Steel dragon

Steel dragons are powerful dragons made out of metal found in Brimhaven Dungeon, Kuradal's Dungeon and Fortress of Ghorrock. They can also be bought as a guard for player-owned dungeons (only for the treasure room) for 10 million coins if the player's Construction level is 95.

Please note that with all player-owned dungeon monsters; that monsters in the dungeon will not drop any items and will not give any experience in combat.

Weakness
Like most metal dragons, Steel Dragons have extremely high defence. Since they are made out of metal, they are fairly weak to magic attacks, so spells like fire surge or magic dart are useful against them. An anti-dragon shield or dragonfire shield will reduce most damage from dragonfire, an antifire potion or antifire mix reduces some dragonfire damage, and an appropriate shield and potion/mix used together negate all damage from dragonfire. (With no protection, dragonfire has a maximum hit of 490. With just a shield, it has a max hit of 50. With just a potion/mix, the max hit is reduced a bit to 250 but is still quite high, making it difficult to slay even one steel dragon without taking extensive damage.)

Weapons such as the dragon battleaxe, dragon mace, and Tzhaar-ket-em can be a good choice for meleeing because of their ability to be wielded with a shield, high crush attack bonus, and high strength bonus. Arguably the best weapons to use are the Chaotic longsword and the Chaotic rapier because of their high stab accuracy and strength bonuses. Another alternative is Korasi's Sword, which has the best stab bonus for non-degrading one handed-weapon and thus is very accurate. An Abyssal whip, despite having no crush bonuses whatsoever, is another choice, since the fast attack speed and high strength bonus can sometimes be considered more effective than a slow crush weapon like a dragon Mace, though accuracy may be a problem. Alternatively, a player who can make Super antifire potions can use Verac the Defiled's set or a Zamorakian Spear instead. The set has a very high crush bonus and a chance to hit through armour, so it provides a very effective and fast alternative to kill these dragons. Another option is Dharoks the Wretched's set which also provides fast kills on Crush setting although care should be taken. One may also choose to use a Zamorakian Spear because of the high stab bonus and fairly high strength bonus,

Cautions
Steel dragons also have the ability to use their fire breath from a distance, an ability shared with the other metal dragons, Elvarg during the Dragon Slayer quest, Brutal Green Dragons, and the King Black Dragon, so using a safe spot will not help against these beasts. Steel dragons can hit up to 220 with melee, and even harder with their breath if you leave your anti-dragon shield somewhere that is not on your character. However, some people bring runes to mage them while not getting hit at all, by standing at least 1 space away from its head (Being on low detail helps, as you can see the floor grid), wearing an Anti-dragon shield and drinking Anti-fire potions. It is also advisable to range these dragons as rangers can kill 50 or more dragons in one trip. Players planning to range them should bring several ranging potions and anti-fire potions. Usually around five ranging potions and 9 antifire potions. Bring some blessed dragon hide or black dragon hide with several adamant and emerald tipped (e) bolts. If players wish to melee these dragons, prayer potions are a must for killing them effectively (about 10-15 per inventory). It is, however, NOT recommended that players kill these dragons with melee unless all their melee stats are 85 or higher. Meleers should use the Protect from Melee prayer, because defence is practically useless against them as they are so strong. Even with prayer, it is recommended that players bring 2-3 pieces of high level food just in case.

It is recommended to put game setting (under the chat box) to "filter." Otherwise, the message stating that the player's dragonfire resistance running out will be lost.

Special Notes for Brimhaven Dungeon

To enter the dungeon, many players must pay Saniboch, who is outside the entrance, 875 Coins each time they wish to enter the dungeon. Players who have earned Karamja gloves 3 from the Karamja Achievement Diary, can enter for free (You are not required to wear or have them in your inventory for this). Players should be sure to bring a woodcutting hatchet in order to navigate the vines in Brimhaven Dungeon. Around the Brimhaven Dungeon are black demons, fire giants and wild dogs, so, players going to kill Steel dragons may be attacked by them while passing through.

There are four methods of travel to the dungeon:

1) Camelot teleport—After combat, teleport away to Camelot. Restock on supplies, and withdraw 1355 coins. Run to Catherby and Charter a boat to Brimhaven (or use an Amulet of Glory to teleport to Karamja) and walk to dungeon.

