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OSRS Fishing Explosive Kraken: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering This Slayer Boss

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of exciting challenges, and one of the standout encounters is the Kraken boss. This massive sea monster, lurking in the depths of Kraken Cove, is a popular Slayer target for players seeking profit and prestige. A key tool that has revolutionized how players tackle this boss is the fishing explosive. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about the OSRS fishing explosive Kraken method—covering strategies, gear, rewards, and tips to optimize your kills. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a Slayer newbie, this blog post will help you conquer the Kraken with ease.
The Kraken is a formidable Slayer boss in OSRS, a larger and more powerful variant of the cave kraken. Located in Kraken Cove, southwest of the Piscatoris Fishing Colony, this beast requires level 87 Slayer to damage and can only be fought during a cave kraken Slayer task. With a combat level of 291, the Kraken isn’t just a pushover—it demands preparation and strategy. Its unique mechanics and valuable drops, like the Trident of the Seas and Kraken Tentacle, make it a favorite among players looking to grind Slayer tasks efficiently.
Why the Fishing Explosive Changes Everything
Traditionally, awakening the Kraken required players to disturb four smaller whirlpools before targeting the central large whirlpool. This process was time-consuming and tedious. Enter the fishing explosive—a game-changer introduced in a 2021 update (Poll 75). By tossing a single fishing explosive into the large whirlpool, you instantly awaken the Kraken and its four enormous tentacles, slashing the setup time and making the fight more AFK-friendly. This small item, costing just 60-160 GP from any Slayer master, has turned Kraken slaying into a smoother, faster experience.
How to Use Fishing Explosives at the Kraken
Using fishing explosives at the Kraken is straightforward, but mastering the technique can boost your kills per hour (KPH). Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to incorporate this tool into your Slayer routine.
Getting Started: Requirements and Access
Before you can face the Kraken, you’ll need to meet a few prerequisites:
- Level 87 Slayer: Essential to deal damage to the Kraken.
- Cave Kraken Slayer Task: Assigned by Slayer masters like Duradel, Nieve, or Konar.
- Fishing Explosives: Purchase a stack from any Slayer master (they’re stackable and cheap).
- Magic Level 50+: Recommended for wielding the Trident of the Seas, the go-to weapon for this boss.
To reach Kraken Cove, use the fairy ring code AKQ (east of the cove) or a Piscatoris teleport scroll, then head southwest. Once inside, you can opt for a private instance for 25,000 GP, which keeps loot on the ground for 30 minutes—perfect for AFK sessions.
Step-by-Step Fishing Explosive Method
- Enter Kraken Cove: Navigate to the boss area via the crevice in the north.
- Use the Fishing Explosive: Click the explosive in your inventory, then click the large whirlpool. You’ll hear an impact sound, signaling the Kraken is awake.
- Attack: With auto-retaliate off, your character will automatically target the Kraken once it emerges. Position yourself 5-6 tiles away to optimize attack timing.
- Fight: Focus on the Kraken while tanking hits from the tentacles. Use Magic for maximum damage output.
- Loot: Collect your rewards and repeat!
Optimizing Your Kills
To maximize efficiency, consider these pro tips:
- Timing the Throw: Throw the explosive close to the whirlpool, then step back 5-6 tiles (or 3 with a Shadow of Tumeken) before running back. This saves 2 ticks per kill, adding roughly 2 KPH.
- Private Instance: Spend the 25k GP to avoid competition and let loot pile up.
- Bracelet of Slaughter: Equip this at the end of each kill to extend your task for more drops.
Best Gear and Inventory Setup for Kraken
The Kraken is vulnerable to Magic, making it the only viable combat style (Ranged deals 1/7th damage, and Melee is unusable). Here’s how to gear up for success.
Recommended Gear
Slot | Best-in-Slot | Budget Alternative |
---|---|---|
Head | Slayer Helmet (i) | Ahrim’s Hood |
Cape | Imbued God Cape | Ardougne Cloak |
Weapon | Trident of the Seas | Iban’s Staff |
Body | Ancestral Robe Top | Ahrim’s Robetop |
Legs | Ancestral Robe Bottom | Ahrim’s Robeskirt |
Shield | Arcane Spirit Shield | Book of Darkness |
Notes: The Shadow of Tumeken or Sanguinesti Staff can push KPH to 80-90, but they’re luxury options. The Volatile Nightmare Staff is a great special attack weapon for faster clears.
Inventory Setup
- Fishing Explosives (stack): Bring 200-500 for an extended task.
- Rune Pouch: For teleports or utility spells.
- Prayer Potions (2-4): To maintain Preserve or Augury.
- Food (5-10): Sharks or better for emergencies.
- Imbued Heart/Saturated Heart: Boosts Magic for higher damage.
- Teleport: Piscatoris teleport or fairy ring access.
Combat Strategy
The Kraken and its tentacles use typeless magical ranged attacks, meaning protection prayers won’t help. The Kraken’s max hit is 28 but has low accuracy, while the tentacles hit accurately for 2 damage each. Stay above 45 HP to avoid unlucky combos, and pray Augury or Mystic Might for Magic defense and damage boosts. Focus all attacks on the Kraken—ignore the tentacles unless you’re desperate for breathing room.
Rewards and Profit from Kraken Kills
The Kraken offers a mix of consistent profit and rare, high-value drops, making it a lucrative Slayer task. Here’s what you can expect.
Common Drops
- Sharks: Frequent food drops to sustain AFK sessions.
- Runes: Chaos, Death, and Blood runes in decent quantities.
- Herbs and Seeds: Grimy herbs and magic seeds for Herblore or Farming.
Rare and Unique Drops
Item | Drop Rate | Value (GE Price, April 2025) |
---|---|---|
Kraken Tentacle | 1/400 | ~400k GP |
Trident of the Seas (uncharged) | 1/512 | ~50k GP |
Jar of Dirt | 1/1,000 | ~10k GP |
Pet Kraken | 1/3,000 | Priceless (cosmetic) |
Profit Per Hour: On average, a Kraken kill is worth 21k-23k GP, with extended tasks (100-120 kills) netting 2-3M GP/hour depending on RNG and gear efficiency. Konar tasks boost this slightly due to Brimstone Key drops.
Tips and Tricks for Efficient Kraken Slaying
To get the most out of your Kraken runs, incorporate these advanced strategies and avoid common pitfalls.
Maximizing Efficiency
- Task Extensions: Extend cave kraken tasks with Slayer points for longer runs.
- Slayer Master Choice: Duradel offers 100-120 Kraken tasks, ideal for grinding.
- AFK Playstyle: The fishing explosive method lets you semi-AFK, checking back to throw explosives and loot.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Auto-Retaliate On: This wastes runes or charges attacking tentacles post-kill.
- Skipping Private Instances: Public worlds can get crowded, slowing you down.
- Overpacking Food: The Kraken drops plenty of sharks—bring only what you need.
Fun Facts About the Kraken
Did you know the fishing explosive’s lore ties to sodium reacting with water? Or that the Kraken’s design draws from nautical myths? These tidbits add flavor to your grind!
With the fishing explosive in hand, the OSRS Kraken transforms from a tedious chore into a streamlined, profitable Slayer boss. Equip your Magic gear, stock up on explosives, and dive into Kraken Cove prepared to dominate. Happy slaying!