Slayer is one of the most rewarding skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). It allows players to kill special monsters known as Slayer monsters, many of which drop valuable items and provide a wealth of experience (XP) in combat and other skills. If you’re a player looking to level up your combat stats, make money, and unlock access to unique content in OSRS, Slayer should be one of your top priorities.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about Slayer training, including how to get started, useful tips, optimal tasks, and strategies for maximizing efficiency. Whether you’re a beginner or a high-level player looking to optimize your Slayer training, this guide will help you succeed.
What is Slayer in OSRS?
Slayer is a skill that tasks players with killing specific monsters, known as Slayer tasks, given by Slayer Masters scattered throughout the game. Each Slayer Master assigns a different type of task, and completing these tasks gives Slayer experience (XP) and often combat experience as well. Additionally, Slayer monsters drop valuable loot that can be sold for OSRS gold, making it a highly profitable skill.
Slayer is an essential skill for accessing high-level content, as certain monsters, quests, and bosses require you to have reached specific Slayer levels. Training Slayer can be both a profitable and enjoyable experience as you get to explore various locations and combat diverse enemies.
How to Start Slayer Training
To start your Slayer journey, you’ll need to visit one of the following Slayer Masters:
Turael (level 1 Slayer, located in Burthorpe) – Turael is the lowest-level Slayer Master and assigns tasks that are suitable for beginners.
Mazchna (level 20 Slayer, located in Zanaris) – Mazchna offers slightly more difficult tasks than Turael and is a good choice for players who want to progress.
Vannaka (level 40 Slayer, located in the Edgeville Dungeon) – Vannaka offers tasks that are more challenging, ideal for mid-level players.
Chaeldar (level 70 Slayer, located in the Lost City) – Chaeldar assigns higher-level tasks, suitable for players with greater combat stats.
Duradel (level 50 Slayer, located in Shilo Village) – Duradel is considered one of the best Slayer Masters for mid- to high-level players due to the diversity and profitability of the tasks he assigns.
Essential Slayer Equipment and Gear
To train Slayer efficiently, you’ll need some basic equipment and gear. While specific gear requirements depend on the Slayer tasks you’re assigned, here is a general guide on what you’ll need for various tasks:
Weapons
Your weapon choice will vary depending on your task. However, for general Slayer tasks, it’s best to use multi-target and high DPS weapons to maximize kills per hour.
Melee Weapons: The Abyssal Whip, ZGS, and Dragon Scimitar are popular for melee Slayer tasks.
Ranged Weapons: The Karil’s Crossbow and Blowpipe (Toxic or Darts) are great for ranged Slayer tasks.
Magic Weapons: The Saradomin’s Staff, Tome of Fire, and Ancient Magicks offer various options for magic-based tasks.
Armor
For Slayer, you’ll want to wear gear that increases your survivability and DPS. A combination of defensive and offensive stats is crucial, depending on the task.
Melee Armor: Karil’s, Void Knight gear, or Karil’s crossbow.
Ranged Armor: Armadyll, Void Knight gear.
Magic Armor: Ahrim’s Set, Karil’s, and Ancient Magicks for some bossing tasks.
Potions
Potions are essential for boosting your stats, healing, and staying efficient during Slayer tasks.
Super combat potions, Prayer potions, Overload potions, and Restore potions.
Saradomin Brews and Sharks for food.
Antipoison or Serum for tasks involving poison.
Stamina potions can help you run longer and speed up the task.
Other Tools
Slayer Helm (or Elite Slayer Helm): Provides bonuses to all combat styles when killing Slayer monsters and is essential for high-level tasks.
Salve Amulet: Boosts damage against undead monsters like Vampires and Zombies.
Arclight: Used for fighting demons; the weapon gives a huge damage bonus against demons.
Slayer Tasks: Tips and Strategies
Slayer tasks come in various shapes and sizes. While you can complete any task with a bit of effort, optimizing your Slayer experience for XP and profit is key.
