Prayer

By: Salmoneus
Special Thanks to: - Devan -, 1800151100, Bboyjyoung, benheels, Damaged500, Drauvnee15, Dreak, Flummoxer, Golden Arm42, Hawk, Heb0, i did magic, Idontno4750, iFree, iLink, Jacky, Kellicross, Lerenzie, Lukepwnage, Moneylover, Mrcsupertrain, Neo Avatars, Princess Sjd, Roy, Samurai5911, Say Topdog, Shadow The Stormer, Thomas154321, TitanTyrant, x2ryan2x

Prayer can give you a huge advantage when facing even the meanest of enemies during combat. It can come in handy if you need an extra burst of strength, a moment of being invincible to magic, or even a faster healing time! Since there are so many things it can help with, Prayer is a skill worth getting better at, even though it can be quite tedious at times.

Table of Contents



The Basics

Prayer IconWhen you pray to the Gods of RuneScape, they will help you by making you instantly stronger, or un-affected by a foes' attack, depending on the prayer that you use. To use more prayers and to make them last longer, you should bury bones which are dropped by many monsters throughout RuneScape.

The prayer interface

You can find a graphical prayer list by clicking on the silver-colored symbol located to the right of the game screen. It will tell you which prayers you are using, the ones that you can use, and any ones that you can't use yet. To activate a prayer just click on the one you wish to use, and to de-activate it just click on it again.

  • Burst of Strength Colored-in Icon: This means that you have enough experience and are a high enough level in order to use the prayer.
  • Lit-up icon Lit-up Icon: The prayer is in use and will continue to drain your prayer points until you stop praying.
  • Blacked out PrayerBlacked-out Icon: You're unable to use the prayer until you reach the required prayer level.

You can use more than one prayer at a time, but your prayer points will drain faster if you do. When your points drain down to zero, you will be unable to use any prayers until you recharge at an altar. Altars can be found in many churches around RuneScape. They can also be built in the Chapels of Player Owned Houses.

Prayer Altar

Stat-Boosting Altars

Some Altars will provide you with extra Prayer Points if you pray at it while you have full prayer points (ie: 30/30). There are currently two known Altars that posses this property:

  • The Altar upstairs in the Prayer Guild adds two Prayer Points.
  • The Nature Shrine in Mort Myre Swamp, which you gain access to after completing the Nature Spirit Quest, adds two Prayer points.

Bones

By taking a short walk through the town of Lumbridge, you could most likely find a backpack full of bones, but you may have more luck by killing monsters for them. Many monsters and NPC's that you can fight will drop bones, but others will not drop any. There are also different kinds of bones you can find, depending on the enemy.

Bones
PictureBonesPrayer ExperienceHow to Obtain
Shaking bones Shaking Bones 3 Zombies & Skeleton Monkeys on Ape Atoll.
Wolf Bones Wolf Bones 4.4 Any kind of Wolf
Bones Bones 4.5 Cows, Chickens, Men; most other fight-able NPC's.
Small Monkey Bones Small Monkey Bones 5 Zombie Monkeys
Monkey Bones Monkey Bones 5 Monkeys
Burnt Bones Burnt Bones 5 Greater Demons
Bat Bones Bat Bones 5.25 Giant Bats
Big Bones Big Bones 15 All kinds of Giants and Ogres.
Jogre Bones Jogre Bones 15 Jogres
Medium Monkey Bones Medium Monkey Bones 16 Ninja Monkeys, Zombie Monkeys.
Marinated j' Bones Marinated J' Bones 18 Tai Bwo Wannai Trio Quest.
Large Monkey Bones Large Monkey Bones 18 Monkey Temple Guard
Zogre bones Zogre Bones 22.5 Zogres
Shaikahan Bones Shaikahan Bones 25 The Shaikahan, east of Tai Bwo Wannai.
Baby Dragon Bones Baby Dragon Bones 30 Baby Red & Blue Dragons.
Wyvern bones Wyvern Bones 50 Skeletal Wyverns
Dragon Bones Dragon Bones 72 All kinds of Dragons.
Fayrg Bone Fayrg Bone 84 Zombie & Skeleton Ogres in Gu'Tanoth
Raurg Bone Raurg Bone 96 Zombie & Skeleton Ogres in Gu'Tanoth
Dagannoth bones Dagannoth Bones 125 All kinds of Dagannoths
Ourg Bone Ourg Bone 140 Zombie & Skeleton Ogres in Gu'Tanoth
Ancient Bones Ancient Bones 200 Reward from Father Aereck after completing the Restless Ghost quest.

