Slayer in OSRS now has twelve masters, three separate block-cost tiers and a top-level master who gives you no points unless you pick a modifier for them. This guide follows the live game as of November 14, 2026: which master to use at your Combat level, how points and blocks work, what to buy first, and how Mortimer, Sailing and Varlamore changed the route to 99.
Key takeaways
- Take tasks from the highest master your Combat level unlocks. Duradel is the best pick at 100 Combat and 50 Slayer.
- Buy the Slayer helmet unlock (400 points) first. After that, buy Bigger and Badder for superiors.
- Since August 2025 each master keeps its own block list: Konar 80, Nieve/Steve 90 and Duradel/Krystilia 100 points per slot.
- Mortimer is the Imbued Heart master, not the XP master. Jagex expects him to cut the heart grind to 65–80 hours.
- Do the in-between tasks with Turael or Spria and save the 10th and 50th tasks for your best-paying master.
Fact-checked
We checked these key facts against the sources named, on November 14, 2026:
- For most players that means Duradel at 100 Combat and 50 Slayer (source: oldschool.runescape.wiki)
- Malevolent Masquerade (400 points) for the Slayer helmet comes first (source: oldschool.runescape.wiki)
- He pays 15 per task with 75/225/375/525/750 at every 10th/50th/100th/250th/1,000th task (source: oldschool.runescape.wiki)
- Konar wins on paper: 20 against 15 per task with her diary, and 300 against 225 on a 50th (source: oldschool.runescape.wiki)
- Duradel is the best pick at 100 Combat and 50 Slayer. – Buy the Slayer helmet unlock (400 points) first (source: oldschool.runescape.wiki)
OSRS Slayer in 2026: what changed and what to do first
You train Slayer only by killing the monsters a Slayer Master assigns you. You earn Slayer XP only while on task, and you earn Slayer points by finishing eligible tasks, with points starting from your fifth completed task. The basics are as old as the skill. What changed is the top of the game: Mortimer, separate block lists for each master, a merged Metal Dragons task and cheaper unlocks in 2026.
If you are brand new, start here:
Quick steps: your first hour of Slayer
- Go to Turael in Burthorpe (or Spria in Draynor Village) and ask for a task.
- Buy an enchanted gem from him so you can check your kill count anywhere.
- Kill the assigned number of that monster. Only those kills give Slayer XP.
- Go back for a new task, and move up to a higher master once your Combat level allows it.
- Spend your first points on the Slayer helmet unlock once you reach 55 Crafting.
How a Slayer task works
A Slayer task is a monster type plus a kill count. For example, Vannaka might give you 60 hill giants. Each on-task kill gives normal combat XP plus Slayer XP equal to the monster’s hitpoints. Kills of the same monster while you are off task give no Slayer XP.
Some monsters can only be damaged on task once you have the right Slayer level, such as gargoyles at 75 or abyssal demons at 85. Many also need a protective item: earmuffs for banshees, a nose peg for aberrant spectres, a facemask for dust devils. The Slayer helmet combines most of these and adds a damage and accuracy bonus on task.
The enchanted gem tells you how many kills you have left, and it can teleport you to some masters once you buy the matching reward. The Slayer ring does the same job and also teleports you to five Slayer locations.
What changed in 2025–2026
Five changes from the last fifteen months matter most. Older guides miss all of them.
