Chromatic dragons have existed in Runescape since its classic days, but metal dragons introduced a new dynamic in 2005. They feature hardened defenses, long-range dragon breath, and unique drops compared to their chromatic dragon brothers. If you get them assigned as a slayer task, keep this article in mind before skipping them.

Bronze Dragons

Bronze dragons were the weakest of the preliminary metal dragons introduced to the game. As you might imagine, they drop bronze bars in addition to dragon bones upon death. Even though they are pure bronze, they still have a combat level of 131, a base defense of 112 and considerable defensive stats against all attack styles.

You may find them in the Brimhaven Dungeon and the Catacombs of Kourend, with the latter being preferable for Slayer tasks due to the chance at dropping totem pieces. These dragons are not desired as moneymakers since they only have a very rare chance at dropping dragon platelegs (or skirts) and cannot drop a Draconic Visage.

Like the other metallic dragons, they are weakest against magic attacks or stab attacks. If you are assigned a slayer task, you can quickly get it over by using Fire Wave, Fire Surge, a Zamorakian Hasta or a Dragon Hunter Lance.

Iron Dragons

These dragons are within the same vicinity as Steel Dragons in the Brimhaven Dungeon. The attack with a stronger breath than Bronze dragons, especially when using ranged or magic against them. Be sure to always keep an anti-fire potion on to reduce damage.

Iron Dragons are commonly assigned as Slayer tasks from multiple masters, but players tend to skip them due to slow experience or lack-luster rewards. If you want to kill them quickly, you can finish your tasks using a Dragon Hunter Crossbow and stick to a safe spot. You at least get a chance at Dragon Platelegs or a Draconic Visage.

Steel Dragons

Steel dragons were the strongest of the metal dragons when they were first released with the Brimhaven Dungeon. They have the highest chance of dropping Dragon Platelegs or skirts, and they have a considerable chance of dropping a Draconic Visage.

Although they are commonly skipped, Steel Dragons are excellent slayer tasks for high-level players. Using the Dragon Hunter Lance, prayers and your Slayer mask, you can melt through their defenses (which are infamous at being resistant against melee). They are also relatively weak to magic, so that’s another option if you’re on a budget.

If you have the Karamja Elite diary completed, they will drop noted bars, making this a game-changer as a money-making method. It is also very useful for ironmen as these bars can be later used for cannonballs or creating dart tips for fletching.

As for killing them off-task, they may be considered good for mage training for mid-level ironmen. Simply go the classic route of gearing up with any mage gear you have, anti-fire potions, an anti-fire shield and at least Fire Bolt as a spell. If you want to get decent tank legs for melee training, this is one of the best spots to get them as an alternative to Barrows.

Mithril Dragons

Before Dragon Slayer II, Mithril dragons were once the end-game metal dragons from the original version of the 2007 Runescape. They drop a mithril bar upon death, as well as a unique drop table including mix potions and various rune items. They are found in the Ancient Cavern nearby the barbarian fishing pools that are always occupied.

Most people who kill Mithril dragons do it to complete Slayer tasks or to relive the nostalgia of grinding for a Full dragon helmet. This helmet has a 1/32,000 chance to drop, with an additional chance coming from burning chewed bones (but don’t count on it). Otherwise, these are pretty abysmal for osrs gold per hour.

Adamant Dragons

Adamant Dragons were released with Dragon Slayer II and may be accessed via Lithkren Vault after completing the quest. Their body is made of Adamantite metal, and as you may have expected, they drop Adamantite bars after every kill. Unfortunately, they are not a very popular dragon to kill.

These fights are tough and require lots of concentration, unlike other metal dragons. Aside from regular dragon breath, this dragon has a special attack that splats points in a 5x5 area on the ground. You will have to use anti-poison or anti-venom, else you will die rather quickly.

The fighting method to kill them should be ranged or melee with Dragon Hunter Gear, but it will still be a tough fight. Considering you have to spend more time, effort and supplies to kill them than Rune Dragons, it is an easy decision to skip them.

Rune Dragons

Rune Dragons are the current meta for metal dragons and are considered one of the best semi-AFK money makers in the game. Just like Adamant dragons, they are locked behind the Dragon Slayer II quest with a harsh requirement of 200 quest points. Although, unlike Demonic Gorillas or raiding, it doesn’t require too high of skills or PvM ability to kill these.

The estimated gold per hour is at least 1 million+ with high melee stats. Considering it requires a very low effort to kill this with decent gear, players specifically create alternative accounts to kill these will playing on the pures or main accounts. It only takes around 2 months to create an account, taking into account the questing, skilling and melee training required.

Most drops are nothing special as players mostly count on rune bars, rune items, and resources to make up the bulk of the profit. There is still a rare chance to get the dragon crossbow limbs or a metal slice to make the dragon kite shield.

While it is possible to kill this with all three combat styles and a variety of gear setups, it is best to stick with very high defensive gear with a high-accuracy stab weapon. One common setup would be a Dragon Hunter Lance with full Justiciar armor. Using the Zamorakian Hasta and Barrows armor is another.

Wrapping Up

Now that you know a little more about metal dragons, they may be a little less scary to do them as slayer tasks. Keep in mind that it isn’t efficient to kill them as low-level players, unless you are going for unlocking content as an Ironman.