Demonic Ashes

Another method used to train prayer is to scatter Demonic Ashes, which are dropped by various types of Demons found throughout RuneScape. To scatter the ashes of a Demon, simply left-click on the ashes (or right-click and select the "Scatter" option).

Demon Ashes
Picture Ashes Prayer Experience Looted From
  Impious Ashes 4 Imps, Pyrefiends, Killerwatts
  Accursed Ashes 12.5 Lesser Demons, Greater Demons
  Infernal Ashes 62.5 Abyssal Demons, Black Demons, Tormented Demons, Nechryaels

Ghasts

Another good way for Members to gain Prayer experience is by killing Ghasts in the Mort Myre Swamp. After starting the Nature Spirit Quest, you are able to enter the swamp, but you should first complete the quest and receive a Druid Pouch to fill with 'Natures Harvests.' This will cause any Ghasts that attack to become visible so that you can kill it. Defeating a Ghast will give 30 experience to Prayer.

A Spooky Ghast!

Shades

By burning the remains of the Mort'ton Shades, you'll receive Prayer experience. First you need to complete the Shades of Mort'ton Quest. Then you can cut some logs and pour some Sacred Oil on them. Kill a Shade and use the logs on one of the Pyres around the village. Place the remains on the Pyre as well, and light it with a Tinderbox. More info can be found in the Firemaking guide.

Shade Remains
PictureShadePrayer Experience
Load Remains Loar 25
Phrinn Remains Phrinn 37.5
Riyl Remains Riyl 61
Asyn Remains Asyn 79.5
Fiyr Fiyr 100

One of the main reasons for burning shades is for the purpose of obtaining keys for the Mort'ton Dungeon. Inside, you'll find various doors which require a different key, and inside of those rooms will be a chest; some of which contain Fine Cloth, used in making Splitbark Armor.

Ectofuntus

Ecto-tokensAfter completing the Ghosts Ahoy Quest, Ectofuntus can be used to gain more Ecto-tokens and Prayer experience. Ecto-Tokens can be used for many things inside Port Phasmatys, and you'll receive experience for worshipping the Ectofuntus. The Prayer experience earned for worshipping the Ectofuntus is four times the normal experience received when just burying bones or scattering Demonic Ashes.

EctophialHowever, before you head off to worship this slimy structure, make sure you have Pots, Buckets (enough for the number of Bones or Demonic Ashes you are bringing), Bones or Demonic Ashes, and an Amulet of Ghostspeak. The Ectophial is also handy for teleporting from the Pool of Slime to the Ectofuntus.

Speak to the Ghost Disciple and ask about Ectofuntus. Climb down the trapdoor to the west and continue downwards until you find a Pool of Slime. Fill your buckets and head back up to the temple. If you're bringing bones to the Ectofuntus, grind up several sets of bones in the Bone Grinder located upstairs. use the Bone Grinder, use the bones with the machine, wind it up, and then empty each pile of bones into a Pot. Demonic Ashes do not need to be ground up. Now climb downstairs and use the Slime with the Ectofuntus.

Ectofuntus
Bones or Ashes Prayer Experience
Impious Ashes 16
Bones 18
Wolf Bones 18
Burnt Bones 18
Monkey Bones 20
Small Monkey Bones 20
Bat Bones 21
Accursed Ashes 50
Big Bones 60
Jogre Bones 60
Medium Monkey Bones 64
Large Monkey Bones 72
Zogre Bones 90
Babydragon Bones 120
Infernal Ashes 250
Dragon Bones 288
Fayrg Bones 336
Raurg Bones 384
Ourg Bones 560

For a detailed guide on worshipping the Ectofuntus, check out the guide on Worshipping the Ectofuntus Quickly and Efficiently.

The Prayers

There are many different kinds of prayers that can aide you in battle, doing things from keeping an enemy from hitting you with his axe, to making your hits more powerful or even speeding up the recovery of your stats.

