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Best Slayer Master OSRS XP Leveling Guide

Slayer in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of those skills that feels like a grind but also keeps you hooked. It’s not just about killing monsters; it’s about picking the right Slayer Master to maximize your XP gains and make the journey enjoyable. As someone who’s spent countless hours slaying everything from goblins to Cerberus, I’ve learned a thing or two about which masters give you the best bang for your buck. In this guide, I’ll break down the best Slayer Masters for XP, share some personal tips, and help you figure out which one suits your playstyle. Ready to dive into the world of Slayer? Let’s get started.
Slayer isn’t just about racking up XP; it’s about unlocking better tasks, cooler rewards, and that sweet sense of progression. The higher your Slayer level, the more access you get to high-XP tasks and profitable drops. But here’s the catch: not every Slayer Master offers tasks that are great for XP. Some give you slow, tedious tasks, while others send you after monsters that drop XP like candy. So, which Slayer Master is the best for XP? It depends on your level, gear, and goals. Let me walk you through my experiences and the data to help you decide.
What Makes a Slayer Master Good for XP?
When I first started Slayer, I thought any master would do. Big mistake. I was stuck killing low-XP monsters like banshees for way too long. Here’s what I’ve learned about what makes a Slayer Master good for XP:
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Task Speed: Faster kills mean more XP per hour.
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Monster XP: Some monsters give way more XP per kill.
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Task Weighting: Good masters assign high-XP tasks more often.
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Location: Tasks in multi-combat areas or with cannon support are XP goldmines.
Let’s break down the top Slayer Masters and see how they stack up for XP.
The Best Slayer Masters for XP
There are several Slayer Masters in OSRS, but not all are created equal when it comes to XP. Based on my years of playing and crunching numbers, here are the top contenders for the best Slayer Master for XP.
Turael The Starter Master (Level 1+)
Turael, found in Burthorpe, is the go-to for low-level players. His tasks are super easy, like killing cows or goblins, but the XP is pitiful. I remember using Turael when I was a noob, thinking I was making progress. Spoiler: I wasn’t. His tasks are great for unlocking Slayer points early on, but they’re terrible for XP.
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Pros: Fast tasks, good for point farming.
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Cons: Low XP per task, not worth it past level 20.
Should you use Turael for XP? Nope, unless you’re brand new or point boosting.
Mazchna The Mid-Tier Option (Level 20+)
Mazchna in Canifis is a step up. His tasks, like banshees or cave crawlers, are still pretty easy, but they offer slightly better XP. I used Mazchna when I hit level 20, and it felt like a nice upgrade. But here’s the thing: his tasks are still slow for serious XP grinding. You’ll spend too much time running around for minimal gains.
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Pros: Decent for early levels, tasks are manageable.
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Cons: Low XP rates, tasks can feel repetitive.
Is Mazchna worth it? Only if you’re under level 40 and don’t have great gear yet.
Vannaka The Balanced Choice (Level 30+)
Vannaka, also in Canifis, is where things start getting interesting. His tasks include stuff like gargoyles, trolls, and hellhounds, which offer solid XP. I spent a lot of time with Vannaka around level 50, and his tasks were a good mix of fun and rewarding. You can use a cannon for some of his tasks, like trolls, which boosts XP rates significantly.
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Pros: Good XP for mid-levels, cannonable tasks.
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Cons: Some tasks, like fire giants, are slow without high-end gear.
Vannaka for XP? He’s great for levels 30-70, especially if you’re using a cannon.
Chaeldar The High-Level Starter (Level 70+)
Chaeldar in Zanaris is a fan favorite for mid-to-high-level players. Her tasks, like dust devils or abyssal demons, start pushing you toward better XP rates. I remember getting my first abyssal demon task from her and feeling like a pro. With a Slayer helmet and decent gear, you can hit 30k-40k XP per hour on her tasks.
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Pros: High-XP tasks, good variety.
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Cons: Some tasks (like bronze dragons) are slow and annoying.
Is Chaeldar good for XP? Yes, especially if you’re around level 70-85 and want consistent XP.
Nieve/Steve The XP Powerhouse (Level 85+)
Here’s where the real XP starts flowing. Nieve (or Steve, depending on your location) in the Gnome Stronghold is a beast for XP. Their tasks include heavy hitters like gargoyles, nechryaels, and smoke devils. I switched to Nieve at level 85, and my XP rates skyrocketed. Tasks like dust devils in the Catacombs of Kourend with a cannon? Absolute XP heaven, hitting 50k-60k XP per hour.
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Pros: High-XP tasks, great for cannon and burst setups.
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Cons: Some tasks require high combat stats and gear.
Why is Nieve/Steve so good? Their task weighting favors high-XP monsters, and most tasks can be done in multi-combat areas.
