Steve Slayer Master OSRS: Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering Slayer with Steve

In the vast world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), Slayer is one of the most engaging and rewarding skills. Among the various Slayer Masters, Steve stands out as a key figure for mid-to-high-level players looking to tackle challenging tasks and earn valuable rewards. Replacing Nieve after the events of Monkey Madness II, Steve has become a fan-favorite Slayer Master in the Tree Gnome Stronghold. Whether you’re aiming to level up your Slayer skill, farm Slayer points, or take on epic boss fights, this guide dives deep into everything you need to know about Steve in OSRS. Let’s explore his role, tasks, rewards, and strategies to optimize your Slayer experience!
Steve is a pivotal NPC in OSRS, stepping into the role of Slayer Master in the Tree Gnome Stronghold following the dramatic conclusion of the Monkey Madness II quest. Before this, Steve was a warrior stationed in the Asgarnian Ice Dungeon, guarding the Skeletal Wyvern area. After his cousin Nieve’s untimely death during the quest, Steve takes over her duties, bringing his own personality and flair to the Slayer Master role.
Steve’s Background and Lore
Steve’s backstory adds a layer of depth to his character. As Nieve’s cousin, he initially envied her position as a Slayer Master, believing it was just about “telling people to kill stuff.” His time in the Ice Dungeon, wielding a steel mace and Bandos armor, reflects his combat prowess. Post-Monkey Madness II, Steve upgrades to a Zamorakian hasta, symbolizing his readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
How to Access Steve
Steve is located in the Tree Gnome Stronghold, near the yew trees and southern bank, in the same spot where Nieve once stood. To receive tasks from him, you need a minimum combat level of 85. Here are the fastest ways to reach him:
- Slayer Ring Teleport: Takes you directly to the Stronghold Slayer Cave.
- Spirit Tree: Teleport to the Tree Gnome Stronghold and head southwest.
- Gnome Glider: Fly to the Grand Tree, then walk southwest.
- Necklace of Passage: Teleport to Jorral’s Outpost and run north.
Steve’s Slayer Task List: What to Expect
Steve assigns a diverse range of Slayer tasks, catering to players with combat levels of 85 and above. His task list mirrors Nieve’s, offering a mix of standard monsters and boss encounters, making him a great choice for experience-focused players. Here’s a breakdown of what you might face:
Common Slayer Tasks from Steve
Steve’s tasks include a variety of monsters, many of which can be tackled efficiently with the right setup. Some popular assignments include:
- Dust Devils: Ideal for bursting in the Catacombs of Kourend, offering fast XP.
- Nechryaels: Great for multi-combat bursting and decent loot like rune boots.
- Abyssal Demons: A profitable task with chances for the Abyssal Whip.
- TzHaar: Unlocked with the “Hot Stuff” reward, leading to Jad fights.
Boss Tasks and Unique Assignments
For players seeking a challenge, Steve can assign boss tasks after unlocking the “Like a Boss” perk for 200 Slayer points. These include:
- TzTok-Jad: Grants 25,000 bonus Slayer XP upon completion.
- Kalphite Queen: Offers rare drops like the Dragon Chainbody.
- Cerberus: Requires 91 Slayer and yields valuable Primordial Crystals.
Steve’s Slayer Rewards and Points System
Completing tasks for Steve earns you Slayer reward points, which can be spent on unlocks, upgrades, and skips. His point system is particularly lucrative after completing the Elite Western Provinces Diary, aligning his rewards with Duradel’s, the highest-tier Slayer Master.
Slayer Points Breakdown
Here’s how many points you can earn per task milestone with Steve:
Task Milestone | Base Points | Post-Elite Diary Points |
---|---|---|
Every Task | 12 | 15 |
10th Task | 60 | 75 |
50th Task | 180 | 225 |
100th Task | 300 | 375 |
250th Task | 420 | 525 |
1,000th Task | 600 | 750 |
Note: The Elite Western Provinces Diary boosts Steve’s points to match Duradel’s, making him an excellent choice for point farming.
Top Slayer Reward Unlocks with Steve
With your hard-earned points, consider these unlocks to enhance your Slayer journey:
- Bigger and Badder (200 Points): Increases boss task difficulty and XP.
- Slayer Helmet (400 Points): Combines multiple gear effects for efficiency.
- Hot Stuff (100 Points): Unlocks TzHaar tasks, including Jad.
- Task Extensions: Extend Dust Devils, Nechryaels, and Ankous for more XP.
Strategies for Maximizing Slayer XP with Steve
Steve is a top choice for players chasing fast Slayer XP, thanks to his task weighting and proximity to teleports. Here’s how to optimize your experience:
Gear and Inventory Setup
Your gear depends on the task, but a general setup includes:
- Slayer Helmet (i): Boosts accuracy and damage on task.
- Dwarf Multicannon: Speeds up kills in multi-combat areas.
- Prayer Gear: For AFK tasks like Greater Demons.
- Barrage Runes: For bursting Dust Devils or Nechryaels.
Bring food, potions (like Super Combats), and teleports for banking efficiency.
Task Skipping and Blocking
To maximize XP per hour, skip or block slow tasks. Recommended blocks for Steve include:
- Black Demons: Slow without cannon or burst.
- Hellhounds: Low XP unless boss variant.
- Greater Demons: Better as a boss task.
Use the Expeditious Bracelet for short tasks and the Bracelet of Slaughter to extend high-XP ones.
Best Tasks for XP
Focus on these tasks for the fastest Slayer XP with Steve:
- Smoke Devils: Up to 200 assigned, highest XP/hour when barraged.
- Dust Devils: Extendable to 300+ with bursting.
- Nechryaels: High XP and decent loot in multi-combat zones.
Why Choose Steve Over Other Slayer Masters?
With nine Slayer Masters in OSRS, why pick Steve? Let’s compare him to the competition and highlight his unique advantages.
Steve vs. Duradel
Duradel, in Shilo Village, requires 100 combat and 50 Slayer, offering longer tasks with higher difficulty. Steve, at combat 85, provides similar high-XP tasks but is closer to teleports and has a slightly different task weighting. For example, Steve assigns Jad more often than Duradel’s Abyssal Demons.
Steve vs. Konar
Konar, on Mount Karuulm, assigns location-specific tasks with Brimstone Key drops, ideal for profit. However, her tasks are less cannon-friendly, making Steve better for pure XP grinding.
Steve’s Unique Appeal
Steve’s strengths include:
- Accessibility: Quick teleports via Slayer Ring or Spirit Tree.
- Balanced Tasks: A mix of burstable mobs and boss fights.
- Post-Diary Points: Matches Duradel’s rewards with the Elite Western Provinces Diary.
In conclusion, Steve is a versatile Slayer Master perfect for players between combat levels 85 and 100 who want fast XP and a shot at boss tasks. Whether you’re bursting Dust Devils, fighting Jad, or stacking points, Steve offers a rewarding Slayer experience in OSRS. Equip your gear, head to the Tree Gnome Stronghold, and let Steve guide you to Slayer greatness!