Iron dragon

Iron dragons are one of the four types of metal dragons. They are the only metal dragon to be found inside Daemonheim. Their appearance is that of a dragon entirely composed of iron, except for their eyes which are red. As with all adult dragons, iron dragons have the ability to breathe fire. Thus, an Antifire potion, anti-dragon shield, or dragonfire shield is essential. They can be found deep in the Brimhaven Dungeon, outside the fortress of Ghorrock just out of the Wilderness, and in Kuradal's Dungeon. As with all metal dragons except for the bronze dragon, they have a chance of dropping the famous draconic visage, which is one of the main reasons that metal dragons are hunted. They can be placed in a dungeon pit with level 97 construction after the completion of the Love Story quest, costing 7,500,000 coins.

Strengths and weaknesses
Iron dragons, like all metal dragons, have very high defence. As with all dragons, an anti-dragon shield, dragonfire shield, or super antifire potion is essential when fighting them, and while using either shield, an antifire potion is optional. Without the shield or super antifire potion, a player can be hit extremely hard by the dragon's firebreath, while the anti-fire potion will only provide added protection. An antifire potion alone will NOT provide suitable protection. Anti-fire potions are highly suggested to be used in conjunction with an anti-dragon shield or a dragonfire shield as this will provide complete immunity to dragonfire. However, the untradeable super antifire potions alone provide complete protection. Be sure to be two or more steps away from them when using range or magic as they may attack with melee, possibly dealing up to 203 damage per hit. Also, the Deflect magic curse or Protect From Magic prayer will provide partial protection against dragon fire.

Dragons will use both melee and dragonfire attacks while in melee range, but will only use a ranged dragonfire attack while the player is out of melee range. Using both an anti-dragon/Dragonfire shield and an anti-fire potion and using Ranged or Magic to kill them will ensure that no damage is taken. Using a rune crossbow along with either mithril or stronger bolts or using fire spells (higher than fire bolt or it won't be very effective) makes killing Iron dragons a lot easier. However, Chaos gauntlets will greatly help players who choose to use bolt spells. Additionally, a leaf-bladed sword, brackish blade, chaotic rapier or Korasi's sword work well as they have a high stab bonus.

A good combination to use if you have 85+ Herblore is a Zamorakian Spear in conjunction with a Super Antifire potion. The Zamorakian Spear has a great stab bonus and the Super Antifire protects you completely from dragonfire without the need of an anti-dragon shield or dragonfire shield.

In all areas that Iron dragons are found, the more powerful steel dragons can be found in the same location. Be aware that Steel dragons will try to attack if the player gets too close. However, this does not affect those in the Brimhaven resource dungeon, though a Steel dragon might follow you all the way to the Iron dragons.

If players are wearing a pair of dragon slayer gloves from the Fist of Guthix activity, they will be rewarded with extra slayer experience when killing these for slayer tasks.

If a player is using magic to kill them it is better to wear an Anti Dragon Shield over a Dragonfire Shield. The reason being that the standard Anti Dragon Shield does not decrease Magic Attack bonus.

Brimhaven Dungeon
Brimhaven Dungeon is a very good location as rangers and mages will find it easy to safespot. However, players can be attacked by steel dragons in the same location. Players using melee will be more affected by this, but this can be combated by standing at one of the four corners. Usually, a couple of iron dragons will gather at the south-eastern corner. A one-click teleport is recommended in case of dire need. A good strategy is to teleport to Camelot, and from there, a player should run south to Catherby, withdraw 2,000 coins, Camelot Teleport runes, and antifire potions (meleers should also bring prayer potions). A boat may then be chartered to Brimhaven, and players may run south to find the Brimhaven Dungeon. There is an entrance fee of 875 coins to gain entrance into this dungeon, and a Hatchet is needed to chop vines that separate most caves. The Amulet of Glory's teleport to Karamja may also be used, and players may walk to West, through the gates, and then walk South West to find the entrance. Kill the dragons and teleport back to Camelot when out of antifires or inventory space. Repeat the cycle. When exiting the dungeon, it is recommended that a player has a fair amount of life points remaining as various monsters in the dungeon may hit for large amounts of damage, possibly resulting in death, unless you have a generally high defence level. Guthan's set may be helpful, but it is generally recommended to teleport out of the dungeon when done.

If a player has Karamja Gloves 3, they may teleport to the Shilo Village mining site with the gloves, run to the Shilo bank, withdraw 10 coins, take the cart north to Brimhaven, and walk South to the dungeon from there.

Since the update of Elite Treasure Trails it is also possible to use Tai Bwo Wannai Teleport Scrolls which can be gained from any level Clue scroll.

Another good method to get there is to use a chipped Brimhaven house tele-tab, or a house teleport tablet (with your house at Brimhaven), then run southwest to the entrance.

Alternatively, if the player has high farming and has grown a Spirit Tree in Brimhaven, this can also be a convenient method of accessing the dungeon after banking at the GE.

If you have 80 dungeoneering, you can use the resource dungeon to teleport away (no dragons are near the entrance of the resource room). However, if you go back out, there's a small chance that the close Steel dragon will attack you with melee or dragonfire as soon as you get out.

Brimhaven Resource Dungeon
Set within the Brimhaven Dungeon, the Brimhaven Resource Dungeon requires a Dungeoneering level of 80 to access. Despite this high requirement, it is a very good place to hunt and slay metal dragons. The dungeon is separated into two halves; one with iron dragons, one with steel dragons. There's a hammer and a few anvils to smith the bars you obtain from killing the dragons into stackable items, assuming the player has the Smithing level to do so. Players may be interested in smithing the regular iron bar drops into high demand low level ranged ammo, such as iron knives, to be later used or sold. If you're making items from the bars and get attacked by an iron dragon, you can use the anvil to block it off until you are done. Unless you have someone with enough dungeoneering, or use a popular world for killing them (w27 is a good example), if you die, you might lose your items.

