Everything About Drake Need to Know in OSRS
Understanding Drakes
Drakes are aggressive, flying monsters found primarily in the Slayer Tower. They are Slayer-assigned creatures, meaning players cannot attack them without a Slayer assignment. They are categorized as a high-level Slayer target, and their combat abilities can be deadly for unprepared adventurers. Drakes possess strong offensive stats and a significant pool of hitpoints, making fights prolonged if not approached strategically.
One of the most appealing aspects of Drakes is their loot table, which contains valuable items such as Dragon bones, Draconic visages, herbs, and rare OSRS gold. This makes them a popular target for both profit and Slayer experience. Despite their rewards, Drakes require careful preparation due to their combination of ranged and melee attacks, as well as their high defensive stats.
Requirements to Fight Drakes
To efficiently kill Drakes, players must meet certain prerequisites. The first is a Slayer level of 72, as they are assigned by high-level Slayer masters such as Kuradal and Nieve/Steve. Additionally, having a strong combat level is highly recommended, with level 90+ being ideal. This ensures that players can withstand Drake attacks and deal sufficient damage.
Combat stats are also important for tackling Drakes. A recommended setup includes 70+ Attack and Strength for melee damage, 70+ Defence to reduce incoming damage, and high Ranged or Magic levels for alternative fighting strategies. While there are no quest requirements to access Drakes, completing the Priest in Peril quest is necessary to reach the Slayer Tower, where Drakes reside.
Location
Drakes are located on the fourth floor of the Slayer Tower, south of Canifis. The Slayer Tower itself is a multi-combat area, which means players may face more than one Drake at a time. This can make fights dangerous, especially for those relying on melee combat. The tower can be accessed via ladders on the lower floors, and teleportation methods can significantly reduce travel time.
Several convenient teleportation options include:
Slayer Ring: Teleports directly to the Slayer Tower.
Fairy Ring (CKR code): Provides access to a nearby location and requires a short run north.
Standard Teleports: Varrock Teleports or teleport tablets can be combined with walking routes to reach the tower efficiently.
Knowing the layout and safe spots in the Slayer Tower is crucial for minimizing risk and maximizing combat efficiency.
Combat Strategies
Drakes can be approached with melee, ranged, or magic combat styles. Choosing the right approach depends on your combat stats, gear, and personal preference.
Melee Combat Strategy:
Melee is the fastest method for killing Drakes if your stats and gear are sufficient. Recommended armor includes Bandos, Torags, or Verac's, paired with powerful weapons like an Abyssal Whip, Dragon Scimitar, or Godsword. Using the Protect from Melee prayer is advised when multiple Drakes attack simultaneously. Positioning is key-players should try to isolate Drakes in single-combat whenever possible to avoid being overwhelmed.
The main advantage of melee is high damage output, resulting in shorter kill times. The primary disadvantage is vulnerability to Drake's melee attacks, making prayer management and proper food essential for survival.
Ranged Combat Strategy:
Ranged combat is a safer alternative to melee. Recommended armor includes Karil's leather set or Armadyl armor, while weapons like the Toxic Blowpipe, Rune Crossbow, or Dragon Hunter Crossbow are effective. Kiting Drakes-moving while attacking-helps reduce incoming damage. Protect from Missiles prayer can also be useful in multi-combat scenarios.
The advantage of ranged combat is reduced risk of taking heavy melee damage, which allows for longer trips without banking. The downside is slightly slower kills if your Ranged level is moderate, and ammunition costs can be significant over time.
Magic Combat Strategy:
Magic is a versatile option, especially for high-level players. Recommended gear includes Ahrim's or Ancestral robes, paired with weapons such as the Trident of the Seas, Iban Staff, or Master Wand. High-damage spells like Fire Wave can efficiently kill Drakes, while ice spells can freeze them to control the fight.
Magic allows players to maintain distance from Drakes, reducing damage taken and offering control over multi-combat situations. The downside is the need for high Magic levels and runes, and kills may be slower for lower-level mages.
Slayer Tips for Fighting Drakes
Use Summoning Familiars: Familiars like the Steel Titan or Abyssal Titan can provide additional damage and healing.
Potions: Bring Super Combat Potions for melee, Ranging Potions for ranged, or Magic Potions for mages to boost performance. You can get them with cheap OSRS gold.
Food: High-healing food such as Sharks, Manta Rays, or Saradomin Brews is essential.
Prayer Management: Protect from Melee or Missiles depending on your combat style to mitigate damage.
Positioning: Utilize ladders or obstacles to control multi-combat areas and reduce the number of Drakes attacking simultaneously.
Proper preparation significantly increases your survival rate and efficiency when farming Drakes for Slayer experience and loot.
Drops
Drakes are lucrative targets, offering a mix of common and rare drops. Notable drops include:
Dragon Bones: Highly valuable for Prayer training.
Draconic Visage: Extremely rare, used to create the Dragonfire Shield.
Coins: Useful for maintaining supplies.
Herbs: Various high-level herbs provide consistent profit.
Other Items: Occasional drops include battlestaves, runes, and dragon equipment.
The combination of valuable loot and Slayer experience makes Drakes a highly desirable target for high-level players looking for both profit and skill progression.
Recommended Gear
Melee: Serpentine Helm, Bandos Chestplate, Bandos Tassets, Abyssal Whip or Dragon Scimitar, Dragon Defender, Dragon Boots, Berserker Ring.
Ranged: Archer Helm or Verac's Helm, Karil's Leather Top or Armadyl Chestplate, Karil's Skirt or Armadyl Chainskirt, Toxic Blowpipe or Rune Crossbow, Steel or Adamant Darts, Pegasian Boots, Archer's Ring.
Magic: Ahrim's Hood, Ahrim's Robe Top, Ahrim's Robe Bottom, Trident of the Seas, Infinity Boots, Seers Ring.
Potions like Super Combat, Ranging, or Magic Potion significantly enhance performance, and high-healing food ensures longer trips without dying.
Conclusion
Drakes are among OSRS's most exciting mid-level Slayer monsters. With high Slayer experience, valuable drops, and challenging combat mechanics, they provide both a test of skill and a profitable target. Players who approach Drakes strategically-by preparing the right gear, using distance-based combat, managing multi-combat areas, and efficiently looting-will find them to be both rewarding and enjoyable.
Whether you prefer melee, ranged, or magic, Drakes offer a versatile training opportunity that suits a variety of playstyles. They test preparation, skill, and patience, rewarding players with both experience and loot for their efforts. With this comprehensive guide, any Slayer can confidently take on Drakes, maximize their efficiency, and enjoy one of OSRS's most challenging monsters.
Drakes are more than just another Slayer task-they are a measure of a player's readiness to tackle high-level content and profit from one of the game's most engaging monsters. With preparation, patience, and strategy, defeating Drakes can become one of the most rewarding experiences in OSRS.