| Date | Change | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Aug 2025 | Each master gets its own block list. Costs: Konar 80, Nieve/Steve 90, Duradel/Kuradal and Krystilia 100 points | Everyone using several masters |
| Aug 2025 | Bronze, iron, steel, mithril, adamant and rune dragon tasks merged into one Metal Dragons task. Old unlocks refunded | Players who bought dragon extensions |
| June 2026 | Frost dragon weighting and task-length unlocks for Nieve and Duradel, 100 points each | Sailing players on high-level masters |
| 30 June 2026 | The Blood Moon Rises: venators count for vampyre tasks, and the Maggot King becomes a boss task | Mid-level and boss-task players |
| 22 July 2026 | Oath Breaker and Twisted Vision unlocks cut from 1,000 to 200 points, with refunds | Late-game point spenders |
| 29 July 2026 | Mortimer released with the Wyrmscraig update | 100+ Combat players with 70+ Slayer |
| 19 Aug 2026 | No partnering while you hold unselected Mortimer tasks. Mortimer tasks can’t be shared with players who haven’t unlocked him | Duo Slayer players |
Every Slayer Master: requirements, location and points
Use the highest master you qualify for. For most players that means Duradel at 100 Combat and 50 Slayer. Konar and Krystilia are side options for points and loot, and Mortimer is a specialist for the Imbued Heart grind.
These are the facts that set the ranking below:
| Master | Location | Combat req | Slayer req | Points/task | 10th / 50th bonus | Block cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turael | Burthorpe | None | None | 0 | None | n/a | Easy tasks, used for the streak trick |
| Spria | Draynor Village | None | None | 0 | None | n/a | Same role as Turael |
| Mazchna | Canifis | 20 | None | 2 | 5 / 15 | n/a | Needs Priest in Peril |
| Vannaka | Edgeville Dungeon | 40 | None | 4 | 20 / 60 | n/a | Long mid-level tasks |
| Chaeldar | Zanaris | 70 | None | 10 | 50 / 150 | n/a | Needs Lost City |
| Konar quo Maten | Mount Karuulm | 75 | None | 18 (20 with elite) | 90 / 270 (100 / 300) | 80 | Tasks locked to one location |
| Nieve / Steve | Tree Gnome Stronghold | 85 | None | 12 (15 with elite) | 60 / 180 (75 / 225) | 90 | Steve replaces Nieve after Monkey Madness II |
| Duradel | Shilo Village | 100 | 50 | 15 | 75 / 225 | 100 | Best general XP/hr |
| Krystilia | Edgeville | None | None | 25 | 125 / 375 | 100 | Wilderness-only tasks |
| Mortimer | Wyrmscraig Cavern | 100 | 70 (or 99) | 0 (5–40 with Mortifier) | Not applicable by default | 120 (two slots) | Two-task choice, 100-point skip |
How the masters are ranked
The ranking weighs four things, in this order: XP per hour on the tasks the master gives, points per task, how often you get a task worth doing, and access cost (quests, Combat level and travel). The weighting comes from the OSRS Wiki’s assignment data, Jagex’s own statements in update posts, and the community consensus on Slayer efficiency.
- Duradel. The top pick. Jagex said in the Wyrmscraig poll that he remains the most efficient master for general Slayer XP/hr.
- Mortimer. Almost tied on XP, and the best master once you are chasing an Imbued Heart.
- Konar quo Maten. The most points of any non-Wilderness master, plus brimstone keys, but the location lock slows her tasks down.
- Nieve/Steve. The best master between 85 and 99 Combat, and level with Duradel on points once you have the Western Provinces Elite diary.
- Krystilia. The highest points per task, but every kill is in the Wilderness and comes with PvP risk.
- Chaeldar. The workhorse from 70 to 84 Combat.
- Vannaka, Mazchna, Turael and Spria. Stepping stones. Turael and Spria stay useful at every level for the streak trick.
Turael and Spria
Turael and Spria give the shortest, easiest tasks in the game and no points. They have two uses: your first few Slayer levels, and fast filler tasks between milestone tasks later on.
The old “Turael skip” also still works on every master except Mortimer. If a higher master gives you a bad task, take a Turael task to replace it. It costs nothing, but it resets your task streak to zero, so it only makes sense before you have a valuable streak or when you have no points to spare.
Did you know?
According to Jagex’s “Meet Mortimer” release post, Turael can’t reset a Mortimer task. The Turael skip that works on every other master does nothing against him.