Prayer Chart
PicturePrayerPrayer LevelAffect of Prayer
Thick Skin Thick Skin1 1 Defence +5%
Burst of Strength Burst of Strength1 4 Strength +5%
Clarity of Thought Clarity of Thought1 7 Attack +5%
Sharp Eye Sharp Eye 1 8 Ranged +5%
Mystic Will Mystic Will1 9 Magic +5%
Rock Skin Rock Skin1 10 Defence +10%
Superhuman Strength Superhuman Strength1 13 Strength +10%
Improved Reflexes Improved Reflexes1 16 Attack +10%
Rapid Restore Rapid Restore 19 2x faster restore for all stats except Hits & Prayer.
Rapid Heal Rapid Heal 22 2x faster restore rate for Hits.
Protect Items Protect Items 25 Allows you to keep an extra item if you die.
Hawk Eye Hawk Eye1 26 Ranged +10%
Mystic Lore Mystic Lore1 27 Magic +10%
Steel Skin Steel Skin1 28 Defence + 15%
Ultimate Strength Ultimate Strength1 31 Strength +15%
Incredible Reflexes Incredible Reflexes1 34 Attack +15%
Protect From Summoning Protect From Summoning 35 100% Protection from all familiars' (summoned creatures) right-click abilities.
Decreases damage done by familiars' special attacks by 40%.
Protect From Magic Protect From Magic2 37 100% Protection from Magical attacks.
Protect From Missiles Protect From Missiles2 40 100% Protection from Ranged attacks
Protect From Melee Protect From Melee2 43 100% Protection from close combat attacks.
Eagle Eye Eagle Eye 1 44 Ranged +15%
Mystic Might Mystic Might1 45 Magic +15%
Retribution Retribution2 46 Deals damage up to 25% of your maximum Prayer to any nearby enemies if you die.
Redemption Redemption2 49 If your health drops below 10%, you'll be healed for 25% of your maximum Prayer. Also drains all of your Prayer Points.
Smite Smite2 52 When fighting another player, they will lose 1 Prayer point for every 40 damage you hit.
Chivalry Chivalry1 60 Increases your Defence by 20%, strength by 18%, and attack by 15%.
Piety Piety1 70 Increases your Defence by 25%, strength by 23%, and attack by 20%.

Using Multiple Prayers

You have the ability to use multiple prayers at once, although there are some exceptions to this:

  1. These prayer effects don't "stack" with each other. So you can't use Thick Skin and Rock Skin to gain an additional Defence bonus.
  2. These prayers can't be used at the same time as each other.

Protect Prayers

These prayers will completely protect you from any monster or NPC attacks when in use. However, Verac in the Barrows has the ability to hit through the Protect From Melee prayer.

These prayers also have a 50% chance of protecting you from attacks from other players in places such as the, Duel Arena, Bounty Hunter, Clan Wars, and Player Owned Houses in Combat Rings or Dungeons with PvP Combat on.

When you have a Protect Prayer active, you can also use stat-boosting prayers, but you are limited to using one of the following combinations:

  • One of each melee prayer (Attack and Strength).
  • A Magic prayer.
  • A Ranged prayer.
  • Protect From Summoning.

Helpful Items

There are many things that can improve your prayer, which slows down how fast your points will drain. Of course, you can bury bones to increase your level, but there are also items like robes, amulets and maces that can make your prayers last longer.

Amulets & Symbols

These items are worn around your neck and give special bonuses. They can also be crafted and then enchanted or blessed to bring out the special powers.

Amulets & Symbols
PictureObjectPrayer Bonus
Amulet of Power Amulet of Power 1
Amulet of Glory Amulet of Glory 3
Salve Amulet Salve Amulet 4
Amulet of Fury Amulet of Fury 5
Holy Symbol Holy Symbol of Saradomin 8
Unholy Symbol of Zamorak Unholy Symbol of Zamorak 8

Clothing

There are several articles of clothing that can be bought from the Varrock clothing shop, and dropped from monsters that will give you a prayer bonus when worn. You can also buy certain equipment after completing quests such as Recruitment Drive, Wanted! and Slug Menace. The Monk Robes are a spawn in the Prayer Guild, and aren't bought or obtained from a monster drop.

