How to Get Dark Totem in OSRS: A Complete Guide for 2025

How to Get Dark Totem in OSRS: A Complete Guide for 2025


If you’re an Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player looking to take on the fearsome Skotizo boss, you’ll need a Dark Totem. This elusive item is your key to accessing the lower levels of the Catacombs of Kourend, where Skotizo awaits. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to get a Dark Totem in OSRS, including the best methods, locations, and tips to maximize your efficiency. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer, this blog post will help you secure those totem pieces in no time!

The Dark Totem is a crucial item in OSRS that allows players to access Skotizo, a demonic boss located beneath the Catacombs of Kourend. It’s not a single drop but rather an item you assemble by collecting three separate pieces: the Dark Totem Base, Middle, and Top. Once combined, the totem pulses with dark energy and can be used on the altar in the center of the Catacombs to initiate the Skotizo fight. Each totem is consumed upon use, making it a one-time entry pass—win or lose.

Why You Need the Dark Totem

The primary reason to gather Dark Totems is to battle Skotizo, who offers valuable loot like clue scrolls (hard and elite), the Dark Claw, and even a chance at the Skotos pet. Plus, if you’re on a Black Demon or Greater Demon Slayer task, Skotizo counts toward your kill count, giving you a chance to mix up your Slayer grind with a boss fight.

How the Dark Totem Works

You won’t find a fully assembled Dark Totem as a direct drop (except rarely from Skotizo itself). Instead, you collect its components by killing monsters in the Catacombs of Kourend or Giants’ Den. Once you have all three pieces, you combine them in your inventory with a satisfying “click,” as the game describes it, forming the complete totem.

Where to Find Dark Totem Pieces

The Catacombs of Kourend is your go-to spot for farming Dark Totem pieces, though the Giants’ Den also offers opportunities. Every monster in these areas (except ghosts) has a chance to drop one of the three pieces, with the drop order being Base, Middle, then Top. Let’s break down the key locations and mechanics.

Catacombs of Kourend: The Main Farming Ground

Located beneath Great Kourend, the Catacombs are accessible by investigating the King Rada I statue in Kourend Castle’s courtyard. This sprawling dungeon is packed with monsters like Dust Devils, Nechryaels, and Greater Demons—all potential sources of totem pieces. The drop rate scales slightly with a monster’s hitpoints (HP), but the difference is minimal, so efficiency often trumps raw HP targeting.

Giants’ Den: An Alternative Spot

Found within the Catacombs, the Giants’ Den is home to Hill Giants and Fire Giants. It’s a less crowded area, making it a solid choice if you want a quieter farming session. Hill Giants, with their low HP, are particularly popular for quick kills and decent totem drop rates.

Superior Slayer Monsters: Guaranteed Drops

If you’ve unlocked Superior Slayer encounters (via the Bigger and Badder perk from a Slayer Master), these enhanced versions of regular monsters in the Catacombs drop a Dark Totem piece 100% of the time. This makes Slayer tasks a fantastic way to stockpile totems passively.

Best Methods to Farm Dark Totem Pieces

Farming Dark Totem pieces can be a grind, but with the right approach, you can make it efficient and even profitable. Here are the top methods to get those pieces fast in 2025.

Method 1: Bursting Dust Devils

Dust Devils are a fan favorite for totem farming due to their clumping behavior and weakness to magic. Here’s how to do it:

  • Location: Catacombs of Kourend, southwest section.
  • Gear: Slayer helmet (if on task), Ancient staff, and magic-boosting armor (e.g., Ahrim’s).
  • Spells: Ice Burst or Ice Barrage for multi-target damage.
  • Strategy: Lure Dust Devils into a corner, use Protect from Melee, and cast your spell to hit multiple targets at once.

Pro Tip: A Ring of Wealth auto-picks up coins, saving you time on loot collection. Expect around 1 totem piece per hour with this method.

Method 2: Barraging Nechryaels

Nechryaels have higher HP than Dust Devils, slightly boosting their totem drop rate (around 1/295). They’re also great for Slayer XP and profit.

  • Location: Northeast section of the Catacombs.
  • Gear: Similar to Dust Devils—focus on magic damage and defense.
  • Spells: Ice Barrage for maximum efficiency.
  • Strategy: Aggro multiple Nechryaels, clump them up, and barrage away while praying Protect from Melee.

Bonus: Their Death Spawn adds extra kills, potentially increasing your totem haul.

Method 3: Cannon Hill Giants in Giants’ Den

For a low-effort option, Hill Giants in the Giants’ Den are quick to kill and accessible to mid-level players.

  • Location: Giants’ Den within the Catacombs.
  • Gear: Dwarf multicannon, basic melee or ranged setup.
  • Strategy: Set up your cannon and let it blast away while you pick up drops.
  • Drop Rate: Around 1/500, but the speed makes up for it.

Note: Bring an inventory of cannonballs and alch runes for extra GP from their drops.

Method 4: Passive Slayer Task Farming

If you’re not in a rush, doing Slayer tasks in the Catacombs is the most laid-back way to gather totems. Tasks like Greater Demons, Black Demons, or Dust Devils naturally yield pieces over time, especially with Superiors.

Tip: Use Duradel or Nieve/Steve for a higher chance of Catacombs-eligible tasks.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Dark Totem Farming

To make your totem hunt as smooth as possible, consider these expert tips:

Optimize Your Inventory

Bring only what you need—prayer potions, food, and teleport runes. Leave space for totem pieces and valuable drops like Ancient Shards or clue scrolls.

Assemble Totems Promptly

You won’t get more pieces if you already have one of each (Base, Middle, Top) in your bank or inventory. Combine them into a full totem as soon as you can to keep the drops flowing.

Use RuneLite Plugins

The Ground Items plugin in RuneLite can highlight totem pieces, ensuring you never miss a drop while multitasking or barraging.

Track Your Progress

Keep a mental note or use a spreadsheet to track how many totems you’ve assembled. This helps you plan Skotizo runs and avoid over-farming.

Dark Totem Drop Rates and Monster Comparison

Understanding drop rates can guide your farming choice. Here’s a quick table comparing popular monsters:

Monster HP Drop Rate (Approx.) Kills Per Hour Totems Per Hour (Est.)
Hill Giants 35 1/500 200-300 0.4-0.6
Dust Devils 93 1/370 300-400 0.8-1
Nechryaels 115 1/295 200-250 0.7-0.85
Superior (Any) Varies 100% 1-3 per task Varies

Key Takeaway: Dust Devils strike a balance between speed and drop rate, while Superiors are your best bet for guaranteed pieces during Slayer.

What to Do with Extra Pieces

If you end up with uneven numbers (e.g., 10 Bases but 5 Middles), keep farming or trade with friends if you’re in a group. Alternatively, alch them—each piece has a High Alchemy value of 123 coins, and a full totem is worth 270.

Facing Skotizo: The Reward

Once you’ve got your Dark Totem, head to the altar in the Catacombs’ center. Use the totem, and you’ll be teleported to Skotizo’s lair. Bring your best gear, protect from magic, and enjoy the fight—your hard-earned totem pieces will pay off with a shot at rare loot!

By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of Dark Totem farming in OSRS. Whether you barrage Dust Devils, cannon Hill Giants, or grind Slayer tasks, the key is consistency and efficiency. Happy hunting, and may your totem drops be plentiful in 2025!