OSRS Cave Horror Slayer Guide: Best Strategies for Black Mask Farming

OSRS Cave Horror Slayer Guide: Best Strategies for Black Mask Farming


Cave Horrors in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) are a popular Slayer task for players chasing the coveted Black Mask, a key component for crafting the Slayer Helmet. Found in the eerie Mos Le’Harmless Cave, these monsters offer decent experience and valuable loot, making them a worthwhile task for mid-to-high-level players. This guide dives into everything you need to know about slaying Cave Horrors, from requirements and gear setups to strategies and tips for maximizing efficiency.

Cave Horrors are a unique Slayer monster that balance challenge and reward. They’re not overly difficult but require specific preparation due to their special attack and environmental hazards. Here’s why they’re worth your time:

  • Black Mask Drop: The Black Mask provides a 16.67% boost to melee Attack and Strength (15% for Ranged/Magic when imbued), making it a must-have for Slayer efficiency.
  • Decent Experience: With 55 Hitpoints and 58 Slayer requirement, they offer solid Slayer and combat XP, especially with a cannon.
  • Valuable Loot: Beyond the Black Mask, expect herbs, seeds, and clue scrolls to pad your profits.

Understanding Cave Horror Mechanics

Cave Horrors use a Magic-based melee attack with a max hit of 9. Their special attack deals damage equal to 10% of your base Hitpoints (rounded down, e.g., 9 damage at 96 HP) unless mitigated. This can be avoided entirely with Protect from Melee or partially reduced with a Witchwood Icon. They’re aggressive and spread out, so planning your approach is key.

Requirements for Slaying Cave Horrors

OSRS Cave Horror Slayer Task Guide NovaMMO

Before heading to Mos Le’Harmless, ensure you meet the following prerequisites and gather the necessary items.

Mandatory Requirements

  • 58 Slayer: Required to damage Cave Horrors.
  • Cabin Fever Quest: Unlocks access to Mos Le’Harmless.
  • Witchwood Icon: Costs 900 coins from any Slayer Master; protects against the special attack if not using Protect from Melee.
  • Light Source: A Bullseye Lantern or Seers’ Headband 4 prevents damage from bugs in the unlit cave (unless a Fire of Eternal Light is active).

Recommended Stats and Quests

  • Combat Level 70+: Ensures you can handle multiple Horrors without trouble.
  • 43 Prayer: For Protect from Melee to negate all damage.
  • Fairy Tale II (partial): Unlocks Fairy Rings for faster travel (code DIP).
  • Morytania Hard Diary (optional): Killing a Cave Horror counts toward a task, and the diary boosts teleport options.

Getting to Mos Le’Harmless Cave

The Mos Le’Harmless Cave, also called the Cave of Horrors, is located on the southeast side of Mos Le’Harmless island. Here are the best ways to get there:

Travel Options

  • Mos Le’Harmless Teleport Scroll: Fastest method; buy from the Grand Exchange.
  • Trouble Brewing Minigame Teleport: Free every 20 minutes (requires 40 Cooking and Cabin Fever).
  • Ectophial + Bill Teach: Teleport to Port Phasmatys, then sail with Bill Teach.
  • Fairy Ring (DIP): Requires Fairy Tale II and bridge repairs for quick access.
  • Charter Ship: From Port Sarim or other ports, but slower and costly.

Tips for Efficient Travel

Unlock the Trouble Brewing teleport for future tasks—it’s a game-changer. If using Fairy Rings, bring a spade to fix bridges. Always carry a light source to avoid taking rapid damage from cave bugs.

Best Gear and Inventory Setups

Your gear and inventory depend on whether you’re using Melee, Ranged, or a cannon. Below are optimized setups for each approach, focusing on Prayer bonus, Magic Defence, and damage output.

Melee Setup

Melee is straightforward and effective, especially with Protect from Melee active to nullify damage.

Slot Best-in-Slot Budget Alternative
Head Slayer Helmet (i) Black Mask or Helm of Neitiznot
Neck Amulet of Torture Amulet of Strength
Torso Proselyte Hauberk Initiate Hauberk
Legs Proselyte Cuisse Initiate Cuisse
Weapon Abyssal Whip Dragon Scimitar
Boots Primordial Boots Dragon Boots

Inventory: 4-6 Prayer Potions, 10-15 high-healing food (Sharks or Monkfish), Dwarf Multicannon (optional), Bones to Peaches tablets, Herb Sack, Seed Box, Teleport (Ectophial or Teleport Scroll).

Ranged Setup

Ranged is ideal for safespotting or faster kills with a Toxic Blowpipe. Prioritize Magic Defence to reduce damage when not praying.

Slot Best-in-Slot Budget Alternative
Head Slayer Helmet (i) Black Mask or God Coif
Neck Necklace of Anguish Amulet of Glory
Torso Armadyl Chestplate Black D’hide Body
Legs Armadyl Chainskirt Black D’hide Chaps
Weapon Toxic Blowpipe Magic Shortbow (i)
Boots Pegasian Boots God D’hide Boots

Inventory: 2-4 Prayer Potions, 15-20 food, 1,000+ Blowpipe scales/darts, Ava’s Assembler, Teleport, Herb Sack, Seed Box.

Cannon Setup

A Dwarf Multicannon boosts kills per hour to 300+, but it’s costly. Place it near the cave entrance or swamp area for maximum coverage. Combine with Melee or Ranged for best results.

Strategies for Efficient Cave Horror Slayer

Maximizing your Cave Horror kills requires smart positioning, prayer management, and loot handling. Here’s how to optimize your task.

Combat Strategies

  • Protect from Melee: Activate this prayer to negate all damage, allowing you to use a stronger amulet like Amulet of Torture instead of the Witchwood Icon.
  • Safespotting: Use mushrooms, stalagmites, or boulders near the entrance or swamp to attack with Ranged without taking hits. The lake in the north cave is another good spot.
  • Cannon Placement: Set up near the entrance or central swamp for multi-target hits. Bring 500-1,000 cannonballs per task.
  • Bones to Peaches: Use tablets or the spell to convert Big Bones into Peaches, extending trips without extra food.

Loot Management

Cave Horrors drop valuable items, but inventory space is limited. Prioritize:

  • Black Mask: Rare (1/512 drop rate) but worth over 900k GP.
  • Herbs and Seeds: High-level herb seeds (e.g., Snapdragon) and grimy herbs are common and stackable with a Herb Sack.
  • Clue Scrolls (Hard): Decent chance for extra profit.
  • Mahogany Logs: Use a Log Basket to store unnoted logs efficiently.

Use Telekinetic Grab for loot if safespotting to avoid leaving your position.

Extending Your Trip

  • Prayer Gear: Proselyte armor or high Prayer bonus items reduce potion consumption.
  • Bonecrusher Necklace: Automatically buries Big Bones, restoring Prayer points to maintain Protect from Melee.
  • Arceuus Spellbook: Cast Adept Reanimation on Ensouled Horror Heads for passive Prayer XP.

With these strategies, expect 25-30k Slayer XP per hour with Melee, 40-60k with a cannon, and consistent profits from loot. Cave Horrors are a rewarding task if you’re prepared, so gear up, head to Mos Le’Harmless, and start farming that Black Mask!