OSRS Barbarian Assault Guide: Teamwork Against the Penance

Barbarian Assault (BA) is a unique, team-based combat minigame located in the basement of the Barbarian Outpost. It requires communication, coordination, and understanding specific roles to succeed. Teams of five players battle waves of Penance creatures, culminating in a fight against the Penance Queen, earning Honour Points for valuable rewards like the Fighter Torso.

Getting Started

  • Location: Barbarian Outpost (North of Baxtorian Falls). Fastest travel is via Games Necklace teleport. Grouping teleport also works.
  • Requirements: None to play, but higher combat recommended for later waves. Complete Captain Cain's tutorial first.
  • Team Formation: Join or form a team of 5 in the recruitment rooms or use the auto-matching room. Each player selects a role.
  • Official Worlds: W306 (US West), W310 (UK) are designated BA worlds, making finding teams easier.

Gameplay Overview

The goal is to survive 10 waves of Penance monsters and defeat the Penance Queen. Teamwork and communication are essential.

  • Waves: Each wave spawns increasing numbers and strengths of Penance creatures. Players must perform their role effectively to clear the wave.
  • Roles: There are four roles - Attacker, Defender, Healer, Collector. One role will have two players (often Attacker or Healer).
  • Calling: This is the core mechanic. Each role has a horn used to "call" instructions to another specific role (Attacker <-> Collector, Defender <-> Healer). The required call changes every 30 seconds (indicated on the HUD). Players must listen to their teammate's call to perform their actions correctly (e.g., Attacker uses the style called by Collector, Defender uses bait called by Healer). Failure to call or follow calls hinders the entire team.
  • HUD: The interface shows what you need to call (Mouth icon) and what action you need to perform based on your partner's call (Ear icon).
  • Safety: BA is a safe minigame. Dying respawns you at the start of the wave with no item loss (except for Hardcore Group Ironmen). Stats and run energy are restored after each game.

The Roles Explained

  1. Attacker:
    • Calls To: Collector (Egg type to collect - Red, Green, Blue).
    • Listens To: Collector (Attack style to use - Aggressive, Accurate, Defensive, Controlled).
    • Task: Kill Penance Fighters and Rangers using the correct attack style. Uses special BA arrows/runes provided by a machine. Ranged is generally most effective due to provided ammo strength.
  2. Collector:
    • Calls To: Attacker (Attack style to use).
    • Listens To: Attacker (Egg type to collect).
    • Task: Pick up the correctly coloured eggs dropped by slain Penance. Load eggs into the Egg Launchers. Can convert egg colours at a machine.
  3. Defender:
    • Calls To: Healer (Poisoned food type to use).
    • Listens To: Healer (Bait type to use - Worms, Tofu, Crackers).
    • Task: Lay the correct bait to lure Penance Runners towards traps. Repair broken traps using logs/hammer (logs spawn, hammer from machine or bring Imcando). Can block runners physically.
  4. Healer:
    • Calls To: Defender (Bait type to use).
    • Listens To: Defender (Poisoned food type to use).
    • Task: Use the correct poisoned food on Penance Healers to kill them. Heal teammates using the Healing Vial (fill at spring). Can cure poison. Teammates can call "Medic!" via their horn.

Monsters

  • Penance Fighter/Ranger: Killed by Attacker using correct style.
  • Penance Runner: Killed by Defender using correct bait near traps. Escaping runners penalize points.
  • Penance Healer: Killed by Healer using correct poisoned food. Can heal Runners.
  • Penance Queen (Wave 10): Final boss. Only damaged by Omega Eggs. Attacks all players with Ranged/Melee. Spawns Queen Spawns (killable by anyone).

Wave 10: The Penance Queen

  • Objective: Kill the Penance Queen using Omega Eggs.
  • Omega Egg Creation: Requires team coordination:
    1. Collector: Gathers Yellow Eggs spawned by the Queen -> Gives to Healer.
    2. Healer: Dips Yellow Eggs in Poison Craters -> Gives Poisoned Eggs to Attacker.
    3. Attacker: Attaches Spikes (from Mushrooms) to Poisoned Eggs -> Gives Spiked Eggs to Defender.
    4. Defender: Dips Spiked Eggs in Lava Craters -> Gives Omega Eggs back to Collector.
    5. Collector: Loads Omega Eggs into the single Egg Launcher.
  • Firing: Anyone (except sometimes the team leader due to mechanics) can fire the Omega Eggs. Spam-clicking the fire button as an egg is loaded can kill the Queen extremely quickly (often in 1-3 eggs).

Rewards: Honour Points

  • Earning: Points are awarded after each wave based on individual and team performance. Penalties apply for errors (wrong style, escaped runners, wrong poison). Wave 10 gives a flat bonus. Kandarin Hard Diary grants +10% points.
  • Spending: Talk to Commander Connad.
    • Role Level Upgrades: Increase role effectiveness (more damage, better healing, bigger collector bag). Level 5 in all roles required for Elite Kandarin Diary.
    • Penance Armour: Includes the highly sought-after Fighter Torso (+4 Strength Bonus). Requires points in all roles and Queen Kills.
    • Gambles: Spend points for a chance at resources, clue scrolls, Dragon Chainbody, or the Penance Pet.

Conclusion

Barbarian Assault is a fast-paced, engaging minigame that rewards teamwork and communication. While it can seem complex initially, understanding each role's function and the importance of calling makes it much more manageable. The rewards, especially the Fighter Torso, make learning BA a worthwhile investment for many accounts aiming to optimize Melee combat.

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