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Hellhounds OSRS Safe Spot Guide for Easy Slayer Gains

You ever get that slayer task for 150 hellhounds and think, “Great, more biting dogs from the underworld”? Yeah, me too. I’ve been grinding OSRS since the early days, back when safe spots were just rocks you hid behind to avoid getting chomped. As someone who’s racked up over 100 million slayer XP, mostly on ironman mode, I can tell you hellhounds aren’t the worst task out there. They’re straightforward, drop decent clues, and with the right safe spot, you can turn them into an AFK dream. Today, we’re diving deep into the best OSRS hellhounds safe spots. I’ll share my personal tricks, setups, and even a few facepalm moments from my early runs. Stick around, and you’ll knock these out faster than you can say “Protect from Melee.”
Let’s get real for a second. Hellhounds aren’t flashy like abyssal demons or profitable like gargoyles. But hear me out: they’re a slayer staple for good reason. These level 92 beasts hit hard with melee, but they’re dumb as rocks when it comes to chasing you around obstacles. That means safe spots are your best friend. Why safe spot? Simple. It lets you chip away with ranged or magic without eating a single hit. No food waste, no prayer drain if you’re smart, and you can multitask like checking your phone or plotting your next clue scroll solve.
In my experience, hellhounds shine for clue farming. I’ve pulled three hard clues in one 100-kill task down in Taverley Dungeon. Felt like hitting the jackpot. Plus, if you’re chasing that elusive smouldering stone for Cerberus access, these pups are your ticket. Question is, where do you hunt them without turning into dog chow? Plenty of spots, but not all are created equal. I’ll break them down, starting with the classics.
The Top Hellhounds Safe Spots: My Go-To Picks
Over the years, I’ve tested every hellhound den Gielinor has to offer. Some are crowded, some risky, but the safe spots? They make or break your session. Here’s my ranked list based on ease, XP rates, and loot potential. I’ll throw in personal stories so you know I’m not just reciting wiki lines.
Stronghold Slayer Cave: The Ironman Favorite
First up, the Stronghold Slayer Cave under Gu’Ranoth tree in Morytania. This place is a gem for anyone who’s bootstrapped their account like I did on my main iron. Why? It’s members-only but super accessible with a dusty key or just some agility shortcuts. The hellhounds here are aggressive for 10 minutes straight, so you can AFK like a boss.
The safe spot magic happens behind those jagged rocks in the northwest corner. Lure one hound close, then scoot back. Boom, they’re trapped, and you pepper them with arrows or bolts from afar. I remember my first time here, level 70 ranged, thinking I’d die to a pack. Nope. Safespotted the whole 200-task while listening to a podcast. Pro tip: Set up a dwarf multicannon in the open area nearby. It treats the spot like multi-combat, blasting extras while you focus fire.
But is it crowded? Rarely. Most slayers skip it for faster tasks. Downside? No unique drops beyond standards. Still, for pure efficiency, it’s top-tier.
Here’s a quick table on why it rocks:
Feature | Details | My Rating (Out of 10) |
---|---|---|
Accessibility | Dusty key or 70 Agility | 9 |
Safe Spot Ease | Rocks block perfectly | 10 |
Cannon Friendly | Yes, multi-like effect | 8 |
Crowd Level | Low | 9 |
XP/Hour | 40k-50k Ranged | Solid |
Taverley Dungeon: Nostalgic and Reliable
Ah, Taverley Dungeon. This one’s got that old-school vibe. I started my hellhound grinds here back in 2013, sneaking past those blue dragons like a thief in the night. Access it via the Falador entrance, pay the 800gp troll toll, and head deep south. The hellhound room is a big open chamber with columns and boulders everywhere.
Safe spotting? Child’s play. Position yourself behind the plus-shaped rocks in the center. Hounds can’t path around them, so you attack with a halberd (love the reach on those) or crossbow. One time, I got greedy and tried meleeing without prayer. Lost half my HP in seconds. Lesson learned: always flick that Protect prayer if you’re not spotting.
It’s single-combat, so no cannon cheese, but the aggression timer lets you chain kills effortlessly. Loot-wise, standard hellhound fare, but I’ve snagged elite clues here that led to some wild rewards. If you’re under level 60 combat, this spot builds confidence without the wilderness sweat.
Short para time: Crowded on weekends, though. Go off-peak.
Catacombs of Kourend: AFK Heaven with a Twist
Now, for the modern player, Catacombs of Kourend under Great Kourend. This multi-combat zone changed everything when it dropped. I hopped on a task here during a Zeah grind and never looked back. The hellhounds patrol dark halls, but the safe spot is in the eastern corridor. Stand flush against the wall; they can’t clip through.
Why love it? Multi-combat means multiple bites, but with Protect from Melee, you’re untouchable. AFK for hours, resetting aggression by dipping out and back in. I once did 300 kills over two days, pulling ancient shards for my Arclight upgrades. Felt like cheating. Bonus: Totem pieces and shards drop here exclusively. Perfect for that Skotizo prep.
