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Black Demons OSRS Slayer Task Guide
Black Demons are a formidable Slayer task in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), assigned to players with at least 80 combat by Slayer masters like Chaeldar, Konar, Nieve, Duradel, and Krystilia. Known for their high hitpoints and aggressive melee attacks, they pose a challenge for mid-level players but offer rewarding experience for those prepared. This guide covers everything you need to know to tackle Black Demons efficiently, including locations, strategies, gear setups, and tips to maximize XP and profit.
Black Demons are large, jet-black demons found in various dungeons across Gielinor. With combat levels of 172, 178, or 184, they boast high offensive stats but relatively low defense, making them vulnerable to specific strategies. They are weak to demonbane weapons like Arclight and water-based magic spells, and they can be safespotted for safer kills. However, their high hitpoints and max hit of 16 (melee) make them daunting for unprepared players.
Key Stats and Weaknesses
- Combat Level: 172–184
- Hitpoints: 157–170
- Max Hit: 16 (melee)
- Weaknesses: Demonbane weapons (Arclight, Darklight), water spells, all attack styles
- Slayer Requirement: None, but 80 combat needed for task assignment
Why Black Demons Are Challenging
For players under 100 combat, Black Demons can be a slog due to their high hitpoints and damage output. Without a cannon or safespot, tasks can take hours, and their drop table is lackluster unless on specific Slayer tasks (e.g., Konar or Krystilia). However, high-level players with optimized gear and strategies can turn this into a decent XP task.
Best Locations for Black Demons Slayer Task
Choosing the right location is crucial for efficiency. Black Demons are scattered across Gielinor, but some spots are better for XP, profit, or AFK training. Below are the top locations, each with unique advantages.
Taverley Dungeon
Why Choose It: Taverley Dungeon is ideal for cannon users, with 24 Black Demon spawns and multiple safespots. It’s accessible for non-Slayer tasks and offers high XP rates.
- Requirements: 70 Agility (for pipe shortcut) or Dusty Key (obtained from Velrak the Explorer in the dungeon).
- Pros: Large number of spawns, cannonable, safespottable with Ranged or Magic.
- Cons: Crowded at peak times, long travel without shortcut.
Chasm of Fire
Why Choose It: A Slayer-only location with safespots and cannon support, perfect for fast XP. It’s less crowded than Taverley.
- Access: Fairy Ring (DJR), Kharedst’s Memoirs, or Xeric’s Lookout Teleport.
- Pros: High XP with cannon, safespots available, quieter than Taverley.
- Cons: Slayer task required, cannonballs are costly.
Catacombs of Kourend
Why Choose It: Great for AFK training with prayer gear, offering Ancient Shards and Dark Totem pieces as bonus drops.
- Access: Kourend Castle teleport (60% Arceuus Favour) or Fairy Ring (CIS) with unlocked vine entrance.
- Pros: Multicombat for AFK melee, extra drops, four spawns.
- Cons: Slower XP without cannon, only four spawns.
Wilderness Slayer Cave
Why Choose It: Offers a unique drop table with Krystilia tasks, including Larran’s Keys, but comes with PKer risks.
- Pros: Enhanced loot (7,068–8,991 GP per kill), four spawns, cannonable.
- Cons: High PK risk, requires Wilderness awareness.
Recommended Gear and Inventory Setup
Your gear and inventory depend on your combat style and location. Below are setups for melee, Ranged, and Magic, optimized for Black Demons.
Melee Setup
Melee is best with Arclight for its demonbane bonus, paired with prayer-boosting gear like Proselyte to sustain Protect from Melee.
| Slot | Item | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Slayer Helmet (i) | Black Mask (i) |
| Weapon | Arclight | Abyssal Whip |
| Body | Proselyte Hauberk | Bandos Chestplate |
| Legs | Proselyte Cuisse | Bandos Tassets |
| Shield | Dragon Defender | Book of Darkness |
Ranged Setup
Ranged is ideal for safespotting, using crossbows or Black Salamander for cost-effective kills.
