![]() | You have the option to create a private instance for this fight. On death, all unprotected items will be moved to a grave outside the instance. Any items left on the ground will be lost. |
![]() | This article has a strategy guide. All information on mechanics and strategy will be on this page. |
King Black Dragon | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Released | 24 September 2002 (Update) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Also called | KBD | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Members | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Combat level | 276 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Size | 5x5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Examine | One of the biggest, meanest dragons around. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Combat info | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Attribute | Draconic, Fiery | ||||||||||||||||||||||
XP bonus | +7.5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Max hit | 25 (Melee) 65 (Dragonfire) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggressive | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Poisonous | Yes (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Attack style | Stab, Dragonfire | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Attack speed | 4 ticks (2.4 seconds) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Respawn time | 16 ticks (9.6 seconds) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Slayer level | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Slayer XP | 258 xp | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Category | Black Dragons, Bosses | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assigned by | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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240 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
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+0 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +0 | ||||||||||||||||||
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+60 | +90 | +90 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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+80 | 50% weakness | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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+70 | +70 | +50 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Immunities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Poison | Not immune | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Venom | Not immune | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cannons | Not immune | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Thralls | Not immune | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Advanced data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Monster ID | 239 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
![King Black Dragon (34) King Black Dragon (34)](https://i0.wp.com/oldschool.runescape.wiki/images/King_Black_Dragon_chathead.png?3aed6)
The King Black Dragon, commonly referred to as KBD, is a three-headed dragon located in his lair, accessible only through the deep Wilderness. Although the lair itself is not in the Wilderness, KBD is still considered a Wilderness boss by designation, as players must enter the Wilderness to fight him. The King Black Dragon has a combat level of 276, which makes him one of the strongest dragons in Old School RuneScape. Players should not take this foe lightly, and they should always take an anti-dragon shield as his dragonfire breath is very deadly without protection. The King Black Dragon can also be killed as an alternative for a black dragon Slayer task, except when assigned by Krystilia.
Although he will always fight back when attacked, he has gotten bored over the centuries from adventurers attacking him, as he revealed to his good friend Bob the cat.
While the King Black Dragon's lair is entered from within the Wilderness, his lair itself is not part of the Wilderness, so players cannot attack each other in his lair. Completion of the Wilderness Diary also does not note his bone drops.
Players can pay 50,000 coins to open an instanced version of his lair (right-click Private option on lever), where it will be inaccessible by other players. This fee can be deducted directly from the bank; players do not need to carry coins on them to create the instance. Items dropped by the King Black Dragon in this instance will disappear after 1800 seconds (30 minutes), however items dropped by the player will disappear after the typical 180 seconds (3 minutes).
Contents
- 1 Location
- 2 Getting there
- 3 Fight overview
- 4 Money making
- 5 Drops
- 5.1 100%
- 5.2 Pre-roll
- 5.3 Weapons and armour
- 5.4 Runes and ammunition
- 5.5 Resources
- 5.6 Other
- 5.7 Rare and Gem drop table
- 5.8 Tertiary
- 6 Treasure Trails
- 7 Combat Achievements
- 8 Changes
- 9 Gallery
- 9.1 Historical
- 10 Trivia
Location[edit | edit source]
Location | Levels | Members | Spawns | Map |
---|---|---|---|---|
King Black Dragon Lair (Wilderness) | 276 | ![]() | 1 | Maplink |
Getting there[edit | edit source]
Warning: The entrance to the King Black Dragon Lair (aka KBD Lair) is located in the Wilderness; watch out for player killers!
![King Black Dragon (36) King Black Dragon (36)](https://i0.wp.com/oldschool.runescape.wiki/images/thumb/KBD_Routes.png/300px-KBD_Routes.png?ca532)
Note: After climbing down the ladder near the lesser demons, players must pull a lever surrounded by poisonous spiders to access the lair.
- The burning amulet teleports the player to the Lava Maze just south-east of the fenced area containing the entrance to the lair. This is the fastest and most reliable method of getting there.
- Wilderness Obelisks can be used, but be wary that using them will make encountering high-level monsters or PKers more likely. Players who have completed the hard Wilderness Diary can choose the obelisk they wish to teleport to, namely the obelisk closest to the lair at level 44 Wilderness. The nearest obelisk can be accessed if the player teleports to the Corporeal Beast area via a games necklace, exits the cave, and runs south-east to the obelisk and then south-east again.
- From Edgeville, players can bring an axe to make a waka canoe (requires 57 Woodcutting) at the canoe station and take it to the Wilderness. Upon arrival, the player will have to trek westward past some green dragons on the southern end of the Lava Maze before going slightly north-west toward the western part of the maze.
