The Awakened version of Demonic Brutus-often referred to as the “cow boss”-is a mechanically driven encounter in Old School RuneScape that rewards precision, repetition, and clean movement. This guide walks through requirements, setup, and the exact decision tree you need to secure your first kill count (KC). If you're short on supplies or looking to speed up your gear progression before attempting the fight, some players choose to buy OSRS gold to fund upgrades, though mastering the mechanics will always matter more than raw equipment investment.

Requirements & Access

To fight Awakened Demonic Brutus, you must complete Desert Treasure II. This unlocks access to Abyssal Potatoes, which function as entry tokens-one per attempt.

How to obtain Abyssal Potatoes:

1. Use the Ring of Shadows teleport.

2. Travel east across the stepping stones toward the Scar.

3. Just north of the nearby campfire, locate a small growth and harvest potatoes.

4. Fill your inventory to stockpile attempts.

Each death consumes a potato, so bring several while learning.

Gear Setup (Cost-Efficient & Effective)

This encounter is mechanically punishing during progression. Expect deaths while developing muscle memory.

Armor

· Void Knight set (recommended for lower death fees)

· Alternative: Torva/“max melee,” but this significantly increases reclaim cost.

Void is popular here because it drastically reduces death fees compared to high-value melee armor. Over dozens of deaths, the savings are substantial.

Weapons (Main-Hand Options)

· Scythe of Vitur

· Soulreaper Axe

· Blade of Saeldor

· Abyssal Tentacle

All are viable. Prioritize your strongest consistent DPS option.

Special Attack Weapons

· Dragon Claws

· Burning Claws

· Crystal Halberd

· Voidwaker

· DDS (budget option)

Use specs during stable windows-generally after stomp rotations.

Inventory Setup

Core Items:

· 1x Super Restore

· 1x Divine Super Combat (pre-pot before entering)

· 1x Abyssal Potato

· Spec weapon

· Anglerfish (for overheal)

· Combo food (e.g., Manta Ray + Karambwan)

Overhealing is critical. Many mistakes are survivable if you pre-angler.

Teleports

Bring:

· Teleport to cow pen

· Emergency teleport to reset

· Two “cowbell amulets” (obtainable from the NPC in the cow pen; drop the first and grab a second for death recovery convenience)

Understanding the Fight: Core Mechanics

The boss has two primary specials:

1. Stomp

2. Dash

The key principle: He alternates strictly in a fixed pattern depending on his opening attack.

Phase 1: Above 67% HP

· Attacks are delayed slightly (1–2 ticks slower).

· Easier reaction window.

· Ideal learning phase.

Phase 2: Below 67% HP

· Attacks speed up.

· Reaction window shrinks to ~1 tick.

· Pattern remains predictable.

Phase 3: Below 33% HP

· Movement rotations reverse.

· Dash positioning changes.

The Pattern Logic

At spawn, Brutus begins with either:

· Dash → Stomp → Dash → Stomp (repeating), or

· Stomp → Dash → Stomp → Dash (repeating)

This sequence never changes mid-fight. Once identified, the fight becomes deterministic.

Stomp Mechanics

When Brutus prepares a stomp:

1. Step directly away from him.

2. Rotate around the arena to avoid secondary shockwaves.

Rotation Rules:

· Above 33% HP: Rotate clockwise.

· Below 33% HP: Rotate counterclockwise.

This directional shift is the most common learning mistake. Commit it to memory.

Dash Mechanics

When Brutus prepares a dash:

Above 33% HP:

1. Step diagonally away.

2. Wait one tick.

3. Cross to the opposite tile.

4. Return to center.

Below 33% HP:

1. Step close to him.

2. Wait one tick.

3.Move away.

4. Reset to center.

The difference is subtle but critical. Practice in isolation if needed.

Enrage Reset (0 HP Mechanic)

At 0 HP:

· Brutus resets to 67% HP

· Becomes enraged

· Triggers overhead prayer flick attacks

These prayer hits:

· Always start with Mage

· Deal ~20 damage per hit

· Cap at roughly 60 total damage if tanked

Beginner Recommendation:
Camp Protect from Melee and tank the overhead flicks. Heal afterward. Trying to perfectly flick during early progression often causes more deaths than it prevents.

Practical Kill Flow

1. Pre-pot and overheal.

2. Identify opening special.

3. Track alternating pattern.

4. Rotate correctly based on HP threshold.

5. Dump specs during safe windows.

6. Tank enrage flicks if necessary.

7. Maintain overheal buffer.

The encounter is less about raw DPS and more about tick-accurate movement discipline.

Final Advice

· Expect 20–40 deaths while learning.

· Keep death costs manageable (Void helps).

· Focus on rhythm over reaction.

· Once internalized, the fight becomes highly controlled.

Awakened Demonic Brutus rewards repetition. Master the stomp/dash alternation, memorize the rotation shift at 33%, and your first KC will follow naturally. While some players look for cheap OSRS gold to offset death costs during early attempts, consistent practice and clean execution are what ultimately turn this mechanically demanding encounter into a reliable farm.