Hellhound Slayer Task OSRS: The Ultimate Guide to Slaying Hellhounds

Hellhound Slayer Task OSRS: The Ultimate Guide to Slaying Hellhounds


If you’re diving into the world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and tackling Slayer tasks, the Hellhound Slayer task is one you’ll likely encounter. Hellhounds are mid-to-high-level monsters that offer decent experience, unique drops, and a straightforward combat style. Whether you’re a beginner looking to grind Slayer levels or a seasoned player chasing clues and profit, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Hellhound Slayer task in OSRS. From locations and strategies to gear setups and loot, let’s get started!

Hellhounds are demonic canine-like creatures found across Gielinor, often assigned as a Slayer task by various Slayer Masters. With combat levels ranging from 122 to 136, they’re not the toughest foes, but their aggressive melee attacks can catch unprepared players off guard. What makes the Hellhound Slayer task appealing is the chance to snag valuable drops like Hard Clue Scrolls and, in specific locations, rare items like the Smouldering Stone.

Why Do the Hellhound Slayer Task?

Hellhounds might not have the most lucrative drop table, but they shine in other areas:

  • Clue Scrolls: Hellhounds are one of the best sources of Hard Clue Scrolls (1/64 drop rate, or 1/32 in the Wilderness with an imbued Ring of Wealth).
  • AFK Training: Their predictable melee attacks make them easy to AFK with Protect from Melee.
  • Boss Alternatives: High-level players can tackle Cerberus for better loot and Slayer XP.

Slayer Requirements

To get a Hellhound task, you need a minimum combat level of 75. There’s no Slayer level requirement for regular Hellhounds, but if you want to take on Cerberus (a hellhound boss), you’ll need 91 Slayer (boostable from 86 with a Wild Pie). Slayer Masters like Vannaka, Chaeldar, Konar, Nieve/Steve, Duradel, and Krystilia can assign this task.

Best Locations for Hellhound Slayer Tasks

OSRS Hellhounds Slayer Task Guide NovaMMO

Hellhounds are scattered across OSRS, and your choice of location depends on your goals—XP, profit, or convenience. Here’s a breakdown of the top spots:

Stronghold Slayer Cave

Location: Beneath the Tree Gnome Stronghold
Why It’s Great: This is a fan favorite for its cannon support and safespots. With 13 Hellhound spawns spread across four rooms, it’s perfect for fast kills.

  • Teleport: Slayer Ring (Slayer Cave teleport) or Gnome Glider.
  • Tip: Set up your cannon in the easternmost room for maximum efficiency.

Catacombs of Kourend

Location: Beneath Great Kourend
Why It’s Great: A multi-combat area with unique drops like Ancient Shards and Dark Totem pieces. It’s ideal for AFK melee setups.

  • Teleport: Xeric’s Talisman (Xeric’s Heart) or Kourend Castle Teleport (69 Magic).
  • Bonus: Use a Bonecrusher to restore Prayer points with each kill.

Wilderness Slayer Cave

Location: Level 18 Wilderness
Why It’s Great: Offers access to the Wilderness drop table, including Larran’s Keys, and a boosted Hard Clue Scroll rate with an imbued Ring of Wealth.

  • Teleport: Ferox Enclave or Burning Amulet (Chaos Temple).
  • Warning: High PK risk—bring only what you’re willing to lose.

Taverley Dungeon

Location: West of Falador
Why It’s Great: Accessible with safespots for low-level players using Ranged or Magic.

  • Teleport: Taverley Teleport (House Teleport with redirection) or Falador Teleport.
  • Note: Requires navigating past other monsters unless using Agility shortcuts (5 or 88 Agility).

Gear and Inventory Setup for Hellhounds

Your gear and inventory depend on your combat style and location. Hellhounds only use melee, so Protect from Melee nullifies their damage entirely. Here’s how to gear up:

Melee Setup

Budget Option:

High-End Option:

Ranged Setup

Budget Option:

  • Weapon: Rune Crossbow with Broad Bolts
  • Armor: Black D’hide
  • Ammo: Blessed D’hide Boots

High-End Option:

Inventory Essentials

  • Prayer Potions (2-4)
  • Teleport (e.g., Slayer Ring or Xeric’s Talisman)
  • Dwarf Multicannon + Cannonballs (if applicable)
  • Food (Sharks or Monkfish for emergencies)
  • Expeditious Bracelet (optional for faster task completion)

Strategies to Slay Hellhounds Efficiently

Hellhounds are straightforward to kill, but optimizing your approach can save time and boost rewards. Here are the best strategies:

Cannon and Melee (Fastest XP)

In multi-combat areas like the Stronghold Slayer Cave or Wilderness Slayer Cave, set up a Dwarf Multicannon in the center of Hellhound spawns. Pair it with Protect from Melee and auto-retaliate for an AFK-friendly setup. In single-combat areas like Taverley Dungeon, use safespots to maximize cannon efficiency.

Safespotting with Ranged or Magic

For lower-level players or those avoiding damage, safespotting is key. In Taverley Dungeon, use the corridors to attack from a distance. Hellhounds are weak to water spells (+50% damage), making Magic a viable option if you’re training it.

AFK Method in Catacombs

Equip Prayer gear (e.g., Proselyte), turn on Protect from Melee, and enable auto-retaliate. The multi-combat nature of the Catacombs lets you aggro multiple Hellhounds at once. Recharge Prayer at the Kandarin Monastery (Ardougne Diary) or use a Bonecrusher for sustainability.

Cerberus for Profit

If you have 91 Slayer, swap regular Hellhounds for Cerberus in Taverley Dungeon. She drops Primordial, Eternal, and Pegasian Crystals (worth millions) and offers over 2M GP/hour. Use crush weapons (e.g., Abyssal Bludgeon) or Arclight for best results.

Hellhound Drops and Rewards

Hellhounds aren’t known for a vast drop table, but their consistency in certain items makes them worth slaying. Here’s what you can expect:

Regular Hellhound Drops

Item Drop Rate Location
Hard Clue Scroll 1/64 (1/32 with Ring of Wealth in Wilderness) All
Ensouled Hellhound Head 1/40 All
Smouldering Stone 1/32,768 (1/16,384 in Wilderness) All
Ancient Shard 1/256 Catacombs of Kourend
Larran’s Key 1/90 Wilderness Slayer Cave

Cerberus Exclusive Drops

  • Primordial Crystal: ~5M GP
  • Eternal Crystal: ~3M GP
  • Pegasian Crystal: ~2M GP

Is It Worth It?

For clue hunters, Hellhounds are a goldmine. For XP, they’re decent but outshined by burstable tasks like Dust Devils. Cerberus is the real money-maker, though it’s high-risk and skill-intensive.

Final Thoughts: The Hellhound Slayer task in OSRS is a versatile assignment that caters to different playstyles. Whether you’re cannoning in the Stronghold, AFKing in the Catacombs, or bossing with Cerberus, there’s something here for everyone. Gear up, pick your spot, and start slaying those demonic hounds today!