Mazchna, Vannaka and Chaeldar
These three cover Combat 20 to 74. Mazchna in Canifis needs Priest in Peril, which you want anyway because it opens Morytania and the Slayer Tower. Vannaka in Edgeville Dungeon hands out long tasks that are good for training your melee stats.
Chaeldar in Zanaris needs Lost City and 70 Combat, and pays 10 points per task. She is the first master whose points add up to real unlocks. She also assigns newer content such as custodian stalkers and lesser nagua, so she stays a reasonable choice until 85 Combat.
Konar quo Maten
Konar stands on top of Mount Karuulm in Kebos and pays 18 points per task, or 20 after the Kourend & Kebos Elite diary. Her milestone bonuses are 90/270/450 at every 10th, 50th and 100th task, or 100/300/500 with the diary.
The catch is that every Konar task names a location. “Kill 120 abyssal demons in the Catacombs of Kourend” means kills elsewhere don’t count. In return, her task monsters can drop brimstone keys, which open the Brimstone chest on Mount Karuulm.
Nieve/Steve and Duradel
Nieve (or Steve, after Monkey Madness II) sits next to the Stronghold Slayer Cave in the Tree Gnome Stronghold and needs 85 Combat. She pays 12 points per task, or 15 once you finish the Western Provinces Elite diary. Her task list is close to Duradel’s.
Duradel needs 100 Combat, 50 Slayer and the Shilo Village quest. He pays 15 per task with 75/225/375/525/750 at every 10th/50th/100th/250th/1,000th task. His list has the highest share of burst, barrage and high-value tasks, which is why he is the default from 100 Combat up to 99 Slayer and beyond.
Veteran's tip
Finish the Western Provinces Elite diary before your Nieve stretch. It raises her points from 12 to 15 per task, the same as Duradel, so the 85–99 Combat years don’t fall behind on points.
Krystilia (Wilderness)
Krystilia is in Edgeville and has no Combat requirement. All her tasks are in the Wilderness. She pays 25 points per task, the most of any master, and her task monsters can drop Larran’s keys. The cost is PvP risk on every trip and slower kills while you watch for other players. Use her for points and loot if you accept that risk, not for XP.
Mortimer (Wyrmscraig)
Mortimer arrived on 29 July 2026 with the Wyrmscraig update and is the highest-level master in the game. To reach him you need 62 Sailing to get to Wyrmscraig, and you must have started Fallen From Grace. He then assigns tasks at 100 Combat and 70 Slayer, or at 99 Slayer whatever your Combat level.
Mortimer vs Duradel: which top master should you use?
For general Slayer XP, stay on Duradel. Switch to Mortimer if you are at or near 99 and chasing an Imbued Heart, or if you want to target superiors directly. Jagex calls the two “extremely close” on XP/hr and has said Mortimer is not meant to replace Duradel, Konar or Nieve.
| Factor | Duradel | Mortimer |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | 100 Combat, 50 Slayer, Shilo Village | 100 Combat + 70 Slayer (or 99 Slayer), 62 Sailing, Fallen From Grace started |
| Task assignment | One task | Choice of two tasks, each with a modifier. A third choice unlocks later |
| Points per task | 15 | 0 by default. 5–40 with the Slayer Point Mortifier |
| Skip cost | Standard 30 points | 100 points |
| Block slots | Up to six (standard system) at 100 points | Two, at 120 points each |
| Turael reset | Works | Does not work |
| General XP/hr | Best in game per Jagex | Very close to Duradel |
| Imbued Heart grind | About 80–100 hours at the top end | Projected 65–80 hours with the third choice |
| Partnering | Normal | Not while holding unselected tasks. Partner must have unlocked Mortimer |
How Mortifiers work
Every task Mortimer offers comes with a modifier, called a Mortifier, and you pick the task and its modifier together. The OSRS Wiki lists five: Points and Quantity are available from your first task, Clue unlocks at 15 Mortimer tasks, Superior unique drop at 25 and XP at 40.