Clothing
PictureItemPrayer BonusWhere to Obtain
Priest Gown (top) Priest Gown 3 Varrock Clothing Shop
Priest Gown (bottom) Priest Gown 3 Varrock Clothing Shop
Zamorak Robe (top) Robe of Zamorak 3 Dropped by Necromancers & Iban Disciples
Zamorak Robe (bottom) Robe of Zamorak 3 Dropped by Necromancers & Iban Disciples
Druid robe (top) Druid Robe 4 Dropped by Druids
Druid robe (bottom) Druid Robe 4 Dropped by Druids
Monk's Robe (top) Monk Robe (Top) 6 Upstairs of the Monastery
Monk's Robe (bottom) Monk Robe (Bottom) 5 Upstairs in the Monastery
Shade Robe (top) Shade Robe (Top) 5 Dropped by Shades in the Stronghold of Security.
Shade Robe (bottom) Shade Robe (Bottom) 5 Dropped by Shades in the Stronghold of Security.
Fire Cape Fire Cape 2 Completing TzHaar Fight Caves Activity.
Hunter Cape (t) Trimmed Skill Cape 4 After getting a second 99 stat, the Skill Capes you have become trimmed.
Initiate Sallet Initiate Sallet 3 Bought from Sir Tiffy Cashien in Falador Park. Requires completion of the Recruitment Drive quest.
Initiate Hauberk Initiate Hauberk 5 Bought from Sir Tiffy Cashien in Falador Park. Requires completion of the Recruitment Drive quest.
Initiate Cuisse Initiate Cuisse 6 Bought from Sir Tiffy Cashien in Falador Park. Requires completion of the Recruitment Drive quest.
Verac's Helm Verac's Helm 3 Possible reward from the Barrows Activity.
Verac's Brassard Verac's Brassard 5 Possible reward from the Barrows Activity.
Verac's Plateskirt Verac's Plateskirt 4 Possible reward from the Barrows Activity.
White Chainbody White Chainbody 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle
White Platelegs White Platelegs 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle. Requires completion of the Wanted! quest.
White Plateskirt White Plateskirt 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle. Requires completion of the Wanted! quest.
White Med Helm White Med Helmet 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle. Requires completion of the Wanted! quest.
White Full Helm White Full Helmet 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle. Requires completion of the Wanted! quest.
White Sq Shield White Square Shield 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle. Requires completion of the Wanted! quest.
White Kiteshield White Kiteshield 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle. Requires completion of the Wanted! quest.
White Platebody White Platebody 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle. Requires completion of the Wanted! quest.
White Boots White Boots 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle. Requires completion of the Wanted! quest.
White Gloves White Gloves 1 Bought from Sir Vyvin in the White Knight's Castle. Requires completion of the Wanted! quest.
Proselyte Sallet Proselyte Sallet 4 Bought from Bought from Sir Tiffy Cashien. Requires completion of theSlug Menace quest to use.
Proselyte Cuisse Proselyte Cuisse 5 Bought from Bought from Sir Tiffy Cashien. Requires completion of theSlug Menace quest to use.
Proselyte Tasset Proselyte Tasset 5 Bought from Bought from Sir Tiffy Cashien. Requires completion of theSlug Menace quest to use.
 Third Age Druidic Cloak Third-Age Druidic Cloak 6 Possible reward from level 4 Treasure Trails.
 Third Age Druidic Robe Third-Age Druidic Robe 5 Possible reward from level 4 Treasure Trails.
 Third Age Druidic Robe (top) Third-Age Druidic Robe Top 6 Possible reward from level 4 Treasure Trails.
 Third Age Druidic Wreath Third-Age Druidic Wreath 7 Possible reward from level 4 Treasure Trails.
Saradomin MitreGuthix MitreZamorak Mitre Mitre 5 Obtained from a level 2 Treasure Trail. Requires level 40 Prayer and 40 Magic.
Saradomin StoleGuthix StoleZamorak Stole Stole 10 Obtained from a level 2 Treasure Trail. Requires level 60 Prayer.
Saradomin Robe (top)Guthix Robe (top)Zamorak Robe (top) Robe Top 4 Obtained from a level 1 Treasure Trail. Requires level 20 Prayer.
Saradomin Robe (legs)Guthix Robe (legs)Zamorak Robe (legs) Robe Bottom 4 Obtained from a level 1 Treasure Trail. Requires level 20 Prayer.
Saradomin CloakGuthix CloakZamorak Cloak Cloak 3 Obtained from a level 2 Treasure Trail. Requires level 40 Prayer.

Weapons

When equipped, a mace will give a prayer bonus. They aren't quite as strong as a heavy battle axe, but if you rely on Prayer, these are the weapons of choice. There are also some other weapons that will grant a Prayer bonus in RuneScape.

