How to Kill Phantom Muspah in Old School RuneScape
The fight is not overwhelmingly difficult for mid-to-high-level players, but it does require preparation, practice, and understanding of its mechanics. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know: requirements, recommended stats, gear and inventory setups, phase-by-phase strategies, and tips for maximizing efficiency.
Requirements
Before attempting Phantom Muspah, certain requirements must be met. The Secrets of the North quest is mandatory, as it unlocks access to the boss. Players are also strongly encouraged to have adequate combat stats. While technically accessible at moderate levels, recommended stats for a smoother and more consistent kill include 85+ Ranged, 82+ Magic, 75+ Defence, 70+ Prayer, and around 90+ Hitpoints. These levels help reduce supply consumption, increase accuracy, and minimize mistakes during high-pressure moments.
Understanding Phantom Muspah
Phantom Muspah is a multi-phase boss that rotates between three main combat forms: melee, ranged, and a shielded smite phase. Each phase has distinct attack patterns and vulnerabilities, requiring players to switch prayers and attack styles accordingly. The fight also incorporates environmental hazards such as spikes and projectiles, making movement and positioning crucial. Unlike bosses that rely solely on raw DPS, Phantom Muspah demands a combination of strategy, timing, and situational awareness.
Gear Setup
For Phantom Muspah, a hybrid setup focusing on Ranged and Magic is optimal. You'll switch between these styles depending on the phase. Here are three levels of gear setups: budget, mid-tier, and high-end.
For a budget approach, players can use a Rune Crossbow or Dragon Crossbow paired with Ruby bolts (e) or Diamond bolts (e) for Ranged attacks. Blessed dragonhide armor, a God book or Ava's device, and Barrows gloves are sufficient for defense and accuracy. Magic can be handled with a Trident of the Swamp, Ahrim's robes, and an Occult necklace. Boots, rings, and bracelets can be chosen based on availability, but the Tormented bracelet is a solid mid-tier option if accessible.
For a mid-tier setup, the Bow of Faerdhinen combined with crystal armor and a Toxic Blowpipe increases Ranged DPS, while the Trident of the Swamp and Occult necklace continue to support Magic damage. Pegasian or Infinity boots and higher-tier gloves optimize offense and defense.
High-end players can maximize damage with Tumeken's Shadow or the Bow of Faerdhinen with full crystal armor for Ranged, while Zaryte crossbows can be used for special attacks. High-level Magic gear like Ancestral robes allows for rapid shield-phase damage, and precise switching between styles becomes critical at this level to minimize fight duration and resource consumption.
Inventory Setup
Inventory management is critical. Key items include:
Ranging and Magic potions for boosts
Prayer potions or Super restores for maintaining protection
Stamina potions for maneuvering around spikes and projectiles
High-healing food such as sharks, anglerfish, or karambwans
Rune pouch with essential runes for spells
Teleport out item in case of emergency
The goal is to carry everything needed to survive the fight without unnecessary clutter, as extra items can slow reaction times and reduce efficiency. You can get them with cheap OSRS gold.
Phase 1: Melee Form
The fight begins with Phantom Muspah in melee form. In this phase, the boss primarily uses melee attacks but occasionally throws magic hits. Spikes also spawn beneath the player, adding another layer of complexity.
Prayer: Protect from Melee
Attack Style: Ranged
Key strategies include the step-back method, which involves moving one tile back after each attack to reduce incoming damage, and immediate spike avoidance, which prevents heavy damage that can be difficult to recover from. Occasional magic attacks are unavoidable, but with proper positioning and prayer, their impact is manageable. Staying calm and disciplined during this phase sets the tone for the rest of the fight.
Phase 2: Ranged Form
Once Phantom Muspah reaches a certain health threshold, it shifts into ranged form. This stage features faster movement, ranged attacks, and icy projectiles that can deal substantial damage.
Prayer: Protect from Missiles
Attack Style: Magic
Switching to Magic during this phase ensures consistent DPS because the boss has higher defense against ranged attacks in this form. Controlled movement is crucial: over-running tiles can cause missed attacks and slower kill times. Staying disciplined and using proper positioning prevents unnecessary damage and resource waste.
Phase 3: Shielded Smite Phase
The final phase is the shielded smite phase, the most dangerous part of the encounter. Phantom Muspah gains a damage-absorbing shield, periodically uses Smite to drain prayer, and moves unpredictably.
Breaking the shield quickly is the key to survival. High Magic DPS or Ranged special attacks are effective, with Tumeken's Shadow and Zaryte crossbow being top-tier options. If the shield isn't broken promptly, your prayer can drop to zero, leaving you vulnerable to lethal Smite attacks.
Critical rules for this phase include maintaining adequate prayer levels, staying calm, and focusing on breaking the shield efficiently. Overreacting or mismanaging resources can quickly result in a failed kill, even for experienced players.
Full Fight Flow
A successful Phantom Muspah fight can be summarized in seven steps:
Start with Ranged attacks and Protect from Melee
Dodge spikes and maintain step-back movement
Switch to Magic as the boss enters ranged form and use Protect from Missiles
Focus DPS through the ranged phase, maintaining positioning and prayer
Enter the shield phase with all prayer and resources ready
Burst the shield as quickly as possible, avoiding Smite depletion
Finish the boss efficiently, collecting drops and evaluating performance
With practice, players can reduce the fight from over three minutes in early attempts to under two-and-a-half minutes consistently.
Advanced Efficiency Tips
Several advanced techniques can further optimize kills. Summoning Arceuus thralls provides passive DPS, reducing strain on supplies. Using Ruby bolts (e) early and switching to Diamond bolts (e) below 50% HP maximizes Ranged efficiency. Minimizing overeating preserves time and reduces waste. Advanced players can flick prayers between Protect from Melee and Protect from Magic in the melee phase to reduce damage taken and conserve potions. Understanding precise tile movement avoids unnecessary damage from spikes and projectiles, significantly improving kill speed.
Profit Overview
Phantom Muspah is rewarding for both loot and mechanical mastery. Drops include Venator Shards, Ancient Essence, high-value consumables, OSRS gold, rune items, and bolts. Collected Venator Shards can be combined into the Venator Bow, a powerful Ranged weapon for multi-target training and Slayer tasks. For consistent and efficient players, Phantom Muspah offers competitive GP per hour, especially when kills are performed under three minutes.
Learning Curve
Expect an initial adjustment period. The first few kills may feel chaotic, but around 10-20 kills, players usually find a rhythm and gain consistency. By 50+ kills, most players can perform the fight smoothly and with minimal supply expenditure. The boss's design rewards repetition and mastery, making it an excellent benchmark for solo PvM skill in OSRS.
Hardcore and Ironman Considerations
For Ironmen, Phantom Muspah is especially valuable. The Venator Bow enhances Slayer capabilities, while Ancient Essence provides material for upgrades like the Ancient Sceptre. Supplies and resource management are more critical for Ironmen, making efficient shield breaks and careful prayer use essential. Hardcore players also benefit from learning mechanics thoroughly, as any misstep can be fatal.
Conclusion
Phantom Muspah is one of the most rewarding modern bosses in Old School RuneScape. Its combination of mechanical switching, prayer management, movement precision, and gear optimization offers a unique challenge that differs from traditional DPS-heavy encounters. Mastery of the shield phase and prayer control is essential for consistent, efficient kills. Once these mechanics "click," Phantom Muspah becomes a reliable, high-profit solo boss while also sharpening core PvM skills.
