OSRS Xarpus Guide: Exhumes, Screech Phase & Strategy

Overview: Xarpus at a Glance

Xarpus is a full boss in the raid group, rated 4 out of 5 in our boss index and normally fought team.

Before you can fight Xarpus you need Theatre of Blood.

Exhume and screech phases is what this fight actually asks of you, and it is the thing standing between you and progress toward ToB purple.

Its attack penetrates protection prayers, so praying against it does nothing.

In our index it sits in the raid group at difficulty 4 of 5, where kill times come down to exhume and screech phases.

Access Requirements

Xarpus is gated behind Theatre of Blood.

Theatre of Blood also tends to sit alongside the other raid gates, so it is usually cheaper to clear them together than to come back for each one. The boss requirements checklist lists them by group.

Location and How to Get There

Xarpus is fought in the fifth encounter of the Theatre of Blood.

Xarpus is the Yarasa King, captured by Drakan to serve as a Theatre boss. Like Sotetseg, it does not count towards a related Slayer task despite its connection to bats.

Recommended Combat Stats and Gear

Inventory and Supplies

• Food sized to its max hits: 6 (38+ recoil).
• No prayer potions for protection — its attack penetrates prayers.
• Antipoison — it poisons.
• A teleport out.

Mechanics: Attack Styles, Max Hits and Immunities

Where Xarpus Sits in Progression

Within the raid group, the fights below Xarpus are Muttadiles and Vanguards. Above it sit Great Olm and Verzik Vitur.

Fight Strategy: Exhume and screech phases

1. Position first. There is no protection prayer to set here.
2. Its lowest defence bonus is against stab.
3. Its 4-tick speed punishes greed.
4. Bank before a 38 can erase you.

• Exhumes first lesson
• Screech phase second
• Poison management matters
• Keep DPS disciplined

Drops and What Xarpus Is Worth

Drops worth the trip: Progress toward ToB purple. Whether that is worth your time depends on how many kills an hour you personally get, which is a function of exhume and screech phases rather than of your gear list.

Combat Achievements

Xarpus has Combat Achievement tasks. With a 38 max hit the restrictions are mostly about execution rather than survival.

Task lists move with updates — read the current list in game.

Combat Achievements guide

Ironman Notes

Without a Grand Exchange, progress toward ToB purple has to be earned rather than bought, and this is the fastest table it sits on.

It poisons, so your answer to poison — antidote doses, or food that cures as it heals — is part of planning the trip length.

Common Mistakes and Death Causes

• Buying an upgrade before exhume and screech phases is consistent
• Gearing for Xarpus before finishing Theatre of Blood
• Walking in before prayers are on
• Skipping antipoison when it poisons

FAQ

What do I need to fight Xarpus?

Theatre of Blood

Which protection prayer should I use at Xarpus?

It attacks with typeless ranged, poison, so pray against that.

How hard does Xarpus hit?

Max hits of 6 (38+ recoil), with 3400 hitpoints.

Is Xarpus worth doing?

Yes, for what it drops — Progress toward ToB purple — if you want that specific reward. It is not a general money maker, and we do not publish a GP per hour figure for it because that number changes with the Grand Exchange.

What kills people at Xarpus?

Exhumes first lesson

Related Guides

• Theatre Of Blood Guide Roles Requirements Beginner Tips
• Verzik Vitur Guide All Phases Gear Roles Mechanics
• PvM progression guide
• Best bosses for money
• Combat Achievements guide

Bottom Line

Xarpus rewards repetition more than it rewards gear. Once exhume and screech phases stops taking your full attention, the trips get long enough that progress toward ToB purple stops feeling far away.

If Xarpus is blocking a Combat Achievement or an unlock you actually want, our PvM service is done by hand — no automation. Otherwise the bosses list has the full index.