General Graardor/Strategies
This is a guide for killing General Graardor with Melee and Ranged. It has the basics of attacking and tanking, as well as provide a few examples of what equipment to bring.
Note that melee is the most straightforward combat style to use since it suffers no penalties from tank armour. Ranged setups can also deal significant damage, but are less feasible for tanks.
Requirements[edit | edit source]
- Completion of Death Plateau and partial completion of Troll Stronghold after defeating Dad.
- One rope is required to access the dungeon for the first time.
- Level 70 Strength is required to enter Bandos' Stronghold (cannot be boosted).
- At least 43 Prayer for access to the protection prayers.
- A hammer (if not bringing a dragon warhammer).
Mechanics[edit | edit source]
Attack Styles[edit | edit source]
Graardor attacks with both Melee and Ranged:
- The melee attack consists of a simple punch that deals up to 60 damage. He has a 2/3 chance of using melee whenever he attacks.
- As his Ranged attack, Graardor slams the ground to emit shockwaves to all players inside his chamber, dealing between 15 and 35 damage on successful hits. Despite it being a Ranged attack, Graardor can only use it within melee range of his current target. He has a 1/3 chance of using Ranged whenever he attacks.
Bodyguards[edit | edit source]
Graardor is protected by three goblin sergeants:
- Sergeant Grimspike is the Ranged bodyguard, who throws axes at his target, dealing up to 21 damage.
- Sergeant Steelwill is the Magic bodyguard, who launches yellow projectiles at his target, dealing up to 16 damage.
- Sergeant Strongstack is the melee bodyguard, who attacks his target with his flail, dealing up to 15 damage.
- The sergeants tend to target the player who last damaged Graardor (on the minions' 5th tick), and the player who deals Graardor's final blow will likely be targeted. Effectively, players with a faster attack speed will tend to be targeted as their attack is more likely to land on their 5th tick. This also means a tank with a Dinh's bulwark on Defence mode will never be focused on, allowing for prioritising Ranged Defence.
General Strategy[edit | edit source]
General Graardor is a formidable foe, with high Defence, extremely powerful melee attacks, and Ranged attacks capable of hitting every player in the room at once. He is also accompanied by three goblin sergeants who use melee (Sergeant Strongstack), Ranged (Sergeant Grimspike) and Magic (Sergeant Steelwill) attacks.
In terms of Defence, as the bulk of incoming damage potential comes from his melee and Ranged attacks, players targeted by him directly should use Protect from Melee while wearing equipment with high Ranged Defence and moderate Magic Defence; in groups, those not targeted by him directly should use Protect from Ranged.
When Graardor dies, his sergeants will all focus on a single player, typically the one who landed the killing blow on Graardor. With most setups leaving players the most vulnerable to Magic, the targeted player should first switch to Protect from Magic and focus on killing Steelwill. After that switch to Protect from Ranged so as to block Grimspike's powerful and accurate attacks, leaving Strongstack - the least threatening of the three - for last.
Solo[edit | edit source]
In solo encounters the player has the option of choosing between all three combat styles; however, Ranged is only used for advanced methods that involve kiting Graardor due to the armour's terrible Ranged Defence. Melee is the simplest way to fight Graardor.
Without justiciar armour, the player will need to bring a ranged body as to protect from Steelwill's attacks as much as possible. Protect from Melee is mandatory to avoid getting killed by Graardor's melee attacks. The player should keep their health above 60 to prevent getting combo'd by Graardor and another sergeant as they will be frequently hit by ranged attacks. With justiciar, the full set can be taken with a spectral or elysian spirit shield, as it provides very high ranged defence and minimises the damage taken from any that should hit, along with reducing Steelwill's accuracy/damage respectively. Grimspike is unlikely to hit as hard in the process. An amulet of blood fury is usually prioritised over an amulet of torture for the sapping bonus. After killing Graardor, kill Steelwill and then use Guthan's or barrage stack Grimspike and Strongstack as needed.
Graardor has an attack speed of 6, or 3.6 seconds between attacks. 4-tick weapons attack once every 2.4 seconds, so the player can attack Graardor twice before he can attack. After attacking Graardor twice, walk under before attacking him again. If using both a shield and defender, the defender can be used on every odd-numbered attack, provided there is no interruption.