2) Karamja Gloves 3 and House teleport . The player can 'Activate' the gloves for a teleport to Shilo Village for banking. The player can then return via Vigroy and his cart. Even more helpful would be placing a Player Owned House in Brimhaven, where the house portal sits right near the dungeon entrance. Another good way to bank would be to use Falador Teleport tablets to bank and then use House teleport tablets to get back to the dungeon entrance area (if you use this method, bring an equal amount of tablets of both types).

3)ardougne teleport—after combat teleport to ardougne then bank at the east ardougne southern bank and take the boat slightly to the east of the bank to brimhaven then walk to the dungeon entrance.

4)Tai bwo wannai teleport scroll obtained via treasure trails or other players click the scroll then run north to brimhaven dungeon entrance.

Locations
Kuradal's Dungeon

The best place to kill Steel dragons (if assigned by Kuradal) is Kuradal's Dungeon due to it being near a fairy ring and the Ferocious ring's bonus in the dungeon. Players with 86 or 90 agility will find shortcuts in her dungeon shortening the time required to reach the dragons.

Brimhaven Dungeon

Brimhaven Dungeon is a popular metal dragon-killing spot, and it is often crowded. Remember to bring a wood cutting axe and 875 coins or have a pair of Karamja gloves 3 in the bank (wearing them is no longer a requirement to access the dungeon for free). In the same cavern with Steels there are also Iron dragons and they are aggressive, causing problems as they may attack the player making impossible for the player to attack a Steel dragon. The Iron will follow the player throughout the cavern. Usually the player has to leave the cavern until the Iron loses interest. One trick that sometimes works is to get one of the Wild Dogs outside the cavern to attack, and then run into the dragon cavern while the dog's 'attack' is still in force. The dog won't enter the cavern. Repeatedly attack the intended Steel dragon, until the dog's attack wears off.

Brimhaven Resource Dungeon

A much less crowded location is available to players with level 80 Dungeoneering. The Brimhaven Resource Dungeon houses about 5 Steel dragons south of the entrance and about 7 Iron dragons to the northeast. There is a hammer spawn and an anvil, which allows players to smith the bars dropped by the dragons into stackable equipment.

Fortress of Ghorrock

Another location where Steel dragons are found is around the Fortress of Ghorrock, if you have progressed along The Temple at Senntisten quest far enough. One virtue of using Ghorrock is it is almost always empty. However, getting there can be more dangerous than getting to the Brimhaven Dungeon or Kuradal's Dungeon. Players must walk through the Wilderness in order to get to the Fortress of Ghorrock and may encounter Revenants along the way. There are no revenants inside the fortress since it is not technically part of the Wilderness.

Using the Wilderness Obelisks cuts travel time and chances of Revenant encounters greatly, though it requires a bit of luck. Alternatively, players with a Magic level of 96 or above are able to use the Ghorrock teleport in the Ancient Magicks spellbook to teleport to the Ice Plateau in the Wilderness. Player with 89 Magic and access to the lunar spellbook may use Ice Plateau Teleport which also leaves the player close to the fortress. The Dwarf Cannon is permitted here, although the area is not multi-combat, and will reduce the amount of time needed to kill an individual dragon.

Strategy 1 (Melee: Prayer + antifire)
Items to bring:

Try to keep the ratio Prayer potions to Antifire potions to 2:1.
 * 10 Prayer Potions
 * Chaotic Rapier/Chaotic Longsword/Zamorakian Spear with super antifires/Korasi's sword/Leaf bladed sword/Abyssal Whip
 * Armour with good prayer bonus (i.e. Soul Wars Cape, Initiate or Proselyte)
 * Antidragon shield/Dragonfire shield
 * 5 Antifire potion
 * 1-2 Sharks or enhanced excalibur
 * If fighting them in Brimhaven Dungeon:
 * 875 coins or Karamja Gloves 3 (you don't have to bring them)
 * Hatchet (any type, preferably adamant or lower to drop and save inventory spece)

Skills Needed:
 * 43 Prayer
 * 80+ Melee stats

Strategy: Player turns on protect from melee, wields Antidragon/dragonfire shield and drinks antifire potion. This makes the player immune to the Dragons attacks. When prayer is low, drink a prayer potion. If the dragon uses dragonfire and you take damage, drink an antifire potion again.