This is why Mortimer pays nothing by default. If you want points, you pick the Points Mortifier on that task, and it pays 5 to 40 depending on the task. On any other task you are giving up points for clues, superior uniques or XP.
The third choice is the long-term goal. Jagex’s announcement put it at 100 Mortimer tasks. The OSRS Wiki’s Mortimer page now lists 50, which fits reports that the unlock thresholds were roughly halved before launch. Plan around 50, but check the wiki before you commit.
The free-cancel block trick
Mortimer’s blocks work differently from every other master’s. If one of the two tasks he offers is something you never want, blocking it removes it from the offer immediately. You pay for the block slot and skip the 100-point cancel on top.
Did you know?
According to Jagex’s release post for Mortimer, blocking one of the two tasks he offers cancels that task for free. With only two slots at 120 points each, you can use the block slots as cancels.
With only two slots, spend them on the tasks you would always skip, not the merely mediocre ones. A mediocre task usually isn’t worth fixing anyway, because the second option is often better.
Who should switch
Here is how the choice works out by goal:
- Pure XP to 99: Duradel. He is level with or slightly ahead of Mortimer, cheaper to unlock and has no Sailing gate.
- Imbued Heart: Mortimer, ideally once the third choice is unlocked. Jagex’s 65–80 hour projection beats the current 80–100 hours.
- Points for unlocks: Konar, or Krystilia if you accept Wilderness risk. Mortimer only pays points when you pick that Mortifier.
- Bossing on task: Duradel or Konar with Like a Boss unlocked.
- Past 99: Mortimer for superiors and the Clue and Superior unique Mortifiers. Duradel for steady GP tasks.
Is the third Mortimer choice worth getting before 99? Only if you plan to keep doing Slayer after 99. The XP gain over Duradel is small, so before 99 those Mortimer tasks are an investment in the post-99 heart grind.
Mortimer is not an XP upgrade
Don’t move to Mortimer purely for XP. Jagex says Duradel stays best for general XP/hr, so save Mortimer for when you are chasing an Imbued Heart or superiors.
Slayer points, streaks and milestone tasks
You earn points only for completed tasks, and the amount depends on the master. Every 10th, 50th, 100th, 250th and 1,000th task pays a large bonus from whichever master gave you that task. Points come mostly from the milestones, so efficient players plan their master choice around them.
| Master | Per task | 10th | 50th | 100th | 250th | 1,000th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazchna | 2 | 5 | 15 | 50 | 70 | 100 |
| Vannaka | 4 | 20 | 60 | 100 | 140 | 200 |
| Chaeldar | 10 | 50 | 150 | 250 | 350 | 500 |
| Nieve/Steve | 12 | 60 | 180 | 300 | 420 | 600 |
| Nieve/Steve (WP Elite) | 15 | 75 | 225 | 375 | 525 | 750 |
| Duradel | 15 | 75 | 225 | 375 | 525 | 750 |
| Konar | 18 | 90 | 270 | 450 | 630 | 900 |
| Konar (K&K Elite) | 20 | 100 | 300 | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Krystilia | 25 | 125 | 375 | 625 | 875 | 1,250 |
Your streak counts completed tasks from any master, including Turael and Spria. Only cancelling a higher master’s task with a Turael task resets it. That leads to the point-boosting method below.
A worked example: the milestone method
Say your streak is 40. You could do tasks 41 to 49 with Duradel for 9 × 15 = 135 points, then the 50th for 225, which totals 360. Or you do tasks 41 to 49 with Turael for 0 points and take the 50th from Konar with her diary for 300. That is fewer points, but those nine Turael tasks take minutes instead of hours.
To maximise points per hour, use Turael for filler and take every 10th from Konar and every 50th from Konar or Krystilia. To maximise XP, stay on Duradel the whole way and accept fewer points. Most players mix the two: they stay on Duradel normally and only switch to Turael for the tasks between milestones when they want to boost their points.