- North-west of Ardougne Castle, there's a lever that takes the player to the Deserted Keep. From there, after slashing the webs, head southward to a long fence and follow it either east or west to an opening. If following it east, beware of the Chaos Elemental. Once out, trek westward past the northern end of the Lava Maze before going slightly south-west toward the western part of the maze.
- The Ice Plateau or Ghorrock Teleport is among the fastest ways to get there. After teleporting, run south-east.
- The Arceuus spellbook's Cemetery Teleport teleports players to the Forgotten Cemetery, just south.
Fight overview[edit | edit source]
Main article: King Black Dragon/Strategies
![King Black Dragon (37) King Black Dragon (37)](https://i0.wp.com/oldschool.runescape.wiki/images/thumb/Fighting_the_King_Black_Dragon.png/280px-Fighting_the_King_Black_Dragon.png?93e35)
In addition to his damaging attacks, the King Black Dragon can also poison the player and reduce the player's stats. It is strongly recommended to bring anti-poison (Antidote++ is preferred) and stat-restoring potions such as super restores.
His dragonfire is significantly stronger than normal dragonfire, with a max hit of 65 with no protection, 15 with the anti-dragon shield or dragonfire shield, and is completely blocked with both the shield and antifire potion. Because the max damage is so high, the player should always have one of these shields equipped.
In addition to his regular dragonfire, the King Black Dragon has three unblockable breath attacks: Poison, Shock, and Freeze. A super antifire potion will only nullify all damage from the regular dragonfire, and the special breath will still deal up to its full 50 damage . With the anti-dragon shield or equivalent equipped, they only deal up to 10 damage. Protect from Magic does not protect against or reduce damage from dragonfire when an anti-dragon shield or equivalent is equipped. However, if no anti-dragon shield is equipped, Protect from Magic will reduce the max hit of these attacks from 50 to 20.
Money making[edit | edit source]
The following money making guide is available for the King Black Dragon:
Method | Hourly profit | Skills |
---|---|---|
Killing the King Black Dragon | 289,685 |
Drops[edit | edit source]
The following drop rates are provided by Jagex, unless otherwise specified.
The average King Black Dragon kill is worth 21,238.98.
The average King Black Dragon kill while on a Konar task is worth 22,526.76.
100%[edit | edit source]
Item | Quantity | Rarity | Price | High Alch | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Dragon bones | 1 | Always | 3,316 | 96 |
![]() | Black dragonhide | 2 | Always | 5,600 | 180 |
Pre-roll[edit | edit source]
Item | Quantity | Rarity | Price | High Alch | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Dragon pickaxe | 1 | 1/1,000 | 938,100 | 58,770 |
Weapons and armour[edit | edit source]
Item | Quantity | Rarity | Price | High Alch | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Rune longsword | 1 | 10/128 | 18,551 | 19,200 |
![]() | Adamant platebody | 1 | 9/128 | 9,453 | 9,984 |
![]() | Adamant kiteshield | 1 | 3/128 | 2,820 | 3,264 |
![]() | Dragon med helm | 1 | 1/128 | 58,237 | 60,000 |
Runes and ammunition[edit | edit source]
Item | Quantity | Rarity | Price | High Alch | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Fire rune | 300 | 5/128; 10/128[d 1] | 1,200 | 600 |
![]() | Air rune | 300 | 10/128 | 1,200 | 600 |
![]() | Iron arrow | 690 | 10/128 | 3,450 | 690 |
![]() | Runite bolts | 10–20 | 10/128 | 470–940 | 1,800–3,600 |
![]() | Law rune | 30 | 5/128 | 3,540 | 4,320 |
![]() | Blood rune | 30 | 5/128 | 6,060 | 7,200 |
- ^ If Monkey Madness II has not been completed, the drop rate of fire runes is 10/128.
Resources[edit | edit source]
Item | Quantity | Rarity | Price | High Alch | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Yew logs | 150(noted) | 10/128 | 48,450 | 14,400 |
![]() | Adamantite bar | 3 | 5/128 | 5,496 | 1,152 |
![]() | Runite bar | 1 | 3/128 | 12,404 | 3,000 |
![]() | Gold ore | 100(noted) | 2/128 | 15,500 | 9,000 |
Other[edit | edit source]
Item | Quantity | Rarity | Price | High Alch | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Amulet of power | 1 | 7/128 | 2,205 | 2,115 |
![]() | Dragon arrowtips | 5–14 | 5/128 | 5,835–16,338 | 1,500–4,200 |
![]() | Dragon dart tip | 5–14 | 5/128 | 6,825–19,110 | 750–2,100 |
![]() | Dragon javelin heads | 15 | 5/128[d 1] | 14,265 | 17,550 |
![]() | Runite limbs | 1 | 4/128 | 9,266 | 9,600 |
![]() | Shark | 4 | 4/128 | 3,204 | 408 |
- ^ Dragon javelin heads are only dropped after completion of Monkey Madness II.
