OSRS Ankou Wilderness Slayer Guide for Efficient Task Completion

OSRS Ankou Wilderness Slayer Guide for Efficient Task Completion

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the Ankou Wilderness Slayer task offers a thrilling yet risky opportunity for players seeking Slayer experience and unique loot. Assigned by Slayer masters like Krystilia, Ankous in the Wilderness demand preparation due to the ever-present threat of player killers (PKers). This guide dives into the best strategies, locations, gear setups, and tips to maximize efficiency while staying safe. Whether you’re a mid-level player or a seasoned adventurer, this blog post will help you conquer your Ankou task with confidence.

Ankous are undead, skeletal monsters known for their ghostly appearance and rewarding drops, such as blood and death runes. In the Wilderness, they’re a popular Slayer task due to their accessibility and potential for Wilderness-specific loot like Larran’s keys. However, the Wilderness adds a layer of danger, making preparation crucial.

What Makes Wilderness Ankou Unique

Unlike Ankous in other locations like the Catacombs of Kourend or Stronghold Slayer Cave, Wilderness Ankous are found in high-risk areas where PKers roam. They come in level 86 (Forgotten Cemetery) and level 98 (Wilderness Slayer Cave) variants, with the latter being stronger but offering faster kills in a multi-combat zone. Their spectral nature means the Salve amulet boosts damage, but the real challenge is surviving the Wilderness itself.

Why Choose Wilderness for Ankou Tasks

Opting for the Wilderness can be rewarding despite the risks. You gain access to exclusive drops, higher Slayer points from Krystilia (25 per task), and the chance to use a dwarf multicannon for rapid kills. It’s also a test of skill, blending combat with situational awareness to outsmart PKers.

Best Locations for Ankou Wilderness Slayer

Ankou OSRS Guide Rune Fanatics

Two primary Wilderness locations stand out for Ankou tasks: the Wilderness Slayer Cave and the Forgotten Cemetery. Each has its pros and cons, so choosing the right one depends on your combat style and risk tolerance.

Wilderness Slayer Cave

Located near the level 18 Wilderness entrance, this multi-combat area houses level 98 Ankous. It’s ideal for players with higher combat stats and access to a dwarf multicannon.

  • Pros: Fast kills with cannon, high Slayer XP rates, access to Larran’s keys.
  • Cons: High PKer activity, multi-combat increases risk, requires cannonballs.

Setup Tip: Place your cannon in the center of the Ankou spawn area, attack to draw aggro, and stay close to maximize cannon efficiency. Bring a one-click teleport like a royal seed pod for quick escapes.

Forgotten Cemetery

Found around level 30 Wilderness, this singles-combat area has level 86 Ankous and a safespot at the southwest coffin, making it safer for lower-level players or those avoiding multi-combat.

  • Pros: Safespot available, lower-level Ankous, less crowded than the Slayer Cave.
  • Cons: Slower kills without a cannon, still vulnerable to PKers, fewer spawns.

Safespot Strategy: Lure an Ankou to the southwest coffin, stand between the bone spawns, and use Ranged or Magic to attack safely. Watch for PKers approaching from the north.

Gear and Inventory Setup

Ankou OSRS Guide Rune Fanatics

Your gear and inventory are critical for balancing combat efficiency and Wilderness survival. Since Ankous are undead, melee is effective with the Salve amulet, but Ranged or Magic can be safer with safespots.

Recommended Gear

Here’s a breakdown of gear setups for different combat styles, keeping in mind the Wilderness risk:

Combat Style Budget Setup Optimal Setup
Melee Rune armor, Dragon scimitar, Salve amulet, Amulet of glory Barrows armor (e.g., Dharok’s), Abyssal whip, Salve amulet (e), Fire cape
Ranged Black d’hide, Magic shortbow, Ava’s attractor Armadyl armor, Toxic blowpipe, Ava’s accumulator
Magic Mystic robes, Staff of air, Crumble Undead spell Ahrim’s robes, Trident of the seas, Crumble Undead

Note: Avoid bringing items you’re unwilling to lose. The Salve amulet (e) gives a 20% damage and accuracy boost against Ankous but doesn’t stack with a Slayer helmet. Use the helmet for tasks to boost Slayer XP.