As magic, the player will need to be on the Ancient Magicks and cast Ice Barrage to freeze Graardor. While Graardor's Magic defence was lowered following the introduction of the twisted bow, he does have reasonably high magic defence bonus, although he is still relatively easy to hit. The player will use Protect from Missiles, with Protect from Melee only if Graardor is too close to the player. Steelwill and Strongstack are usually unlikely to hit. After killing Graardor, kill Steelwill, then stack Strongstack and Grimspike for barrage spells.
Graardor and his bodyguards drop bones upon death, so Bones to Peaches can be used to restore 32 health after each kill. Graardor drops super restores and his bodyguards drop kebabs, chilli potatoes and sharks as food to help prolong trips.
Team[edit | edit source]
Team settings allow for more flexibility at Graardor as more players will be damaging him, reducing the frequency of ranged attacks in general. Tanks can follow the conventional or justiciar melee setup to tank; due to the extra DPS, they will typically prioritize ranged defence over magic as the bodyguards prioritise those that damage Graardor. An ideal form of tanking is to bring full justiciar with Dinh's bulwark for even more ranged defence, although they are unlikely to gain any personal kills doing so.
Attackers can also prioritise offensive capability over defensive, although they will probably have to watch out for Steelwill who will hit more frequently. Do not attack Graardor until the base tank has obtained his attention, or you will likely have to tank for the duration of the encounter.
After Graardor dies, kill Steelwill, Grimspike and Strongstack in that order. It is common courtesy for the base tank to fight Strongstack alone with Guthan's; unless requested otherwise, Grimspike is also killed by the DPS.
A useful strategy for teams is to drop an item underneath Graardor's spawn spot and have everyone fight him in melee distance. When Graardor focuses on a player, that player will rapidly click on the dropped item. Due to unique mechanics similar to the chinchompa method for Kree'arra, Graardor will be stuck on the spot and be unable to attack. Everyone can attack Graardor in turn until he focuses on another player, in which that player goes under and rapidly clicks on the item until Graardor is killed. This is restricted to melee only, however.
Tips[edit | edit source]
- Goblins are an easy target for Bandos killcount, and also have a chance to drop a hammer (approx. 1/15).
- Walking under Graardor can buy a tank some time to eat food without taking unnecessary damage. It can be also done at certain intervals to make Graardor "miss" an attack.
- Experienced players can "tick eat"; tick eating is healing on a critical level of health right before taking damage, essentially surviving a hit that would have normally killed the player.
- Bones to Peaches can help extend trips; each kill rotation yields 32 Hitpoints worth of bones.
- The minions will drop chilli potatoes and sharks. If there is an excess of food, continually pick up and drop food again to prevent it from disappearing.
- Guthan's equipment may be used to heal on the melee and ranged minions if desired. Cooperate with your team to maximise healing opportunities. Bring fewer brews and more restores if you choose this method of healing. Guthan's armour also doubles as good primary equipment for tanks.
- If you are assigned General Graardor as your slayer task, use your Slayer helmet variant of choice to take advantage of its accuracy and damage boost.
- An Amulet of blood fury is generally ideal for tank setups as it emphasises healing, defensive and prayer bonuses.
- When bringing a dragon warhammer, you do not need a hammer to bang the door.
- During the fight, the bodyguards will target the most recent player who attacked Graardor. Because of this, weapons with a slower attack speed will result in the player being targeted less often in a team. This can be useful in a team where some players have significantly lower defences.
