Dust Devil OSRS Bursting Guide for Maximum XP and Profit
Bursting Dust Devils in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most efficient ways to train Magic and Slayer while raking in solid loot. This guide dives deep into everything you need to know to master Dust Devil bursting, from gear setups to strategies, locations, and profit potential. Whether you’re a mid-level player or a seasoned Ironman, this method can skyrocket your XP rates and fill your bank with valuable drops. Let’s get started!
Dust Devils are a Slayer monster requiring level 65 Slayer to kill, making them accessible to a wide range of players. Their low Magic defense and multi-combat environments make them perfect for bursting, a technique using Ancient Magicks to hit multiple enemies at once. Here’s why bursting Dust Devils is worth your time:
- High XP Rates: Up to 160,000 Magic XP and 70,000 Slayer XP per hour.
- Profitable Drops: Items like air battlestaves, runes, and herbs can offset rune costs.
- Efficiency: Multi-target spells like Ice Burst and Ice Barrage make quick work of grouped Dust Devils.
- Accessibility: Requires Desert Treasure I and moderate Magic levels (70+).
Prerequisites for Bursting
Before you head out to burst Dust Devils, ensure you meet these requirements:
- Slayer Level: 65 to damage Dust Devils.
- Quest: Start Desert Treasure I to unlock Dust Devil Slayer tasks.
- Magic Level: 70 for Ice Burst, 94 for Ice Barrage (recommended).
- Equipment: Facemask or Slayer Helmet to avoid stat-draining dust attacks.
Best Locations for Dust Devil Bursting
Choosing the right spot is critical for maximizing efficiency. Dust Devils spawn in three main areas, but two stand out for bursting due to their multi-combat zones.
Catacombs of Kourend
The Catacombs of Kourend is the go-to location for most players. It’s safe, accessible, and packed with Dust Devils for easy stacking.
- Pros: Multi-combat, bonecrusher restores Prayer, Ancient Shards and Dark Totem drops.
- Cons: Can be crowded at peak times.
- Access: Use Kourend Castle Teleport (66 Magic, 60% Arceuus favor) or Xeric’s Talisman (Xeric’s Heart).
Smoke Dungeon
Located beneath the Kharidian Desert, the Smoke Dungeon is a solid alternative, especially for Ironmen or players avoiding crowded spots.
- Pros: Less crowded, cannon viable for faster kills.
- Cons: Single-combat in most areas, requires Desert Treasure progress.
- Access: Teleport with Smoke Diamond (Desert Treasure I) or Pollnivneach teleport.
Wilderness Slayer Cave
For high-risk, high-reward players, the Wilderness Slayer Cave offers extra loot but comes with PKer dangers.
- Pros: Enhanced drop table, multi-combat.
- Cons: Risk of losing gear to PKers, not ideal for casual bursting.
Optimal Gear and Inventory Setup
Your gear and inventory can make or break your bursting efficiency. Since Dust Devils have negligible Magic defense, prioritize Prayer bonuses to save potions and Magic damage boosts for faster kills.
Recommended Gear
Here’s a balanced setup for most players, with alternatives for different budgets:
| Slot | Best-in-Slot | Budget Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Slayer Helmet (i) | Facemask |
| Cape | Imbued God Cape | Ardougne Cloak |
| Neck | Occult Necklace | Amulet of Glory |
| Body | Virtus Robes | Proselyte Armour |
| Legs | Virtus Robes | Proselyte Armour |
| Weapon | Kodai Wand | Ancient Staff |
| Shield | Arcane Spirit Shield | Book of Darkness |
| Gloves | Tormented Bracelet | Combat Bracelet |
| Boots | Eternal Boots | Infinity Boots |
Notes:
- Proselyte Armour is great for Prayer bonuses, saving potions.
- Kodai Wand offers infinite water runes and a rune-saving chance.
- Bonecrusher (in inventory or necklace) restores Prayer in Catacombs.
