OSRS Dark Beast Slayer Guide: Best Strategies for Success

If you’re an Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player looking to tackle the Dark Beast Slayer task, you’ve come to the right place. Dark Beasts are formidable foes requiring level 90 Slayer to kill, and they offer valuable rewards like the Dark Bow and Death Talisman. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to slay Dark Beasts efficiently, from preparation to combat strategies. Whether you’re aiming to maximize XP, profit, or just complete your Slayer assignment, we’ve got you covered with proven tips and setups.

Dark Beasts are aggressive, high-level monsters found in specific dungeons in OSRS. Known for their shadowy appearance and glowing red eyes, they’re a challenge worth taking on for seasoned players. Before diving into combat, it’s essential to understand their mechanics and locations.

What Are Dark Beasts?

Dark Beasts are level 182 monsters with 220 Hitpoints. They attack using both Melee and Magic, with a preference for Magic if you’re out of their Melee range or if you strike first. They’re always aggressive, ignoring tolerance mechanics, so expect a fight as soon as you’re in their vicinity.

Where to Find Dark Beasts

You can encounter Dark Beasts in two main locations:

Mourner Tunnels: Located beneath Mourner Headquarters in West Ardougne. Requires completion of Mourning’s End Part II quest. Fast access via a Slayer Ring teleport.
Iorwerth Dungeon: Found in Prifddinas. No quest requirement, but you’ll need to navigate to the northern section. Offers a chance at crystal shards as a tertiary drop.

Preparation for the Dark Beast Slayer Task

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Preparation is key to slaying Dark Beasts efficiently. From gear to inventory, here’s how to set yourself up for success.

Slayer Level and Task Requirements

You’ll need at least level 90 Slayer to kill Dark Beasts, and a combat level of 90 is required for them to be assigned as a task (unless you’ve adjusted difficulty with a Slayer Master). By default, tasks range from 10-20 kills, but spending 100 Slayer reward points on “Need More Darkness” extends this to 110-135.

Recommended Gear Setup

Melee is the most effective combat style against Dark Beasts due to their high accuracy and damage output. Here’s a recommended setup:

Helmet: Slayer Helmet (i) for on-task bonus
Chest: Proselyte Armour (high prayer bonus)
Legs: Proselyte Armour
Weapon: Abyssal Whip or Saradomin Godsword (for prayer regen)
Shield: Dragon Defender
Amulet: Amulet of Fury
Ring: Ring of Suffering (i) or Slayer Ring (for teleport)

For budget players, swap Proselyte for Initiate and use a Dragon Scimitar instead of a Whip.

Inventory Setup

Your inventory should balance combat sustainability with profit maximization. Include:

Prayer Potions: 4-6 doses to maintain Protect from Melee
Super Combat Potion: Boosts Attack, Strength, and Defence
Food: Sharks or better (5-10)
Herb Sack: Collects herb drops
Gem Bag: Stores gem drops
Rune Pouch: High Alchemy runes for junk drops

Combat Strategies for Dark Beasts

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Dark Beasts can hit hard, so employing the right strategy is crucial. Here’s how to handle them effectively.

Melee Combat Approach

Since Melee is their weakness, stand toe-to-toe with Protect from Melee active. Their Magic attack only triggers if you’re out of reach, so staying close minimizes damage variety. Use your Super Combat Potion early to maximize DPS, and flick Piety for extra damage if you’re comfortable with prayer management.

Dealing with Their Attacks

Dark Beasts have two primary attacks:

Melee: High accuracy, mitigated by Protect from Melee
Magic: Used at a distance or as a first strike; less accurate but still dangerous

Watch your health and eat when it drops below 50-60 HP to avoid getting combo’d out.

Safe Spotting (Alternative Method)

In the Mourner Tunnels, you can use the environment to your advantage. Lure a Dark Beast to a corner or pillar, trap it, and attack with Ranged or Magic from a safe distance. This is slower but safer for lower-level players. Recommended gear includes a Toxic Blowpipe or Black Dragonhide armour.

Maximizing Rewards and Profit

Dark Beasts drop valuable loot, making them a profitable Slayer task if handled correctly. Let’s break down the rewards and how to optimize them.

Notable Drops

Here’s a table of key Dark Beast drops and their average values (as of April 2025):

Item	Drop Rate	Average Value (GP)
Dark Bow	1/512	1,200,000
Death Talisman	1/1,000	5,000
Rune Chainbody	1/128	30,000
Grimy Ranarr Weed	1/25.6	7,000

The average kill is worth around 5,000-7,500 GP, with higher values on Konar tasks or in Iorwerth Dungeon due to tertiary drops like crystal shards.

Tips for Profit Optimization

To squeeze the most out of your task:

High Alch Junk: Convert Rune Chainbodies and other alchables on the spot.
Use Collection Bags: Herb Sack and Gem Bag keep your inventory free for bigger drops.
Extend the Task: More kills mean more chances at rare drops like the Dark Bow.

Tips and Tricks for Efficiency

Beyond the basics, these advanced tips will streamline your Dark Beast slaying experience.

Fast Travel Methods

Speed up your trips with these shortcuts:

Slayer Ring: Instant teleport to Mourner Tunnels (post-Mourning’s End Part II).
Death Altar Route: Enter via the Abyss, then run to the Tunnels.
Prifddinas Teleport: Crystal teleport seed to reach Iorwerth Dungeon quickly.

Managing Prayer and Supplies

Prayer is your lifeline. Use a Saradomin Godsword special attack to restore prayer points mid-task, reducing potion usage. Bring a Holy Wrench to boost prayer restoration from each dose. If you’re running low, prioritize food over prayer until you can bank.

XP Rates and Task Duration

Expect 40-50k Slayer XP per hour with a decent setup, and up to 100k Combat XP. A standard 110-135 kill task takes 2-3 hours, depending on your efficiency and banking frequency.

With this OSRS Dark Beast Slayer Guide, you’re ready to take on these shadowy beasts with confidence. Whether you’re chasing the elusive Dark Bow or grinding Slayer levels, these strategies will help you succeed. Grab your gear, head to the dungeons, and start slaying—good luck, adventurer!