Veteran's tip
Below 100 Combat, take tasks from the highest master you qualify for. Once you are on Duradel or Konar, do the cheap in-between tasks with Turael or Spria and save the 10th and 50th tasks for your top master.
So, Konar or Duradel for points? Konar wins on paper: 20 against 15 per task with her diary, and 300 against 225 on a 50th. Duradel wins on XP per hour because his tasks aren’t locked to a location. If points are your bottleneck, take your milestone tasks from Konar.
Best Slayer reward unlocks, in buy order
Buy the Slayer helmet unlock first, then superiors, then the basic block slots. Spend whatever is left on extensions for the tasks you actually like. The Slayer Rewards shop is at any master. Unlocks are permanent, extensions change task lengths, and you can switch toggles on and off.
Must-buy unlocks
- Malevolent Masquerade (400 points). Lets you assemble a Slayer helmet at 55 Crafting from a black mask, earmuffs, facemask, nose peg, spiny helmet and enchanted gem. On task it gives the black mask’s 16.67% melee accuracy and damage bonus. Imbued, it adds 15% for Ranged and Magic. No other unlock comes close in value.
- Bigger and Badder. Turns on superior Slayer monsters. They give large bonus XP, drop extra loot and are the only source of the Imbued Heart and the Eternal gem.
- Gargoyle Smasher. Finishes gargoyles automatically when you have a rock hammer, which makes a profitable task almost AFK.
- Like a Boss. Lets high-level masters assign boss tasks, covered further down.
- Block slots. Not an unlock you buy once. You pay each master’s block cost per task, and the earlier you start, the more poor tasks you avoid.
Ring Bling (crafting your own Slayer rings at 75 Crafting) and the toggles for the salt bag, fungicide and ice cooler come next. They are cheap and save trips and inventory space.
Extensions worth buying
Extensions make a master assign more of a monster, and they only help if you want that task to last longer. Good candidates are the burst and barrage tasks (nechryael, dust devils, abyssal demons), money tasks (gargoyles, cave kraken) and Metal Dragons if you hunt rune dragons for profit.
If you owned the old adamant or rune dragon extensions, they were refunded in August 2025 when the dragons were merged into one Metal Dragons task with its own extension. Buy the merged extension only if dragon tasks are part of your income.
Unlocks to skip
Skip extensions for tasks you plan to block, and skip pure cosmetics while points are short. The 2026 price cuts did make some unlocks cheaper. Oath Breaker and Twisted Vision dropped from 1,000 to 200 points on 22 July 2026, and buyers got refunds.
Heads up
Reward prices and unlock lists changed several times in 2025–2026. If a price here differs from the Rewards interface in game, the game is current.
Block list and skip strategy
Each master now keeps its own block list. Blocks you set on Duradel do nothing on Konar, so yes, your blocks effectively reset when you switch masters. You pay 80 per slot on Konar, 90 on Nieve/Steve, 100 on Duradel/Kuradal and Krystilia, and 120 per slot (two slots only) on Mortimer.
A skip cancels one task. A block stops the master from assigning it ever again. Block what comes up often and is slow or unpleasant. Skip what comes up rarely, or what you only dislike sometimes.
Recommended blocks by goal
A community post sums up the payoff: “with a good block list and enough points to skip the mediocre tasks, catacombs tasks become much more relaxed.” So what should you block? It depends on your goal:
| Goal | Common Duradel/Nieve blocks | Usually kept |
|---|---|---|
| Max XP | Spiritual creatures, waterfiends, aviansies, Fossil Island wyverns | Nechryael, dust devils, abyssal demons, smoke devils (all burst/barrage) |
| Max GP | Spiritual creatures, waterfiends, red dragons, drakes | Gargoyles, cave kraken, Metal Dragons, hydras, abyssal demons |
| AFK | Wyverns, aviansies, black dragons, drakes | Cave kraken, gargoyles, dagannoth, Kalphites (cannon) |
Spiritual creatures and wyverns end up on most lists. Both are slow, the gear is awkward and the loot is poor. Leaving cave kraken unblocked even on an XP account is also common, because it is one of the best low-attention tasks for profit.
