Bursting Smoke Devils in OSRS: The Ultimate Guide to Slayer and Magic XP

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of training methods for players looking to level up their Slayer and Magic skills efficiently. One of the most popular and rewarding methods is bursting Smoke Devils. Known for their high Slayer XP rates and decent loot, Smoke Devils are a prime target for players with the right setup. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about bursting Smoke Devils in OSRS, from requirements and gear to strategies and profit potential. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just hitting 93 Slayer, this blog post will help you maximize your gains.

Bursting Smoke Devils is a multi-target Magic training method that leverages the Ancient Magicks spellbook to hit multiple enemies at once. This technique, combined with a cannon, delivers some of the highest Slayer and Magic XP rates in the game. Located in the Smoke Devil Dungeon, these mutated cousins of Dust Devils require 93 Slayer and an active Slayer task to harm, making them an endgame activity with significant rewards.

Key Benefits of Bursting Smoke Devils

High XP Rates: Up to 180,000 Slayer XP and 200,000 Magic XP per hour with optimal setups.
Profit Potential: Drops like the Occult Necklace and rune items can offset costs or even turn a profit.
Multi-Skill Training: Trains Magic and Slayer simultaneously, saving time for busy players.

Who Should Burst Smoke Devils?

This method is ideal for players with 93+ Slayer, access to Ancient Magicks (unlocked via the Desert Treasure I quest), and a decent bankroll for supplies. If you’re chasing Slayer points, the Occult Necklace for your Ironman, or just love efficient training, Smoke Devils are worth the effort.

Requirements for Bursting Smoke Devils

Before you head to the Smoke Devil Dungeon, you’ll need to meet some prerequisites and gather the right gear. Here’s what you need to get started.

Skill Requirements

Slayer 93: Required to damage Smoke Devils.
Magic 70+: For Ice Burst (level 70) or Ice Barrage (level 94).
Prayer 43+: For Protect from Missiles to negate their ranged attacks.
Defense 65-70 (Optional): To wear high-tier Magic gear like Ahrim’s or Ancestral robes.

Quest and Item Requirements

Desert Treasure I: Unlocks Ancient Magicks.
Slayer Helmet/Facemask: Mandatory to avoid rapid damage in the smoky dungeon.
Dwarf Multicannon: Essential for luring and stacking Smoke Devils.

Recommended Stats

While the minimum Magic level for Ice Burst is 70, pushing to 94 for Ice Barrage significantly boosts XP rates. Higher Defense and Prayer levels also help sustain longer trips with better gear and prayer bonuses.

Best Gear and Inventory Setup

Your gear and inventory setup can make or break your bursting session. Smoke Devils have moderate Magic defense (+600 bonus), but their Magic level is only 1, meaning accuracy matters less than raw damage output. Here’s the optimal setup.

Best-in-Slot Gear

Slot	Item	Reason
Head	Slayer Helmet (i)	Protects from smoke and boosts Magic accuracy/damage on task.
Cape	Imbued God Cape	+2% Magic damage and +15 Magic attack bonus.
Body	Virtus Robe Top	+2% Magic damage per piece; Ancestral Robe Top (+3%) is an alternative.
Legs	Virtus Robe Bottom	Matches top for damage bonus.
Weapon	Kodai Wand	+15% Magic damage, infinite water runes, and rune-saving chance.
Amulet	Occult Necklace	+5% Magic damage; farmable from Smoke Devils.
Gloves	Tormented Bracelet	+5% Magic damage (optional; Bracelet of Slaughter extends task length).
Boots	Eternal Boots	+8 Magic attack bonus for better accuracy.
Ring	Seers Ring (i)	+12 Magic attack bonus to reduce splashing.

Budget Gear Alternatives

If you can’t afford best-in-slot items, here’s a more accessible setup:

Head: Slayer Helmet (unimbued).
Body/Legs: Ahrim’s Robetop and Robeskirt (65 Defense required).
Weapon: Master Wand or Staff of the Dead.
Cape: Any God Cape (unimbued).
Boots: Mystic Boots or Devout Boots.

Inventory Setup

Cannon Components: Base, stand, barrels, and furnace.
Cannonballs: 500-1000 depending on trip length.
Runes: Chaos, Death, and Water runes for Ice Burst/Barrage (Blood runes optional).
Prayer Potions: 4-6 for sustaining Protect from Missiles.
Stamina Potions: 1-2 to maintain run energy.
Teleport: Ring of Dueling or House Teleport tablet.
Food (Optional): 2-3 Sharks for emergencies.

How to Burst Smoke Devils: Step-by-Step Strategy

Bursting Smoke Devils requires precise positioning and aggression management. The Smoke Devil Dungeon is a multi-combat area, perfect for stacking enemies to maximize your spell hits. Here’s how to do it.

Getting to the Smoke Devil Dungeon

The dungeon is located southwest of Castle Wars. Use these methods to get there:

Fairy Ring (BKP): Teleport and run northeast.
Ring of Dueling: Teleport to Castle Wars and run southwest.
House Teleport: If you have a Castle Wars portal in your POH (82 Construction).

Setting Up the Cannon and Stacking

Place the Cannon: Set it up in the center of the room (green tile on RuneLite) to aggro Smoke Devils.
Stack the Devils: Run around the skeleton pile to the west (blue tiles) to group them into a tight cluster.
Cast Your Spell: Use Ice Burst or Ice Barrage on autocast to hit up to 9 enemies per cast.
Maintain Aggro: Keep moving between safe spots to lure more Smoke Devils as they spawn.

Tips for Efficiency

Protect from Missiles: Always keep this prayer active to block their ranged attacks.
Watch Run Energy: Use Stamina Potions to stay mobile.
Avoid Misclicks: Unequipping your Slayer Helmet in combat can lead to rapid damage—be cautious.

Loot, Costs, and Profit Analysis

Bursting Smoke Devils isn’t just about XP—it’s also about the loot. While rune costs and cannonballs add up, the drops can make it worthwhile.

Notable Drops

Occult Necklace: Rare (1/512) and worth millions; a BIS Magic item.
Rune Chainbody: Common and alchable for decent GP.
Fire/Air Battlestaves: Frequent drops that cover supply costs.
Smoke Battlestaff: Dropped by the Thermonuclear variant; valuable for mages.

Cost Breakdown

Here’s an estimated hourly cost with Ice Barrage:

Runes: ~600,000 GP (Chaos, Death, Water).
Cannonballs: ~150,000 GP (600-800 used).
Prayer Potions: ~50,000 GP.
Total Cost: ~800,000 GP/hour.

Profit Potential

The average Smoke Devil kill is worth around 3,920 GP. With 200-300 kills per hour, loot can range from 784,000 to 1,176,000 GP. High-value drops like the Occult Necklace can tip the scales into profit, though most trips break even or yield a small loss with Ice Barrage. Ice Burst is cheaper and often profitable with budget gear.

Final Thoughts

Bursting Smoke Devils in OSRS is a powerhouse method for Slayer and Magic training. With the right setup, you can hit peak XP rates while farming valuable drops. Whether you’re after the Occult Necklace, Slayer points, or just efficient leveling, this guide has you covered. Grab your cannon, stock up on runes, and dive into the Smoke Devil Dungeon—happy bursting!