Inventory Essentials

Your inventory should prioritize combat efficiency and PKer evasion:

  • Teleport: Royal seed pod or burning amulet for instant escapes.
  • Food: 8-10 sharks or monkfish for healing.
  • Potions: Super combat, ranging, or magic potions; prayer potions for Protect from Melee.
  • Looting Bag: To store drops like runes and Larran’s keys without banking.
  • Cannonballs: 100-200 if using a cannon in the Slayer Cave.

Pro Tip: Keep your inventory light to maintain run energy for fleeing PKers. Bank every 100k worth of loot to minimize losses.

Strategies for Efficient Ankou Slaying

Maximizing your Slayer task involves combining combat tactics with Wilderness survival skills. Here are proven strategies to get through your task quickly and safely.

Using a Dwarf Multicannon

In the Wilderness Slayer Cave, a cannon is the fastest way to clear Ankous, yielding up to 50k Slayer XP per hour. Set it up in the middle of the spawn area, attack Ankous to draw aggro, and let the cannon do the heavy lifting. However, cannons attract PKers, so stay vigilant and teleport if you spot a white dot on the minimap.

Safespotting in the Forgotten Cemetery

For a low-risk approach, use the safespot at the Forgotten Cemetery. Lure an Ankou to the southwest coffin, position yourself between bone spawns, and attack with Ranged or Magic (Crumble Undead is highly effective). This method is slower but ideal for free-to-play (F2P) players or those with limited gear.

Managing PKer Threats

PKers are the biggest hurdle in the Wilderness. Follow these tips to stay alive:

  • Scout First: Check the area for PKers before setting up your cannon or engaging Ankous.
  • Low Risk: Wear only 3-4 valuable items to minimize losses if killed (Wilderness protects up to 3 items without a skull).
  • Escape Plan: Keep your teleport item in an accessible slot and run to level 30 Wilderness or below for a quick teleport.

Warning: Avoid multi-combat zones if you’re not using a cannon, as PKers can team up to overwhelm you.

Loot and Rewards from Ankou Tasks

Ankous in the Wilderness offer decent loot, especially for mid-level players. While not the most profitable task, the drops can offset costs and provide steady income.

Common Drops

Ankous drop items like blood runes, death runes, noted mithril ore, and pure essence, which add up over time. In the Wilderness, you also get:

  • Larran’s Keys: Exclusive to Krystilia tasks, these unlock Larran’s chest in Edgeville for valuable rewards.
  • Mysterious Emblems: Tradeable for Bounty Hunter points, though less common since updates.
  • Dark Fishing Bait: Useful for fishing enthusiasts.

Profit Potential

At 185 Ankous per hour, you can expect around 80-100k GP in profit, depending on rune prices and key drops. The Wilderness Slayer Cave is the most lucrative due to faster kills, but the Forgotten Cemetery is safer for consistent looting. Always use a looting bag to extend trips and reduce banking time.

Rare Drops and Considerations

Ankous have a chance to drop hard clue scrolls (1/256 with Ring of Wealth in the Wilderness) and elite clue scrolls via cryptic clues. These can yield high-value rewards but require completing the task in the Wilderness to trigger. Avoid farming Ankous off-task in the Wilderness, as the risk outweighs the reward compared to safer locations like the Catacombs.

Conquering an Ankou Wilderness Slayer task in OSRS is a balancing act of combat prowess and survival instincts. By choosing the right location, gearing up smartly, and staying alert for PKers, you can turn this risky task into a rewarding experience. Whether you blast through with a cannon in the Slayer Cave or play it safe at the Forgotten Cemetery, this guide equips you with the tools to succeed. Grab your Salve amulet, pack a teleport, and dive into the Wilderness—happy slaying!