Fill each list separately
Block lists are now per master. Fill Konar’s (80 points a slot) separately from Duradel’s (100 points a slot), and don’t expect blocks to carry over when you switch.
Mortimer’s two slots
With Mortimer you can block twice and nothing more. Use them on the two tasks you would pay 100 points to skip every single time. Since you already get a choice of two tasks, a mediocre task can usually just be passed over.
Slayer monsters by level and the gear they need
The monsters locked behind a Slayer level are what turn Slayer into a progression system. Each needs the listed level to damage, and many need a protective item or a finishing tool. Wearing a Slayer helmet covers the earmuffs, nose peg, facemask and spiny helmet.
| Slayer level | Monster | Protective item or tool | Common location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Crawling hands | None | Slayer Tower |
| 10 | Cave crawlers | Antipoison helps | Fremennik Slayer Dungeon |
| 15 | Banshees | Earmuffs | Slayer Tower |
| 20 | Rockslugs | Bag of salt | Fremennik Slayer Dungeon |
| 22 | Desert lizards | Ice cooler | Kharidian Desert |
| 25 | Cockatrice | Mirror shield | Fremennik Slayer Dungeon |
| 35 | Wall beasts | Spiny helmet | Lumbridge Swamp Caves |
| 40 | Basilisks | Mirror shield | Fremennik Slayer Dungeon |
| 50 | Bloodveld | None | Slayer Tower, Catacombs of Kourend |
| 55 | Turoth | Leaf-bladed weapon or broad ammo | Fremennik Slayer Dungeon |
| 58 | Cave horrors | Witchwood icon | Mos Le’Harmless Caves |
| 60 | Aberrant spectres | Nose peg | Slayer Tower, Stronghold Slayer Cave |
| 62 | Wyrms | Boots of stone | Karuulm Slayer Dungeon |
| 65 | Dust devils | Facemask | Catacombs of Kourend, Smoke Devil Dungeon |
| 70 | Kurask | Leaf-bladed weapon or broad ammo | Fremennik Slayer Dungeon |
| 75 | Gargoyles | Rock hammer | Slayer Tower |
| 80 | Nechryael | None | Catacombs of Kourend, Slayer Tower |
| 84 | Drakes | Boots of stone | Karuulm Slayer Dungeon |
| 85 | Abyssal demons | None | Catacombs of Kourend, Slayer Tower |
| 87 | Cave kraken | Ranged or Magic | Kraken Cove |
| 90 | Dark beasts | None | Mourner Tunnels |
| 93 | Smoke devils | Facemask | Smoke Devil Dungeon |
| 95 | Hydras | Boots of stone | Karuulm Slayer Dungeon |
New: Sailing Slayer creatures
Sailing added Slayer creatures on islands you reach by boat, so your Sailing level now gates part of the Slayer list. These are the ones that matter, with the requirements listed on the OSRS Wiki:
| Creature | Slayer req | Other req | Location | Counts as task | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gryphons | 51 | 45 Sailing, Troubled Tortugans | The Great Conch | Gryphons | The Shellbane Gryphon boss can only be fought on task |
| Lava strykewyrms | 62 | 60 Sailing | Charred Island | Wyrms | Your wyrm tasks can now go to the sea |
| Aquanites | 78 | 73 Sailing | Ynysdail Cavern | Aquanites | Mid-to-late creature |
| Frost dragons | None listed | 87 Sailing, Dragon Slayer I, 85 Combat for assignment | Grimstone dungeon | Frost dragons | Weak to crush. Bring anti-dragonfire protection |
Frost dragons are the main draw. Since the Sailing Slayer update they are weak to crush, so take your best crush weapon instead of the usual slash setup.