'''Remember: Entrance to the dungeon requires either 875 coins or Completion of "Hard" Karamja Task Set. Additionally, a hatchet is REQUIRED to cut through dungeon vines. However, there is a bronze hatchet spawn in the pub to the east in Brimhaven.'''

Ghorrock
Ghorrock is great for those that have compeleted the required quest, moreso for a player who has 89 Magic and is on the Lunar spellbook or has 96 Magic and is on the Ancient Magicks spellbook. However, if a player meets these requirements, this spot becomes an excellent place to kill iron dragons as the Ice Plateau Teleport and Ghorrock Teleport take the player very close to the fortress. This is very helpful, especially if the player is planning on banking all the bones without a pack yak. What makes this spot attractive to some players without access to Kuradal's dungeon is that the iron and steel dragons are separated, precluding the possibility of a player being attacked by the other undesired type of dragon. With 43 prayer and prayer potions (if meleeing), a dragonfire or anti-dragon shield and a couple of antifire potions or super antifire potions, a player can attack them and take no damage at all. Once a player's prayer points have been depleted, they may either drink a dose of prayer potion or run south to find an altar and recharge their prayer points there. When a player is out of antifires, he/she may either run to the Mage Arena or teleport out. If banking in the Mage Arena, be sure to have extra food in case of player killer attacks. However, it is recommended to teleport out to avoid the risk of being attacked by player killers.

Although the area is not multi-combat, a Dwarf Cannon can be set up here to help kill individual dragons faster. This may be an attractive option if the player wants to pay less attention to RuneScape and continue killing with auto-retaliate toggled on, as the cannon would attack dragons for the player. This is, however, hindered by the limit of 30 cannonballs being used as ammunition in a cannon at any given time.

Contrary to popular belief this area is not in the wilderness; the fortress itself is completely safe from player killers (although running through the wilderness from the mage arena may expose a player prior to entering the fortress).

Note: As of 1 February, the fortress can safely be entered from the west, the same valley that houses the entrance to the Mahjarrat Ritual Site Cavern, making this location more attractive.

Kuradal's Dungeon
Kuradal's Dungeon may only be accessed if Kuradal assigns a player iron dragons as a slayer task. This is an excellent location as it is generally less busy than the Brimhaven Dungeon, and it is slightly less risky to reach than Ghorrock. The iron dragons here may drop the ferocious ring, a bonus drop only available in this dungeon. The ring increases all damaging hits by 40, provides ring of life functions (teleports to Kuradal at less than 10% life points), and has teleports to Kuradal; it is recommended to wear this ring if received as a drop. The recommended inventory here is the same as the other locations (dragonfire/anti-dragon shield with antifire potions or super antifires; prayer potions for meleers).

Daemonheim
Iron Dragons are sometimes encountered in Daemonheim while Dungeoneering on the Furnished Floors. See Iron dragon (Daemonheim).

Strategies
A recommended strategy for hunting iron dragons when using magic is to use the Fire wave spell. The gear that should be taken with you is armour that increases magic bonus, your anti-dragon or Dragonfire shield, either staff of air or a magic damage boosting staff, 7 times as many fire runes (and air runes if using a different staff than a staff of air), blood runes, and antifire potions. Go to the south-eastern part of the room with metal dragons in the Brimhaven dungeon. Stand in the corner and attack any of the three iron dragons from at least 2 spaces away. Have auto cast set to fire wave. Drink your antifire potions as needed. You will never be hit because they only attack you with their dragonfire when you stand away from them. 15 blood runes is a frequent drop from iron dragons, allowing you to cast more wave spells as long as you have enough runes to do so. However, even with a Ring of Wealth, it's still not frequent enough for constant blood runes.

Using melee is another possible strategy when killing iron dragons. Although officially they are weak to stab attacks, an Abyssal whip seems to work effectively as well, but it is advised to use Korasi's sword, a Brackish blade, or a Chaotic Rapier if you have 80 Dungeoneering. Super attack and super strength potions will offset their cost by allowing you to kill the dragons that much faster. Using protect from melee/Deflect melee with prayer bonus gear, along with the usual antifire potions will prevent you from taking any damage while fighting.

Another strategy for players looking to gain money from killing iron dragons is ranged. At least 61 Ranged is needed, using void or red dragonhide or better, with a rune crossbow along with mithril, adamant or broad bolts. Make sure you don't forget your anti-dragon fire shield. The general inventory needed to kill them with void / red dragonhide or better is 13 or so antifires, because you will last a fairly long time, 3 ranging potions, in case you are stuck on a dragon that you just can't hit, and 1 prayer potion in case you get stuck trying to pick up your drop. Getting attacked by melee isn't good if you are wearing ranging gear because Iron Dragons can hit up to 200. Additionally, if you're not confident with what you're doing, bring around 4 sharks in your inventory but leave room for drops such as rune javelins and rune knifes/darts and such, that may save some of the bolts that you bring. Make sure you're always 1 square away from the dragon when killing, and watch out if you're crowded by dragons and the one you're killing is nearly dead, because Iron and Steel Dragons melee you when you're close. However, after about 10 minutes the dragons become non-aggressive to you. They will become aggressive again if you leave the dungeon, move to another spot, or enter the resource dungeon.

100% drop

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