OSRS Cave Horror Slayer Guide: Master This Task for Black Mask Rewards

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of Slayer tasks that challenge players while providing valuable rewards. Among these, the Cave Horror Slayer task stands out as a fan favorite due to its unique requirements and the coveted Black Mask drop. Whether you’re an Ironman hunting for that essential Slayer Helmet component or a main account looking to profit, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to conquer Cave Horrors efficiently. From gear setups to safespot strategies, let’s dive into the dark depths of Mos Le’Harmless Cave and emerge victorious!

Cave Horrors are more than just another Slayer monster—they’re a gateway to one of the most sought-after items in OSRS: the Black Mask. Located in the Mos Le’Harmless Cave, these grotesque creatures require specific preparation, but the payoff can be well worth it. Here’s why you should consider taking on this task:

The Black Mask: A Game-Changing Drop

The Black Mask is the primary reason players flock to Cave Horrors. This rare drop provides a 16.67% boost to melee attack and strength when on a Slayer task, making it a must-have for efficient training. When imbued (via Nightmare Zone or Soul Wars), it also offers a 15% boost to magic and ranged damage, transforming it into a versatile piece of gear. For Ironmen, it’s a critical step toward crafting the Slayer Helmet, a best-in-slot item for Slayer tasks.

Additional Loot and Experience

Beyond the Black Mask, Cave Horrors drop high-level seeds, herbs, nature runes, and hard clue scrolls, offering decent profit and utility. While their Slayer XP per kill (55 XP) isn’t the highest, their low hitpoints (55 HP) and relatively quick kill times make this task manageable and rewarding, especially with a cannon.

Requirements and Preparation for Cave Horrors

Cave Horror Slayer Guide Location Gear and Best Method YouTube

Before you set foot in the Mos Le’Harmless Cave, you’ll need to meet some prerequisites and gather essential items. Skipping this step could leave you vulnerable to the Cave Horrors’ unique mechanics.

Unlocking the Task

Slayer Level: 58 (required to damage Cave Horrors).
Quest: Completion of Cabin Fever to access Mos Le’Harmless.
Slayer Masters: Assigned by Chaeldar, Nieve, or Duradel (minimum combat level 70 for the latter two).

Essential Gear and Items

Cave Horrors have a magic-based melee attack and a special scream that deals damage equal to 10% of your base Hitpoints (e.g., 9 damage at 99 HP) unless mitigated. Here’s what you’ll need:

Witchwood Icon: Buy from any Slayer Master for 900 GP. Mandatory if not using Protect from Melee to reduce scream damage.
Light Source: A bullseye lantern, Kandarin headgear, or Fire of Eternal Light (if lit) to avoid darkness damage in the cave.
Teleport Options: Mos Le’Harmless teleport scroll, Trouble Brewing minigame teleport, or Ectophial + Bill Teach’s boat.

Best Gear Setups for Cave Horror Slayer

OSRS Cave Horror Slayer Task Guide NovaMMO

Your gear choice depends on your combat style and whether you prioritize speed, sustainability, or AFK potential. Below are optimized setups for melee, ranged, and magic, tailored to Cave Horrors’ magic-based melee attacks.

Melee Setup: High Damage with Prayer

For melee users, focus on prayer bonus gear to sustain Protect from Melee, negating all damage and allowing a stronger amulet over the Witchwood Icon.

Slot	Best-in-Slot	Budget Alternative
Head	Slayer Helmet (i)	Black Mask or Helm of Neitiznot
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

Inventory: Prayer potions, high-healing food (e.g., sharks), dwarf multicannon (optional), Bones to Peaches tablets for extended trips.

Ranged Setup: Safespot Efficiency

Ranged is ideal for safespotting, leveraging high magic defense armor to minimize damage when prayer isn’t active.

Head: Slayer Helmet (i) 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)

Inventory: Ranging potions, broad bolts or amethyst arrows, telegrab runes for loot, cannon supplies.

Magic Setup: Niche but Viable

Magic is less common but works with high magic defense and sustained damage output.

Head: Slayer Helmet (i) or Black Mask
Neck: Occult Necklace or Amulet of Fury
Body: Ancestral Robe Top or Ahrim’s Robetop
Legs: Ancestral Robe Bottom or Ahrim’s Robeskirt
Weapon: Toxic Trident or Staff of the Dead

Inventory: Runes for high-damage spells (e.g., Fire Surge), prayer potions, food.

How to Reach and Navigate Mos Le’Harmless Cave

Getting to the Cave Horrors is half the battle. The Mos Le’Harmless Cave is located on the island of Mos Le’Harmless, accessible only after completing Cabin Fever. Here’s how to get there and what to expect inside.

Travel Options

Fastest: Mos Le’Harmless teleport scroll (Grand Exchange purchase).
Convenient: Trouble Brewing minigame teleport (unlocked after visiting Mos Le’Harmless, requires 40 Cooking).
Budget: Ectophial to Port Phasmatys, then sail with Bill Teach.
Alternative: Charter ship from Port Sarim or other ports.

Inside the Cave

The cave is dark and sprawling, with Cave Horrors scattered throughout. Key features include:

Safespots: Mushrooms, stalagmites, and boulders near the entrance or swamp area for ranged attacks.
Spawns: Moderately spaced out, making cannon placement effective but not overcrowded.
Hazards: Darkness damage without a light source; scream damage without mitigation.

Strategies to Maximize Efficiency and Profit

With the right approach, you can turn Cave Horrors into a quick, profitable task. Here are proven strategies to optimize your kills and loot.

Cannon and Prayer Combo

Using a dwarf multicannon with Protect from Melee boosts kill speed significantly, averaging 115–360 kills per hour depending on gear. Place the cannon near the entrance or central areas with multiple spawns, and replenish it as needed. This method maximizes XP (up to 60k/hour) and profit (around 600k–700k GP/hour with a Black Mask drop).

Safespotting for Low Effort

For a more relaxed approach, use ranged or magic from safespots. The area near the swamp or entrance offers spots where you can attack without retaliation. Bring telegrab runes to collect loot safely, reducing risk and supply usage.

Loot Management

Cave Horrors drop unnoted mahogany logs, herbs, seeds, and limpwurt roots frequently. Use a herb sack, seed box, and log basket to save inventory space. Prioritize picking up Black Masks, clue scrolls, and high-value alchables like nature runes.

Extending Trips

To stay longer, leverage Bones to Peaches (unlocked via Mage Training Arena) with high magic defense gear to heal off their big bone drops. Alternatively, a bonecrusher necklace sustains prayer when cannoning, minimizing potion use.

By mastering these strategies, you’ll turn the Mos Le’Harmless Cave into your personal goldmine. Whether you’re after the Black Mask, Slayer XP, or a mix of loot, Cave Horrors offer a rewarding challenge for mid-to-high-level players. Grab your gear, light your lantern, and start slaying!