The Gauntlet/Strategies

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This page shows various strategies and in-depth mechanics of The Gauntlet and The Corrupted Gauntlet.

A player fights the boss of the Gauntlet, the Crystalline Hunllef.
An example of a layout of the Gauntlet, showing the starting room and boss room.

Requirements

Recommendations

Getting there

Mechanics

See also: The Gauntlet

Refer to The Gauntlet's main page for a basic overview of the challenge. Consider playing one or two games to get familiar with The Gauntlet before reading too much in-depth information.

Weapon frames

Weapon frames are dropped by all monsters found within The Gauntlet; however, the drop rates differ:

  • Weak monsters
    • The weapon frame is a common drop from a weak monster; however, the exact drop rate is unknown.
    • The third killed weak monster has a guaranteed weapon frame drop if the player hasn't received one before.
  • Strong monsters
    • Strong monsters have a guaranteed weapon frame drop if the player hasn't received one before.
    • The second weapon frame is a common drop from a strong monster; however, the exact drop rate is unknown.
  • Demi-bosses
    • Demi-bosses have a guaranteed weapon frame drop.

Perfected weapon upgrades

The locations where demibosses can spawn are highlighted.

The perfected weapon upgrades, i.e. the crystalline bowstring, crystal orb and crystal spike, are dropped by the demi-bosses:

If the same kind of demi-boss is killed twice, the player is guaranteed to receive a different perfected weapon upgrade than the demi-boss's typical drop. Because of this change, players will obtain all the perfected weapon upgrades by killing three minibosses of any kind. In addition, if you lack crystal shards, you can break the weapon upgrade with a pestle and mortar for 80 crystal shards.

The demi-bosses only spawn on the perimeter (outside edge) of the map.

Boss fight

The boss room is always located in the centre of the 7x7 grid of The Gauntlet and lies adjacent to the starting room. This room contains the Crystalline Hunllef, a level 674 monster with 600 hitpoints. The Hunllef must be defeated in order to complete The Gauntlet. After defeating the Hunllef, the player will be teleported to The Gauntlet's central hub, where they may claim their loot from the Reward Chest.

Fight mechanics

The standard Ranged and Magic attacks of the Crystalline Hunllef.
The boss room in the Corrupted Gauntlet showing how to navigate different tile and tornado attack patterns. The perimeter should only be used when safe to do so. Otherwise, using the cross area is best while constantly moving.
The highlighted tiles cannot turn orange during the last phase (below 330 Hitpoints), which may be helpful when tornadoes are not active.

During their fight with the Hunllef, players will face a few unique fight mechanics:

  • The Hunllef's standard attacks consist of powerful Magic and Ranged attacks. Damage will be greatly reduced by using the correct protection prayers. Crystal armour pieces will further reduce the Hunllef's maximum damage (provided that a full set of armour is worn).
    • The boss will always start the fight with its Ranged attacks. Four (4) attacks will be done before switching to its Magic attacks. After four (4) hits, it will switch back to Ranged, and so forth.
    • The Magic attack will occasionally disable all prayers. This attack can be identified by a different sound effect and a slightly different animation. This attack also counts as one of the four attacks of the Hunllef's attack cycle.
  • The Hunllef will occasionally summon purple tornadoes that will chase the player.
    • Depending on the Hitpoints of the Hunllef, one (1) to three (3) tornadoes will spawn at a time.
    • Try to avoid these tornadoes; they deal 10-20 damage per tick when they reach the player.
    • Armour pieces will mitigate the damage dealt by the tornadoes. Higher tier pieces mitigate more damage than lower tier pieces.
    • This attack also counts as one of the four attacks of the Hunllef's attack cycle.
  • When under the Hunllef, the boss will perform a trample attack that can deal up to 50+ damage.
    • This attack does not count as one of the four attacks of the Hunllef's attack cycle.
  • The floor tiles will randomly turn blue and then quickly orange. Avoid these tiles, as the player will receive 10-20 damage per tick while standing on an orange tile. During the Corrupted Gauntlet, the floor tiles turn very quickly towards the end. The best way to navigate these tiles is to avoid standing too close to the corners (unless dodging or running from tornadoes on a safe path), maintaining some distance. (See image to the right.)
  • During the fight, the Hunllef will change its protection prayers to protect against the player's current attack style after every sixth attack by the player. Therefore, more than one attack style is needed to defeat the Hunllef.
    • For example, if the Hunllef begins the fight by using Protect from Melee, and the player does five random attacks (the attack style for these five attacks doesn't matter) and then uses their bow for the sixth attack, the Hunllef will switch to the Protect from Missiles prayer.

Make sure to always use the protection and offensive prayers. Make sure to immediately reactivate these after the Hunllef disables them. Using the quick prayer orb may be useful for this.

Time-saving methods

In The Gauntlet, there are a few methods players may execute to complete the challenge in a shorter time period. These methods are mainly used for speedrunning.

