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Dragon money maker

Killing Mithril Dragons

A durable metal dragon method with strong dragonfire, high Defence and a rare-dragon-drop focus rather than low-effort farming.

dragonsoff taskrangedmeleebarbarian training
Mithril dragon
Ancient Cavern
At a glance

Killing Mithril Dragons

Ancient Cavern

WIKI VERIFIED
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Difficulty3/5
Attention3/5
AFK1/5
Risk3/5
Recommended85+ Ranged or melee
Major unlockBarbarian training
How ratings work

difficulty1 is beginner-friendly. 3 is moderate. 5 needs end-game access, gear, or execution.

attention1 needs occasional checks. 3 needs regular input. 5 needs continuous focus.

afk1 is not AFK. 3 allows short pauses. 5 allows long low-input periods.

risk1 has limited loss pressure. 3 has meaningful failure cost. 5 has major death, supply, or PvP risk.

Overview and location

Access, encounter type and stat targets

Location

Ancient Cavern

Encounter type

Money maker

Minimum targets
  • Ancient Cavern access
  • Full dragonfire protection
  • High combat stats
Recommended targets
  • 85+ Ranged or melee
  • Dragonbane weapon
  • Piety or Rigour

Requirements

Access and practical preparation

Barbarian training

Complete the firemaking portion that unlocks entry to the Ancient Cavern.

Dragonfire protection

Keep an anti-dragon shield, dragonfire shield or dragonfire ward equipped with an antifire potion for the complete metal-dragon protection plan.

Mixed combat styles

Mithril dragons use Magic and Ranged attacks in addition to melee and dragonfire, so choose the overhead prayer that covers the weaker defence in the selected setup.

Core mechanics

What controls the encounter

D

Dragonfire

Maintain the correct shield and potion protection.

High
S

Style choice

Use the chosen Ranged or melee prayer and equipment consistently.

Medium
B

Banking distance

Count travel time when comparing the method with other dragons.

Medium

Gear progression

Method-specific setups and tradeoffs

01dragonbane RangedBudget

Budget dragonbane Ranged

An affordable dragonbane Ranged setup focused on dragonfire at Ancient Cavern.

  • Rune crossbow
  • Blessed dragonhide body and chaps
  • Anti-dragon shield
  • Ruby and diamond bolts
Advantages+ Keeps the Killing Mithril Dragons setup affordable+ Leaves room to prepare for dragonfireTradeoffs- Lower dragonbane Ranged damage than later Killing Mithril Dragons tiers- Dragonfire can extend each kill
02dragonbane RangedRecommended

Recommended dragonbane Ranged

A repeatable dragonbane Ranged setup balancing damage with style choice.

  • Dragon hunter crossbow
  • Masori or Blessed dragonhide body and chaps
  • Dragonfire ward
  • Ava's assembler
Advantages+ Raises dragonbane Ranged damage against Killing Mithril Dragons+ Practical for repeated trips to Ancient CavernTradeoffs- Costs more than the Killing Mithril Dragons entry loadout- Style choice still needs the same response
03dragonbane RangedHigh-end

High-end dragonbane Ranged

Expensive offensive upgrades for sustained dragon money maker farming after dragonfire is reliable.

  • Twisted bow with no off-hand, or Zaryte crossbow with dragonfire ward
  • Masori mask, body and chaps
  • Ava's assembler
  • Necklace of anguish
  • Ruby dragon bolts (e) and diamond dragon bolts (e) for the crossbow route
Advantages+ Cuts time spent on each Killing Mithril Dragons kill+ Suited to frequent Killing Mithril Dragons tripsTradeoffs- Highest purchase cost among the Killing Mithril Dragons setups- Mistakes during dragonfire still cost supplies

Recommended inventory

Method-specific supplies and trip planning

Extended super antifire (4)1-2 ranging or super combat potions (4)Prayer restoration for the chosen protection planHigh-healing foodRuby and diamond enchanted bolts for a crossbow setupGames necklace or Ancient Cavern travel itemFast bank teleport

Strategy

A practical step-by-step plan

1

Enter with the shield equipped

Use the whirlpool route into the Ancient Cavern and keep the selected wyvern or dragonfire shield on before a dragon can attack.

2

Choose the overhead for the setup

Mithril dragons use ordinary Magic and Ranged attacks in addition to dragonfire; protect against the style your armour handles least well.

3

Use dragonbane and enchanted bolts

Open with ruby enchanted bolts on a crossbow route, then switch to diamond enchanted bolts as the dragon's health falls.

4

Include Ancient Cavern travel

Bank before supplies or shield-protected inventory space run out and include the real cavern route in kills per hour.

YOUR ESTIMATE

Profitability and projections

The Wiki Estimate seeds loot and supply fields from current market inputs when available. Every assumption remains editable and your saved values take priority.

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The calculator will update if the selected Wiki method provides a usable average loot value. You can enter your own value at any time.

Kill-count projections will appear after an average loot value is available.

Important drops

Notable rewards and drop categories

Dragon full helmChewed bonesMithril barsClue scrolls

When the Wiki publishes a matching money-making method, its estimated average loot per kill is available in the editable calculator. Otherwise, enter your own verified sample.

What should I upgrade next?

Method-specific progression priorities

1

Rune crossbow -> dragon hunter crossbow

The dragonbane weapon is the main accuracy and damage improvement against the high-Defence target.

Major upgrade
2

Anti-dragon shield -> dragonfire ward

The ward retains breath protection and improves the one-handed crossbow route.

Moderate upgrade
3

Dragon hunter crossbow -> twisted bow

Treat the two-handed bow as a separate high-end setup using extended super antifire rather than pairing it with a shield.

Minor upgrade
Upgrade ROIEnter upgrade values to calculate

Common mistakes

Avoidable causes of failed or inefficient trips

Ignoring dragonfire

Losing position during style choice

Mishandling banking distance: Count travel time when comparing the method with other dragons.

WIKI VERIFIED

Guide status and data source

Guide facts have been researched against reliable game and Wiki information. The Wiki Estimate uses current market inputs when available, while the calculator remains controlled by the player.

Mlux test: Not published
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