee.

Magic: Opt for Tumeken's Shadow, Slayer Helmet, Occult Necklace, Imbued God Cape, Ancestral Robe Top and Bottom, Tormented Bracelet, Eternal Boots, and Seers Ring. Magic is viable but requires higher stats to match melee's damage output.

4. Combat Strategy: Surviving and Killing Drakes

Drakes have two main attacks: regular ranged attacks and a dangerous special volcanic breath attack. Mastering how to counter these attacks is key to surviving the fight.

First, always activate the Protect from Missiles prayer. This completely blocks Drakes' regular ranged attacks, leaving you only vulnerable to their melee hits and special attack. Without this prayer, you'll take constant damage and burn through supplies quickly.

Unlike most dragons, Drakes do not require dragonfire protection to kill. However, every 7 auto-attacks, they unleash a volcanic breath attack that targets your current position, dealing 6-8 damage over 4 hits (a max of 32 damage if fully hit). This attack can be avoided by moving one or two tiles away as soon as you see the Drake cast it.

If you prefer an AFK approach, use dragonfire protection to negate the special attack. Equipping a Dragonfire Shield, Dragonfire Ward, or Anti-Dragon Shield alongside an Antifire Potion will reduce the damage, while a Super Antifire Potion (or its extended version) will completely nullify it-allowing you to focus on attacking without moving.

For melee users: Stand next to the Drake and attack continuously. Use Protect from Missiles and move to avoid the volcanic breath when needed. For ranged or magic users: Maintain distance to avoid melee hits, keep Protect from Missiles active, and reposition to dodge the special attack.

5. Inventory Setup: Supplies for the Fight

Your inventory should balance damage-boosting potions, healing supplies, and utility items to keep you in the fight. Here's a recommended inventory setup:

4-6 Prayer Potions (to sustain Protect from Missiles)

1-2 Super Combat Potions (to boost Attack, Strength, and Defense)

Healing Food (Manta Rays or Sharks are ideal; bring 8-10 depending on your stats)

1-2 Stamina Potions (optional, for longer trips without fatigue)

Teleport to House Tab (for quick banking or escape)

Rune Pouch (with Fire and Nature Runes, for utility spells if needed)

Cannon (optional, for Slayer tasks to speed up kills)

6. Loot and Profit: Why Kill Drakes?

Drakes offer solid rewards for the effort, making them worth tackling even outside of Slayer tasks (though drops are better on task). Every Drake drops Drake Bones, which are valuable for Prayer training.

Valuable drops include Drake's Tooth and Drake's Claw (1/512 chance on task, 1/2,560 off task), which are used to upgrade boots. You can also get 100-200 Dragon Thrown Axes or Dragon Knives (1/2,000 on task, 1/10,000 off task), along with herbs, seeds, and gems.

On average, Drakes yield 400k-500k GP per hour on task, plus 268 Slayer XP per kill. This makes them a great choice for players looking to combine Slayer training with passive profit. To acquire more resources, you can also choose to purchase cheap RS gold on rsorder for quick access.

Final Tips for Success

Always check your boots before entering the Karuulm Slayer Dungeon-forgotten heat protection will drain your Hitpoints quickly.

Use a Slayer Helmet on task to boost damage and accuracy, reducing kill time.

If you're struggling with supplies, bring a Cannon to speed up kills and reduce the number of potions and food needed.

Practice dodging the volcanic breath attack to save supplies-this is the most common cause of unnecessary deaths.

With the right preparation, stats, and strategy, killing Drakes in OSRS becomes a straightforward and rewarding task. Whether you're a high-level player chasing rare drops or a mid-tier player looking to level up Slayer, this guide will help you master the fight and maximize your rewards.