In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), summoning undead creatures through the Arceuus spellbook has added an exciting layer of variety to the game’s skilling and combat activities. One such spell, Resurrect Greater Zombie, stands out for its usefulness in high-level Prayer training, combat aid, and its synergy with Ensouled Heads. Knowing how to unlock, use, and benefit from this spell can be incredibly valuable for players interested in maximizing their efficiency in magic-based activities. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Resurrect Greater Zombie in OSRS.
Requirements for Resurrect Greater Zombie
Magic and Arceuus Favor
To use the Resurrect Greater Zombie spell, players must meet specific requirements:
- Magic Level: 76
- Arceuus Spellbook: You must have the Arceuus spellbook unlocked, which requires 60% favor in the Arceuus House on Zeah.
Once the Arceuus spellbook is accessible, players can switch to it by praying at the Dark Altar in Arceuus or using the Arceuus spellbook swap spell if already unlocked.
Runes Needed
Each cast of Resurrect Greater Zombie requires the following runes:
- 4 Soul Runes
- 2 Blood Runes
- 2 Nature Runes
While this spell is somewhat rune-intensive, the benefits of summoning a Greater Zombie often outweigh the cost, especially in high-level activities like Prayer training with Ensouled Heads or PvM support scenarios.
What Does Resurrect Greater Zombie Do?
Summoning the Greater Zombie
When cast successfully, the Resurrect Greater Zombie spell raises a powerful undead minion to fight for you. The zombie scales with your Magic level and boasts significantly higher combat stats than its lesser counterparts. It is one of the most potent undead creatures available through resurrection spells.
The summoned Greater Zombie has the following base attributes:
- High Hitpoints and Strength
- Melee combat-based attack
- Stays summoned for a limited duration or until killed
This makes it extremely helpful in dealing extra damage during combat or aiding with tasks that require prolonged fighting, such as Slayer or bossing in certain low-risk environments.
Uses in Prayer Training
One of the most practical uses of Resurrect Greater Zombie is in conjunction with Ensouled Heads. When using the Arceuus spellbook, players often train Prayer by reanimating these heads. The Greater Zombie can assist by tanking or dealing extra damage to reanimated creatures, making the training process smoother and more efficient.
How to Unlock the Arceuus Spellbook
Gaining Arceuus House Favor
Before you can use Resurrect Greater Zombie, you must unlock the Arceuus spellbook, which means earning at least 60% favor with the Arceuus House. This can be done through the following methods:
- Library of Arceuus: Helping fill bookshelves and returning books is a low-risk way to earn favor and gain Magic or Runecrafting XP.
- Dark Manuscripts: Collecting and returning dark manuscripts found in the Arceuus region provides favor and lore about the city.
After achieving 60% favor, you can lock in your favor with the certificate from Hosa in Kourend Castle and begin using the Arceuus spellbook at the Dark Altar.
Combat Strategy with Greater Zombie
Maximizing Effectiveness in Battle
The Greater Zombie behaves like a summoned familiar that deals melee damage. To get the most out of it, try the following strategies:
- Use it as a distraction to tank enemy hits while you cast offensive or healing spells.
- Allow it to weaken enemies during Slayer tasks to reduce your damage intake.
- Summon it before entering a dungeon or multi-combat zone for added survivability.
Although not as powerful as a player’s DPS, the consistent melee attacks from the Greater Zombie make it a great companion in any prolonged fight.
Spell Success Chance
It’s worth noting that the Resurrect Greater Zombie spell, like all resurrection spells in the Arceuus spellbook, has a chance to fail based on your Magic level. At level 76 Magic, you can expect decent consistency, but higher levels offer even greater reliability.
Failure doesn’t consume your runes, but it does result in a temporary delay before you can try again. As such, having a high Magic level is recommended to maximize uptime and efficiency.
Training Magic with Resurrect Greater Zombie
Is It Worth the XP?
Each successful cast of the spell grants Magic experience. While not the fastest Magic training method, using Resurrect Greater Zombie during other activities can be an effective way to gain passive XP. It’s especially useful for players already focused on Necromancy-related content or who want to integrate combat and Magic skilling.
Alternative Training Uses
- Multi-tasking: Combining the spell with Prayer and Slayer skilling increases overall efficiency.
- Rune Management: Players with access to Blood or Soul runecrafting can minimize costs by crafting their own runes.
If you’re not solely casting this spell for Magic XP, the long-term benefits through its utility and synergy with other skills make it a worthwhile part of your rotation.
Tips for Rune and Spell Management
Rune Pouch and Inventory
To streamline casting Resurrect Greater Zombie, make use of the Rune Pouch to carry essential runes. A standard setup includes:
- Nature Runes
- Soul Runes
- Blood Runes
This allows you to cast the spell without cluttering your inventory, giving you room for food, gear, or other supplies during combat or skilling.
Stacking with Other Spells
While using the Arceuus spellbook, you can combine resurrection spells with other utility spells like:
- Mark of Darkness: Enhances the effect of certain spells and cursed prayers.
- Sinister Offering: Converts bones to Prayer XP directly from inventory.
These combinations allow you to build a hybrid spellcasting approach that maximizes benefits across multiple skills and combat situations.
When to Use Resurrect Greater Zombie
Recommended Scenarios
- During Slayer tasks for extra damage output
- In Prayer training with Ensouled Heads to tank reanimated monsters
- In PvM environments where distractions or extra damage can be helpful
- In minigames or quests that allow summoned companions
As with any spell in OSRS, proper preparation and timing are key to success. Understanding when to summon and how to support your Greater Zombie makes all the difference.
Resurrect Greater Zombie is a versatile and powerful spell in the Arceuus spellbook that offers utility, combat support, and skilling benefits. While it has high requirements and rune costs, its effectiveness in Slayer, Prayer, and PvM makes it a valuable tool for any Magic-focused player. Whether you’re looking to train skills more efficiently or boost your performance in combat, mastering the use of the Greater Zombie can provide a noticeable edge in your OSRS gameplay experience. Make sure you have the right runes, high enough Magic level, and proper strategy to make the most of this resurrection spell.