OSRS Yama Boss Guide: Conquering the Master of Pacts

Deep within the Chasm of Fire, Yama, the Master of Pacts, awaits challengers. This powerful demonic boss, introduced with the Varlamore expansion, offers a dynamic and challenging encounter that serves as a step up from the post-Desert Treasure II bosses.

This guide will break down the entire fight, from Yama's core mechanics and special attacks to the best gear setups to secure your victory, whether you're fighting solo or with a partner.

The Fight Overview

The battle against Yama is a multi-phase encounter that emphasizes prayer switching, movement, and handling special mechanics. Yama is a demon and possesses a 120% vulnerability to demonbane weapons, making them highly effective.

Yama utilizes all three combat styles and has a unique behavior:

  • If you attack with Melee: He will actively chase you.
  • If you attack with Magic or Ranged: He will remain stationary and attack from a distance. Attacking with magic will also significantly increase his magic defence.

Yama's Basic Attacks

  • Melee: A powerful axe swing that can hit through protection prayers for partial damage.
  • Magic: Engulfs the player in fire, which can be fully blocked with Protect from Magic.
  • Ranged: Engulfs the player in shadows, which can be fully blocked with Protect from Missiles.

He can also inflict a potent poison that starts at 20 damage, so an anti-poison is crucial.

Key Mechanics & Special Attacks

The fight revolves around Glyphs and arena-wide hazards.

  • Glyphs of Fire and Shadow: These glowing pads on the floor are your protection against Yama's special attacks. Standing on the correct glyph negates the attack's damage. Do not stand on them early, as this extinguishes them.
  • Shadow Waves: Waves of shadow will sweep across the arena, disabling your prayers and dealing damage if not avoided. You must "skip" over the gaps in the waves.
  • Fire Streaks: Lines of fire will move across the arena, binding you in place if you're hit, which can be fatal if a special attack is incoming.
  • Void Flares: Yama will summon a fire and a shadow flare. These must be destroyed quickly, or they will explode, dealing heavy damage to you and healing Yama.

The Phases of the Fight

Phase 1 (100% - 66.6% Health)

Yama will cycle through his basic attacks and special attacks. The pattern is typically three basic attacks followed by one special (Shadow Wave, Fire Streak, or Void Flares). You must DPS him while correctly praying and moving to the corresponding glyph for each special.

Intermission: The Judge of Yama

At 66.6% health, Yama teleports you to a side platform where you must defeat a Judge of Yama.

  • The Judge prays against two styles at once, always including Ranged.
  • You must bring both Melee and Magic to attack its unprotected style, as it will reactively switch its prayers.
  • Once the Judge is defeated, you are teleported back to the main arena.

Phase 2 (66.6% - 33.3% Health)

This phase is similar to the first, but the mechanics are enhanced. Two Shadow Waves will spawn instead of one, and more Fire Streaks appear, making positioning more difficult. After damaging him to 33.3% health, you will face a second Judge of Yama.

Phase 3 (33.3% - 0% Health)

The final phase is a DPS race.

  • Yama becomes stationary in the center of the room and increases his defence.
  • The glyphs are disabled.
  • He will continuously summon Void Flares and launch a new special attack, Shadow Crash, a set of three fireballs you must dodge.
  • You must burn him down as quickly as possible while destroying flares and avoiding the constant barrage of attacks.

Yama is weakest to Slash. Demonbane weapons are extremely effective.

Melee Setup (High DPS, Higher Risk)

  • Weapon: Emberlight / Arclight
  • Armour: Torva > Bandos > Oathplate
  • Spec Weapon: Elder Maul (with Soulflame Horn) or Bandos Godsword for defence reduction.

Magic Setup (Safer, More Consistent)

  • Weapon: Tumeken's Shadow > Purging Staff (casting Dark Demonbane)
  • Armour: Ancestral Robes > Virtus Robes
  • Shield: Elidinis' Ward (f)
  • Melee Switch: A fast melee weapon is needed for the Judge of Yama.

Ironman Strategy

The Yama fight is a significant challenge for Ironmen.

  • Demonbane is Key: Grinding out an Arclight or Emberlight is a top priority before attempting this boss.
  • Duo Recommended: The ability to fight with a partner makes the fight much more manageable, especially for learning the mechanics.
  • Supplies: Sanfew Serums are invaluable as they act as both an anti-poison and a prayer potion. Stocking up on these is crucial for longer trips.

Conclusion

Yama, the Master of Pacts, is a well-designed, challenging boss that tests a player's core PvM skills. Mastering the rhythm of his attacks, understanding the glyphs, and efficiently dealing with the Judge intermissions are the keys to victory. Defeat him, and you may be rewarded with powerful new armour and a place among Varlamore's elite.

Struggling to secure a contract with Yama? Let our professional demon slayers handle the negotiations.

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