5:1 method

The 5:1 method focuses on manipulating the Hunllef's protection prayer switches to allow the player to maximise their time spent DPSing with their perfected crystal bow (tier 3). The player uses their perfected crystal bow for the first five attacks and then alternates between their Magic and Melee weapon on the sixth attack to ensure that the boss never uses Protect from Missiles. Here is an example:

  • The Hunllef begins the fight by using Protect from Melee.
  • The player launches five bow attacks then a staff attack.
  • The Hunllef switches to Protect from Magic.
  • The player launches five bow attacks then a kick (Melee attack, no weapon equipped).
  • The Hunllef switches to Protect from Melee.
  • Repeat.

A staff and a bow are needed for this method to work as you must have access to all three attack styles.

Redemption method

The redemption method, named after the Redemption prayer, can be used in conjunction with the 5:1 method. The goal of this method is to minimise tick loss from eating during the boss fight by using the Redemption prayer as a supplementary source of healing. This method still requires 4-8 paddlefish as it is not always possible to use Redemption without risking being killed: as such, always eat if your HP is below 16. To actually do this method, simply pray the correct protection prayer when the Hunllef casts an attack and then switch to the Redemption prayer while the projectile is mid-air. Then once Redemption activates, immediately drink a sip of potion and turn on the correct prayer, before the next attack.

Filling vials

Fill the vials with water from the Fishing Spots while fishing for raw paddlefish, instead of at the Water Pump in the starting room. This will save the player a few game ticks at the end of the run.

Vengeance

Since active Vengeance casts won't be removed upon entering The Gauntlet, the Lunar spell has an important use in speedrunning. To use this method, follow these instructions:

  1. Cast Vengeance before entering The Gauntlet.
  2. Avoid receiving any damage until you find your first demi-boss.
  3. Tank the first hit from the demi-boss and use the correct prayer afterwards.

The Corrupted Gauntlet

There is also a more challenging version of The Gauntlet: The Corrupted Gauntlet.

The main differences to the regular Gauntlet are:

  • The main colour theme of The Corrupted Gauntlet is red instead of blue.
  • All items are Corrupted instead of Crystal; however, they have the same properties and stats.
  • All monsters are Corrupted instead of Crystalline. These monsters have the same mechanics and drop tables; however, their combat stats are increased.
  • The player only has 7:30 minutes to prepare, instead of 10:00.
  • The boss room contains the Corrupted Hunllef, which has 1,000 Hitpoints, increased stats and increased damage.
  • The Hunllef's tornado attack summons an extra tornado per attack.
  • Completing the Corrupted Gauntlet gives an additional roll on the standard loot table.

Regular Gauntlet strategy

Desired equipment and inventory

Required resources

This listed set up requires the collection of the following resources:

Beginners may choose to upgrade the basic crystal armour to attuned crystal armour in order to reduce the Crystalline Hunllef's maximum damage to 8 on the correct protection prayer. This would require the following additional resources:

  • 4 crystal ores, linum tirinums and phren barks.
  • 180 crystal shards.

Guide

An example of the first run to collect supplies around the base and the second run to collect upgrades and more supplies.
  1. Kill the weak monsters in the rooms adjacent to the starting room to collect a weapon frame and 100 crystal shards. An effective method for gathering supplies entails a clockwise or counterclockwise route around the starting room (i.e. making a 'C' around the starting room).
  2. Return to the starting room and make a Crystal staff (attuned) (tier 2) and two vials at the Singing Bowl.
  3. Gather a sufficient amount of raw paddlefish as well as three crystal ores, linum tirinums and phren barks (or seven of each material for beginners) and two grym leaves.
    • The inner 3x3 area adjacent to the boss is guaranteed to include at least three of each crystal ores, linum tirinums and phren barks, effectively making fishing spots rarer in this area as a drawback.
  4. Make a lap around the outer edge of the arena to find a Crystalline Dark Beast and/or Dragon (if going for only one tier 3 weapon, only kill whichever comes first) for the Tier 3 Bow/Staff upgrade. Be sure to collect a second weapon frame and 220 crystal shards as well.
  5. Use the teleport crystal to return back to the starting room.
  6. Cook the raw paddlefish, make the basic crystal armour (120 shards), make either a Crystal bow (attuned) (tier 2) or Crystal staff (attuned) (tier 2) (80 shards), upgrade one (or both) of the weapons to tier 3 and grind 20 crystal shards to make two egniol potions.

Regular Gauntlet speedrunning

Desired equipment and inventory

Required resources

This listed set up requires the collection of the following resources:

Guide

The process is largely identical to the regular Gauntlet guide, but you try to save ticks along the way by employing the following methods:

  1. Cast Vengeance before entering The Gauntlet. Avoid receiving any damage until facing the boss.
  2. Check the Crystalline Hunllef's protection prayer upon entering the Gauntlet. If it is using Protect from Missiles, leave and restart (only if doing the 5:1 method).
  3. Kill the weak monsters in the rooms adjacent to the starting room to collect a weapon frame and 100 crystal shards.
    • Lure monsters towards the next room that you intend to go to while killing them to save time on running after the kill.
  4. Return to the starting room and make an attuned crystal bow (tier 2) and two vials at the Singing Bowl.
  5. Gather a sufficient amount of raw paddlefish and two grym leaves.
  6. Make a lap around the outer edge of the arena to find a Crystalline Dark Beast for the perfected crystal bow (tier 3) upgrade. Be sure to collect a second weapon frame and 100 crystal shards as well.
  7. Use the teleport crystal to return back to the starting room.
  8. Cook the raw paddlefish, make an attuned crystal bow (tier 2) (80 shards), upgrade the crystal bow to tier 3 and grind 20 crystal shards to make two egniol potions.
  9. Don't use a protection prayer for the Hunllef's first attack to activate the Vengeance.
  10. Switch to the attuned crystal staff or unequip your weapon every sixth attack so that the boss changes prayer to the undesired combat style, and then resume attacking with your perfected crystal bow. See the 5:1 method section for more info on this method.

