Best Place to Kill Ankou in OSRS

Best Place to Kill Ankou in OSRS

Ankou are iconic undead monsters in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), known for their skeletal, ghostly appearance and valuable drops like death and blood runes. Whether you’re tackling them as a Slayer task or farming for profit, choosing the right location is key to maximizing experience, loot, and efficiency. This guide explores the best places to kill Ankou, optimal strategies, gear setups, and safespots, ensuring you get the most out of your time in Gielinor. Let’s dive into the top locations and tactics for slaying these spectral foes.

Ankou are a popular target for both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players due to their accessibility, decent combat experience, and lucrative drops. They require no Slayer level, making them assignable by multiple Slayer masters like Vannaka, Nieve, Krystilia, and Duradel. With the right setup, players can earn 40,000–50,000 combat XP per hour and over 120,000 GP per hour, depending on the location and method. Their aggressive nature also allows for semi-AFK training, perfect for players looking to multitask.

Key Benefits of Killing Ankou

  • Valuable Drops: Death runes, blood runes, noted pure essence, and mithril ore make Ankou a great money-maker.
  • Slayer Efficiency: Decent Slayer XP (70 per kill) and stackable drops for extended trips.
  • F2P Viability: Accessible in the Stronghold of Security, though P2P offers better profits.
  • Safespot Options: Multiple locations allow ranged or magic safespotting for low-risk kills.

Top Locations to Kill Ankou

The Ultimate Ankou Slayer Guide Old School Runescape YouTube

Ankou spawn in several locations across OSRS, but not all are equally efficient. The best spots balance accessibility, kill speed, safety, and loot potential. Below, we rank the top four locations based on these factors, with detailed strategies for each.

1. Catacombs of Kourend

The Catacombs of Kourend is the best place to kill Ankou for most P2P players, especially on a Slayer task. Located in the south-west area of the dungeon, this spot offers 10 level 95 Ankou spawns in a multicombat area, allowing for fast kills with area-of-effect attacks like burst or barrage spells. The Catacombs also provide access to a unique drop table, including ancient shards and dark totem pieces, boosting profitability.

How to Get There: Use a Kourend Castle teleport or a portal chamber attuned to Kourend in your Player-Owned House (POH). Alternatively, the Xeric’s Talisman teleports you nearby.

Strategy:

  • Magic (Burst/Barrage): Stack Ankou by luring them into a tight group, then use Ice Burst or Barrage for multi-target damage. Requires 62+ Magic and Desert Treasure completion.
  • Melee: Use a Salve amulet (e) for a 20% damage and accuracy boost against undead. Protect from Melee is recommended to tank hits.
  • Safespotting: Use the narrow walls and corners to safespot with Ranged (50+ recommended) or Magic (39+ for Crumble Undead).

Pros: High XP rates, unique drops, safe from PKers. Cons: Crowded during peak hours.

2. Stronghold Slayer Cave

The Stronghold Slayer Cave, beneath the Tree Gnome Stronghold, is another excellent P2P location, particularly for players using a Dwarf Multicannon. It hosts 8 Ankou spawns (levels 75, 82, and 86) and is the only non-Wilderness spot where cannons are allowed, making it ideal for fast Slayer tasks.

How to Get There: Use a Slayer Ring to teleport directly or a Spirit Tree to the Grand Exchange, then run to the cave.

Strategy:

  • Cannon Setup: Place the cannon in the center of the Ankou cove (east side of the dungeon) to hit multiple targets. RuneLite highlights optimal cannon spots.
  • Melee: Equip high-strength gear like a Dragon Scimitar or Abyssal Whip with a Salve amulet (e). Guthan’s set is great for healing.
  • Safespotting: Lure Ankou to the edge of their spawn range and attack with a Magic Shortbow or Crumble Undead.

Pros: Cannon support, safe, and convenient teleports. Cons: Single-combat limits kill speed without a cannon.

3. Wilderness Slayer Cave

The Wilderness Slayer Cave is the best spot for maximizing Slayer XP and profit, but it comes with significant risk due to PKers. Located in level 18 Wilderness, it features 16 level 98 Ankou spawns in a multicombat area, perfect for cannon users. This spot offers access to the Wilderness drop table, including Mysterious Emblems and Slayer’s Enchantment.

How to Get There: Teleport to the Ferox Enclave and run east, or use a Burning Amulet to the Chaos Temple and head north.

Strategy:

  • Cannon Setup: Place the cannon in the middle of the Ankou spawn area (bottom-left corner near Ice Giants). Stay close to aggro multiple Ankou.
  • Gear: Use cheap, high-damage gear like a Viggora’s Chainmace with a Slayer Helmet. Bring a one-click teleport (e.g., Royal Seed Pod) for quick escapes.
  • Prayer: Protect from Melee to reduce damage. Avoid bringing items you’re unwilling to lose.