Rare and Gem drop table[edit | edit source]
There is a 8/128 chance of rolling the rare drop table. There is also a 2/128 chance of rolling the gem drop table.
Item | Quantity | Rarity | Price | High Alch | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Nothing | N/A | 1/52.25; Never[d 1] | N/A | N/A |
![]() | Coins | 3,000 | 1/97.52 | 3,000 | 3,000 |
![]() | Loop half of key | 1 | 1/100.36; 1/98.46[d 2] | 9,467 | 60 |
![]() | Tooth half of key | 1 | 1/100.36; 1/98.46[d 2] | 9,442 | 60 |
![]() | Uncut sapphire | 1 | 1/157.54; 1/80[d 2] | 214 | 15 |
![]() | Runite bar | 1 | 1/409.6 | 12,404 | 3,000 |
![]() | Nature rune | 67 | 1/682.67 | 7,102 | 7,236 |
![]() | Rune 2h sword | 1 | 1/682.67 | 37,850 | 38,400 |
![]() | Rune battleaxe | 1 | 1/682.67 | 24,233 | 24,960 |
![]() | Uncut emerald | 1 | 1/315.08; 1/160[d 2] | 403 | 30 |
![]() | Law rune | 45 | 1/1,024 | 5,310 | 6,480 |
![]() | Death rune | 45 | 1/1,024 | 5,670 | 4,860 |
![]() | Steel arrow | 150 | 1/1,024 | 4,950 | 1,050 |
![]() | Rune arrow | 42 | 1/1,024 | 2,982 | 10,080 |
![]() | Adamant javelin | 20 | 1/1,024 | 1,200 | 1,920 |
![]() | Rune sq shield | 1 | 1/1,024 | 22,464 | 23,040 |
![]() | Dragonstone | 1 | 1/1,024 | 11,172 | 6,000 |
![]() | Silver ore | 100(noted) | 1/1,024 | 4,700 | 4,500 |
![]() | Uncut ruby | 1 | 1/630.15; 1/320[d 2] | 851 | 60 |
![]() | Rune kiteshield | 1 | 1/2,048 | 31,954 | 32,640 |
![]() | Dragon med helm | 1 | 1/2,048 | 58,237 | 60,000 |
![]() | Rune spear | 1 | 1/2,126.93; 1/243.04[d 2][d 3] | 11,806 | 12,480 |
![]() | Shield left half | 1 | 1/4,253.86; 1/486.08[d 2][d 3] | 65,026 | 66,000 |
![]() | Nature talisman | 1 | 1/1,680.41; 1/853.33[d 2] | 160 | 2 |
![]() | Dragon spear | 1 | 1/5,671.81; 1/648.1[d 2][d 3] | 37,441 | 37,440 |
![]() | Uncut diamond | 1 | 1/2,520.62; 1/1,280[d 2] | 1,879 | 120 |
![]() | Rune javelin | 5 | 1/5,041.23; 1/2,560[d 2] | 790 | 1,200 |
- ^ The "nothing" drop is removed while wearing a ring of wealth.
- ^ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 The drop rate is increased while wearing a ring of wealth due to the "nothing" drop being removed.
- ^ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Slightly reduced chance of dropping if Legends' Quest has not been completed.
Tertiary[edit | edit source]
Item | Quantity | Rarity | Price | High Alch | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Key (elite) | 1 | Always[d 1] | Not sold | N/A |
![]() | Brimstone key | 1 | 1/65[d 2] | Not sold | N/A |
![]() | Kbd heads | 1 | 1/128 | Not sold | 30,000 |
![]() | Clue scroll (elite) | 1 | 1/450[d 3] | Not sold | 12 |
![]() | Prince black dragon | 1 | 1/3,000 | Not sold | N/A |
![]() | Draconic visage | 1 | 1/5,000 | 3,255,054 | 450,000 |
- ^ The key is only dropped when completing an elite clue scroll asking you to kill the King Black Dragon.
- ^ Brimstone keys are only dropped while on a Slayer task given by Konar quo Maten.