Strategy 2 (Magic: Claws of Guthix/Fire Wave/Fire Surge)
Items to bring:
 * Magic runes (1000 blood runes and 5000 air runes would do fine for fire wave.)
 * Magic staff (Fire/air mystic staff or Staff of light for Fire Surge, or void knight mace for Claws of Guthix)
 * Magic armour (Ahrim suggested, or mystic. Hexcrest or full slayer helmet if on a slayer task)
 * 2-3 Sharks and Enhanced excalibur
 * 3-4 Antifire potions
 * Antidragon shield
 * Emergency teleport

If fighting them in Brimhaven Dungeon:


 * 875 coins
 * Karamja Gloves 3 (you don't have to bring them)
 * Hatchet (any type)

Skills needed:
 * 95 Magic, (Fire Surge) 75 Magic (Fire wave) or 60 Magic (Claws of Guthix) (Charge (80 Magic) is highly recommended as it increases the damage of Claws of Guthix.)

Strategy: You need to equip your anti-dragon shield/Dragonfire shield. Drink your magic potion and your antifire potion, and stand at least one step away from the dragon. Turn Auto-retaliate on and start to attack the steel dragon. Drink your potions when needed

Please note that you can also use the exact same outfit but chaos gauntlets and runes for fire bolt to kill Steel Dragons with a cheaper method.

Strategy 3 (Ranging: No Prayer)
Items to bring:
 * Ranging weapon (rune crossbow recommended)
 * Ranging armour (Armadyl, Void Ranger, or Black D'hide are recommended, it's not recommended to use karil, as it will cost extra and the extra defence is not needed)
 * Ruby bolts (e), Diamond bolts (e) or Broad bolts
 * Anti-dragon shield
 * 10-15 Antifire potions
 * 2-3 Sharks
 * Enhanced Excalibur
 * Emergency Teleport (just in case)
 * 1-2 Ranging potions

If fighting them in Brimhaven Dungeon:


 * 875 coins
 * Karamja Gloves 3 (equipped)
 * Hatchet (any type)

Skill requirements: Strategy: See Strategy 2!
 * 70+ ranging

Strategy 4 (Mage/Range Hybrid: No Prayer)
Items to bring:
 * Black dragonhide body
 * Lunar legs
 * Ancient Staff
 * Ranging weapon (rune crossbow recommended)
 * Crossbow bolts of your choice
 * Lunar cape
 * Lunar boots
 * Ring of Life
 * Regen Bracelet
 * Glory Amulet
 * Helm of Neitiznot
 * Anti-dragon shield
 * 10-15 Antifire potions.
 * 2 Tuna potatoes
 * 100 Death Runes
 * 4000 Blood runes
 * (optional) Beast of Burden familiar
 * Ectophial
 * Amulet of ranging (your choice)

If fighting them in Brimhaven Dungeon:


 * 875 coins
 * Karamja Gloves 3 (you don't have to bring them)
 * Hatchet (any type)

Skill requirements: Strategy: Range until you need healing then switch to Blood Blitz
 * Requires 80 Magic and Desert Treasure quest completion for Blood Blitz spell (which will eliminate the need for food)

Strategy 5(High level Piety/Chivalry)
The ability to make extreme potions, as you will not use super antifire potions for this method, this method requires alot of practice, and this method is proven to work.

Items:
 * Guthan's Helm
 * Guthan's body
 * Guthan's Chainskirt
 * Zamorakian spear
 * Amulet of fury
 * Dragon boots
 * Barrows gloves
 * Ardougne cloak 3
 * Diamond ring (i) > Ferocious Ring only in Kuradal's Dungeon
 * Guthan's warspear
 * Antifire potion 10
 * Extreme set > Super set
 * Unicorn Stallion 4 + 400 scrolls
 * prayer potion 3
 * shark 12