Duradel The Endgame Master (Level 100 Combat, 50 Slayer)
Duradel in Shilo Village is the king of Slayer Masters for high-level players. His tasks are designed for maxed accounts, with monsters like Cerberus, abyssal demons, and dark beasts. When I finally hit 100 combat and started using Duradel, it was a game-changer. His tasks are tough but rewarding, often pushing 60k-70k XP per hour with the right setup.
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Pros: Best XP rates, profitable tasks.
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Cons: Requires high combat and Slayer levels, some tasks are slow without top-tier gear.
Is Duradel the best for XP? If you’ve got the stats and gear, absolutely.
Comparing Slayer Masters for XP
To make things easier, here’s a table comparing the top Slayer Masters for XP based on my experience and community data:
Slayer Master |
Required Level |
Avg. XP/Hour |
Best Tasks |
Cannonable? |
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Turael |
1+ |
5k-10k |
Goblins, Cows |
Rarely |
Mazchna |
20+ |
10k-20k |
Banshees |
Sometimes |
Vannaka |
30+ |
20k-30k |
Trolls, Gargoyles |
Yes |
Chaeldar |
70+ |
30k-40k |
Dust Devils |
Yes |
Nieve/Steve |
85+ |
50k-60k |
Nechryaels, Smoke Devils |
Yes |
Duradel |
50 Slayer, 100 Combat |
60k-70k |
Abyssal Demons, Dark Beasts |
Yes |
Quick tip: If you’re not sure which master to pick, check your Slayer and combat levels, then go for the highest-tier master you can use. It’s usually the best for XP.
My Personal Slayer Journey
When I first started Slayer, I was clueless. I stuck with Turael way longer than I should have, thinking I was making bank killing chickens. Big nope. It wasn’t until I hit level 50 and started using Vannaka that I saw real progress. By the time I got to Nieve, I was hooked. I’d spend hours in the Catacombs, cannoning dust devils and watching my XP bar climb. Duradel was my endgame goal, and when I finally got there, it felt like I’d unlocked Slayer’s full potential. The grind was worth it, but I wish I’d known earlier which masters were best for XP.
Have you ever stuck with a low-tier Slayer Master too long? I bet a lot of us have.
Tips for Maximizing Slayer XP
Here are some tricks I’ve picked up over the years to squeeze every drop of XP out of your Slayer tasks:
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Use a Cannon: For tasks like trolls or dust devils, a cannon is a game-changer. It’s not cheap, but the XP boost is worth it.
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Slayer Helmet: This boosts your XP by 16.67%. If you don’t have one, make it a priority.
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Burst/Barrage Tasks: For high-level players, bursting tasks like dust devils or nechryaels in the Catacombs can push XP rates to 80k+ per hour.
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Skip Bad Tasks: If you get a slow task like bronze dragons, use your Slayer points to skip it. Time is XP.
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Catacombs of Kourend: This place is a Slayer paradise. Multi-combat, totem drops, and high-XP monsters? Yes, please.
Pro tip: Always check the task list for your Slayer Master. Some tasks are amazing, while others are a waste of time.
Which Slayer Master Should You Choose?
Choosing the best Slayer Master for XP depends on your level and playstyle. Here’s my quick breakdown:
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Low Levels (1-30): Stick with Turael or Mazchna for easy tasks, but don’t expect big XP.
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Mid Levels (30-70): Vannaka is your guy. His tasks are balanced and cannon-friendly.
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High Levels (70-85): Chaeldar offers great XP with manageable tasks.
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Endgame (85+): Nieve/Steve or Duradel are the way to go. They’re the Best for XP, hands down.
What’s your Slayer level right now? Let me know, and I can give you a more tailored recommendation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made plenty of Slayer mistakes, and I don’t want you to repeat them. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
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Sticking with Low-Tier Masters: Don’t waste time with Turael past level 20. Move up ASAP.
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Ignoring Gear: Good gear like a Slayer helmet or Arclight makes a huge difference.
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Not Using Points: Slayer points are for skipping bad tasks or unlocking perks like bigger task lists.
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Forgetting Supplies: I’ve run out of food mid-task more times than I’d like to admit. Always bring enough supplies.
Wrapping It Up
Slayer is one of the most rewarding skills in OSRS, but picking the right Slayer Master can make or break your XP gains. From my experience, Nieve/Steve and Duradel are the best Slayer Masters for XP if you’ve got the levels and gear to handle their tasks. For mid-level players, Chaeldar and Vannaka are solid choices, while Turael and Mazchna are best left for beginners. Wherever you are in your Slayer journey, focus on fast, high-XP tasks, use a cannon when you can, and don’t be afraid to skip bad assignments.
What’s your favorite Slayer task? Mine’s gotta be abyssal demons – good XP and those whip drops are always exciting. Keep slaying, and you’ll hit 99 in no time!