Suggested skills[edit | edit source]
80+ (90+ Tank)
80+ 
70+ (Required, 80+ Recommended)
70+ (90+ Tank)
80+ 
70+ (75+ Recommended)
44+ (Eagle Eye, 70+ Piety, 74+ Rigour)
Equipment[edit | edit source]
Inventory[edit | edit source]
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- Guthan the Infested's set (for healing off of minions)
- Saradomin godsword > Bandos godsword (special attacks)
- Bones to peaches (tablet) (or runes for Bones to Peaches, High Alchemy, and Trollheim teleport in a divine rune pouch if not using the Lunar spellbook)
- Divine rune pouch with the runes for casting Boost potion share, Stat restore pot share, and Vengeance spells
- 1 Anglerfish
- 4 Super combat potions
- 8 Super restores
- 7 Saradomin brews
- Teleport to house (tablet) or a one-click teleport (for emergency), can bring Max cape instead for the Construction and Prayer cape perks
- Hammer (if Nex banking or skipping killcount with Ecumenical keys)
Inventory[edit | edit source]
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- Toxic blowpipe (special attacks) for healing off of minions)
- 1 Anglerfish
- Bones to peaches (tablet) (or runes for Bones to Peaches, High Alchemy, and Trollheim teleport in a divine rune pouch if not using the Lunar spellbook)
- Divine rune pouch with the runes for casting Boost potion share, Stat restore pot share, and Vengeance spells
- 4 Ranging potions
- 7 Super restores
- 12 Saradomin brews
- Teleport to house (tablet) or a one-click teleport (for emergency)
- Hammer (if Nex banking or skipping killcount with Ecumenical keys)
Inventory[edit | edit source]
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- Guthan the Infested's set (for healing off of minions)
- Dragon claws (for special attacks)
- Divine rune pouch (with runes to cast Bones to Peaches, High Level Alchemy, and Trollheim teleport)
- 1 Anglerfish
- 3 Super combat potion
- 10 Super restores
- 6 Saradomin brews
- Teleport to house (tablet) or a one-click teleport (for emergency), can bring Max cape instead for the Construction and Prayer cape perks
- Hammer (if Nex banking or skipping killcount with Ecumenical keys)
- Bones to peaches (tablet) tablets if Bones to Peaches spell isn't unlocked.
Inventory[edit | edit source]
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- Dragon warhammer or Bandos godsword (for special attacks)
- Avernic or dragon defender switch if using dragon warhammer
- Guthan the Infested's equipment
- 3-6 Saradomin brews
- 6-8 Super restores
- 3-5 Divine ranging potions
- Rune pouch with runes for High Level Alchemy, and Trollheim Teleport, Bones to Peaches or empty for picking up Cosmic runes
- 2 Trollheim teleport (tablet) tablets if not bringing runes for Trollheim Teleport (revert once inside the dungeon for teleport out)
- Rest high-healing food such as sharks or better
Inventory[edit | edit source]
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- A weapon to autocast Ancient Magicks (such as kodai wand, master wand or ancient staff) if using Blood Barrage, with a Magic robe top switch such as ancestral robe top or ahrim's robe top
- Saradomin godsword, Dragon warhammer or Bandos godsword (for special attacks)
- Avernic or dragon defender switch if using dragon warhammer
- Rune pouch filled with runes for Blood Barrage
- Bones to peaches (tablet) tablets (or runes for Bones to Peaches in a rune pouch if not using Blood Barrage)
- 2-4 super combat potions
- 5-6 super restores
- 8-10 Saradomin brews
- Teleport to house (tablet) or a one-click teleport (for emergency), can bring Max cape instead for the Construction and Prayer cape perks
- Rest high-healing food such as anglerfish or manta rays
| Slot | Item (most effective → least effective) | ||||
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 |  Slayer helmet (i) (on task) |  Ancestral hat |  3rd age mage hat |  Ahrim's hood | N/A |
 |  Occult necklace | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
 |  Imbued zamorak cape |  Zamorak cape | N/A | N/A | N/A |
 | Ancestral robe top |  Ahrim's robetop | N/A | N/A | N/A |
 |  Ancestral robe bottom |  Ahrim's robeskirt | N/A | N/A | N/A |
 |  Tumeken's shadow |  Sanguinesti staff |  Trident of the swamp | N/A | N/A |
 |  Elidinis' ward (f) |  Elidinis' ward |  Arcane spirit shield |  Ancient wyvern shield |  Mage's book /  Malediction ward /  Book of darkness |
 |  War blessing | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
 |  Tormented bracelet |  Barrows gloves | N/A | N/A | N/A |
 |  Eternal boots |  Infinity boots | N/A | N/A | N/A |
 |  Seers ring (i) |  Brimstone ring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
 |  Zamorakian hasta (for minions) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Inventory[edit | edit source]
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 4000 |  16000 |  16000 |
- Kodai wand or other weapon to autocast Ancient Magicks (bring water runes for ice barrage if not using Kodai)
