OSRS Maniacal Monkey Hunter Guide for Efficient Training

Training Hunter in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can feel like a grind, but maniacal monkeys offer a refreshing, semi-AFK method that balances solid experience rates with low effort. Found in Kruk’s Dungeon after completing Monkey Madness II, these creatures are a go-to for players looking to level up Hunter efficiently while keeping things relaxed. This guide dives into everything you need to know about hunting maniacal monkeys, from requirements and setup to tips for maximizing your XP per hour.
Maniacal monkeys stand out as one of the best Hunter training methods for players who want a break from click-intensive activities like tick manipulation or chinchompa hunting. Here’s why they’re worth your time:
- Semi-AFK Gameplay: With roughly 30 seconds of idle time between trap resets, you can multitask or just chill.
- Decent XP Rates: Starting at 50k XP per hour at level 60 Hunter, scaling to over 100k at higher levels.
- Low Risk: Kruk’s Dungeon is safe, unlike Wilderness methods.
- Rare Drops: A 1/5,000 chance for a monkey tail, which can be used to craft ballistae.
How They Compare to Other Methods
Compared to herbiboar (150% more XP but click-heavy) or black chinchompas (high XP and profit but risky), maniacal monkeys strike a balance. They’re less demanding than most active methods while offering competitive rates for the effort. If you’ve completed Monkey Madness II, they’re a no-brainer for leveling past 60.
Requirements and Getting Started
Before you can hunt maniacal monkeys, you’ll need to meet a few prerequisites and gather some gear. Here’s the breakdown:
Quest and Skill Requirements
- Monkey Madness II Completion: This unlocks access to Kruk’s Dungeon, where the monkeys reside.
- 60 Hunter: The minimum level to start trapping maniacal monkeys.
Recommended Items
You don’t need much, but the right setup makes a big difference:
Item | Purpose |
---|---|
Kruk Monkey Greegree | Allows you to transform into a monkey to access the hunting area. |
BBaskets of Bananas (5) | Bait for traps; buy from the Grand Exchange or Ape Atoll food stall. |
Royal Seed Pod | Quick teleport to Ape Atoll for faster travel. |
Bones to Bananas Tablets (Optional) | Converts bones in the dungeon into bananas for an infinite supply. |
Getting to Kruk’s Dungeon
Reaching the hunting spot is straightforward:
- Use a Royal Seed Pod or gnome glider to teleport to Ape Atoll.
- Equip your Kruk Monkey Greegree and head west to the trapdoor hidden under jungle grass.
- Run north, cross the monkey bars, and climb through the crevice to enter the hunting area.
Once inside, you’ll find stunted demonic gorillas, boulders, and maniacal monkeys ready to be trapped.
How to Hunt Maniacal Monkeys
Hunting maniacal monkeys is simple but requires a specific setup. Unlike traditional deadfall traps, you don’t need logs—just bananas and a boulder.
Setting Up the Trap
Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Climb onto a stunted demonic gorilla while holding the Kruk Monkey Greegree.
- With a banana in your inventory, interact with a nearby boulder to set the trap.
- Wait for a monkey to take the bait. If successful, you’ll earn 1,000 Hunter XP and usually a damaged monkey tail.
- Check the trap (if you caught a monkey) and reset it with another banana.
Managing Inventory
Space is limited, so efficiency matters:
- Drop Damaged Monkey Tails: They’re not worth keeping unless you’re hunting for the rare monkey tail drop.
- Empty Baskets: Drop empty banana baskets to free up space.
- Bones to Bananas: Pick up bones scattered in the room and use tablets to create more bananas, saving trips to restock.
Understanding Monkey Tails
Maniacal monkeys don’t die when caught—they shed their tails and escape. The tail regrows over time, with different examine texts indicating progress:
- Shed Tail: “Apparently these monkeys can shed their tails to escape danger.”
- Partially Grown: “This monkey’s tail has begun to grow back.”
- Near-Grown: “This monkey’s tail has almost completely regrown.”
Only monkeys with fully regrown tails can be trapped again, so you’ll need to wait or move to another monkey.
Tips for Maximizing XP and Efficiency
To get the most out of your maniacal monkey sessions, small tweaks can boost your XP rates and save time.
Optimize Your Setup
- Use RuneLite: Enable the “Maniacal Monkey Notification” plugin for alerts when a monkey triggers your trap.
- Menu Entry Swapper: Configure RuneLite to make “Drop” the left-click option for empty baskets, speeding up inventory management.
- Tap-to-Drop on Mobile: If playing on mobile, enable this setting for faster dropping.
Boost XP Rates
Your success rate improves with your Hunter level. Here’s how it scales:
Hunter Level | Success Rate | Approx. XP/Hour |
---|---|---|
60 | 41.4% | 50,000 |
80 | 66.0% | 80,000 |
99 | 89.1% | 100,000+ |
Consider using Hunter Potions if you’re close to a level threshold to temporarily boost your success rate.
Stay Efficient with Bananas
Running out of bananas mid-session kills your momentum. For main accounts, stock up on Baskets of Bananas (5) from the Grand Exchange. Ironmen can buy bananas from the Ape Atoll food stall and fill baskets manually, or rely on Bones to Bananas for sustainability.
Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
Like any training method, maniacal monkeys have their strengths and weaknesses. Weighing these can help you decide if they’re right for you.
Advantages of Maniacal Monkeys
- Low Intensity: Perfect for studying, watching videos, or multitasking.
- Consistent XP: Reliable 1,000 XP per catch with no complex mechanics.
- Safe Environment: No risk of PKers or dangerous NPCs.
Downsides to Consider
- Quest Barrier: Monkey Madness II is a long, challenging quest.
- Low Profit: Damaged monkey tails are worthless, and the rare monkey tail is a 1/5,000 drop.
- Not the Fastest: Methods like black chinchompas or herbiboar offer higher XP but require more focus.
Alternative Hunter Methods
If maniacal monkeys aren’t your style, here are other options:
- Herbiboar (Level 80+): Up to 200k XP/hour but click-intensive.
- Black Chinchompas (Level 80+): 150k+ XP/hour and profitable, but in the Wilderness.
- Birdhouse Runs (Level 5+): Passive XP every 50 minutes, great for low-effort gains.
Each method suits different playstyles, so choose based on your goals—AFK, profit, or max XP.
Hunting maniacal monkeys in OSRS is a fantastic way to train Hunter without burning out. With the right setup, you can hit solid XP rates while keeping things low-stress. Whether you’re aiming for 99 Hunter or just want a chill grind, this method delivers. Grab your Kruk Monkey Greegree, stock up on bananas, and head to Kruk’s Dungeon for a rewarding Hunter session.