Summary

What Changed

What Changed

Jagex’s July 23rd update, along with the ongoing Varlamore rollout, introduced more clarity on the post-90 Necromancy armor paths. Deathwarden Gear, designed as tank armor, provides significant damage reduction and healing bonuses, making it ideal for prolonged encounters. Deathdealer Gear, the power armor variant, focuses on raw damage output and accuracy, pushing your DPS to new heights. Both sets require level 90 Necromancy to equip and are crafted using materials from the new Varlamore content.

Patch Timeline

1. June 2024 — Jagex announces Necromancy armor rebalancing for post-90 content.
2. July 2024 — Varlamore Part 2 launches, adding new bosses and crafting resources for both armor sets.
3. August 2024 — Hotfix adjusts Deathwarden’s set effect to trigger more reliably in group content.
4. September 2024 — Community feedback leads to a small buff to Deathdealer’s accuracy bonus against high-defense targets.
5. October 2024 — Official drop rate data for Deathwarden and Deathdealer components is published on the OSRS wiki.

Why It Matters

Choosing the wrong set can stall your progress in endgame PvM. Deathwarden allows you to tank bosses like the Duke of Varlamore or the Phantom Vassal with less food consumption, but it lowers your kill speed. Deathdealer accelerates kills but leaves you vulnerable to big hits. The decision impacts your GP per hour, your survivability in solo encounters, and your role in group raids. With the recent confirmation that both sets are upgradable in future Varlamore expansions, your choice now will influence your upgrade path later.

Who Should Care

This guide is for players who have hit level 90 Necromancy and are farming the new Varlamore bosses. If you prioritize solo bossing and want to reduce supply costs, Deathwarden is your go-to. If you run in teams or speed-run content, Deathdealer offers better synergy with overloads and prayers. Casual players who prefer safer gameplay will lean toward Deathwarden, while experienced PvMers chasing personal best times will favor Deathdealer.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Deathwarden: Excellent survivability, cheaper food costs, easier to learn new bosses.
• Deathdealer: Faster kill times, higher DPS, better for speed runs and team efficiency.
• Both sets have clear upgrade paths in later Varlamore content.
• Choice forces you to specialize, which can improve your overall skill.

Cons:

• Deathwarden: Lower damage output, slower boss kills, may feel less rewarding.
• Deathdealer: Higher risk of death, more expensive supply usage, requires good prayer flicking.
• Switching sets later costs extra GP and time to re-farm components.

What To Do Next

Start by farming the Varlamore bosses that drop the armor components. If you have limited GP, invest in one full set rather than splitting resources. Use the Deathwarden set if you plan to solo or duo, and Deathdealer if you have a consistent team. For players who want to test both, consider using a bond to buy a second set after you’ve mastered one. Remember that you can always sell your unused set on the Grand Exchange, but the market fluctuates with new updates.

Final Thoughts

Neither Deathwarden nor Deathdealer is universally better — your choice depends on your playstyle, budget, and goals. Post-90 Necromancy content is designed to reward specialization, so pick one and master it. With the right gear and strategy, you’ll find that both sets can carry you through Varlamore’s toughest challenges. Plan your upgrade path, manage your resources wisely, and enjoy the new depth that Necromancy brings to OSRS.

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