Weapons
PictureItemPrayer BonusWhere to Obtain
Bronze Mace Bronze Mace 1 Flynn's Maces
Iron Mace Iron Mace 1 Flynn's Maces
White Dagger White Dagger 1 White Knight Armory
White Sword White Sword 1 White Knight Armory
White Magic Staff White Magic Staff 1 White Knight Armory
White Longsword White Long Sword 1 White Knight Armory
White Battleaxe White Battleaxe 1 White Knight Armory
White Claws White Claws 1 White Knight Armory
White 2h Sword White 2-H Sword 1 White Knight Armory
White Halberd White Halberd 1 White Knight Armory
Steel Mace Steel Mace 2 Flynn's Maces
Black Mace Black Mace 2 Dropped by Dark Warriors.
Mithril Mace Mithril Mace 3 Flynn's Maces
Adamant Mace Adamant Mace 3 Flynn's Maces
White Mace White Mace 3 White Knight Armory
Ancient Mace Ancient Mace 4 Received during the Another Slice of H.A.M. Quest.
White Warhammer White Warhammer 3 White Knight Armory
White Scimitar White Scimitar 3 White Knight Armory
Rune Mace Rune Mace 4 Champion's Guild
Dragon Mace Dragon Mace 5 Heroes' Guild
Wolfbane Wolfbane 5 Reward from the Priest in Peril Quest.
Toktz-mej-tal (Obsidian Staff) Toktz-mej-tal 5 Bought from TzHaar-Hur-Tel's Equipment Store in TzHaar.
Verac's Flail Verac's Flail 6 Barrows Reward
Saradomin CrozierGuthix CrozierZamorak Crozier Crozier 6 Obtained from a level 2 Treasure Trail. Requires level 60 Prayer.
Third Age Druidic Staff Third-Age Druidic Staff 7 Possible reward from level 4 Treasure Trails.
Bat Staff Cat StaffDragon StaffPenguin StaffWolf Staff Animal Staff (Bat, Cat, Dragon, Penguin, Wolf) 6 Possible reward from Elite Treasure Trails.

Prayer Books

Members have the ability to wield Prayer Books, after completing the Horror From the Deep Quest. They are wielded in place of a shield and will initially add 5 to your Prayer bonus, along with other bonuses depending on the Book of the RuneScape God that you choose. You can also perform Ceremonies: Wedding Rites, Blessing, Last Rites, and Preach.

Each book needs to be completed by adding 4 pages (belonging to that book) to it. These pages can be a Treasure Trail Reward, or traded from other players. Once you've completed 1 book, you can go back to Jossik and buy another for 5,000gp. If you happen to lose a book, Jossik will give it back to you, and any pages will still be there.

After you've completed a book and have level 50 Prayer, you'll be able to bless the Symbols of the Gods. A Book of Balance can bless both Holy and Unholy Symbols, while the other books can only bless Symbols of the same God.

Prayer Books
Book PicturePage PictureItemInfo
Holy Book Saradomin Page 1 Holy Book +8 to Defensive bonuses.
Unholy Book Zamorak Page Unholy Book +8 to Attack bonuses.
Book of Balance Guthix Page Book of Balance +4 to both Attack and Defensive bonuses.
Ancient Book - Ancient Book +4 to Melee Attack and Defence bonuses; +6 to Magic Attack and Defence bonuses; +2 to Summoning Defence
Book of Law - Book of Law +4 to Melee Attack and Defence bonuses; +6 to Magic Attack and Defence bonuses; +2 to Summoning Defence
Book of War - Book of War +6 to Melee Attack and Defence bonuses; +2 to Summoning Defence

Having Symbols Blessed

Both Holy and Unholy Symbols can be blessed in order to give a special prayer bonus when they're worn. Once you have your unblessed symbol, you need to bring it to the specific person who will bless it for you.

To bless a Holy Symbol, bring it to Brother Jered upstairs in the Monk's Monastery. To have your Unholy Symbol blessed, bring it to the Spirit of Scorpius, the ghost in the graveyard just north of the Observatory. Remember, you need to have already completed the Observatory Quest before he will bless your symbols.

Player-Owned House Chapels

Members who own a Player Owned House (POH) have the ability to build a Chapel, in which you may build an altar to pray at. You may also use your bones with the altar to receive some bonus experience, depending on the kind of altar and the number of burners you have lit. The values below show how much of a bonus you will receive when burying bones at an altar, in addition to the usual experience you would normally gain.

Prayer Experience Bonuses
AltarBonus Experience (No Burners)Bonus Experience (1 Burner)Bonus Experience (2 Burners)
Oak Normal 150% 200%
Teak 110% 160% 210%
Cloth 125% 175% 225%
Mahogany 150% 200% 250%
Limestone 175% 225% 275%
Marble 200% 250% 300%
Gilded 250% 300% 350%

So for instance, if you buried some Dragon bones (72xp per bone) at a Gilded Altar with no burners, you would use a math formula like this:

(72 * 2.5) = 180 experience

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Published on: May 12, 2004 01:25 AM UTC by Salmoneus
Updated on: September 01, 2011 06:35 AM UTC by Salmoneus