Black dragon

Black dragons are very powerful monsters, and, like all other adult dragons, an anti-dragon shield, a dragonfire shield, or an antifire potion is a must when fighting them as it can reduce the maximum hit of their breath from about 500+ to around 40. They are level 227 in RuneScape and level 200 in RuneScape Classic. They are not as popular as the weaker blue dragons and green dragons, but their chance of dropping the much coveted Draconic visage makes them popular to kill, although the chances of getting one are very slim. Players must kill a Black dragon during the Freeing Sir Amik Varze part of Recipe for Disaster.

Locations
Black dragons can only be found in three locations across RuneScape:
 * Taverley Dungeon - Requires dusty key or level 70 agility for use of shortcuts.
 * Lava Maze Dungeon in level 42-43 Wilderness.
 * Evil Chicken's Lair after starting the Sir Amik Varze subquest of Recipe for Disaster. (A raw chicken is required to enter the lair.)

Strengths and weaknesses
Black dragons have among the highest defence for a monster in RuneScape. As with all dragons, an anti-dragon shield, a dragonfire shield, or an antifire potion is essential when fighting them. Without one, players can be hit extremely hard by dragonfire (up to 500 points of damage). Lower-levelled players could potentially be killed in one hit by this attack. However, with an anti-dragon shield, dragonfire will only deal up to 50 damage. An anti-fire potion used in addition to the shield will completely negate this attack. Additionally, players with a herblore level of 85 may use a super antifire potion which negates the dragon's breath without the need of an anti-dragon shield, allowing players to safely use a two-handed weapon. The dragon's melee attacks can deal up to 210 damage and may be completely negated with Protect from Melee. Using Protect from Melee with prayer potions in conjunction with a suitable shield and antifires, players will take absolutely no damage at all. It is advised if the player is not using protect from melee that they have at least a few prayer points in case a battle turns sour.

They can be ranged or maged safely in all of their locations. As these dragons have very high magic defence, maging them is not advisable. If ranging, it is advisable to use a crossbow (ideally a Rune crossbow with Mithril, Adamant or Broad-tipped bolts) as an Anti-dragon/Dragonfire shield can still be equipped. However, as long as the player remains in one of the safespots, an anti-dragon shield is not required - the dragonfire, unlike that of Metal Dragons and the King Black Dragon is only within melee range.

Players with a high Attack and Strength level could also fight them in a Safe spot with a Dragon halberd, as the Special attack does decent damage on them. A Rune halberd or lower is very inefficient, and should not be used.

Using emerald bolts (e), one can poison the black dragon. Since the dragon's Life Points are high, the poison can do around 200 poison damage before it finally expires. Just remember to switch to a different set of bolts when the poison takes hold (such as broad-tipped bolts).

Recommended setup
Prayer method
 * Headwear: Full Slayer helmet (only for tasks) / Slayer helmet (only for task) / Black mask (only for task) / Helm of neitiznot / Proselyte sallet


 * Body: Proselyte hauberk / Initiate hauberk / Verac's brassard / Bandos chestplate


 * Legwear: Proselyte cuisse / Initiate cuisse / Verac's plateskirt / Bandos tassets


 * Weapon: Chaotic rapier or Chaotic longsword (on lunge) / Leaf-bladed sword / Abyssal whip / Dragon longsword (on lunge)


 * Shield: Dragonfire shield / Anti-dragon shield


 * Neckwear: Amulet of fury / Amulet of glory / Amulet of strength / Unholy / Holy symbol / Guthix, Saradomin or Zamorak stole


 * Footwear: Dragon boots / Bandos boots / White boots


 * Hands: Barrows gloves / White gloves / Dragon slayer gloves (only for task) / Best gloves available


 * Cape: Fire cape / Soul wars cape (recommended for its +12 prayer bonus) / Ardougne cloak 3 (stab and prayer bonus)

Note: When using prayer, the Ancient Curses Leech Defence and Deflect Melee are very helpful. Berserker may be used to help keep stats boosted longer.

Tanking method


 * Headwear: Verac's helm / Torag's helm / Helm of neitiznot / Full slayer helmet (only for task) / Slayer helmet (only for task)


 * Body: Torag's platebody / Dharok's platebody / Guthan's platebody


 * Legwear: Torag's platelegs / Dharok's platelegs / Verac's plateskirt


 * Weapon: Leaf-bladed sword / Abyssal whip / Dragon longsword


 * Shield: Dragonfire shield


 * Neckwear: Amulet of fury / Amulet of glory


 * Footwear: Dragon boots / Bandos boots


 * Hands: Barrows Gloves


 * Cape: Fire cape / Soul wars cape / Skill/Quest cape


 * Ring: Onyx ring (i) / Dragonstone ring (i) / Diamond ring (i) / Berserker ring (i) / Berserker ring

Note: Those with 85+ herblore have a distinct advantage as they can make use of a super antifire potion in order to wield a two-handed weapon. They may also take advantage of the Verac's barrow set, which not only has a decent crush bonus but also provides a hefty prayer bonus and a powerful set effect. This, together with Turmoil or Piety, could lead to extremely fast kills.

Super Antifire Potion/Curse setup
''Note: this method can be very dangerous. For this method to be effective, players should have levels similar to those listed in the "Level Required" section below.''

Inventory-
 * 10 Super antifire potions
 * 12 pieces of good food (Sharks or higher, reccomended food is Rocktails)
 * 2 Super sets (Extremes can be used)
 * 5 Prayer potions (supers can be used)
 * Beasts of Burden or Healing familiars are optional (Please view the Summoning guide for familiars and their effects.)

Level required-
 * Attack - 90+
 * Strength - 85+
 * Defence - 85+
 * Prayer - 95+
 * Herblore - 90+ (for use of Extreme potions)

Armour
 * Headwear: Slayer Helmet (if on a Slayer task) > Fighter Hat > Helm of Neitiznot > Beserker Helmet


 * Body: Torag's Platebody / Bandos chestplate / Your best torso armour


 * Legs: Torag's Platelegs / Bandos tassets / Your best Leg armour


 * Weapon: Zamorakian spear / Vesta's spear / AnyGodsword / Dragon Halberd Set to stab


 * Neck: Amulet of fury / Amulet of Glory


 * Feet: Dragon boots / Bandos boots


 * Hands: Barrows gloves / Dragon slayer gloves


 * Cape: Ardounge Cloak 3

Using this set-up can help maximize kills per hour. It is also helpful to use Deflect Melee or Soul Split once you are out of food.
 * Ring: Onyx ring (i) > Diamond ring (i)

100% drops

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Weapons

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Armour

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Ammunition

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Runes/Talismans

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Gems/Ores/Bars

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Other

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Trivia

 * In RuneScape Classic Black Dragons were the strongest monsters in RuneScape until the release of the King Black Dragon.
 * They are the only chromatic dragon to drop the Draconic visage.
 * Like all other dragons in Runescape, besides the King Black Dragon, the Black Dragon's received a graphical update on July 5, 2010..