Grotesque Guardians OSRS Boss Guide
Slayer Bosses - Medium difficulty
Updated September 2026
The Grotesque Guardians are Dusk and Dawn, a two-part gargoyle fight on the Slayer Tower rooftop unlocked with a Brittle key from gargoyles. They drop Granite dust for Granite cannonballs, the Granite hammer and Granite gloves, and the Noon pet. The fight alternates melee and ranged phases, so it is a solid early lesson in style switching. This guide gives you a practical starting route, loadout direction, and decision-first checklist so you can get into consistent kills faster.
Quick Profile
AKA
Dusk and Dawn
Location
Slayer Tower basement (Morytania)
Requirements
75 Slayer + Brittle key
Suggested Style
Melee + Ranged
Encounter Type
Slayer Boss
Boss Overview
Grotesque Guardians is a slayer boss in theslayer bosses bracket. Slayer bosses reward route discipline across many task-driven runs.
Dawn is fought in the first and third phases and is flying, so non-halberd melee cannot hit her, while Dusk is fought in the second and final phases and is immune to Magic and Ranged. Both have near-nonexistent Defence despite their high combat levels. After each drops to around 50%, Dusk launches explosive waves and Dawn drops 3x3 rubble that stuns anyone caught directly.
For a first kill, bring a rock hammer to finish them plus a melee weapon and a ranged weapon to alternate phases. Later the duo sweeps the arena with lightning and Dawn sends out three energy spheres that each heal her 90 hitpoints if absorbed. In the last phase Dusk drags you into a flame prison, so escape quickly rather than tanking it.
Your current setup should match your trip objective. If you are learning mechanics, favor sustain and control. If you are already consistent, add damage gradually.
Optimize for sustainable task throughput with low error rates.
How The Fight Works
Entry Setup
Open each run with a consistent setup routine to reduce avoidable errors.
Core Mechanic Loop
Use the same clean mechanic cycle each kill for Grotesque Guardians before adding optimizations.
Trip Sustain
Preserve supplies with low-risk choices so your average trip value stays stable.
Bank and Repeat
Reset quickly, review one improvement point, and keep run volume high.
Kill Method
1. Get a Brittle key
Brittle keys drop from Gargoyles (the standard Slayer variant). You need 75 Slayer and a Brittle key to enter the lair — no active Slayer task is required.
2. Survive the airborne phase (Dawn)
Dawn is airborne and attacks with Ranged. Kill the dust orbs quickly — if they reach the boss they trigger a heavy ranged special. Dodge the falling rocks and pink orbs while the fight is in the air.
3. Handle the lightning phase
When the floor lights up, move to the safe spot between the pillars and stop moving. Standing on the wrong tiles during this phase is the main source of avoidable damage.
4. Switch to Dusk (melee phase)
Once Dawn is down, Dusk becomes active with melee attacks. Keep your style swaps clean — you will alternate between killing Dusk's phases and re-fighting Dawn before the kill completes.
5. Collect the uniques
Watch for Granite dust (combine with salt for Granite cannonballs), Granite gloves, Granite hammer, Granite ring, the Noxious point weapon, and the Noon pet.
Prep Checklist
- Lock one stable loadout before you chase max DPS variants.
- Pre-plan your inventory around your expected trip length.
- Set one clear objective for each trip (KC, task, uniques, or practice).
- Match setup choices to your Slayer task and trip goals.
Recommended Loadout
Switch to ranged for Dusk's airborne phase. Scythe for melee phase.
Video Guides
OSRS Grotesque Guardians For Idiots
by Extile
Grotesque Guardians Guide OSRS
by QuickOSRS
Mechanic Checklist
Trip consistency and mechanic rhythm beat all-in DPS greed.
- Bring a rock hammer, rock thrownhammer or granite hammer - the Guardians cannot be finished without one.
- Absorb or out-damage Dawn's three energy spheres; each one she absorbs heals her 90 hitpoints.
- Break out of Dusk's flame prison immediately in the final phase - the damage you take while trapped heals him.
Common Mistakes
- Over-prioritizing damage upgrades before mastering mechanics.
- Bringing too many switches and losing consistency under pressure.
- Staying too long on weak supplies and losing overall hourly value.
Progression Targets
- Stage 1: Build a reliable Grotesque Guardians starter setup in Gear Picker and secure consistent clears.
- Stage 2: Optimize trip length through cleaner mechanics and inventory control.
- Stage 3: Add a stronger DPS variant and compare real run outcomes.
- Stage 4: Finalize a shareable Grotesque Guardians loadout set for your ongoing route.
Notable Drops
- Granite dust
- Granite gloves
- Noon pet
Boss FAQ
01How do I fight the Grotesque Guardians?
The fight alternates between Dawn (ranged phase) and Dusk (melee phase). Key mechanics: dodge the falling rocks and pink orbs, kill the dust orbs before they spawn the ranged attack, and during the lightning phase stay in the safe spot between the pillars. Once both are below half HP they merge and attack together until one dies.
02What are the Grotesque Guardians' notable drops?
Notable drops include Granite Dust (combined with salt to make Granite Cannonballs), Granite Gloves, Granite Hammer, Granite Ring, the Noxious Point weapon, and the Noon pet.
03Do I need a task to kill Grotesque Guardians?
No — unlike most Slayer bosses, Grotesque Guardians do not require an active Slayer task. You only need 75 Slayer and a Brittle key (dropped by Gargoyles) to enter their lair.
04What setup style should I start with for Grotesque Guardians?
Start with a Melee + Ranged setup focused on consistency, then tune damage once your kill flow is stable. Build and test your own setup in the Gear Picker before long trips.
05Is Grotesque Guardians good for profit?
Grotesque Guardians can be strong for profit depending on your kill consistency, trip length, and unique drop luck. Prioritize repeatable clears over risky max-DPS setups.
06How should I use Gear Picker for Grotesque Guardians?
Create one baseline loadout, one safer sustain loadout, and one upgraded version. Share each link so you can compare and discuss setups quickly.
07Should I use Best in Slot Finder or Gear Picker for Grotesque Guardians?
Use Best in Slot Finder for recommendation-first starting points, then use Gear Picker to build and refine the exact setup you will actually run.
Sources & methodology
XP rates, requirements, and drop data in this guide are cross-checked against the OSRS Wiki and verified against in-game behaviour. Grand Exchange prices move daily, so treat GP/hr figures as estimates and confirm current prices with the OSRS Wiki price tracker before committing to a method.
Darren started playing the original RuneScape 2 back in the day and came back when Old School RuneScape launched. He's played on and off over the years and built OSRSToolkit to give players a single place to find reliable tools, calculators, and guides — all informed by real in-game experience.