Best Slayer XP in OSRS: Ultimate Guide to Leveling Fast

Best Slayer XP in OSRS: Ultimate Guide to Leveling Fast


Training Slayer in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most rewarding yet grind-heavy skills. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 or just want to unlock high-level tasks, maximizing your Slayer XP per hour is key to making the journey efficient and enjoyable. In this guide, we’ll dive into the best methods, tasks, and strategies to boost your Slayer XP in OSRS, helping you level up faster than ever. From choosing the right Slayer Master to optimizing your gear and task list, we’ve got you covered with actionable tips for 2025.

Slayer isn’t just about killing monsters—it’s a gateway to some of the best combat XP rates in the game, thanks to bonuses like the Slayer Helmet. Efficient Slayer training also brings you closer to profitable drops, rare unlocks, and even the coveted Quest Cape (requiring 69 Slayer) or Achievement Diary Cape (needing 95 Slayer). By focusing on the best Slayer XP methods, you’ll save time and gain passive combat stats along the way.

Benefits of High Slayer XP Rates

  • Faster Leveling: Higher XP per hour means reaching 99 Slayer quicker.
  • Combat Gains: Slayer tasks boost Attack, Strength, and Defense alongside Slayer XP.
  • Profit Potential: Many high-XP tasks also drop valuable loot.
  • Unlocks: Higher Slayer levels open access to tougher, more rewarding monsters.

Choosing the Best Slayer Master for XP

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Your choice of Slayer Master plays a huge role in determining your XP rates. Higher-level masters assign tasks with better XP potential, but they require specific combat and Slayer levels. Here’s how to pick the right one for maximum Slayer XP.

Duradel: The XP King

Duradel, located in Shilo Village, is the top Slayer Master for XP-focused players. Requiring 100 combat and 50 Slayer (or 99 Slayer to bypass combat reqs), he assigns long, efficient tasks that can be cannoned or bursted for massive XP gains.

  • Best Tasks: Nechryaels, Dust Devils, Smoke Devils.
  • XP Rates: Up to 150k XP/hour with optimal setups.
  • Teleport Tip: Use a Slayer Ring or Karamja Gloves 3 to reach him fast.

Nieve/Steve: The Mid-Tier Powerhouse

For players at combat level 85+, Nieve (replaced by Steve after Monkey Madness II) in the Tree Gnome Stronghold offers fast XP tasks. She’s closer to teleports and assigns monsters like Greater Nechryaels, making her a solid choice before Duradel.

  • Best Tasks: Nechryaels, Dust Devils, Dagannoths.
  • XP Rates: Up to 80k-100k XP/hour.
  • Access: Slayer Ring or Spirit Tree to Gnome Stronghold.

Vannaka: Low-Level XP Option

At combat level 40, Vannaka in Edgeville Dungeon is ideal for beginners. His tasks are easier but still offer decent XP for early levels. Save your points here for later masters.

  • Best Tasks: Trolls, Kalphites.
  • XP Rates: 20k-50k XP/hour.

Top Slayer Tasks for Maximum XP

Not all tasks are created equal. Focusing on burstable or cannonable tasks will skyrocket your Slayer XP rates. Below are the best tasks to prioritize, along with their XP potential and requirements.

Smoke Devils (93 Slayer)

Found in the Smoke Devil Dungeon, Smoke Devils are the pinnacle of Slayer XP. Their multi-combat area allows barraging, yielding insane rates.

  • XP Rate: Up to 150k/hour.
  • Gear: Slayer Helmet (i), Ancient Staff, Occult Necklace.
  • Method: Lure and barrage with Ice Barrage.
  • Reqs: 93 Slayer, facemask or Slayer Helmet.

Nechryaels (80 Slayer)

Greater Nechryaels in the Catacombs of Kourend are a multi-combat goldmine. Bursting them with Ice Burst or Barrage offers top-tier XP and decent profit.

