OSRS Darklight Against Greater Demons: Strategy Guide and Weapon Breakdown
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the Darklight is a unique demonbane weapon that players can wield to tackle some of the game’s most fearsome demonic foes, including Greater Demons. Whether you’re on a Slayer task or simply exploring the world of Gielinor, understanding how Darklight performs against Greater Demons can elevate your gameplay. This comprehensive guide dives into the mechanics, strategies, and effectiveness of using Darklight against Greater Demons, ensuring you’re well-equipped to slay these monsters efficiently.
Darklight is a special weapon in OSRS, evolved from the Silverlight sword during the “Shadow of the Storm” quest. Once Silverlight is dyed with black mushroom ink and used to defeat the demon Agrith-Naar, it transforms into Darklight, gaining enhanced properties against demonic enemies. It’s a one-handed weapon with a distinctive dark, ichor-coated appearance, symbolizing its demon-slaying prowess.
Darklight Stats and Requirements
Darklight has modest base stats, comparable to a steel longsword against non-demonic foes:
- Attack Bonuses: +10 Stab, +16 Slash, +16 Crush
- Strength Bonus: +8
- Attack Speed: 5 ticks (3.0 seconds)
- Requirements: None (quest completion unlocks it)
However, its true power shines when facing demons, thanks to its passive effect and special attack.
How to Obtain Darklight
To wield Darklight, you must complete the “Shadow of the Storm” quest. If lost, it can be repurchased from Sir Prysin in Varrock Palace for 1,000 coins, provided you don’t already own a Silverlight or its upgraded variant, Arclight. This accessibility makes Darklight a low-barrier option for demon slaying.
Greater Demons in OSRS: An Overview
Greater Demons are mid-to-high-level Slayer monsters known for their decent drops, including rune full helms and hard clue scrolls. They’re commonly assigned by Slayer masters like Krystilia, Chaeldar, Konar, Nieve/Steve, and Duradel, making them a frequent target for players leveling Slayer or seeking profit.
Greater Demon Stats and Weaknesses
Here’s a quick look at Greater Demons’ combat profile:
| Combat Level | Hitpoints | Attack Style | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | 87 | Melee | Demonbane weapons, Bolts |
Greater Demons lack specific resistances beyond their moderate defense, making them vulnerable to Darklight’s demonbane bonuses.
Where to Find Greater Demons
You can encounter Greater Demons in several locations, such as:
- Catacombs of Kourend: Multi-combat, safespottable, and popular for Slayer tasks.
- Chasm of Fire: Ideal for safespotting with pillars and boulders.
- Brimhaven Dungeon: A classic spot requiring 875 coins or a one-time fee.
- Wilderness Slayer Cave: High-risk, high-reward with multi-combat.
Darklight’s Effectiveness Against Greater Demons
Darklight’s defining feature is its passive effect against demons, including Greater Demons. When used, it increases your maximum hit by 60%, significantly boosting damage output. This bonus, paired with its special attack, makes it a contender for demon-slaying tasks, even with its otherwise lackluster stats.
Passive Effect Breakdown
Against Greater Demons, Darklight’s 60% max hit increase translates to damage comparable to a dragon longsword, though its accuracy remains tied to its steel longsword-tier bonuses. This means that while you’ll hit harder, you might miss more often compared to higher-tier weapons like the dragon scimitar or whip—unless you leverage its special attack.
Weaken Special Attack
Darklight’s special attack, “Weaken,” consumes 50% of your special attack energy and delivers the following effects on a successful hit:
- Non-Demons: Reduces Attack, Strength, and Defence by 5% of their base level + 1.
- Demons (e.g., Greater Demons): Doubles the drain to 10% of their base level + 1.
- Stacking: Multiple successful hits stack additively, further weakening the target.
For Greater Demons (base levels: 92 Attack, 90 Strength, 85 Defence), two successful Weaken attacks reduce their stats by approximately 20% + 2, lowering their damage output and making them easier to kill.
Darklight vs. Other Weapons
How does Darklight stack up against popular alternatives? Here’s a comparison:
| Weapon | Max Hit vs. Demons | Accuracy | Attack Speed | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darklight | Dragon longsword-tier (with 60% boost) | Steel longsword-tier | 5 ticks | Quest |
| Dragon Scimitar | Moderate | High | 4 ticks | 60 Attack |
| Abyssal Whip | High | Very High | 4 ticks | 70 Attack |
| Arclight | Very High (70% boost) | High | 4 ticks | 75 Attack, Shards |
Darklight shines at lower levels or for players without access to high-tier gear, but it’s outclassed by the whip or Arclight for those with the stats and resources.
Strategies for Using Darklight Against Greater Demons
To maximize Darklight’s potential against Greater Demons, consider these strategies tailored to different playstyles and levels.
Low-Level Strategy (40-60 Attack)
For players with limited combat stats:
- Gear: Rune armor, Amulet of Strength, and a decent off-hand (e.g., Rune defender).
- Location: Chasm of Fire for safespots.
- Tactic: Use Weaken twice to reduce the demon’s stats, then switch to a faster weapon like a dragon dagger for higher DPS if available. Bring food and prayer potions to sustain.
Mid-Level Strategy (60-75 Attack)
For players with moderate gear:
- Gear: Dragon armor, Amulet of Fury, and Darklight with an off-hand (e.g., Dragon defender).
- Location: Catacombs of Kourend for multi-combat and bone drops.
- Tactic: Alternate between Darklight’s special attack and regular hits. Use Protect from Melee to minimize damage and restore prayer with bones via the Catacombs’ effect.
Upgrading to Arclight
If you’re nearing 75 Attack, consider upgrading Darklight to Arclight by using three ancient shards at the Catacombs of Kourend altar. Arclight offers:
- 70% accuracy and damage boost vs. demons.
- Faster attack speed (4 ticks).
- Charge system: 1,000 charges per 3 shards, up to 10,000 max.
Arclight vastly outperforms Darklight, making it worth the investment for frequent demon tasks.
Is Darklight Worth Using Against Greater Demons?
Darklight’s viability depends on your combat level, gear, and goals. Here’s a breakdown of its pros and cons:
Advantages of Darklight
- Low Cost: Easily replaceable for 1,000 coins.
- Demon Bonus: 60% max hit increase is significant at lower levels.
- Special Attack: Weaken softens Greater Demons, aiding survivability.
- Accessibility: No stat requirements beyond quest completion.
Drawbacks of Darklight
- Low Accuracy: Misses more often than higher-tier weapons.
- Slow Speed: 5-tick attack speed lags behind 4-tick options.
- Outclassed: Dragon scimitar, whip, or Arclight outperform it at higher levels.
Final Verdict
Darklight is a solid choice for low-to-mid-level players (40-60 Attack) on a budget or without access to better weapons. For Slayer tasks, it’s a decent starter weapon against Greater Demons, especially with safespots. However, once you hit 60+ Attack or can farm ancient shards for Arclight, transitioning to superior options will yield faster kills and better efficiency.
In conclusion, Darklight holds a niche role in OSRS as an early-game demonbane weapon. While it won’t compete with endgame gear, its accessibility and unique mechanics make it a fun and practical tool for tackling Greater Demons. Whether you stick with it or upgrade to Arclight, mastering its use can enhance your Slayer journey in Gielinor.