Task Types
Melee Tasks: These tasks require you to use melee combat. Be sure to bring gear like Abyssal Whip or Dragon Scimitar.
Ranged Tasks: Often involve monsters that can be fought from a distance, such as Aviansies, Kree’arra, or Chinchompas.
Magic Tasks: Magical tasks include monsters like Zulrah, Kalphite Queen, and Kree’arra.
Mixed Tasks: These tasks will require you to use all combat styles depending on the monster you’re fighting.
Best Tasks for Profit
Some Slayer tasks are far more profitable than others. These tasks tend to involve monsters that drop rare or valuable loot. Here are some of the most profitable Slayer tasks:
1. Abyssal Demons
Slayer Level: 85
Why They’re Profitable: Abyssal Demons drop Abyssal Whips, Abyssal Heads, and other valuable items. An Abyssal Whip is worth over 1M coins, and they are a primary drop in many Slayer tasks.
2. Vorkath
Slayer Level: 75
Why It’s Profitable: Vorkath is a boss that drops extremely valuable items like Dragon Bones, Vorkath’s Head, and Dragon Crossbows, all worth a substantial amount of coins.
3. Dark Beast
Slayer Level: 90
Why They’re Profitable: Dark Beasts drop the Dark Bow, which can sell for 4M+ coins, and provide plenty of valuable loot such as coins, runes, and Dark Beasts’ bones.
4. Steel Dragons
Slayer Level: 65
Why They’re Profitable: Steel Dragons drop Dragon Full Helms, Dragon Legs, and Dragon Platebody, as well as high-value Dragon Bones.
5. Nechryaels
Slayer Level: 80
Why They’re Profitable: Nechryaels are a good task for AFK training. They drop valuable items like Rune items, Rune Scimitars, and High-Level Runes, making this a solid task for consistent profit.
Best Tasks for Experience
In addition to profitability, XP per hour is crucial for Slayer training. Here are some of the best tasks for fast Slayer XP:
1. Cave Horrors
Slayer Level: 58
XP: Cave Horrors are relatively easy to kill and give good XP rates. They also drop Black Masks, a highly sought-after item in the game.
2. Hellhounds
Slayer Level: 58
XP: Hellhounds are a great Slayer task for XP efficiency and provide steady combat XP. Hellhound bones also have good value if sold.
3. Kurasks
Slayer Level: 70
XP: These monsters have high HP and are great for XP. Their drop table includes a lot of cheap RuneScape gold, including Herb Drops, Rares, and Rare Clues.
4. Gargoyles
Slayer Level: 75
XP: Gargoyles are also great for high XP rates per hour. Gargoyles drop Gargoyle Scales and Rune Items.
Slayer Unlocks and Milestones
As you level up your Slayer skill, you’ll unlock new Slayer Masters, tasks, and even unique items. Here are some key milestones and unlocks:
Slayer Helm (Level 55): After completing the Slayer Task at level 55, you can purchase the Slayer Helm. This helmet provides significant combat bonuses for all combat styles and is an essential item for training Slayer.
Elite Slayer Tasks (Level 85): At level 85 Slayer, you can unlock harder Slayer tasks, including Special Bosses.
Higher Slayer Masters: Reaching 90 Slayer will grant access to more powerful tasks, such as Dark Beasts.
Conclusion: Mastering Slayer
Training Slayer is an investment in your OSRS character’s combat abilities, but it’s also an exciting, rewarding experience. Whether you’re looking to make gold, level up your combat stats, or unlock special items, Slayer has something for every player. By using the right strategies, equipment, and approaching each task with the right mindset, you’ll be able to train Slayer efficiently and profitably.
Remember to keep an eye out for high-profit tasks, use Slayer gear, and experiment with different strategies to find the training method that works best for you. Whether you’re slaying in the Wilderness, defeating bosses in Slayer Dungeons, or grinding XP for your Slayer level, each task brings unique rewards and challenges that make Slayer one of the most engaging and profitable skills in OSRS.