  • XP Rate: 80k-100k/hour.
  • Gear: Slayer Helmet (i), Mystic Robes, Trident of the Seas.
  • Method: Burst in the Catacombs for multi-kills.
  • Reqs: 80 Slayer.

Dust Devils (65 Slayer)

Located in the Smoke Dungeon or Catacombs, Dust Devils are another burstable task with solid XP rates. They’re a great mid-level option.

Dagannoths (Horror from the Deep Quest)

In the Lighthouse basement, Dagannoths shine with cannon setups. They’re perfect for ranged XP alongside Slayer.

Optimizing Your Slayer XP with Gear and Methods

To hit the highest XP rates, you need the right gear and techniques. Bursting and cannoning are the meta for Slayer XP, and here’s how to master them.

Bursting and Barraging Setup

Bursting (Ice Burst) and Barraging (Ice Barrage) are magic-based methods that hit multiple monsters in multi-combat zones, drastically boosting XP.

Recommended Gear:

  • Head: Slayer Helmet (i) for on-task bonuses.
  • Body/Legs: Mystic Robes or Ahrim’s for magic attack.
  • Weapon: Ancient Staff or Kodai Wand.
  • Neck: Occult Necklace for +10% magic damage.
  • Ring: Seers Ring (i) for magic accuracy.

Inventory: Prayer potions, runes (Blood, Death, Water), food.

Tip: Extend tasks like Nechryaels and Dust Devils with the Bracelet of Slaughter for longer XP runs.

Cannon Setup

The Dwarf Multicannon is a game-changer for ranged Slayer XP. Place it in multi-combat areas for maximum kills.

Recommended Gear:

  • Head: Slayer Helmet (i).
  • Weapon: Rune Crossbow or Toxic Blowpipe.
  • Ammo: Cannonballs (stock up!).
  • Body/Legs: Black D’hide or Armadyl for ranged bonuses.

Inventory: Cannon parts, prayer potions, food.

Tip: Use RuneLite’s “Cannon” plugin to find optimal placement spots.

Task Management: Block and Skip

Use Slayer points wisely to block slow tasks (e.g., Black Demons, Hellhounds) and skip ones you can’t cannon or burst (e.g., Suqahs). Aim for a block list like:

  • Duradel Blocks: Abyssal Demons, Black Demons, Greater Demons, Hellhounds, Fire Giants.
  • Cost: 100 points per block.

Slayer XP Rates Table

Here’s a quick reference for the best tasks and their XP potential:

Task Slayer Level Method XP/Hour Location
Smoke Devils 93 Barrage 150k Smoke Devil Dungeon
Nechryaels 80 Burst/Barrage 80k-100k Catacombs of Kourend
Dust Devils 65 Burst/Barrage 75k-90k Catacombs or Smoke Dungeon
Dagannoths – Cannon 85k Lighthouse Basement

Tips to Boost Slayer XP Efficiency

Beyond tasks and gear, small tweaks can push your XP rates even higher. Here are some pro tips to streamline your Slayer grind.

Quest Early for Boosts

Complete quests like “A Porcine of Interest” (1k XP) and the Varrock Museum Quiz (1k XP) to skip early levels. These get you to level 13 fast.

Use Superior Slayer Unlocks

Spend 150 points on “Bigger and Badder” to spawn Superior monsters. They give bonus XP and rare drops like the Imbued Heart.

AFK with Prayer

For cannon tasks, wear Proselyte Armour and use Protect prayers to AFK longer. Pair with a Bonecrusher (Morytania Hard Diary) for passive Prayer XP.

Extend High-XP Tasks

Use 100 points to extend tasks like Smoke Devils or Nechryaels, adding ~100 kills for more XP per assignment.

By combining the right Slayer Master, top-tier tasks, optimized gear, and smart point management, you’ll hit the best Slayer XP rates in OSRS. Whether you’re bursting Smoke Devils or cannoning Dagannoths, this guide has everything you need to level fast in 2025. Happy slaying!