New: Varlamore Slayer creatures
Varlamore’s dungeons added mid-level Slayer creatures. Several of them count toward existing tasks instead of having a category of their own.
| Creature | Slayer req | Other req | Location | Counts as task | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custodian stalkers | 54 / 67 / 76 (by variant) | Shadows of Custodia | Stalker Den, Custodia Pass | Custodian stalkers | Assigned by Chaeldar and Nieve |
| Frost nagua | 48 | The Heart of Darkness | Ruins of Tapoyauik | Lesser nagua | Amoxliatl also counts |
| Venators | Varies | The Blood Moon Rises | Varlamore | Vampyres (since June 2026) | Gives vampyre tasks a newer option |
The lesser nagua task is assigned by Chaeldar and Konar, and frost nagua are often the quickest way to finish it. Since 30 June 2026 venators count toward vampyre tasks, so you have an option beyond the old Morytania spawns.
1–99 Slayer route by Combat level
Which Slayer Master should you use at your Combat level? Take the highest you qualify for, and switch the moment a new one opens up. The route below follows standard community practice and the requirements set out above.
| Combat level | Master | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 3–19 | Turael or Spria | Learn the system, finish Priest in Peril |
| 20–39 | Mazchna | Slayer Tower tasks, early protective gear |
| 40–69 | Vannaka | Long tasks for melee stats |
| 70–74 | Chaeldar | First real points, Lost City done |
| 75–84 | Chaeldar or Konar | Konar if you want points and brimstone keys |
| 85–99 | Nieve/Steve | Western Provinces Elite diary for 15 points |
| 100+ with 50 Slayer | Duradel | Burst, barrage and cannon tasks |
| 100+ with 70 Slayer, 62 Sailing | Duradel or Mortimer | Mortimer for the Imbued Heart |
Early game (1–50 Slayer)
Early Slayer is really a combat training plan with tasks attached. Turael and Mazchna tasks are short, and the main goals are 40+ Combat and the quests that open Slayer content: Priest in Peril for Morytania, Lost City for Zanaris and Chaeldar, and the start of Fairytale II for fairy rings.
The Slayer Tower and the Fremennik Slayer Dungeon cover most early creatures, from crawling hands and banshees to rockslugs and cockatrice. Buy your protective items as you need them, since the Slayer helmet replaces them all at 55 Crafting.
Mid game (50–80 Slayer)
Vannaka and Chaeldar tasks get longer, and Slayer starts to pay. Bloodveld, aberrant spectres, Kalphites and the new custodian stalkers make up much of this stage. Finish Dwarf Cannon so you can cannon the tasks that allow it, such as Kalphites and trolls.
This is also the time to get Barrows gloves from Recipe for Disaster, because a strong all-round hand slot helps on every later task. Gargoyles at 75 Slayer are your first big money task. Buy Gargoyle Smasher the moment you start getting them.
Late game and 99
Most XP from 80 to 99 comes from Duradel tasks done with Ice Burst or Ice Barrage. You need Desert Treasure I for Ancient Magicks, 70 Magic for Ice Burst and 94 for Ice Barrage. The best stacking spots are nechryael, dust devils and abyssal demons in the Catacombs of Kourend, and smoke devils at 93 Slayer.
What is the fastest route to 99? Burst or barrage every task that allows it, cannon the ones that allow a cannon, and block or skip the slow melee tasks. Turn on superiors early, because each superior is a large bonus of XP on its own. The Karuulm Slayer Dungeon (wyrms, drakes, hydras) becomes your second home in the 80s and 90s, and it needs boots of stone or better.
Getting around: Slayer ring, gem and teleports
Most Slayer time goes into travel, and the Slayer ring is the single best fix. It teleports you to the Stronghold Slayer Cave, the Slayer Tower, the Fremennik Slayer Dungeon, Tarn’s Lair and the dark beasts in the Mourner Tunnels. It also checks your task, like the enchanted gem. You can buy the ring from a master or craft it after unlocking Ring Bling.
