OSRS Fastest Slayer XP Guide for 2025
Slayer is one of the most rewarding skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), blending combat training with unique monster encounters and lucrative loot. However, it can be a grind if you’re not optimizing for experience points (XP). This guide dives into the fastest ways to train Slayer in 2025, focusing on strategies to maximize XP per hour. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 or just want to level up efficiently, we’ll cover the best Slayer masters, tasks, gear, and techniques to boost your Slayer XP rates.
Training Slayer efficiently saves time and unlocks high-level monsters faster, which often come with better rewards. By focusing on XP, you also gain combat experience passively, making it a win-win. The key is to choose tasks and methods that offer the highest XP per hour while minimizing downtime. Let’s break down how to achieve this.
Understanding Slayer Mechanics
Slayer involves completing tasks assigned by Slayer masters, where you kill a set number of specific monsters. XP is awarded per kill, roughly tied to the monster’s hitpoints, with some tasks offering bonus XP through bursting or cannoning. Optimizing XP means selecting tasks that allow multi-target attacks or rapid kills.
Combat Level and Quests
A combat level of at least 100 is ideal for accessing top Slayer masters like Duradel. Completing quests like Desert Treasure (for Ice Barrage) and Lunar Diplomacy (for NPC Contact) unlocks key tools. Early quests like A Porcine of Interest and the Varrock Museum Quiz can boost you to level 13 Slayer quickly.
Best Slayer Masters for XP
Choosing the right Slayer master is critical for fast XP. Higher-level masters assign tasks with better XP potential, but accessibility depends on your combat and Slayer levels.
Duradel: The XP King
Duradel, located in Shilo Village, is the best Slayer master for XP. Requiring 100 combat and 50 Slayer (or 99 Slayer for any combat level), he assigns longer tasks with high XP potential, like Smoke Devils and Nechryaels. His task list is smaller, increasing the chance of getting top-tier assignments.
Nieve/Steve: A Close Second
Found in the Tree Gnome Stronghold, Nieve (or Steve post-Monkey Madness II) requires 85 combat. She’s great for players not yet at Duradel’s level, offering tasks like Dust Devils and Bloodvelds. Her proximity to teleports makes her efficient for quick task turn-ins.
Why Avoid Konar?
Konar quo Maten assigns tasks with unique drop tables, but her focus on profit over XP makes her less ideal for speed. Stick to Duradel or Nieve for the fastest Slayer XP rates.
Top Tasks for Maximum Slayer XP
Not all tasks are equal. The fastest XP comes from tasks that can be bursted (using area-of-effect magic) or cannoned (using a Dwarf Multicannon). Here are the best ones to prioritize.
Burstable Tasks
Bursting involves casting Ice Burst or Barrage in multi-combat areas to hit multiple monsters at once. These tasks shine in places like the Catacombs of Kourend:
- Smoke Devils: Up to 150k XP/hr when barraged with proper luring. Use a Slayer helmet (i) and Mystic robes.
- Nechryaels: Around 80k XP/hr. Their Death Spawn add extra targets, boosting XP.
- Dust Devils: Yield 75k XP/hr with Barrage. A facemask or Slayer helmet is required.
- Ankous: About 55k XP/hr. A cheaper option for mid-level players.
Cannonable Tasks
The Dwarf Multicannon speeds up kills in multi-combat zones, costing cannonballs but delivering high XP:
- Bloodvelds: Up to 75k XP/hr in Meiyerditch Laboratories. Cannon placement is key.
- Dagannoths: Around 85k XP/hr in Waterbirth Island. Fast kills with decent loot.
- Kalphites: Roughly 75k XP/hr in the Kalphite Lair. Easy to cannon and access.
- Trolls: About 50k XP/hr in Jatizso. A budget-friendly option.
Tasks to Skip or Block
Some tasks are too slow for XP-focused training. Use Slayer points to skip (30 points) or block (100 points) these:
- Abyssal Demons: High weighting but poor XP unless bursted inefficiently.
- Black Demons: Slow kills in single-combat areas.
- Hellhounds: Decent with a cannon, but better tasks exist.
- Fire Giants: Low XP and common assignment.
- Greater Demons: Better for profit at bosses like K’ril Tsutsaroth.
Block List Example for Duradel: Abyssal Demons, Black Demons, Fire Giants, Hellhounds, Drakes, Wyrms.
Optimizing Gear and Inventory
Your setup directly impacts XP rates. Balancing damage, accuracy, and sustainability is key for long tasks.
Best Gear for Bursting
For burstable tasks, prioritize magic damage and prayer bonuses:
| Slot | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Slayer helmet (i) | Boosts accuracy and damage on task. |
| Cape | Imbued god cape | Maximizes magic damage. |
| Body | Ahrim’s robetop | High magic bonus; Mystic for budget. |
| Legs | Ahrim’s robeskirt | Pairs with top for set bonus. |
| Weapon | Kodai wand | Unlimited water runes; Trident for budget. |
| Gloves | Bracelet of Slaughter | Extends tasks by 20% chance per kill. |
Cannon Setup
For cannon tasks, melee or ranged works best:
- Melee: Slayer helmet (i), Bandos chestplate, tassets, Dragon boots, Arclight (for demons), or Abyssal whip.
- Ranged: Toxic blowpipe, Armadyl chestplate, Pegasian boots, Archers ring (i).
- Cannon: Place in multi-combat zones for max hits. Stock 2k+ cannonballs per task.
Inventory Tips
Minimize banking to keep XP flowing:
- Bursting: 4-6 prayer potions, super restores, runes (Blood, Death, Chaos), house teleport, food (sharks).
- Cannon: Cannonballs (2k+), prayer potions, food, Expeditious Bracelet (shortens tasks), Slayer ring for teleports.
Advanced Techniques for Slayer XP
Beyond tasks and gear, small optimizations can push your XP rates higher.
Task Extensions and Bracelets
Use Slayer points to extend burstable tasks like Smoke Devils and Nechryaels. The Bracelet of Slaughter (20% chance to not count a kill) extends high-XP tasks, while the Expeditious Bracelet (20% chance a kill counts as two) speeds up low-XP ones. Unlock these with 300 points each.
Point Management
Earn points by completing tasks (more from higher masters). Save 1k+ points for skipping bad tasks. Turael boosting (doing 9 tasks with Turael, then 1 with Duradel) can farm points if you’re low, but it’s time-intensive.
Multi-Combat Zone Mastery
Places like the Catacombs of Kourend or Meiyerditch Laboratories are XP goldmines. Learn monster aggro ranges and cannon placement (use RuneLite’s Cannon plugin). For bursting, stack monsters tightly to hit the max 9 targets per cast.
AFK vs. Active Training
Active bursting/cannoning yields the best XP, but AFK methods like cannoning Hellhounds (30-40k XP/hr) suit casual play. Balance AFK tasks with high-effort ones to avoid burnout.
Pro Tip: Use RuneLite for overlays like task trackers and cannon spots to streamline your setup.
By focusing on Duradel or Nieve, prioritizing burstable and cannonable tasks, and optimizing gear and points, you can hit XP rates of 50k to 150k per hour. Block slow tasks, extend the good ones, and keep your inventory lean. Slayer doesn’t have to be a slog—train smart, and you’ll be slaying bosses in no time. Happy grinding!