- Zamorakian hasta for pushing the minions into a barrage pile (optional but recommended)
- Rune pouch filled with runes for Ice Barrage and Blood Barrage
- Bones to peaches (tablet) tablets
- Imbued heart
- 4-5 Saradomin brews
- 4-5 high-healing food such as anglerfish or manta rays
- Teleport to house (tablet) or a one-click teleport (for emergency)
- Rest super restores
| Slot | Item (most effective → least effective) | ||||
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| Slayer helmet (i) (on task) |  Masori mask (f) /  Masori mask |  Crystal helm/ Bandos coif |  Armadyl helmet |  Karil's coif |
|  Necklace of anguish |  Amulet of fury | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|  Ava's assembler |  Ava's accumulator | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|  Masori body (f) |  Masori body |  Armadyl chestplate |  Karil's leathertop | N/A |
|  Masori chaps (f) |  Masori chaps |  Armadyl chainskirt |  Karil's leatherskirt | N/A |
|  Zaryte crossbow |  Armadyl crossbow |  Dragon crossbow |  Rune crossbow | N/A |
|  Dragonfire ward |  Twisted buckler |  Odium ward |  Book of law | N/A |
|  Diamond dragon bolts (e) |  Diamond bolts (e) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|  Zaryte vambraces |  Bandos bracers/Barrows gloves | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|  Pegasian boots/ Bandos d'hide boots |  Blessed boots | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|  Archers ring (i) | Brimstone ring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Toxic blowpipe (for mage minion after melee/ranged are dead) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Inventory[edit | edit source]
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| 16000 | 16000 | 16000 |
- Be mindful of your God Items while killing minions. Do your best to bring a Bandos item (Preferably Bandos bracers) and a Zamorak item (Preferably Z Hasta to kill minions or Zamorak boots)
- Kodai wand or other weapon to autocast Ancient Magicks. Water runes not necessary. You can position all three minions to where you can hit all three with a barrage until the melee minion dies. Switch to blowpipe once melee/ranged minions die.
- Occult necklace for when you're barraging minions
- Zamorakian hasta or Dragon Warhammer for getting killcount
- Rune pouch filled with runes for Blood Barrage
- Bones to peaches (tablet) tablets just in case barrages and blowpipe specs don't get you to full HP.
- 8-10 or so anglerfish or manta rays to heal mid-kill while you are learning. As you get better, you can drop food for Super restore potions
- 8 or so Super restore potions
- 1 ranging potion (maybe 2 once you're more practiced and can stay longer)
- 3 Stamina potion(4) or so. Increase to 4 once you are more familiar.
- 2 Trollheim teleport (tablet)s for when the trip ends/emergency. Revert one to a Teleport to house (tablet) once you arrive on Trollheim mountain.
| Slot | Item (most effective → least effective) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal helm | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Necklace of anguish | Amulet of fury | N/A | N/A |
|  Ranging cape(t) | Ava's assembler | Ava's accumulator | N/A |
|  Crystal body | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|  Crystal legs | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|  Bow of faerdhinen |  Crystal bow | N/A | N/A |
| War blessing | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Zaryte vambraces |  Zamorak bracers | N/A | N/A |
| Pegasian boots | Bandos d'hide boots | N/A | N/A |
|  Ring of suffering (i) |  Ring of endurance | Archers ring (i) | Brimstone ring |
| Toxic blowpipe (for mage minion after melee/ranged are dead) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Inventory[edit | edit source]
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 16000 |  16000 | 16000 |
- Be mindful of your God Items while killing minions. Do your best to bring a Bandos item and a Zamorak item.
- At 99 Range boosted to 112, the Ranging cape(t) or max cape will provide the same max hit as Ava's Assembler, below 99 use Ava's devices.
- Be on the Arceuus Spellbook which is unlocked by completing A Kingdom Divided.
- Use the Greater ghostly thrall, or highest level non-melee thrall available.
- Rune pouch filled with runes for casting the above spell
- Bones to peaches (tablet) tablets just in case blowpipe specs don't get you to full HP.
- Bring more Saradomin brews in place of super restores if you aren't comfortable with the method.
- Anglerfish are a useful item when used to get the red-click and pass by General Graardor without getting hit.
- Divine ranging potions are a viable replacement for divine bastion potions.
- 3 Stamina potion(4) or so. Stamina use will depend heavily on your agility level. At 96+ agility only one stamina should be needed.