OSRS Cerberus Guide: Efficient Kills & Ghost Skipping

Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the River of Souls, is a high-level Slayer boss residing deep within the Taverley Dungeon. Requiring 91 Slayer (boostable from 86 with Wild Pies) and a Hellhound or Cerberus task, she poses a significant challenge with her varied attacks and powerful special mechanics. This guide covers efficient strategies for defeating Cerberus, including the popular "Ghost Skipping" method.

Location and Access

  • Location: Cerberus' Lair, Taverley Dungeon (beyond hellhounds, north-east section).
  • Getting There: The lair is far from a bank. Efficient access relies on shortcuts:
    • 70 Agility: Pipe shortcut near black dragons (requires Dusty Key or 80 Agility shortcut). Faster route.
    • 80 Agility: Strange Floor shortcut near poisonous spiders (requires Dusty Key or 70 Agility shortcut). Fastest route.
    • Without shortcuts, the run is very long and requires a Dusty Key.
    • Key Master Teleports (rare drop from Cerberus) offer direct teleports.

Cerberus Mechanics

Cerberus utilizes all three combat styles and unique special attacks.

  • Standard Attacks (Max Hit 23 each):
    • Melee: Bite attack (only used if player is in melee range).
    • Ranged: Spiky ball projectile.
    • Magic: Grey ball projectile.
    • Protection prayers block all damage if timed correctly.
  • Special Attacks:
    • Triple Attack: Cerberus rapidly uses Magic -> Ranged -> Melee attacks in quick succession (2 ticks apart). The melee hit lands regardless of distance. Pray correctly against each hit or tank carefully. Used as her first attack and every 10 attacks after.
    • Summoned Souls ("Aaarrrooooooo"): Used every 7th attack once below 400 HP. Three ghosts (Red-Melee, Blue-Magic, Green-Ranged) appear in random order and attack sequentially from West to East.
      • Damage: Each soul deals 30 damage if the incorrect prayer is active upon its hit.
      • Prayer Drain: Each soul drains 30 Prayer points if the correct prayer is active. (Reduced to 15 drain with a Spectral Spirit Shield).
      • Timing: You must switch prayers before each soul hits.
    • Lava Pools ("Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr"): Used every 5th attack once below 200 HP. Three 3x3 pools spawn – one under the player, two random. Standing on the centre deals 15 damage/tick, adjacent deals 7 damage/tick. Initial spawn hit deals 10 damage. Move away quickly! Dragonfire protection slightly reduces the tick damage.
  • Attack Pattern: Cerberus follows a predictable rotation, prioritizing specials if multiple are due on the same attack tick (Triple > Souls > Lava). There's a 10% chance she skips a Soul or Lava special and uses a standard attack instead.
  • Fire Wall: A temporary wall of fire appears at the entrance after a kill, dealing minor damage if crossed.
  • Respawn: Very fast (approx. 9 seconds).

Strategy Insights

Success against Cerberus involves quick prayer switching, movement, and managing resources efficiently.

  1. Standard Strategy (Melee):
    • Prayer: Start with Protect from Magic. Switch quickly to Ranged, then Melee during the Triple Attack. For Souls, switch prayers rapidly based on the order they appear (West to East). Switch back to Magic protection afterwards.
    • Positioning: Stand in melee range.
    • Dealing with Lava: When Cerberus growls ("Grrrrrr"), immediately step away diagonally to avoid the pool spawning under you and potentially others.
    • Dealing with Souls: Identify the order (e.g., Blue-Green-Red) and switch Protect from Magic -> Protect from Missiles -> Protect from Melee just before each respective ghost attacks. A Spectral Spirit Shield is invaluable here, halving the prayer drain.
    • DPS: Use your best Crush or Stab weapon (Arclight/Emberlight on Stab, Scythe/Mace/Fang on Crush). Maximize Strength gear. Use Piety.
  2. Ghost Skipping Strategy:
    • Concept: Delay the first Summoned Souls attack significantly to conserve Prayer points and supplies, ideal for lower levels, ironmen, or those aiming for longer trips.
    • Execution: Damage Cerberus until her health is just above 400 HP. Stop attacking. Tank her standard attacks (Pray Magic recommended) until after her 14th attack (the second ghost summoning opportunity in her rotation). Resume attacking and kill her quickly. This pushes the first potential ghost spawn much later into the fight (attack #28), often allowing you to kill her before any ghosts appear.
    • Notes: Requires careful HP monitoring and attack counting. Significantly increases kill times but drastically reduces prayer drain per kill. Use defensive gear (e.g., Dinh's Bulwark) or step away while waiting to minimize damage taken.
  3. Ranged Strategy:
    • Method: Use Twisted Bow or Bow of Faerdhinen. Pray Magic initially. Dodge mechanics as usual. Requires high Ranged level and gear. Less common than Melee but viable.
  4. Dharok's 'Red-Click' Strategy:
    • Method: Low HP Dharok's set. Attack Cerberus, walk underneath, click the exit portcullis ('red-click') to stall her movement, wait for attack cooldown, step out, attack, walk under, repeat.
    • Notes: Avoids all special attacks if done perfectly. High risk for Hardcore Ironmen. Saves supplies but significantly slower kills.
  • Weapon: Scythe of Vitur (Crush) > Emberlight/Arclight (Stab) > Osmumten's Fang (Stab) > Inquisitor's Mace (Crush) > Ghrazi Rapier (Stab) > Abyssal Tentacle (Slash). Dragon Warhammer/BGS for spec.
  • Armour: Slayer Helmet (i) MANDATORY. Torva > Bandos > Inquisitor's (with Crush weapon) > Fighter Torso/Barrows. Prioritize Strength bonus.
  • Shield: Avernic Defender. Spectral Spirit Shield is extremely highly recommended as a switch for the Ghost phase to halve prayer drain. Dragon Defender otherwise.
  • Other Slots: Infernal Cape, Primordial Boots, Ferocious/Barrows Gloves, Ultor/Berserker Ring (i), Amulet of Torture/Rancour.
  • Inventory: Divine Super Combat Potion, Prayer Potions/Super Restores (bring many!), High-healing food (Anglerfish/Karambwan for combo eats), Emergency Teleport (House tabs/Ectophial), Rune Pouch (Thralls/Death Charge optional), Bonecrusher (optional), Antidote++ (for spider shortcut).

Notable Drops

  • Uniques (1/128 chance to hit table):
    • Primordial Crystal (1/512) - Upgrades Dragon Boots.
    • Pegasian Crystal (1/512) - Upgrades Ranger Boots.
    • Eternal Crystal (1/512) - Upgrades Infinity Boots.
    • Smouldering Stone (1/512) - Creates Infernal tools.
  • Tertiary: Hellpuppy pet (1/3,000), Jar of Souls (1/2,000), Elite Clue Scroll (1/100), Ensouled Hellhound Head (1/15).
  • Other: Rune items (Platebody, 2h, Axe, Pickaxe, Full Helm), Battlestaves (noted), Black d'hide body, Lava Battlestaff, Soul/Blood/Death Runes, Super Restores, Summer Pies, Dragon Bones (noted), Wines of Zamorak (noted), Torstol Seeds/Grimy Torstols.

(Drop rates are estimates based on the Wiki/Drop Rate Project data provided).

Conclusion

Cerberus is a challenging and engaging Slayer boss that tests a player's ability to react quickly with prayer switches and movement while maintaining high DPS. Mastering her mechanics, especially the Summoned Souls, is key to efficient kills. Whether using standard methods or Ghost Skipping, defeating Cerberus offers the chance at highly valuable boot upgrades and the coveted Hellpuppy pet.

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