Dark Beast OSRS Guide for Efficient Slayer Tasks

Dark Beast OSRS Guide for Efficient Slayer Tasks

Dark Beasts are a formidable high-level Slayer monster in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), requiring level 90 Slayer to kill. Known for their unique drops like the Dark Bow and Death Talisman, they are a popular choice for players looking to combine Slayer training with decent profit. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about tackling Dark Beasts, including locations, strategies, gear setups, and tips to maximize efficiency.

What Are Dark Beasts?

Dark Beasts are large, aggressive monsters with a combat level of 182. They reside in specific dungeons and are part of the Slayer skill, requiring a high Slayer level to engage. They attack with both Melee and Magic, but their behavior can be manipulated to favor Melee attacks, making them easier to manage with the right setup. They are permanently aggressive, meaning they will attack regardless of how long you stay in their vicinity, which allows for semi-AFK slaying.

Why Hunt Dark Beasts?

Dark Beasts are worth hunting for several reasons:

  • Unique Drops: They are the only monsters (along with their superior variant, Night Beasts) that drop the Dark Bow (1/512 chance) and Death Talisman.
  • Profit Potential: The average kill in Iorwerth Dungeon is worth around 7,885 coins (or 9,384 coins on a Konar task) due to tertiary drops like crystal shards.

  • Slayer Experience: They provide solid Slayer and combat XP, especially with bonuses like the Demonic Skull or special Slayer contracts.

  • AFK-Friendly: Their permanent aggression allows for relaxed gameplay with auto-retaliate enabled.

Requirements and Preparation

Dark Beast Guide Osrs Runescape 3 Dark Beast Slayer Guide 525k Mage

Skill and Quest Requirements

Before you can take on Dark Beasts, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

  • 90 Slayer: Essential to harm Dark Beasts.
  • 90 Combat Level: Required for Slayer Masters to assign them, unless you’ve adjusted task difficulty with a Slayer Master.

  • Mourning’s End Part II (Partially Completed): Grants access to the Mourner Tunnels. Full completion unlocks the Slayer Ring teleport for faster travel.

  • Song of the Elves (Optional): Unlocks Iorwerth Dungeon, the best location for Dark Beasts due to crystal shard drops.

Recommended Gear and Inventory

Melee is the most effective combat style against Dark Beasts due to their weakness to stab and slash attacks. Here’s a recommended setup:

Slot Item Alternative
Head Slayer Helmet (i) Black Mask (i)
Cape Fire Cape Skill Cape
Body Proselyte Hauberk Bandos Chestplate
Legs Proselyte Tassets Bandos Tassets
Weapon Abyssal Whip Dragon Scimitar
Shield Dragon Defender Rune Defender
Gloves Barrows Gloves Combat Bracelet
Boots Primordial Boots Dragon Boots
Ring Ring of Suffering (i) Berserker Ring (i)

Inventory Suggestions:

  • Prayer Potions (4-6)
  • Super Combat Potion (1)
  • Herb Sack and Gem Bag (for looting)
  • High-healing food (Sharks or better)
  • Teleport (Slayer Ring or House Teleport Tab)
  • Bonecrusher (optional, pairs with Bonecrusher Necklace for prayer restoration)

Tip: The Saradomin Godsword is an excellent weapon choice as its special attack restores prayer points and heals, reducing the need for food and potions.

Best Locations for Dark Beasts

Iorwerth Dungeon (Prifddinas)

The Iorwerth Dungeon, accessible after completing Song of the Elves, is the best place to kill Dark Beasts. It features 10 spawns, and the chance to receive crystal shards as a tertiary drop boosts the average kill value by 20%.

Getting There:

  • Use a Teleport Crystal to Prifddinas and run east.
  • Teleport to your Player-Owned House if set in Prifddinas, then head south.

Mourner Tunnels (West Ardougne)

The Mourner Tunnels, accessible after starting Mourning’s End Part II, house 19 Dark Beasts. While this location has more spawns, it lacks crystal shard drops, making it less profitable than Iorwerth Dungeon.

Getting There:

  • Use a Slayer Ring to teleport directly (requires full quest completion).
  • Access the Death Altar via the Abyss, then exit to the tunnels.
  • Enter through Mourner Headquarters in West Ardougne with a full Mourner set and the new key.

Catacombs of Kourend (Dragon’s Den)

The Catacombs of Kourend offer a few Dark Beast spawns in the Dragon’s Den area. This location is less popular due to fewer spawns and no unique tertiary drops, but it’s an option if you’re already in Kourend.

Combat Strategies for Dark Beasts

Melee Strategy

Melee is the most effective way to kill Dark Beasts due to their weakness to stab and slash attacks. Follow these steps:

  1. Activate Protect from Melee to negate their high-damage melee attacks (max hit of 17).
  2. Stand in the middle of the room to ensure Dark Beasts use melee instead of their magic attack (max hit of 8).

  3. Enable auto-retaliate for AFK-friendly combat, as Dark Beasts are permanently aggressive.
  4. Use a Saradomin Godsword special attack to restore prayer and health when needed.

Tip: After killing a Dark Beast, briefly toggle on Protect from Magic to counter any ranged magic attacks from other aggressive beasts before they reach melee range.

Alternative Combat Styles

While Melee is optimal, Ranged and Magic are viable with high-tier gear:

  • Ranged: Use a crossbow with bolts, as Dark Beasts are weak to bolts. Ranged armor provides decent defense against their magic attacks.

  • Magic: Effective with high-level spells and AoE abilities, but requires more movement due to shorter attack range.

Note: Avoid using cannons, as they aggro Dark Beasts from a distance, increasing their use of magic attacks and reducing efficiency.

Tips for Maximizing Efficiency and Profit

Slayer Task Enhancements

To get the most out of your Dark Beast tasks:

  • Extend Tasks: Spend 100 Slayer reward points on “Need More Darkness” to increase task size to 110-135 Dark Beasts.

  • Demonic Skull: Equip for 20% additional Slayer XP when on task.

  • Special Slayer Contract: Accept from Erskine for another 20% XP boost per kill, stacking with the Demonic Skull for up to 40% extra XP.

  • Bigger and Badder: Unlock for 150 Slayer points to increase the chance of spawning Night Beasts, which drop the Eternal Gem (12.4M, 1/256 chance).

Looting and Inventory Management

Maximize profit by managing loot efficiently:

  • Use a Herb Sack and Gem Bag to collect all herb and gem drops without wasting inventory space.

  • Pick up Big Bones if using a Bonecrusher Necklace for prayer restoration.
  • Prioritize high-value drops like the Dark Bow, Death Talisman, and rare seeds.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Steer clear of these pitfalls:

  • Not Using Protect from Melee: Their melee attacks are highly accurate and can hit hard.
  • Overusing Cannons: This causes Dark Beasts to use magic attacks, reducing efficiency.
  • Ignoring Night Beasts: Their special attacks can deal significant damage, so stay alert.

With the right preparation and strategy, Dark Beasts can be a rewarding Slayer task. Focus on the Iorwerth Dungeon for maximum profit, use Melee with prayer-boosting gear, and leverage Slayer enhancements for better XP and rewards. Happy slaying!