Black Demon OSRS Slayer Guide for Efficient Task Completion

Black Demons are a formidable Slayer task in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering decent experience but requiring careful strategy due to their high combat stats and lackluster drop table. Assigned at combat level 80 by Slayer masters like Chaeldar, Nieve, Konar, Krystilia, and Duradel, these demons are found in various dungeons across Gielinor. This guide covers everything you need to know to tackle Black Demon tasks efficiently, including locations, gear setups, strategies, and alternatives like Demonic Gorillas. Whether you’re a mid-level player or a seasoned Slayer, optimize your approach to maximize XP and minimize costs.

Black Demons are level 172, 178, or 184 demons with high offensive stats but relatively low defense for their level. They use a melee attack style with a max hit of 16, making Protect from Melee essential. As demons, they’re weak to demonbane weapons (like Arclight) and water spells, though their magic defense is moderate. No Slayer level is required, but you need 80 combat to receive this task. For lower-level players (under 100 combat), Black Demons can be daunting due to their high Hitpoints (157–170) and slow kill times without a cannon or high-tier gear.

Why Block or Skip Black Demons?

For players under 100 combat, Black Demons are often recommended as a block task due to their high HP and poor loot. The task is slow without a cannon, and prayer potion costs can outweigh the meager profits from drops like rune chainbodies (1/128, ~29k). However, mid-to-high-level players with access to Arclight or a cannon can make the task worthwhile for XP, especially in optimal locations.

Best Locations for Black Demon Slayer Tasks

Black Demons inhabit several dungeons, each with unique advantages and challenges. Choosing the right spot depends on your gear, combat level, and whether you’re prioritizing XP, AFK training, or profit.

Taverley Dungeon: Best for Cannon Users

Taverley Dungeon is the top spot for cannoning Black Demons due to its 24 spawns and clustered layout. Access requires 70 Agility for the pipe shortcut or a Dusty Key for the long route via the Blue Dragon Lair. Set up your cannon in the center of the demon room, pray Protect from Melee, and use Proselyte armor for prayer bonus. With max melee stats and Piety, you can achieve ~35k Slayer XP/hour; with 70s melee, expect ~19k XP/hour.

Catacombs of Kourend: Ideal for AFK Training

The Catacombs of Kourend offer a multicombat area with 4 Black Demon spawns, perfect for AFK training. Teleport to Kourend Castle (60% Arceuus favor) or use Fairy Ring code CIS and run to Demon’s Run. Wear Proselyte, pray Protect from Melee, and enable auto-retaliate. You’ll also collect Ancient Shards and Dark Totem pieces, which can be used to fight Skotizo, a Black Demon variant yielding 618 Slayer XP.

Chasm of Fire: Alternative Cannon Spot

The Chasm of Fire is a viable alternative to Taverley Dungeon, accessible via Fairy Ring code DJR. It has fewer spawns and a less dense layout, making it slightly less efficient for cannoning. However, it’s a good option if you lack 70 Agility or a Dusty Key. Use the same cannon and prayer setup as in Taverley.

Wilderness Locations: High Risk, High Reward

Black Demons in the Wilderness (Edgeville Dungeon and Wilderness Slayer Cave) are riskier but offer unique benefits. Edgeville Dungeon has 3 spawns and is safer, while the Wilderness Slayer Cave (4 spawns) is multicombat with a better drop table, including Larran’s Keys on Krystilia tasks. Always bring only 3–4 valuable items, enable RuneLite’s player notifications, and be ready to escape PKers. Average kills here are worth ~7.3k (or ~9.3k on Krystilia tasks).

Brimhaven Dungeon: Less Popular Option

Brimhaven Dungeon has 4 Black Demon spawns but is harder to access and less efficient due to its spread-out layout. It’s cannonable and safespottable, but Taverley or Catacombs are generally better choices.

Optimal Gear and Inventory Setups

Your gear and inventory depend on your combat style, budget, and whether you’re cannoning. Below are recommended setups for melee, ranged, and magic, with a focus on maximizing DPS and prayer efficiency.

Melee Setup: High-Level and Budget Options

Melee is the fastest for high-level players, especially with Arclight, which boosts damage against demons. Protect from Melee is mandatory to avoid high hits.

• High-Level Setup: Slayer Helmet (i), Amulet of Torture, Proselyte Hauberk/Cuisse, Arclight, Dragon Defender, Primordial Boots, Barrows Gloves, Infernal Cape, Berserker Ring (i).
• Mid-Level Setup: Black Mask, Amulet of Glory, Monk’s Robe Top/Bottom, Dragon Scimitar, Dragon Defender, Dragon Boots, Combat Bracelet, Fire Cape.
• Inventory: 4–6 Prayer Potions, Super Combat Potion, 10–15 Food (Sharks), Emergency Teleport, Cannon (if used), Cannonballs (~500).

