Best Slayer Tasks to Block in OSRS: Optimize Your Slayer Experience
Slayer is one of the most popular skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering a mix of combat training, unique monster encounters, and potential profit. However, not every Slayer task is worth your time. Some tasks are slow, unrewarding, or just plain tedious, making them prime candidates for your block list. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the best Slayer tasks to block in OSRS to help you maximize experience rates, enjoyment, and even profit. Whether you’re aiming for 99 Slayer or just want a smoother grind, blocking the right tasks can make all the difference.
In OSRS, Slayer Masters assign tasks based on a weighting system, where higher-weighted tasks are more likely to appear. You can block up to six tasks (or seven with the Lumbridge Elite Diary) using Slayer reward points, which costs 100 points per block. This allows you to skip monsters that don’t align with your goals—be it XP efficiency, GP gains, or personal enjoyment. By curating your task list, you avoid wasting time on low-value assignments and increase the odds of getting tasks you actually want.
How Blocking Works in OSRS
To block a task, visit a Slayer Master like Duradel or Nieve, spend 100 Slayer points, and select the task you want to avoid. You’ll need 50 quest points per block slot, up to 300 for six slots, with an extra slot from the Elite Lumbridge Diary. The key is to target high-weight, low-value tasks to optimize your Slayer rotation.
Choosing Tasks to Block: Key Factors
When deciding which tasks to block, consider:
- Experience Rates: Slow XP tasks drag down your leveling speed.
- Profitability: Tasks with poor loot waste potential GP.
- Task Weight: High-weight tasks appear more often, making them prime block candidates.
- Enjoyment: If a task feels like a chore, it’s worth blocking to keep Slayer fun.
Top Slayer Tasks to Block for Efficiency
If your goal is to maximize Slayer XP per hour, you’ll want to block tasks that are slow, single-target, or lack multi-combat options for cannon or burst spells. Here are some of the worst offenders.
Cave Kraken
Weight: 9 (Duradel), 6 (Konar)
Why Block: Cave Kraken tasks are a slog unless you’re chasing the Kraken Tentacle or Trident of the Seas. They’re magic-only, single-target kills with mediocre XP rates (around 20-25k/hr) and a decent but not stellar drop table. Their high weight with Duradel makes them a frequent annoyance.
Black Demons
Weight: 9 (Duradel), 7 (Konar)
Why Block: Black Demons are tanky, single-target monsters with underwhelming drops unless you’re hunting Demonic Gorillas (post-Monkey Madness II). For early- to mid-level players, they’re a slow grind, and even with a cannon, the XP isn’t great compared to burstable tasks like Dust Devils.
Hellhounds
Weight: 8 (Duradel), 7 (Konar)
Why Block: Hellhounds are a classic block choice unless you’re after clue scrolls or Cerberus (91 Slayer required). They offer no notable drops, and their XP rates are middling at best. Their high weight means they pop up often, making them a prime target for your block list.
Tasks to Block for Profit-Focused Slayers
If you’re slaying for gold rather than XP, blocking unprofitable tasks is key. These monsters might not be the slowest, but their loot won’t keep your bank account happy.
Drakes
Weight: 8 (Duradel), 6 (Konar)
Why Block: Drakes are slow to kill, requiring decent gear to handle their special attacks, and their drops are lackluster outside the rare Drake’s Claw or Tooth. They’re a high-weight task with low GP/hour, making them a drain on profit-focused Slayer runs.
Wyrms
Weight: 8 (Duradel), 6 (Konar)
Why Block: Similar to Drakes, Wyrms are tanky and offer poor loot unless you hit the jackpot with a Dragon Harpoon or Knife. They’re not worth the time for profit seekers, and their high weight justifies a block slot.
Steel Dragons
Weight: 5 (Duradel), 4 (Konar)
Why Block: Steel Dragons (and their Iron counterparts) are notorious for slow kills and mediocre drops outside rare visage rolls. They require anti-fire gear and often multiple trips, making them inefficient for both XP and GP. Their lower weight means they’re less urgent, but still a solid block if you hate metal dragons.
Tasks to Block for Personal Sanity
Sometimes, it’s not about efficiency or profit—it’s about avoiding tasks that make you want to log out. These are subjective, but widely disliked by the OSRS community.
Spiritual Creatures
Weight: 6 (Duradel), 5 (Konar)
Why Block: Found in the God Wars Dungeon, Spiritual Creatures (Rangers, Warriors, Mages) are a hassle. They’re aggressive, require specific god-aligned gear to avoid constant attacks, and offer terrible loot. The trek to GWD and their tedious nature make them a top block pick.
Suqah
Weight: 7 (Duradel), 6 (Konar)
Why Block: Suqah on Lunar Isle are bulky, single-target kills with subpar drops. Without a cannon, they’re painfully slow, and even with one, the XP and GP don’t justify the effort. Their high weight makes them a frequent nuisance.
Trolls
Weight: 6 (Duradel), 5 (Konar)
Why Block: Trolls are scattered across inconvenient locations, and their drops are unimpressive unless you’re after rare Granite items. They’re not the worst for XP, but their tediousness and moderate weight earn them a spot on many block lists.
Sample Block List by Slayer Master
Your block list should adapt to your Slayer Master, as task weights vary. Here’s a breakdown for two popular masters: Duradel (for XP) and Konar (for profit).
Duradel Block List (XP Focus)
| Task | Weight | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Cave Kraken | 9 | Slow XP, magic-only |
| Black Demons | 9 | Tanky, poor XP without Gorillas |
| Hellhounds | 8 | No drops, mediocre XP |
| Drakes | 8 | Slow, low loot value |
| Wyrms | 8 | Tanky, unprofitable |
| Spiritual Creatures | 6 | Tedious, GWD hassle |
Konar Block List (Profit Focus)
| Task | Weight | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Drakes | 6 | Poor GP/hour |
| Wyrms | 6 | Low-value drops |
| Suqah | 6 | Unprofitable, slow |
| Hellhounds | 7 | No loot unless Cerberus |
| Steel Dragons | 4 | Slow, low profit |
| Trolls | 5 | Mediocre drops, tedious |
Tips to Build Your Perfect Block List
Blocking is personal, so tweak your list based on your goals and playstyle. Here’s how to refine it:
Prioritize High-Weight Tasks
Tasks with weights of 7+ (e.g., Cave Kraken, Black Demons) clog your rotation more than low-weight ones like Steel Dragons (4-5). Block the frequent offenders first.
Balance XP and GP
If you want both, avoid blocking tasks that are decent for one but bad for the other. For example, Gargoyles (good GP) or Abyssal Demons (good XP with bursting) might stay unblocked depending on your priorities.
Use Skips Sparingly
Save your 30-point skips for low-weight tasks you dislike but don’t warrant a block slot, like Blue Dragons or Fire Giants. This preserves points for unlocks and extensions.
Adjust for Your Level
Early-game players might block Black Demons due to difficulty, while end-game players might keep them for Demonic Gorillas. Revisit your list as you progress.
Final Thoughts: Blocking the right Slayer tasks in OSRS can transform your experience, whether you’re chasing XP, GP, or just a good time. Start with high-weight duds like Cave Kraken, Drakes, and Hellhounds, then tailor the rest to your needs. With a solid block list, you’ll spend more time on tasks you love—like bursting Nechryaels or hunting Hydra—and less on the ones that make you groan. Happy slaying!