Mmoexp OSRS: 5 things you should NOT be doing to get an Infernal Cape

Some common tips meant to make clearing the Inferno and defeating TzKal-Zuk easier can make things more complicated.

 

Since its release in June 2017, the Inferno has been considered Old School RuneScape's (OSRS) most difficult solo PvM encounter, and the journey to an Infernal Cape is widely recognized by gamers who have never even touched the game.

 

Even amid last year's Varlamore expansion and the release of the Fortis Colosseum, the Inferno remains arguably the top challenge; there's no way to definitively argue that one is "easier" than the other unless you start going piece by piece, factor by factor, to determine which is more difficult.

 

What we will argue against, however, are five common techniques and methods that are encouraged but are not completely necessary en route to getting your first Infernal Cape.

 

This isn't necessarily what I'd consider an Inferno guide, and admittedly some of the strategies and terminology may seem a bit confusing for a starter. I would recommend consulting additional guides if you are confused, because there are plenty out there which lay out the basic groundwork.

 

These are simply five things that may seem intimidating or unachievable at first, but they are things you don't need to do to achieve your first Infernal Cape.

 

By nature, I am extremely conservative (rather than aggressive) when it comes to any sort of a PvM challenge. It's all about the strategy and the mechanics, rather than the brute force, and given how the Inferno is set up, that is exactly what these notes aim to achieve.

 

You, too, can do it, JalYt. So let's have a look at five things NOT to do to get that Infernal Cape.

 

1. Don't Freeze the Nibblers

 

Why not?

 

Freezing Nibblers with Ice Barrage is inefficient unless you're highly experienced. You're unlikely to kill them all in one cast, and you'll still have to move to finish them off, putting you in danger.

 

What to do instead:

 

Use Blood Barrage with the Eldritch Nightmare Staff for healing.

 

From Wave 28 onward, switch to Justiciar Armor and Dinh's Bulwark special attack at the wave's center to eliminate Nibblers more safely.

 

Avoid starting with Ice Barrage unless you're confident with tick-perfect execution.

 

2. Don't Use Damage-Boosting Prayers During Regular Waves

 

Why not?

 

Prayers like Rigour or Augury drain prayer points unnecessarily, and you'll need those for critical waves and Zuk. Flicking offensive prayers adds complexity without a huge pay-off for new or mid-tier players.

 

What to do instead:

 

Save prayer for overheads and survival.

 

Use Rigour/Augury only sparingly, ever before Zuk.

 

Conserve all resources for Triple Jads (Wave 68) and Zuk (Wave 69), where every drop of prayer and brew counts.

 

3. Don't Rely on Fancy Gear Swaps or Inventory-Crushing Loadouts

 

Why not?

 

Trying to bring everything (Divine Pouch, Kodai Wand, multiple switches) overloads your inventory and adds mental stress.

 

What to do instead:

 

Stick with essential gear that supports survivability and simplicity.

 

The Eldritch Staff replaces the need for a Kodai + Blood Barrage + Divine Pouch setup.

 

Bring gear that serves multiple functions and maximizes inventory space for Brews, Restores, and utility items.

 

4. Don't Start Each Wave in a Safe Spot After Wave 28

 

Why not?

 

Once waves get dangerous (especially 30+), immediately rushing to a safe pillar can get you trapped or sniped by Meleers or Rangers.

 

What to do instead:

 

Begin waves in the center with Justiciar + Bulwark and clear Nibblers first.

 

Then reposition to your desired pillar or safespot safely once threats are controlled.

 

This reduces the chance of being cornered or sniped on spawn.

 

5. Don't Focus on Speed or DPS in Your First Clears

 

Why not?

 

Trying to shave seconds off each wave can lead to greedy plays, misclicks, and deaths, especially when under pressure.

 

What to do instead:

 

Treat Waves 1-68 as a warmup/setup for Zuk.

 

Take your time-survival > speed.

 

Practice with simulators or external tools if needed before attempting the real run.

 

TzKal-Zuk is the real fight. The rest is prep work.

 

If you want help crafting a gear/inventory loadout based on your gold or supplies, MMOexp is known for being fast and secure (especially with codes like "6exp6" for extra discount). That OSRS gold wisely can really cut down on prep time and let you focus purely on strategy and mechanics.