Advanced Spike Chain OSRS Comprehensive Guide

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the advanced spike chain in the Slayer Tower is a key agility shortcut that can significantly enhance your gameplay, especially for those tackling the Morytania Hard Diary or navigating the tower efficiently. This guide dives deep into everything you need to know about the advanced spike chain, from its requirements and benefits to strategies for success. Whether you’re a seasoned player or aiming to optimize your Slayer Tower runs, mastering this shortcut is a game-changer.

The advanced spike chain is an agility shortcut located in the Slayer Tower, also known as the Morytania or Canifis Slayer Tower, northwest of Canifis. It connects the infernal mage area on the 1st floor (UK) or 2nd floor (US) to the nechryael area on the 2nd floor (UK) or 3rd floor (US). This shortcut requires a higher agility level than its medium counterpart, making it a prestigious and rewarding feature for players.

Key Details of the Advanced Spike Chain

Location: Slayer Tower, connecting infernal mage and nechryael areas.
Agility Level Required: 71 (can be boosted).
Experience Gained: 3 Agility XP per successful climb.
Morytania Diary Task: Climbing it is a Hard Morytania Achievement Diary task.

Unlike many other shortcuts, the advanced spike chain is a single object with location-based level checks, meaning the game determines the requirement (61 or 71) based on where you are in the tower. This unique mechanic makes it both challenging and intriguing.

Requirements for Using the Advanced Spike Chain

To use the advanced spike chain, you need specific skills, items, and preparations. Below, we break down the essentials to ensure you’re ready to tackle this shortcut.

Skill Requirements

The primary skill needed is Agility, but additional skills and quests may be necessary for related tasks or safe navigation:

Agility Level 71: Required to climb the advanced spike chain. Boosts like agility potions or spicy stews can temporarily raise your level if you’re below 71.
Slayer Levels: Since the Slayer Tower houses monsters like infernal mages (level 66 Slayer) and nechryaels (level 80 Slayer), having appropriate Slayer levels is beneficial for combat or task efficiency.
Combat Readiness: The tower is filled with aggressive monsters, so a combat level of at least 70 is recommended for safety.

Recommended Items

Equipping the right gear can make your climb safer and more efficient. Here’s a list of suggested items:

Item	Purpose
Slayer Helmet or Nose Peg	Protects against aberrant spectres’ stat-draining attacks on nearby floors.
Agility Potion	Boosts Agility level by +3 if you’re below 71.
Graceful Outfit	Reduces weight and improves run energy regeneration for easier navigation.
Teleportation Method	Ectophial or Canifis teleport for quick access to the Slayer Tower.
Combat Gear	Protects against aggressive monsters like infernal mages or nechryaels.

Quest and Diary Prerequisites

While the spike chain itself doesn’t require quests, accessing Morytania and completing the Hard Morytania Diary task tied to it do:

Priest in Peril: Unlocks Morytania, a prerequisite for all Slayer Tower activities.
Hard Morytania Diary: Climbing the advanced spike chain is a task, requiring additional quests like Haunted Mine and Cabin Fever.

How to Climb the Advanced Spike Chain

Climbing the advanced spike chain is straightforward but requires preparation to avoid setbacks. Follow these steps for a successful climb:

Step-by-Step Guide

Reach the Slayer Tower: Teleport to Canifis using the Kharyrll teleport (Ancient Magicks) or Ectophial, then run northwest to the tower.
Navigate to the Infernal Mage Area: Enter the tower, head to the northeastern room on the 1st floor (UK)/2nd floor (US), where infernal mages reside.
Locate the Spike Chain: Find the chain rope in the infernal mage room. It’s described as a “chain rope – looks pretty painful if you slip.”
Boost Agility if Needed: If your Agility is below 71, drink an agility potion or eat a spicy stew with a +5 boost.
Climb the Chain: Right-click the chain and select “Climb-up.” You’ll gain 3 Agility XP and arrive in the nechryael area.
Avoid Damage: For the Morytania Diary task, ensure you don’t take damage during the climb, as this can prevent task completion.

Tips for Success

Use Boosts Wisely: Agility potions are reliable, but spicy stews are riskier due to random boosts. Have multiple doses or stews ready.
Watch for Aggression: Infernal mages and nechryaels are aggressive. Clear the area or wear protective gear to avoid interruptions.
Check Diary Progress: If climbing for the diary, confirm the task registers. Some players report issues if climbing from the “wrong” side (e.g., west vs. east).

Why Use the Advanced Spike Chain?

The advanced spike chain offers several benefits, making it a valuable shortcut for players focused on efficiency or diary completion.

Time-Saving Navigation

The chain provides a direct route between the infernal mage and nechryael areas, bypassing longer paths through the tower. This is especially useful for Slayer tasks involving nechryaels or their superior variants, saving several seconds per trip.

Morytania Hard Diary Reward

Climbing the advanced spike chain is a task in the Hard Morytania Diary, which unlocks rewards like:

Morytania Legs 3: Offers unlimited teleports to Burgh de Rott and a 10% Slayer XP boost in the tower.
Antique Lamp: Grants 15,000 XP in any skill above 50.
Other Benefits: Increased yields from certain Morytania activities.

Agility Training

While the 3 Agility XP per climb is modest, repeated use during Slayer tasks can add up, providing a small but consistent training boost.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Despite its simplicity, the advanced spike chain can pose challenges. Here’s how to address common issues:

Low Agility Level

If you’re below 71 Agility, boosting is essential. Train Agility at courses like the Brimhaven Agility Arena or Seers’ Village Rooftop Course to reach the required level permanently, or rely on temporary boosts.

Monster Aggression

Infernal mages and nechryaels can interrupt your climb. Use these strategies:

Clear the Area: Kill or lure monsters away before climbing.
Protective Gear: Equip a Slayer helmet or high-defence armour.
Quick Timing: Climb immediately after entering the room to minimize attacks.

Morytania Diary Bug

Some players report the diary task not registering, possibly due to climbing from the “wrong” side or taking damage. To fix this:

Climb from the east side (green hook side, as noted in Reddit discussions).
Ensure no damage is taken during the climb.
Retry multiple times or check with Le-sabrè in Canifis to confirm task completion.

Conclusion

The advanced spike chain in OSRS is more than just an agility shortcut—it’s a gateway to efficient Slayer Tower navigation and a key task in the Hard Morytania Diary. By meeting the Agility requirement, preparing the right gear, and following our step-by-step guide, you can master this shortcut and reap its rewards. Whether you’re chasing diary rewards, optimizing Slayer tasks, or boosting your Agility XP, the advanced spike chain is a must-know feature for any dedicated player. Head to the Slayer Tower, climb that chain, and take your OSRS journey to new heights!