Useful for hunting Steel dragons

 * Completion of Rum Deal for a Holy wrench.
 * Progress in The Temple at Senntisten quest to access the Steel dragons around the Fortress of Ghorrock.
 * Alternatively, Dungeoneering level of 80 to gain access to the Brimhaven Resource Dungeon.
 * Completion of Recruitment Drive to be able to use Initiate armour.
 * Completion of Slug Menace to be able to use Proselyte armour.
 * Completion of Nomad's requiem for a Soul Wars cape.
 * Alternatively, completion of Ardougne Tasks for Ardougne cloak 3.
 * Completion of Fremennik Isles for a Helm of Neitiznot.
 * Completion of Smoking Kills for a Slayer helmet (if you're on a Slayer task).
 * Slayer level of 55 and Ranged level of 50 or above to be able to use Broad-tipped bolts.
 * Completion of Family Crest quest for Chaos gauntlets (if you're going to use the Magic method).

Melee
Using Melee to kill steel dragons is probably the fastest and most efficient way of killing them. However, you may need to invest in prayer potions, which can cost a lot.

Melee could easily be the best way of killing Steel dragons. Using this method you will need to have the Protect from Melee Prayer on at all times when fighting with the dragons. Alternatively, players who have completed The Temple at Senntisten quest and have a Prayer level of 71 or above can use the Ancient Zarosian Curse - Deflect Melee, which is a lot more useful, while not draining your prayer points any faster. While protecting from, or deflecting melee attacks and having sufficient protection from dragonfire, the dragons cannot hit you at all.

In order to preserve as many prayer points and Prayer potions as possible, you should wear armour that provides high prayer bonus. Armour such as Initiate or Proselyte armour would be an excellent choice. Alternatively, players who have not completed quests that are required for Initiate and Proselyte armour, can use Monk's robes which provide the same prayer bonus as Initiate armour while not requiring any quests. Bandos armour, with its +6 strength bonus, is only worth it if you are willing to bring several additional prayer potions. Players who do not wish to use a Ring of Wealth might want to use a Ferocious ring in Kuradal's Dungeon, as it inflicts +40 more damage for every hit above 0 that you deal. Also, a Berserker ring is an option.

The best choice of primary weaponry would be the Chaotic Rapier or the Abyssal whip as they provide good attack and strength bonuses. The rapier utilizes stab attacks which can devastate steel dragons. Players who can make Super antifire potions may think about using a Godsword like the Saradomin godsword as a primary weapon as it's special attack restores health as well as prayer points. A Zamorakian Spear uses stab attacks and has a slight prayer bonus, making it another good weapon to kill these dragons. A good choice of secondary weaponry would be the Dragon dagger (p++) or Dragon mace. If you're more interested in fast kills rather than maximum experience points, the dragon dagger is the better option.

In your inventory you should have your secondary choice of weaponry, 4 or 5 Anti-fire (or Super anti-fire) potions, 3 or 4 Super attack (or Extreme attack) potions, 3 or 4 Super strength (or Extreme strength) potions and around 10 prayer potions. Players who have completed the Rum Deal quest should take a Holy wrench as it restores an additional 1-2 prayer points per prayer potion sip you drink. Using a Rune crossbow on long ranged then switching to a melee weapon is highly recommended to keep away from the Irons in the Brimhaven Dungeon.

If you're using the Melee method, consider bringing a Beast of Burden familiar. It often happens that your inventory is too full to hold all the loot. This is a time when bringing a few Beast of Burden pouches becomes very useful. If you are bringing more than one pouch, make sure you also bring a Summoning potion or a Super Restore potion to restore your summoning points if you should run out. Alternatively, there is a small obelisk at the entrance of the metal dragon area.

Ranged
Using the Ranged method to kill Steel Dragons is the most cost efficient method of killing Steel dragons. You're not paying a lot of money for prayer potions like with the Melee method. In fact the only money you spend goes into buying Anti-fire potions and bolts.

When Ranging Steel dragons you should always be around 2-4 squares away from the dragon in order to avoid it using it's melee attack on you. Using this method, you need to be under the protection of the Anti-fire potion at all times as the dragon will only be using it's fire breath attack on you. Make sure the effect of the potion doesn't run out. When you see the warning message, drink a sip of the potion.