Ranged Setup: Safespot Strategy

Ranged is ideal for lower-level players using safespots in Taverley, Edgeville, or Catacombs. Black Demons have no specific ranged weakness, so prioritize high DPS.

• High-Level Setup: Slayer Helmet (i), Necklace of Anguish, Armadyl Chestplate/Chainskirt, Toxic Blowpipe (Amethyst Darts), Pegasian Boots, Barrows Gloves, Ava’s Assembler, Archers Ring (i).
• Mid-Level Setup: Archer Helm, Amulet of Glory, Black D’hide Body/Chaps, Rune Crossbow (Broad Bolts), Snakeskin Boots, Ava’s Accumulator, Archers Ring.
• Inventory: 4–6 Prayer Potions, Ranging Potion, 10–15 Food, Emergency Teleport, ~1,000 Bolts/Darts.

Magic Setup: Niche but Viable

Magic is slower but viable with water spells or demonbane spells (Arceuus spellbook, post-A Kingdom Divided). Safespotting is recommended.

• High-Level Setup: Slayer Helmet (i), Occult Necklace, Ancestral Top/Bottom, Toxic Trident, Eternal Boots, Tormented Bracelet, Imbued God Cape, Seers Ring (i).
• Mid-Level Setup: Farseer Helm, Amulet of Fury, Mystic Robe Top/Bottom, Iban’s Staff (u), Mystic Gloves/Boots, Zamorak Cape.
• Inventory: 4–6 Prayer Potions, Magic Potion, 10–15 Food, Emergency Teleport, Runes (~1,000 Water Runes or Demonbane Runes).

Strategies for Maximum Efficiency

To make Black Demon tasks worthwhile, focus on XP rates, prayer management, and leveraging safespots or cannons. Here are key strategies:

Cannoning for Fast XP

Using a Dwarf Multicannon in Taverley Dungeon or Chasm of Fire significantly boosts XP rates. Place the cannon centrally, pray Protect from Melee, and use Proselyte to minimize prayer potion use. With 85 melee stats, expect ~23k Slayer XP/hour; with max stats, up to 35k. Bring ~500–1,000 cannonballs per task.

Safespotting for Low Levels

Safespots are available in Taverley (two spots), Edgeville, Catacombs, Chasm of Fire, and Brimhaven. Use Ranged or Magic to attack from a distance, avoiding melee hits. This is ideal for players with lower combat stats, though kills are slower (~10–15k XP/hour).

AFK Training in Catacombs

For AFK training, set up in the Catacombs with Proselyte, Protect from Melee, and auto-retaliate. The multicombat area allows demons to stack, reducing movement. Expect ~15–20k XP/hour with minimal input, plus totem pieces for Skotizo.

Black Demon Location Comparison

Location	Spawns	Cannonable	Safespots	Notes
Taverley Dungeon	24	Yes	Yes	Best for cannoning; requires 70 Agility or Dusty Key.
Catacombs of Kourend	4	Yes	Yes	AFK-friendly; totem pieces for Skotizo.
Chasm of Fire	4	Yes	Yes	Good alternative; less dense than Taverley.
Wilderness Slayer Cave	4	Yes	No	High risk; better drops on Krystilia tasks.
Brimhaven Dungeon	4	Yes	Yes	Hard to access; less efficient.

Alternative Monsters and Profit Options

If Black Demon tasks feel inefficient, consider alternative monsters that count toward the task, especially for profit-focused players.

Demonic Gorillas: High Profit, Low XP

After completing Monkey Madness II, Demonic Gorillas in the Crash Site Cavern are a lucrative alternative. They drop Zenyte Shards (~9M, 1/300 rate) and high-value alchables, averaging ~20–30k per kill. However, they require two combat styles (melee and ranged/magic) and yield slower XP (~10–15k/hour). Use Arclight and a crossbow, and pray against their changing styles.

Skotizo: Mid-Level Boss Option

Skotizo, accessible in the Catacombs with a Dark Totem, counts as a Black Demon and offers 618 Slayer XP per kill. It’s a challenging but rewarding fight for mid-level players, with a 1/400 chance for a Skotos pet. Use a demonbane weapon and Slayer Helmet for optimal DPS.

Nightmare Zone: AFK but Slow

After The Grand Tree, you can fight a Black Demon in Nightmare Zone, which counts for Slayer tasks. This is extremely slow (~5–10k XP/hour) and not recommended unless you want a fully AFK option with no risk.

Key Takeaways: Black Demon tasks are best for mid-to-high-level players with Arclight or a cannon. Taverley Dungeon is ideal for XP, Catacombs for AFK, and Wilderness for risk-tolerant players. Demonic Gorillas offer the best profit, while Skotizo adds variety. Block or skip the task if under 100 combat or lacking optimal gear. Good luck, and happy Slaying!