Pros: Highest XP rates (up to 100k Slayer XP/hr with cannon), valuable Wilderness drops. Cons: High PKer risk, multi-combat increases danger.

4. Stronghold of Security (Sepulchre of Death)

The Stronghold of Security’s Sepulchre of Death (fourth floor) is the go-to spot for F2P players and low-level P2P players. With 32 Ankou spawns (levels 75, 82, and 86), it’s crowded but accessible. This location is also the only place where Ankou drop the left skull half for the Skull Sceptre.

How to Get There: Enter the Stronghold via Barbarian Village and navigate to the fourth floor.

Strategy:

  • F2P Melee: Wear rune armor (chainbody, platelegs) and an Amulet of Power. Bring tuna or lobsters for healing.
  • Safespotting: Stand behind skeletons or lure Ankou to rockslides for Ranged (green d’hide, Magic Shortbow) or Magic (Crumble Undead).
  • P2P: Use Bones to Peaches for sustained healing or a Salve amulet for faster kills.

Pros: F2P-friendly, no risk of PKers, left skull half drops. Cons: Lower profits in F2P, crowded, no cannon support.

Optimal Gear and Inventory Setup

Your gear and inventory depend on your combat style, location, and whether you’re in F2P or P2P. Below is a recommended setup for P2P players using melee in the Catacombs, with adjustments for other styles.

Slot Recommended Item Alternative (F2P/Low-Level)
Head Slayer Helmet (on task) Rune Full Helm
Neck Salve Amulet (e) Amulet of Power
Body Proselyte Platebody Rune Chainbody
Legs Proselyte Platelegs Rune Platelegs
Weapon Abyssal Whip Dragon Scimitar
Shield Dragon Defender Rune Kiteshield
Gloves Barrows Gloves Green D’hide Vambraces
Boots Dragon Boots Rune Boots
Ring Ring of Wealth (i) N/A

Inventory Recommendations

  • Food: Sharks or monkfish (tuna for F2P).
  • Potions: Prayer potions (2–4), super strength/attack (optional).
  • Teleport: Kourend Castle teleport, Slayer Ring, or Royal Seed Pod (Wilderness).
  • Other: Bones to Peaches tablets, looting bag (Wilderness), 1000 cannonballs (if using cannon).

Combat Strategies and Tips

Ankou use melee attacks with a max hit of 8, making them manageable with decent armor or Protect from Melee. Their undead nature makes them weak to the Salve amulet and Crumble Undead (39 Magic). Here are key strategies to optimize your kills.

Melee Setup

Melee is the cheapest and most effective style for Ankou. Aim for 60+ Attack, Strength, and Defence. Use a Salve amulet (e) for a significant boost. Guthan’s set or Bones to Peaches can extend trips by healing off bone drops.

Ranged and Magic Safespotting

For safespotting, use Ranged (50+ with a Magic Shortbow) or Magic (39+ for Crumble Undead). In the Catacombs, lure Ankou to narrow corridors; in the Stronghold, use rockslides or skeletons. Avoid aggro from multiple Ankou to maintain the safespot.

Cannon Usage

The Dwarf Multicannon shines in the Stronghold Slayer Cave and Wilderness Slayer Cave. Expect 80k–100k Slayer XP per hour in the Wilderness, but be cautious of PKers. Always place the cannon centrally to hit maximum targets.

Drops and Profit Potential

Ankou drops vary by location, with P2P spots offering the best rewards. The average kill is worth 700 GP (1,200 GP on Konar’s task). Here’s a breakdown of notable drops:

  • Common: Death runes (10–20), blood runes (10–20), noted pure essence (150), noted mithril ore (10).
  • Rare: Hard clue scrolls, left skull half (Stronghold only), elite clue scrolls (Wilderness, cryptic clue).
  • Wilderness-Exclusive: Looting bag, Mysterious Emblems, Slayer’s Enchantment.
  • Catacombs-Exclusive: Ancient shards, dark totem pieces.

Profit Example: At 185 kills per hour in the Catacombs, expect ~86,595 GP per hour, plus XP and potential clue scroll rewards. Wilderness kills can push profits higher with lucky drops but carry more risk.

Maximizing Loot

Use a Ring of Wealth (i) in the Wilderness to boost hard clue scroll drop rates (1/128). Pick up stackable items like runes and noted ores to maximize inventory space. For extended trips, use a looting bag in the Wilderness or bank frequently in safer spots.

By choosing the Catacombs of Kourend for safety and unique drops, the Stronghold Slayer Cave for cannon efficiency, or the Wilderness Slayer Cave for high-risk, high-reward, you can tailor your Ankou-killing experience to your playstyle. For F2P players, the Stronghold of Security remains a solid, low-risk option. Equip your Salve amulet, set up your cannon, and start slaying these ghostly foes for XP and profit!