Cave Horror Slayer Guide OSRS: Master This Task Like a Pro
If you’re diving into the world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) Slayer tasks, Cave Horrors are a mid-level monster you’ll eventually encounter. Known for their eerie appearance and the coveted Black Mask drop, they’re a popular task for players looking to boost their Slayer experience and earn some serious loot. This comprehensive Cave Horror Slayer guide for OSRS will walk you through everything you need to know—requirements, gear setups, strategies, and tips to maximize your efficiency. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a Slayer newbie, this guide is your ticket to mastering the Mos Le’Harmless Cave. Let’s get started!
Cave Horrors aren’t just another Slayer monster—they offer unique rewards that make them a standout choice. Found exclusively in the Mos Le’Harmless Cave, these creepy creatures are a mix of challenge and opportunity. Here’s why they’re worth your time:
The Black Mask: A Slayer Must-Have
The primary reason players tackle Cave Horrors is the Black Mask. This rare drop provides a 16.67% boost to melee attack and strength when on a Slayer task (15% for ranged and magic when imbued). It’s a key component of the Slayer Helmet, making it essential for anyone serious about Slayer training.
Decent Experience and Additional Loot
With 55 Hitpoints and a combat level of 80, Cave Horrors offer 55 Slayer XP per kill. While not the highest XP per hour, their low defense and spread-out spawns make them quick kills. Plus, they drop valuable items like high-level seeds, herbs, and hard clue scrolls, adding to their appeal.
Requirements to Slay Cave Horrors in OSRS
Before you can take on these monstrous apes, you’ll need to meet some prerequisites. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- 58 Slayer: Required to damage Cave Horrors.
- Cabin Fever Quest: Unlocks access to Mos Le’Harmless.
- Witchwood Icon: Protects against their scream attack (buy from any Slayer Master for 900 GP).
- Light Source: Essential for navigating the dark cave (e.g., Bullseye Lantern or Kandarin Headgear).
Getting to Mos Le’Harmless
The Mos Le’Harmless Cave is located on a remote island. Here are your travel options:
- Mos Le’Harmless Teleport Scroll: Fastest method, available on the Grand Exchange.
- Trouble Brewing Minigame Teleport: Free option via the Grouping tab (requires 40 Cooking).
- Ectophial + Bill Teach: Teleport to Port Phasmatys, then sail with Bill Teach.
- Charter Ship: Affordable from Port Sarim’s southern dock.
Best Gear and Inventory for Cave Horror Slayer
Your gear and inventory setup can make or break your Cave Horror Slayer task. Since they use a magic-based melee attack, you’ll need to balance magic defense, prayer bonuses, and damage output. Below are recommended setups for melee, ranged, and magic styles.
Melee Setup
Melee is the most popular method due to its efficiency and sustainability. Focus on prayer-boosting gear to maintain Protect from Melee:
| Slot | Best-in-Slot | Budget Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Slayer Helmet | Black Mask |
| Neck | Amulet of Torture | Amulet of Strength |
| Body | Proselyte Hauberk | Monk’s Robe Top |
| Legs | Proselyte Cuisse | Monk’s Robe Bottom |
| Weapon | Abyssal Whip | Dragon Scimitar |
| Boots | Primordial Boots | Dragon Boots |
Inventory: Prayer potions, high-healing food (e.g., sharks), Bones to Peaches tablets, herb sack, seed box, and a light source.
Ranged Setup
For a more AFK approach, ranged works well with safespots. Prioritize high magic defense:
- Head: Slayer Helmet or Black Mask
- Neck: Necklace of Anguish or Amulet of Glory
- Body: Armadyl Chestplate or Black D’hide Body
- Legs: Armadyl Chainskirt or Black D’hide Chaps
- Weapon: Toxic Blowpipe or Magic Shortbow (i)
- Ammo: Amethyst Darts or Rune Arrows
Inventory: Ranging potions, food, telegrab runes (for loot), and a light source.
Magic Setup (Optional)
Magic is less common but viable with high magic defense armor like Ahrim’s or Ancestral. Use spells like Fire Bolt with a Slayer Staff for cost-efficiency.
Strategies to Slay Cave Horrors Efficiently
Cave Horrors have a unique scream attack that deals 10% of your base Hitpoints as damage (e.g., 9 at 99 HP) unless mitigated. Here’s how to handle them:
Prayer Method
Using Protect from Melee negates all damage, including the scream attack. Pair this with prayer-boosting gear and a good weapon to breeze through tasks. A Dwarf Multicannon can speed things up, averaging 60k XP/hour with Piety.
Safespot Method
For ranged or halberd users, safespots are available near the cave entrance using mushrooms, stalagmites, or boulders. This method avoids the scream attack entirely, making the Witchwood Icon unnecessary. Expect 25-30k XP/hour without a cannon.
Tanking with Magic Defense
If prayer potions are scarce, wear the Witchwood Icon and high magic defense armor (e.g., dragonhide). Bring food and Bones to Peaches to sustain longer trips. This is slower but viable for low-budget players.
Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Profit and XP
To get the most out of your Cave Horror Slayer task, consider these pro tips:
Loot Management
Cave Horrors drop unnoted mahogany logs, limpwurt roots, and ensouled heads. Use a log basket, herb sack, and seed box to save inventory space. Telegrab valuable drops if safespotting.
Boosting Kill Speed
A cannon is a game-changer, pushing kills to 300-360 per hour with mid-to-high-level gear. Pair it with a Bonecrusher Necklace to maintain prayer passively via big bone drops.
Profit Potential
At 115 kills per hour, you’ll average 150-200k GP/hour from common drops, with a Black Mask (worth ~950k GP) every 1-2 hours at a 1/512 drop rate. With a cannon, profits can hit 600-700k GP/hour excluding uniques.
Task Extensions
Extend your Cave Horror task with Slayer points if you’re hunting Black Masks or enjoy the loot. Their superior variant, the Cave Abomination (unlocked with “Bigger and Badder” for 150 points), offers even better drops.
Cave Horror Slayer OSRS Conclusion: Cave Horrors are a fantastic mid-tier Slayer task, blending decent XP, valuable loot, and a manageable challenge. Whether you’re after the Black Mask for your Slayer Helmet or just want a profitable trip, this guide equips you to dominate the Mos Le’Harmless Cave. Grab your gear, light your lantern, and dive into the darkness—happy slaying!