Corrupted Gauntlet strategy

Desired equipment and inventory

Required resources

This listed set up requires the collection of the following resources:

Struggling players may choose to upgrade the armour from basic to attuned (optimally in full if time allows) in order to mitigate the Corrupted Hunllef's damage on the correct protection prayer. This would require the following additional resources:

  • 4 crystal ores, linum tirinums and phren barks (total of 7 each).
  • 180 crystal shards (total of 500 if using 2 potions and 520 if 3 potions).

Preparation guide

An example of the first run to collect supplies around the base and the second run to collect upgrades and more supplies.
  1. Check the Corrupted Hunllef's protection prayer upon entering the Gauntlet. If it is using Protect from Missiles, leave and restart (only if doing the 5:1 method).
  2. Kill the weak monsters in the rooms adjacent to the starting room to collect a weapon frame and 100 corrupted shards. An effective method for gathering supplies entails a clockwise or counterclockwise route around the starting room (i.e. making a 'C' around the starting room).
  3. Return to the starting room and make a Corrupted staff (attuned) (tier 2) and two vials at the Singing Bowl.
  4. Gather a sufficient amount of raw paddlefish as well as three corrupted ores, linum tirinums and phren barks and two grym leaves.
    • Fill your vials with water from the Fishing Spots while fishing.
    • If you're struggling to find fish, be aware that one of the rooms adjacent to the Hunllef is guaranteed to have at least three fishing spots (12 paddlefish).
  5. Make a lap around the outer edge of the arena to find a Corrupted Dark Beast and Corrupted Dragon for the perfected corrupted bow and perfected corrupted staff (tier 3) upgrades. Be sure to collect a second weapon frame and 220 corrupted shards as well.
    • If you see a Corrupted Bear, you should kill it even if you don't want to use a halberd; demibosses will always drop unique tier 3 upgrades, and so killing it will allow you to kill the first three demibosses you see rather than specifically hunting for a dragon and a dark beast. You can also use a pestle and mortar to crush the corrupted spike into 80 corrupted shards.
  6. Use the teleport crystal to return back to the starting room.
  7. Cook the raw paddlefish, make the basic corrupted armour (120 shards), make a Corrupted bow (attuned) (tier 2) (80 shards), upgrade the corrupted bow to tier 3 and grind 20 corrupted shards to make two egniol potions.

Corrupted Gauntlet speedrunning

Desired equipment and inventory

Required resources

This listed set up requires the collection of the following resources:

Guide

The process is largely identical to the regular Corrupted Gauntlet guide, but you try to save ticks along the way by employing the following methods:

  1. Cast Vengeance before entering The Gauntlet. Avoid receiving any damage until facing the boss.
  2. Check the Corrupted Hunllef's protection prayer upon entering the Gauntlet. If it is using Protect from Missiles, leave and restart (only if doing the 5:1 method).
  3. Kill the weak monsters in the rooms adjacent to the starting room to collect a weapon frame and 100 corrupted shards.
    • Lure monsters towards the next room that you intend to go to while killing them to save time on running after the kill.
  4. Return to the starting room and make an attuned corrupted bow (tier 2) and two vials at the Singing Bowl.
  5. Gather a sufficient amount of raw paddlefish as well as three corrupted ores, linum tirinums and phren barks and two grym leaves.
  6. Make a lap around the outer edge of the arena to find a Corrupted Dark Beast for the perfected corrupted bow (tier 3) upgrade. Be sure to collect a second weapon frame and 160 corrupted shards as well.
  7. Use the teleport crystal to return back to the starting room.
  8. Cook the raw paddlefish, make the basic corrupted equipment (120 shards), make a basic corrupted staff (tier 1) (20 shards), upgrade the corrupted bow to tier 3 and grind 20 corrupted shards to make two egniol potions.
  9. Don't use a protection prayer for the Hunllef's first attack to activate the Vengeance.
  10. Switch to the corrupted staff or unequip your weapon every sixth attack so that the boss changes prayer to the undesired combat style, and then resume attacking with your perfected corrupted bow. See the 5:1 method section for more info on this method.
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The Gauntlet
Crystalline enemies
Corrupted enemies
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Basic
Attuned
Perfected
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Basic
Attuned
Perfected
Corrupted items
Tools
Resources
Add-ons
Weapons
Basic
Attuned
Perfected
Armour
Basic
Attuned
Perfected
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