Dark Totem Top OSRS Guide Everything You Need to Know

Dark Totem Top OSRS Guide Everything You Need to Know

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the dark totem top is a key item for players looking to face the formidable Skotizo boss in the Catacombs of Kourend. This guide dives deep into what the dark totem top is, how to obtain it, its uses, and tips to maximize your efficiency. Whether you’re a seasoned slayer or a curious adventurer, this comprehensive breakdown will help you master the dark totem top and its role in OSRS.

The dark totem top is one of three components needed to assemble the dark totem, alongside the dark totem base and middle. This item is exclusively obtained within the Catacombs of Kourend and plays a crucial role in accessing Skotizo, a demon boss known for valuable drops like clue scrolls and the dark claw. The dark totem top cannot be traded and is only dropped by specific monsters, making it a grind-worthy item for many players.

Why Is the Dark Totem Top Important?

The dark totem top is essential because it completes the dark totem, which is consumed to enter Skotizo’s lair. Without it, you can’t challenge this boss, missing out on potential rewards. Additionally, assembling the totem resets the drop cycle, allowing you to collect more totem pieces for future fights.

Key Features of the Dark Totem Top

  • Non-tradeable: You must obtain it through monster drops.
  • High Alchemy Value: 123 coins (updated in late 2016 from 6 coins).
  • Drop Source: Monsters in the Catacombs of Kourend, excluding ghosts.

How to Obtain the Dark Totem Top

Farming the dark totem top requires venturing into the Catacombs of Kourend, located beneath Great Kourend. The item drops from various monsters, with the drop rate influenced by the monster’s hitpoints and whether they’re a superior slayer variant. Below, we explore the best methods to secure this elusive piece.

Best Monsters to Farm for Dark Totem Top

Not all monsters in the Catacombs are equal when it comes to dropping the dark totem top. Here’s a breakdown of the top choices:

Monster Hitpoints Drop Rate Notes Slayer Requirement
Hill Giant 35 High drop rate due to low HP None
Dust Devil 105 Moderate drop rate, good for bursting 65
Superior Slayer Monsters Varies 100% drop rate for a totem piece Varies
Nechryael 115 Slightly better rate, ideal for high-level players 80

Efficient Farming Strategies

To maximize your chances of getting the dark totem top, consider these strategies:

  • Low HP Monsters: Since drop rates improve only slightly with higher hitpoints, focus on low HP monsters like hill giants for faster kills.
  • Superior Slayer Unlocks: If you’ve unlocked superior slayer monsters, prioritize tasks in the Catacombs, as they guarantee a totem piece drop.
  • Magic Bursting: For high-level players, bursting Dust Devils or Nechryaels in multi-combat areas can yield totem pieces while training Magic.
  • Task-Only Approach: Stick to slayer tasks in the Catacombs to passively collect totem pieces without dedicated grinding.

Tips for Faster Drops

Grinding for the dark totem top can be tedious, so here are some pro tips:

  • Use a Ring of Wealth to auto-collect coins, reducing time spent looting.
  • Enable Runelite’s Ground Items plugin to highlight totem pieces on the ground.
  • Bring Protect from Melee prayer to mitigate damage in multi-combat zones.
  • Avoid ghosts, as they don’t drop totem pieces.

Using the Dark Totem Top to Fight Skotizo

Once you’ve collected the dark totem top, base, and middle, you can assemble the dark totem. This item is used on the Dark Altar in the center of the Catacombs to access Skotizo’s lair for a one-time fight.

Assembling the Dark Totem

Combining the three pieces is straightforward. Upon assembly, you’ll see a chatbox message: “You bring the totem pieces together with a click. It looks kind of like an arcane key and pulses with dark power in your hand.” The assembled totem has a High Alchemy value of 270 coins and is ready for use.

Preparing for Skotizo

Skotizo is a challenging boss, so preparation is key:

  • Gear: Use demonbane weapons like Arclight for bonus damage or high-DPS setups like a Toxic Blowpipe.
  • Prayers: Protect from Melee and Magic to counter Skotizo’s attacks.
  • Inventory: Bring high-healing food (e.g., sharks), prayer potions, and a teleport for emergencies.

Skotizo Rewards

Defeating Skotizo offers a chance at valuable loot, making the dark totem top grind worthwhile:

  • Clue Scrolls: Guaranteed hard clue scroll, with a 1/5 chance for an elite clue.
  • Dark Claw: 1/25 drop rate, used to create the Skotos pet or enhance Arclight.
  • Jar of Darkness: Rare cosmetic item with a 1/200 drop rate.
  • Dark Totem Pieces: Skotizo can drop totem components, including the top, to continue the cycle.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Farming the dark totem top isn’t without its hurdles. Here’s how to tackle common issues players face:

Low Drop Rates

The dark totem top’s drop rate depends on monster hitpoints, but the difference is minimal. If you’re struggling, switch to low HP monsters or focus on superior slayer encounters for guaranteed drops.

Missing Totem Pieces

Some players end up with surplus bases or middles but no tops. To avoid this, ensure you assemble your totem after collecting all three pieces, as this resets the drop order (base, middle, top). Dropping a piece before killing a superior slayer monster can also yield duplicates if needed.

Time-Intensive Grinding

If grinding feels slow, combine totem farming with slayer tasks to make it more rewarding. Alternatively, use multi-target Magic spells like Ice Burst to kill multiple monsters at once, increasing your drop chances per hour.

Advanced Tips for Dark Totem Top Farming

For players looking to optimize their dark totem top grind, these advanced strategies can make a big difference:

Leveraging Slayer Points

If you have extra slayer points, unlock superior slayer monsters or skip tasks to get Catacombs assignments like Dust Devils or Nechryaels. This ensures you’re always working toward totem pieces.

Multi-Skilling Opportunities

Farming totem pieces can double as training for other skills:

  • Magic XP: Bursting monsters like Dust Devils yields solid Magic experience.
  • Prayer XP: Use ensouled heads dropped in the Catacombs for Prayer training.
  • Combat XP: Low HP monsters are great for melee or ranged training.

Community Insights

Players on forums like Reddit suggest focusing on Dust Devils for bursting due to their clumping behavior and decent drop rates (around 1/370 per piece). Others recommend a passive approach, collecting totems during regular slayer tasks to avoid burnout.

By integrating these strategies, you can turn the dark totem top grind into a rewarding part of your OSRS journey, paving the way for epic Skotizo battles and valuable loot.