Buckets of Slime in OSRS: Your Ultimate Guide to Collecting and Using Them
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), buckets of slime might not sound like the most glamorous item, but they play a surprisingly vital role for players looking to level up specific skills or complete certain quests. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newbie just starting out, understanding how to obtain and use buckets of slime can give you an edge in the game. This guide dives deep into everything you need to know about buckets of slime in OSRS, from where to find them to their practical applications. Let’s get slimy!
Buckets of slime are a unique item in OSRS, primarily used in the Ectofuntus training method for Prayer. They’re exactly what they sound like—buckets filled with a gooey, green substance collected from the Ectofuntus, a ghostly worship site located northeast of Port Phasmatys. While they may not have the prestige of a dragon scimitar or a party hat, buckets of slime are a key resource for players aiming to save gold while training Prayer efficiently.
Why Are Buckets of Slime Important?
The main reason buckets of slime matter is their connection to the Ectofuntus, which offers one of the most cost-effective ways to train Prayer in OSRS. By using buckets of slime alongside bones, players can create bonemeal and earn four times the Prayer experience compared to simply burying bones. This makes it a popular choice for those who want to maximize their gains without breaking the bank.
How Do They Fit Into the Game’s Economy?
Unlike many items that fluctuate wildly on the Grand Exchange, buckets of slime are not tradeable. This means their “value” is tied directly to the time and effort it takes to collect them. For players who prefer to gather resources themselves rather than buy them, buckets of slime represent a free, albeit time-intensive, way to boost Prayer training.
How to Obtain Buckets of Slime in OSRS
Getting your hands on buckets of slime is straightforward, but it requires a bit of preparation and travel. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to collect them effectively.
Location: The Ectofuntus Pool
The only place to gather buckets of slime is the Pool of Slime beneath the Ectofuntus. To reach it, head to the trapdoor west of the Ectofuntus, which is located just northeast of Port Phasmatys in Morytania. You’ll need to descend into the basement to access the pool.
Requirements for Collecting Slime
Before you can start filling buckets, you’ll need:
- Empty buckets: Bring as many as you can carry—each bucket will hold one portion of slime.
- Ghostspeak amulet: Required to enter Port Phasmatys unless you’ve completed the Ghosts Ahoy quest and paid the toll permanently.
- Access to Morytania: You’ll need to have progressed far enough in the game to reach this region, typically via the Priest in Peril quest.
Step-by-Step Collection Process
- Equip your Ghostspeak amulet (if needed) and travel to the Ectofuntus.
- Enter the trapdoor west of the Ectofuntus to descend to the Pool of Slime.
- Use your empty buckets on the pool to fill them with slime—one click per bucket.
- Bank your filled buckets or teleport back to the Ectofuntus to start using them.
Pro tip: Bring a teleport method (like an Ectophial) to speed up trips between the pool and the Ectofuntus!
Using Buckets of Slime: Prayer Training with the Ectofuntus
Once you’ve collected your buckets of slime, it’s time to put them to work. The primary use of buckets of slime is in the Ectofuntus Prayer training method, which offers significant experience boosts.
How the Ectofuntus Works
The Ectofuntus is a multi-step process that combines buckets of slime with bones to create bonemeal and slime-infused offerings. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Grind bones: Use the bone grinder upstairs at the Ectofuntus to turn bones into bonemeal.
- Combine with slime: Worship the Ectofuntus with a bucket of slime and a pot of bonemeal to receive Ecto-tokens and Prayer XP.
- Repeat: Each offering gives 4x the XP of burying the same bones.
Prayer XP Rates with Buckets of Slime
Here’s a quick table showing the Prayer XP you can expect from common bone types when using the Ectofuntus with buckets of slime:
| Bone Type | Normal Bury XP | Ectofuntus XP (4x) |
|---|---|---|
| Bones | 4.5 | 18 |
| Big Bones | 15 | 60 |
| Dragon Bones | 72 | 288 |
This method shines for players who have the time to gather resources, as it drastically reduces the cost of training Prayer compared to using gilded altars.
Ecto-tokens: A Bonus Reward
Each time you worship the Ectofuntus with a bucket of slime and bonemeal, you also earn Ecto-tokens. These can be used to pay the toll at Port Phasmatys (if you haven’t unlocked free entry) or saved up for other niche uses in the game.
Alternatives to Buckets of Slime
While buckets of slime are great for budget-conscious players, they’re not the only way to train Prayer in OSRS. Let’s explore some alternatives and how they stack up.
Gilded Altars
Gilded altars, found in player-owned houses, offer a faster Prayer training method with up to 350% XP per bone (with both burners lit). However, they require bones to be bought from the Grand Exchange, making them far more expensive than the Ectofuntus method.
Chaos Altar in the Wilderness
The Chaos Altar in the Wilderness provides 350% XP per bone without needing buckets of slime, and it’s free to use. The catch? It’s in a high-risk PvP area, so you could lose your bones (and more) to other players.
Why Choose Buckets of Slime Over Alternatives?
Buckets of slime win out for players who:
- Want to save money: The Ectofuntus method is nearly free if you gather your own slime and bones.
- Enjoy self-sufficiency: Collecting slime appeals to those who like to grind their own resources.
- Avoid risk: Unlike the Chaos Altar, the Ectofuntus is safe from PvP threats.
Tips and Tricks for Efficient Slime Collection
To make the most of your slime-gathering adventures, here are some insider tips to streamline the process and maximize your efficiency.
Optimize Your Inventory
Fill your inventory with empty buckets—up to 28 if you’re not carrying anything else. Pair this with an Ectophial for instant teleports back to the Ectofuntus, and you’ll minimize downtime between trips.
Use Teleportation Strategically
Besides the Ectophial, consider using the Fairy Ring system (code ALQ) to get close to Morytania, then run to the Ectofuntus. This is handy if you don’t have the Ectophial yet or want to mix up your travel methods.
Banking and Storage Hacks
Store extra buckets of slime in your bank to save time later. You can also use noted buckets at the nearby bank in Port Phasmatys (with a Ghostspeak amulet) to trade with NPCs like the ghost disciple for more supplies if needed.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Don’t forget your Ghostspeak amulet if you haven’t paid the permanent toll, and double-check that you’re using empty buckets—accidentally bringing full ones or other items wastes inventory space!
With these strategies, buckets of slime become more than just a quirky OSRS item—they’re your ticket to efficient, low-cost Prayer training. Whether you’re grinding for 99 Prayer or just need a few levels for a quest, the Ectofuntus and its slimy buckets have got you covered. So grab your buckets, head to Morytania, and start collecting—your Prayer cape awaits!