Inventory Setup
A well-planned inventory ensures long trips with minimal banking:
- Rune Pouch: Chaos, Death, and Water runes (if not using Kodai).
- Prayer Potions: 4-6 for extended trips.
- Food: 3-5 Sharks or better for emergencies.
- Herb Sack: To collect grimy herb drops.
- Teleport: Kourend Castle Teleport or Xeric’s Talisman.
- Goading Potion: To aggro Dust Devils instantly.
- Iron Darts: For luring without Goading Potion.
Bursting Strategy and Techniques
Bursting relies on grouping Dust Devils tightly to hit multiple targets with each spell. Here’s how to execute it flawlessly.
Step-by-Step Bursting Method
- Preparation: Equip Protect from Melee and drink a Goading Potion dose (or tag with darts/blowpipe).
- Aggro: Run through Dust Devils to draw their attention.
- Stacking: Move between two adjacent corners in the Catacombs to clump them into a 3×3 area.
- Bursting: Autocast Ice Burst (or Ice Barrage for higher levels) to freeze and damage the group.
- Loot: Pick up high-value drops like battlestaves and alchables; use herb sack for herbs.
- Repeat: Maintain Prayer and restack as needed.
Ice Burst vs. Ice Barrage
Choosing between Ice Burst and Ice Barrage depends on your Magic level and budget:
- Ice Burst: Requires 70 Magic, hits up to 22 damage, costs ~634 GP per cast. Great for mid-level players.
- Ice Barrage: Requires 94 Magic, hits up to 30 damage, costs ~1,200 GP per cast. Higher XP and faster kills but pricier.
Tip: Ice Barrage is worth the investment if you’re aiming for max efficiency, as it freezes enemies longer (19.2 vs. 10 seconds).
Maximizing Efficiency
To squeeze out every bit of XP and profit:
- Extend Tasks: Use Slayer points to extend Dust Devil tasks for longer sessions.
- Bracelet of Slaughter: Increases task length for more XP per task.
- Bonecrusher: Auto-buries bones in Catacombs, restoring Prayer.
- Prayer Flicking: Flick Protect from Melee to conserve potions.
XP Rates, Profit, and Common Mistakes
Understanding what you’ll gain—and what to avoid—can make bursting Dust Devils a game-changer for your account.
Expected XP and Profit
Here’s what you can expect based on setup and location:
| Spell | Magic XP/Hour | Slayer XP/Hour | Profit/Hour (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Burst | 120,000–150,000 | 50,000–60,000 | 200,000–400,000 GP |
| Ice Barrage | 150,000–200,000 | 60,000–70,000 | 300,000–500,000 GP |
Key Drops: Air battlestaves, mystic air staves, grimy herbs, runes, and Ancient Shards. Average kill value is ~3,289 GP, with Konar tasks boosting it to ~4,509 GP.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these pitfalls to keep your trips smooth:
- Overusing Runes: Don’t spam casts on single targets; wait for a tight stack.
- Ignoring Prayer: Forgetting Protect from Melee leads to quick deaths.
- Poor Stacking: Failing to clump Dust Devils reduces spell efficiency.
- Wrong Gear: Avoid heavy Magic accuracy gear like Ahrim’s; Prayer or damage bonuses are better.
- Skipping Bonecrusher: Without it, Prayer management becomes a hassle in Catacombs.
Tips for Ironmen
Ironmen can benefit heavily from bursting Dust Devils due to their rune and herb drops:
- Herb Sack: Essential for banking grimy herbs for Herblore.
- Alching: Alch battlestaves and other high-value drops on-site with Explorer’s Ring.
- Wilderness Cave: Riskier but offers more runes for self-sustainability.
Bursting Dust Devils in OSRS is a fantastic way to level Magic and Slayer while earning decent profit. By setting up in the Catacombs of Kourend, using Ice Barrage with a bonecrusher, and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll be tearing through tasks like a pro. Grab your runes, stack those Devils, and watch your XP bars soar!