Use the best Ranged armour available to you. You need as much ranged attack bonus as possible. Dragonhide armour or better is recommended. If you are on a Slayer task and you are killing them in Kuradal's Dungeon, wearing a Ferocious ring will make you inflict +40 more damage for every hit you deal above 0. You could also wear an Archer ring or a Ring of Wealth. The Dragonfire Shield has a small ranged attack penalty, and therefore is less attractive than the much cheaper anti-dragon shield.

It would be useful to have a Slayer level of 55 or above. After 55 Slayer you are able to use Broad-tipped bolts which are good, low cost bolts. If you don't have a Slayer level of 55 or above, you could alternatively use Mithril bolts, Emerald bolts (e) or better. Diamond (e) bolts sometimes ignore most of your target's ranged defence, and are a faster but more expensive way to range steel dragons.

You should have around 12 Anti-fire potions in your inventory. Ranging potions are also highly recommended, as they can speed up kills considerably.

Since you wont need much inventory space for the Ranged method, lack of inventory space is unlikely to occur. Therefore taking Beast of Burden familiars is optional. Use it to bring more supplies, make sure you have enough pouches and Summoning or Super restore potions to keep renewing the familiar.

Magic
If you are planning on using the Magic method to kill Steel dragons, you should know that it could be very expensive. This is primarily done for Magic or Slayer Experience. The method is very similar to the Ranging method. Stand 2-4 squares away from the dragon and drink a sip of Anti-fire potion when needed.

You should use the best Magic armour available to you. Mystic robes give a good magic bonus while being very cheap, which makes them a good choice for killing Steel dragons. Ahrim's robes provide much higher magic attack bonuses but are relatively expensive. Battle Robes paired with a Staff of Light will save 50% of the runes you use, as well as providing better bonuses than mystic robes.

If you are killing steel dragons in Kuradal's Dungeon, wearing a Ferocious ring will make you inflict +40 more damage for every hit you deal above 0. Using a Seers' ring or a Ring of Wealth will increase your accuracy or drops, respectively. If you are going to be using the Fire bolt spell, it would be useful to wear Chaos gauntlets, as they increase your max hit with bolt spells by 30.

Depending on the spell you will be using you should choose the right Staff to fit your needs. A Staff of Light will increase magic damage by 15% and save all runes used to cast a spell 1/8th of the time (increased to 50% with Battle Robes).

Using the Chaos gauntlets and casting the Fire bolt spell would probably be the most cost effective way. However, the more powerful spell you use, the more damage you will do, but also the more money it costs.

You should take around 16 Anti-fire potions with you. If you wish to inflict more damage, more often, you may want to think about bringing some Magic (or Extreme magic) potions.

Since, like with the Ranging method, you will have free inventory space, taking a Beast of Burden familiar is not necessary (unless you wish to bring back extra drops such as dragon bones to help pay for the trip when you leave).

100% drops

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Weapons

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Armour

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Ammo and Runes

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Gems/Ore/Bars

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Other items
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Trivia

 * As with all dungeon monsters, Steel dragons that are purchased and placed in dungeons do not drop items when they die. However, the dragon's dragonfire can still be used to charge the Dragonfire shield, making the dragon a highly desired guardian.
 * Steel Dragons are the least killed metal dragon, even though they have the highest drop rate of the visage of all the monsters which drop it.
 * The steel dragon's max with its dragonfire when used against an unprotected player is 490. The dragon seems to hit higher more often when using its ranged dragonfire attack.
 * Contrary to popular belief, Steel dragons cannot break a cannon as they are not in a multi-combat area.
 * Leech Ranged does not work against Steel dragons, implying that they do not possess a Ranged level. This may be because they do not use any Ranged attacks, as dragon fire is not considered ranged. The same can be said for Bronze and Iron dragons. Mithril Dragons use Range, therefore, leech Ranged does affect them.
 * Steel dragons when bought as a guardian for a player owned house have a collar around their neck.
 * Steel dragons, and most other dragons as well, have been graphically updated with the release of the quest Love Story on 5 July 2010.
 * Their appearance has been changed three times since the start of RS2.
 * When there is an Tooth Half of a Key or Loop Half of a Key drop from a Steel Dragon, the Dragon Bones do not appear to be in the pile.