- Weapon: Rune Crossbow or Black Salamander
- Ammo: Broad Bolts or Harralander Tar
- Armor: Blessed D’hide, Armadyl if affordable
Magic Setup
Magic is slower but viable with water spells (e.g., Water Surge) or Inferior Demonbane spells for AFK training.
- Weapon: Trident of the Seas or Polypore Staff
- Armor: Ahrim’s or Mystic Robes
- Spells: Water Surge, Inferior Demonbane (with Arceuus spellbook)
Inventory
- 4–6 Prayer Potions: Sustain Protect from Melee
- 10–15 Food: Sharks or Monkfish
- Super Combat/Range/Magic Potion: Boost DPS
- Holy Wrench: Prayer point efficiency
- Teleport: For quick banking or escape (e.g., Amulet of Glory)
- Cannon and Cannonballs: If cannoning
Strategies for Efficient Black Demon Kills
Maximizing efficiency requires the right combat style, location, and tactics. Here are proven strategies to speed up your task.
Cannoning for Fast XP
Using a Dwarf Multicannon in Taverley Dungeon or Chasm of Fire yields 60–65k Slayer XP per hour. Place the cannon in a central spot, pray Protect from Melee, and attack from a safespot to avoid damage. This is costly (cannonballs aren’t cheap), but it’s the fastest method.
AFK Melee in Catacombs
For a low-effort approach, use Proselyte armor and Protect from Melee in the Catacombs of Kourend. Set auto-retaliate and let your character handle the rest. Expect slower XP (30–40k per hour) but minimal input, plus Ancient Shards and Totem pieces.
Safespotting with Ranged or Magic
Safespots in Taverley, Chasm of Fire, or Edgeville Dungeon allow you to attack without taking damage. Use Ranged (Broad Bolts) or Magic (Water Surge) for safe, albeit slower, kills. This is ideal for lower-level players or those conserving supplies.
Demonic Gorillas as an Alternative
After completing Monkey Madness II, kill Demonic Gorillas in the Crash Site Cavern instead of regular Black Demons. They count toward the task, drop Zenyte Shards (1/300, worth ~9M GP), and are highly profitable. However, they require prayer-switching and high combat stats.
Tips and Tricks for Black Demons
Here are additional tips to optimize your Black Demon Slayer task:
- Extend the Task: Unlock “It’s dark in here” for 100 Slayer points to extend tasks to 200–250 kills for better XP runs.
- Use Infernal Urns: Collect Malicious Ashes for extra Prayer XP (65 per scatter, 195 with Demonic Offering at 84 Magic).
- Konar Tasks: Konar’s tasks boost profit with Brimstone Keys (1/84–1/86, depending on demon level).
- Wilderness Caution: In the Wilderness Slayer Cave, bring only 3–4 valuable items, use RuneLite’s PKer alerts, and be ready to teleport.
- Block or Skip: If under 100 combat or low on funds, consider blocking Black Demons due to their high weight and slow kills.
Drop Table Highlights
| Item | Drop Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious Ashes | 100% | 65 Prayer XP when scattered |
| Hard Clue Scroll | 1/128 (1/64 with Ring of Wealth in Wilderness) | Krystilia tasks |
| Ancient Shard | 1/220–1/226 | Catacombs only |
| Dark Totem Pieces | 1/330–1/340 | Catacombs only |
Is It Worth It?
Black Demons are a solid Slayer task for mid-to-high-level players, offering 60–65k Slayer XP per hour with a cannon or 30–40k AFK. Profit is minimal (2k–4k GP per kill, higher with Konar/Krystilia) unless you kill Demonic Gorillas. For lower-level players, the task is slow and costly, so consider safespotting or blocking until you’re better equipped.
With the right setup—Arclight, a cannon, or Demonic Gorillas—Black Demons become a rewarding grind. Happy slaying, and good luck on your Slayer journey!
