The Dragon Hunter crossbow is one of the most sought-after ranged weapons in Old School RuneScape. Despite not being the outright strongest crossbow, it commands premium prices upwards of 100M OSRS gold. What makes this specialized crossbow so valuable? Let’s break down the reasons.
Key Takeaways:
- Grants 30% damage boost against dragons
- Extremely rare drop from Chambers of Xeric
- Requires high levels to wield effectively
- Outperforms general crossbows when fighting dragons
- Limited supply keeps prices high
The Dragon Hunter crossbow occupies a unique niche in OSRS as the premier dragon slaying ranged weapon. Its unmatched damage capabilities against draconic foes combined with stringent rarity makes it a highly coveted item.
Dragon Slaying Specialization
The Dragon Hunter crossbow’s defining feature is the 30% damage boost it provides against chromatic, metal, and wyvern dragons. This places it in a league of its own when fighting these enemies.
With the damage bonus, the crossbow outperforms even the Armadyl crossbow against dragons despite having slightly lower stats. It also stacks with Slayer helmet and Void Knight bonuses for enormous damage potential.
This specialization makes the Dragon Hunter crossbow invaluable for dragon tasks, brutal black dragons, Olm, and other dragon PvM. For general PvM, the Armadyl crossbow is preferable. But the Dragon Hunter reigns supreme in its niche.
Rare Reward from Chambers of Xeric
The Dragon Hunter crossbow can only be obtained as a reward from the Chambers of Xeric raid. Even on completion, it is not a guaranteed drop. Players may have to grind countless raids to acquire just one.
This grueling rarity greatly inflates the crossbow’s value. Further reducing supply is the high skill requirements to even participate in raids. This places the Dragon Hunter firmly in the hands of elite PvMers.
Demand from High-Level Players
The Dragon Hunter crossbow demands Level 95 Ranged and Level 75 Attack to equip. This puts it out of reach for most casual players. The high combat stats ensure only serious PvMers wield the crossbow.
Wealthy high-level players aggressively buy up the scarce Dragon Hunter crossbows to optimize their gear for difficult dragon fights. This creates tremendous price inflation fueled by the wealth and demand from the game’s elite.
Outclassed Only By the Twisted Bow
Despite the release of stronger generalist crossbows like the Armadyl, the Dragon Hunter remains competitive in its dragon-slaying niche. Only the extraordinarily rare Twisted Bow decisively outclasses it against dragons.
For most players, the Twisted Bow is utterly inaccessible. And the minor advantages of the Armadyl crossbow elsewhere do not offset the Dragon Hunter’s massive damage boost on dragons. This preserves the item’s value.
FAQ
How much does the Dragon Hunter crossbow cost?
The Dragon Hunter crossbow costs around 95-100 million OSRS gold. The exact price fluctuates around 100M OSRS gp based on supply and demand.
How rare is the DHC from Chambers of Xeric?
The Dragon Hunter crossbow is an extremely rare reward from the Chambers of Xeric. The drop rate is estimated to be around 1/400 to 1/500.
Does the DHC work on wyverns and Olm?
Yes, the Dragon Hunter crossbow damage boost applies to wyverns and Great Olm, along with chromatic and metal dragons. It does not work on revenant dragons.
Is the DHC better than ACB at Vorkath?
The Dragon Hunter crossbow outperforms even the Armadyl crossbow at Vorkath due to its 30% damage bonus against chromatic dragons like Vorkath.
Conclusion
The Dragon Hunter crossbow occupies a crucial niche as Old School RuneScape’s premier dragon hunting ranged weapon. Its highly specialized damage bonus against dragons coupled with stringent rarity from Chambers of Xeric makes it an incredibly valuable item.
Demand from wealthy high-level PvMers along with constrained supply due to difficult acquisition requirements inflates prices over 100M OSRS gold. For dragon PvM, no other crossbow comes close to the Dragon Hunter’s sheer damage output.