- ^ The elite clue scroll drop rate increases to 1/427 after unlocking the elite Combat Achievements rewards tier.
Treasure Trails[edit | edit source]
- Killing the King Black Dragon for a key to open the closed chest in the north-east corner of his lair is the solution to the elite cryptic clue: Scattered coins and gems fill the floor. The chest you seek is in the north east.
Combat Achievements[edit | edit source]
There are 6 Combat Achievement tasks (totalling 12 points) available for King Black Dragon.
Name | Description | Type | Tier | Comp% |
---|---|---|---|---|
King Black Dragon Novice | Kill the King Black Dragon 10 times. | Kill Count | ![]() | 42.7% |
King Black Dragon Champion | Kill the King Black Dragon 25 times. | Kill Count | ![]() | 36.5% |
Antifire Protection | Kill the King Black Dragon with an antifire potion active and an antidragon shield equipped. | Restriction | ![]() | 42.7% |
Hide Penetration | Kill the King Black Dragon with a stab weapon. | Restriction | ![]() | 34.7% |
Claw Clipper | Kill the King Black Dragon with the Protect from Melee prayer activated. | Mechanical | ![]() | 37.6% |
Who Is the King Now? | Kill The King Black Dragon 10 times in a private instance without leaving the instance. | Stamina | ![]() | 16.7% |
Changes[edit | edit source]
Date | Changes |
---|---|
29May2024 (update) | The King Black Dragon now has a 50% weakness to water spells. |
25January2023 (update) | The drop rate of the dragon pickaxe has been increased from 1/1,500 to 1/1,000. |
17October2019 (update) | King Black Dragon boss tasks are no longer offered to players until they've started Dragon Slayer and gained access to anti-dragon equipment. |
4January2018 (update) | The examine text was changed. Previously, it was The biggest, meanest dragon around. |
16February2017 (update|poll) | The King Black Dragon respawn timer has been reduced to 10 seconds. |
28April2016 (update) | The King Black Dragon's drops will now appear where it died if you are lucky enough to receive a Prince Black Dragon. Previously, the drops would appear under the pet. |
18February2016 (update|poll) | A private instance option has been added to the King Black Dragon lair lever costing 50,000 coins in your inventory. |
25June2015 (update|poll) | Added a 'peek' option to the entrance of this boss, allowing players to see the number of other players currently in the boss room. |
17July2014 (update|poll) | Players can now receive a pet version of this boss after defeating it. |
13March2014 (update|poll) | The King Black Dragon and Chaos Elemental have had their drop tables improved and both have a chance of dropping the dragon pickaxe. |
6February2014 (update|poll) | The Kalphite Queen, King Black Dragon, the Chaos Elemental and the Dagannoth Kings now notify all nearby players of the loot they're dropping. |
29August2006 (update) |
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26 January – 27 June 2005 | The NPC's examine was changed from The biggest meanest dragon around to The biggest, meanest dragon around. |
Gallery[edit | edit source]
A group of players fighting the King Black Dragon as depicted in art.
Bob talking to the King Black Dragon.
R4ng3rno0b889 is killed by the King Black Dragon.
Historical[edit | edit source]
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
29 March 2004 – 29 August 2006 | 29 August 2006 – present |
Trivia[edit | edit source]
![King Black Dragon (113) King Black Dragon (113)](https://i0.wp.com/oldschool.runescape.wiki/images/Postbag_from_the_Hedge_-_King_Black_Dragon_stamp.png?f7384)
- King Black Dragon appears on one of the seven Postbag from the Hedge stamps.
- Engaging in combat with the King Black Dragon while not having any form of dragonfire protection gives unique messages in the player's chatbox when they are harmed by the various types of dragonfire:
- Freezing: You're chilled to the bone by the dragon's icy breath!
- Poison: You're badly scalded by the dragon's toxic breath!
- Shocking: You're zapped by the dragon's shocking breath!
- Burning: You're horribly burnt by the dragon's fiery breath!
- The King Black Dragon can talk, as seen in A Tail of Two Cats. During the final cutscene, when he is visited by Bob the cat, they have a conversation before being interrupted by R4ng3rno0b889.
- The King Black Dragon had a festive override wearing a santa hat, purple partyhat, and green partyhat during the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Christmas events.
- The King Black Dragon was the strongest monster in Runescape Classic and retained the title until the introduction of Runescape 2's first new boss, the Kalphite Queen.
Predecessor | Title | Successor |
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Black dragon | Strongest monster in RuneScape | Kalphite Queen |
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Metal dragons | |||||||||
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† denotes that a person is deceased. |