The Phantom Muspah is a solo-only boss in Old School RuneScape that becomes available after completing the Secrets of the North quest. It's a unique fight that combines phase mechanics with simple but punishing special attacks. While many guides out there throw complex tick math and fancy switches at you, this guide focuses on the fundamentals. If you're just trying to learn how to kill the Phantom Muspah without getting overwhelmed, this is all you need.

After finishing Secrets of the North, you can fight the boss repeatedly for loot, including Frozen caches, Venator shards, and the Ancient icon. The boss rotates between melee and ranged phases, uses occasional magic attacks, and has a few specials. You don't need multiple switches or meta setups to succeed. One strong ranged setup and a single crossbow switch is all it takes.

What is the Phantom Muspah?

The Phantom Muspah is a solo-only boss unlocked after completing Secrets of the North. Unlike its quest version, this post-quest encounter introduces tougher mechanics, more HP, and a wider variety of attacks. It drops some of the most valuable mid-game to endgame items, including Venator shards, Ancient icons, and the Frozen cache, which can contain a bunch of supplies or valuable items.

It's a valuable boss to learn—and with this guide, you'll see how easy and satisfying it can be.

Gear Setup

You don't need four switches or a maxed account. All you need is one strong ranged setup and a crossbow switch for a specific prayer phase.

Basic Ranged Loadout

Main Gear (Bofa setup or equivalent):

· Weapon: Bow of Faerdhinen (ideal) or a Blowpipe for lower levels

· Helmet: Void Ranger helm, Armadyl helmet, or Karil's coif

· Neck: Necklace of Anguish

· Cape: Assembler or Ava's device

· Body: Armadyl chestplate or Karil's leathertop

· Legs: Armadyl chainskirt or Karil's leatherskirt

· Gloves: Barrows gloves

· Boots: Devout boots (for prayer bonus)

· Ring: Ring of the gods (imbued if possible)

Switch:

· Dragon or Rune Crossbow

· Dragon Sapphire (e) bolts – used only during the prayer shield phase.

You'll be using the Arceuus spellbook to summon thralls (magic preferred), which adds consistent damage. Don't forget your Book of the Dead, or the thralls won't spawn.

Inventory Setup

· 1–2x Divine Ranging potions

· 3–4x Super Restores

· A bunch of high-healing food (Sharks, Karambwans, etc.)

· Teleport tab or scroll (house tab, Ring of Shadows, etc.)

· Runes for summoning thralls (Blood, Soul, and Nature)

· Dragon crossbow with Sapphire bolts (e) for the prayer phase

Getting to the Phantom Muspah

Fastest method:

· Ring of Shadows (Frozen teleport) – unlocked by killing Duke Sucellus. This takes you right outside the boss's room.

Alternative:

· Icy basalt teleport (Weiss) and run north to the entrance.

Tile Markers and Radius Plugins (Optional but OP)

Before diving into the fight, download and install tile markers + radius plugins from the RuneLite plugin hub.

Use the visual aids:

· Tile marker pack (placed around the boss arena)

· Radius marker plugin to identify where Muspah's spikes will spawn and avoid damage

· Color-coded prayer indicator for when the boss changes styles

These tools reduce the need to track ticks or memorize attack patterns.

The Fight – Breaking Down the Mechanics

Phase 1: Melee Form – Step-Back Method

This is the part where most guides lose people with tick jargon. Ignore all of that. Here's the brain-dead way:

1. When he spawns in melee form, he will try to walk toward you.

2. Keep some distance. When he reaches you and you see a zero splash, wait until the splash disappears.

3. Step back two tiles.

4. He'll walk forward, splash another 0. Wait, step back again.

5. Rinse and repeat.

Timing is easy: Hit > 0 splash > disappears > walk back 2 tiles.

Important: You must be using Protect from Melee the entire time. He only hits 0s if he's moving when he attacks. Standing still next to him? Say hello to 30+ damage through prayer.

Spikes Chase Attack (All Phases)

Spikes will occasionally sprout from the ground and slowly follow you. Just walk around the arena, avoiding them. They're sluggish and easy to outrun. Don't panic.

Phase 2: Ranged Form

Now he switches to range attacks.

· Protect from Missiles

· Stand still and DPS.

· Avoid floor spikes with the radius markers.

· Use spec weapons here if you have them (ZCB + Ruby bolts work well).

This phase is straightforward. Slap him with your Bofa or Blowpipe, and avoid getting spiked.

Magic Attacks – Watch the Hissy Fit!

Muspah doesn't have a pure magic phase, but he'll occasionally throw a magic projectile.

To avoid it:

· Watch for the animation where he lifts and shakes—his signature “hissy fit”.

· As soon as you see it, switch to Protect from Magic.

· After the projectile lands, immediately switch back to Protect from Missiles.

Do NOT switch to magic protection after the projectile flies. You will take full damage.

Shitball Phase (Darkness + Energy Orbs)

The room will darken and orbs of energy will move toward you.

· Run to the marked safe tile (marked in the tile markers pack).

· If you have a Bofa, you can even click Muspah as he teleports around.

· If clicked properly, your character will spin in place while attacking, maximizing DPS during this non-interactive phase.

Avoid standing on the safe tile during other phases or a spike might ruin it. Keep it clear until the Orb phase begins.

Screaming Attack – Lightning Roar

When Muspah reaches low HP, he will:

1. Hold his head and shake.

2. Unleash a giant roar that can hit 50+ damage.

To avoid this:

· Hide behind any of the spikes around the arena.

· You'll have plenty of warning before this happens.

Once he roars, that's it. He won't repeat it.

Prayer Shield Phase – The Crossbow Switch

Here comes the only time you need a weapon switch:

· Muspah becomes immune to all damage and gains a blue shield.

· Switch to your Dragon/Rune crossbow + Sapphire (e) bolts.

· The goal is to drain his prayer using the bolts' effect.

Optional Advanced Strategy: Off-tick Flicking

If you're comfortable:

· Off-tick flick between Smite and Protect from Missiles.

· You'll drain his prayer shield faster using Smite, but this isn't required.

Not comfortable? Don't worry. Just keep chipping away with bolts and let your thralls help. Eventually, the shield will drop.

Final Burn – Clean Up Time

Once the shield is down, throw your Bofa back on and finish him off. He may still toss magic attacks or drop spikes, but nothing new is introduced.

Why Kill the Phantom Muspah?

Aside from being a mechanically fun and satisfying solo boss, Muspah offers some of the best OSRS gold per hour in the mid-game.

Notable Drops:

· Venator shards – Used to make the Venator bow

· Ancient icon – Unlocks the Saturated heart

· Frozen cache – Contains supplies, coins, and unique drops

· Clue scrolls – Frequent Hard clue drops

You can expect 1–2M GP/hour once you master the fight. Not bad for a soloable boss that doesn't require quest chains or high-level PvM experience.

Conclusion

The Phantom Muspah may look intimidating with its phase changes, attack rotations, and flashy mechanics, but once you simplify the process using the step-back method and visual cues, it becomes one of the most rewarding and consistent solo bosses in Old School RuneScape. Whether you're here for profit, collection log progression, or just a new PvM challenge, Muspah delivers.

RSorder Team