OSRS Nightmare Guide: Facing the Terror of Ashihama

The Nightmare of Ashihama is a formidable group boss that resides in the Sisterhood Sanctuary beneath Slepe, Morytania. This encounter is a true test of endurance and team coordination, featuring a host of unique mechanics that will keep even the most experienced PvMers on their toes.

This guide will break down the phases of the fight, her special attacks, and the gear you'll need to survive the dream.

Getting Started

  • Quest: Priest in Peril (to access Morytania).
  • Location: The Sisterhood Sanctuary in Slepe. You can get there quickly via a Drakan's Medallion teleport.
  • Recommended Stats: Base 90+ in all melee stats is highly recommended.

The Fight: A Battle of Attrition

The Nightmare is a long fight. She has a massive health pool and a regenerating shield that you must constantly manage.

The Core Mechanic: The Shield

The Nightmare is protected by a shield that must be taken down before you can damage her health. The shield regenerates during her special attacks.

Standard Attacks

  • Melee: A swipe with her claws if you are in melee range.
  • Magic: A pink flower-like projectile.
  • Ranged: A purple projectile.

The Nightmare can attack with all three styles, but she will also use Protect from Melee, Protect from Missiles, and Protect from Magic in a predictable cycle, forcing your team to switch attack styles.

The Special Attacks (The "Dream")

The Nightmare has a set of unique special attacks that occur in a specific order.

  1. Surge: She will charge an attack and turn to face a player. Anyone in front of her will be hit with a massive surge of magic. You must move to her side or back to avoid this.
  2. Husks: She will summon two husks that look like player characters. They will explode after a short time, and you must be praying the correct style (Magic or Ranged) to avoid taking damage.
  3. Parasites: The Nightmare will impregnate a player with a parasite. That player must drink a Sanfew Serum or Relicym's Balm to cure themselves. If they don't, the parasite will burst out and heal the boss.
  4. Sleepwalkers: This is the most important mechanic. During this phase, her shield regenerates. You must kill the sleepwalkers that spawn before they reach the boss to minimize the shield regeneration.

Phosani's Nightmare: The Ultimate Challenge

For players who have mastered the team encounter, there is Phosani's Nightmare.

  • What it is: A much harder, solo-only version of the fight.
  • The Difference: The mechanics are faster, the attacks are more punishing, and there are new, deadly phases. It is considered one of the hardest solo bosses in OSRS.
  • The Reward: The unique drop rates are significantly better in the solo version.

The Nightmare is weakest to Crush.

  • Armour:
    • Best: The Inquisitor's Armour set. This armour provides a passive crush bonus that is tailor-made for this fight.
    • Alternative: Bandos or Torva armour.
  • Weapon:
    • Best: Scythe of Vitur.
    • Great: Inquisitor's Mace.
  • Spec Weapon: A Dragon Warhammer or Bandos Godsword is crucial for lowering her defence at the start of each phase.

The Rewards: Best-in-Slot Crush Gear

The Nightmare has one of the most valuable unique drop tables in the game.

  • Inquisitor's Armour: The best-in-slot crush armour set.
  • Nightmare Staff & Orbs: A powerful staff that can be upgraded with three different orbs (Eldritch, Harmonised, Volatile) to give it powerful special effects.
  • Little Nightmare Pet: A rare chance to receive her pet.

Conclusion

The Nightmare is a true endurance boss that rewards teamwork, preparation, and focus over a long fight. The mechanics are complex, but mastering them provides access to some of the most powerful and valuable crush gear in the game, making it a top-tier endgame PvM challenge.

Looking for a team to take on the horrors of Ashihama? Let our expert clan guide you through the dream.

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→ For the even harder solo version, check out our Phosani's Nightmare Guide