One caveat: Stand wrong (western side), and a hound sneaks in for a surprise nibble. Happened to me once. Ouch. But overall, it’s my current fave for chill sessions.
List of quick wins here:
- Prayer Setup: Always Melee protect. Flick if low on points.
- Weapon Choice: Toxic blowpipe for speed, or staff for barrages.
- Inventory Hack: Bones to peaches tabs save bananas for restores.
- Reset Trick: Run north 10 tiles, wait 10 seconds, return.
Witchaven Dungeon: Low-Level Starter Spot
Don’t sleep on Witchaven Dungeon if you’re fresh. It’s tucked under the Fishing Guild, access via the Witchaven quest area. Small room, just two hounds, but the safe spots are gold. Hide behind the eastern gold rock or that L-shaped stalagmite by the door.
I used this spot religiously at level 50 combat, building my first clue stack. Super safe, no multi-risk, and quick bank runs to Yanille. Drawback? Only two spawns, so tasks drag if you’re blasting 200+. Still, for beginners, it’s forgiving. Pro move: Use a salamander for no-fuss kills.
Wilderness Spots: High Risk, High Reward
Wildy hellhounds in the Slayer Dungeon? Thrilling, but sketchy. Level 17 deep, gap in eastern stalagmites is your safe spot. Lure the northern one to block the pack, wait out aggression, then spot freely. I’ve made bank on clues here with a Ring of Wealth (i), doubling rates to 1/32. But PKers? Constant threat. Lost a full toxic blowpipe once to a clan rush. If you’re geared and vigilant, go for it. Otherwise, skip.
Gear and Inventory: What I Pack for Success
Gear up right, and hellhounds melt. As an expert, I swap setups based on spot, but here’s my core.
For safe spotting, ranged reigns. Toxic blowpipe with dragon darts? Godsend. Pair with Ava’s assembler for ammo return. Armor: Black d’hide or Armadyl for that sweet accuracy boost. Prayer gear like Proselyte keeps points up.
Magic folks, grab a Trident of the swamp. Barrage in multi spots for splash XP. Melee? Halberd for reach in spots like Taverley.
Inventory basics in a table:
Slot | Item | Why It Rules |
---|---|---|
Weapon | Toxic Blowpipe | Fastest DPS, poison procs |
Ammo | Dragon Darts | High hit potential |
Armor | Armadyl Chest/ Chaps | Ranged bonus + style |
Prayer | Proselyte Set | Full points, light weight |
Food | Sharks (x10) | Backup if prayer slips |
Potions | Super Ranging (4) | Boost those hits |
Cannon | Dwarf Multicannon | Extra kills/hour |
Tabs | Teleport to House | Quick escape |
Misc | Bonecrusher | Prayer restore on ashes |
Personal tweak: I always pack a lightbearer ring. Highlights those safe spot rocks like neon signs. Saved me from fumbling in Catacombs dark.
Ever wonder about prayer flicking? It’s advanced, but cuts costs. Sip a restore, flick Protect only when they swing. I do it now, but started with full-time prayer. Your call.
Strategies That Saved My Runs
Safe spots are step one, but strategy seals the deal. Let’s talk tactics.
Aggression Reset: Hounds go tolerant after 10-20 minutes. In Catacombs, hop worlds or run out. Taverley? Just wander the room. I once forgot in Stronghold, wasted 30 minutes poking dormant dogs. Rookie error.
Cannon Mastery: Not all spots allow it, but where they do, place central. In Stronghold, under the cannon lures without firing at you. Conserves balls. My record: 80 kills/hour with one setup.
Clue Hunting Mode: Wear that imbued wealth ring in Wildy. Doubles hard clues. I’ve solved 50+ from hellhounds alone. Elites too, if tasked right.
Long story: Early on, I ignored safe spots in Witchaven, tanked hits with lobsters. Burned through 5k gp in food. Switched to spotting, saved a fortune. Now, I teach noobs this in clan chat. “Spot or flop,” I say.
What about Cerberus? If you’ve got 91 slayer, swap your task. Her pups count, and the loot? Insane. But that’s a whole other guide.
Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them
We all screw up. Mine? Forgetting the troll toll in Taverley. Tele’d home fuming. Or standing wrong in Catacombs, eating a 40-damage bite. Oof.
Avoid:
- No Prayer: Instant regret. They hit 15s consistently.
- Wrong Spot: Check RuneLite overlays. Game-changer.
- Overloading Inventory: Keep it light for runs.
- Ignoring PKers: Wildy? Scout first.
Short answer to “Is it worth cannoning?”: Yes, if you’ve got balls to spare.
Wrapping Up: Your Hellhound Adventure Awaits
There you have it, my deep dive into OSRS hellhounds safe spots. From Stronghold’s reliable rocks to Catacombs’ AFK bliss, pick your poison and grind. I’ve spent countless hours here, turning dreaded tasks into chill farms. What’s your go-to spot? Drop a comment if you’ve got a wild story or tip I missed.
Grab your gear, flick that prayer, and spot those hounds into oblivion. Happy slaying, friends. May your clues be ever in your favor.