Fairy rings do most of the remaining work, with codes for Zanaris, Kraken Cove, the Fremennik Isles and many dungeon entrances. Kourend’s teleports cover the Catacombs. The Mount Karuulm teleports (from the Kourend & Kebos diary and the rada’s blessing) cover Konar and the Karuulm dungeon.
Since Sailing, some tasks need a boat. Gryphons, aquanites, lava strykewyrms, frost dragons and Mortimer himself are all reached by sea, so a faster ship and better port unlocks now count as Slayer upgrades too.
Boss tasks and money-making Slayer tasks
Like a Boss lets Konar, Nieve/Steve, Duradel and Krystilia assign boss tasks, and you choose the kill count within the range they offer. It is how many players fit bossing into Slayer XP. Since 30 June 2026 the Maggot King is on the boss task list.
Boss tasks give Slayer XP on every kill. If you already farm a boss for money, such as Vorkath (see our OSRS Vorkath guide with gear, phases and fast kill tips), a boss task turns your normal GP trip into Slayer XP as well. Araxyte tasks work the same way for players doing Araxxor, which our OSRS Araxxor boss guide with gear, phases and drops covers.
Which tasks pay best
The best-paying regular tasks are usually the ones with good drop tables and fast kills. Gargoyles drop granite maul and steady alchables. Cave kraken are easy profit with trident and tentacle drops. Metal Dragons pay well on rune dragons, and abyssal demons can drop the abyssal whip. Hydras drop the hydra’s claw and Brimstone ring pieces.
For the wider picture across skills and bosses, our OSRS money making guide for every level ranks where Slayer income sits against the alternatives. Monsters killed on Konar tasks can drop brimstone keys and monsters killed on Krystilia tasks can drop Larran’s keys, which is part of why their points come with extra loot.
Leagues VI Slayer recap (dated)
Leagues VI was a temporary game mode, and it is over. Its Slayer boosts do not carry over to the main game, although players can spend League points on rewards for the main game.
Leagues-only content
Boosted Slayer points and league relics such as Culling Spree applied only during the league. On the live game you still start with Turael or Spria and progress through the masters listed above.
In Leagues VI, Slayer felt extremely fast because the league multiplied points and relics such as Culling Spree changed how tasks worked, and guides written for it still rank in search. If a guide treats Culling Spree as a planning factor, it was written for the league.
Slayer FAQ
What is the best Slayer Master in OSRS?
Duradel, for most players. He needs 100 Combat and 50 Slayer, pays 15 points per task and is widely considered the best master for general Slayer XP/hr. Below 100 Combat, use the highest master you qualify for.
Is Mortimer better than Duradel?
Not for XP alone. Jagex says the two are extremely close, with Duradel still best for general XP/hr. Mortimer is better for the Imbued Heart, where Jagex projects 65–80 hours once you have his third choice, compared with roughly 80–100 hours now.
How do I unlock Mortimer?
Reach 62 Sailing to get to Wyrmscraig, then start Fallen From Grace to enter Wyrmscraig Cavern. Mortimer assigns tasks at 100 Combat and 70 Slayer, or at 99 Slayer whatever your Combat level.
What Slayer tasks should I block?
Block frequent, slow tasks with poor loot. Spiritual creatures, wyverns, waterfiends and aviansies are on most lists. Keep the tasks you can burst or barrage, and the money tasks such as gargoyles and cave kraken.
How many Slayer points do you get per task?
It depends on the master: Mazchna 2, Vannaka 4, Chaeldar 10, Nieve 12 (15 with the elite diary), Duradel 15, Konar 18 (20 with the elite diary) and Krystilia 25. Turael and Spria give none. Mortimer gives 0 unless you take the Points Mortifier, which pays 5–40.
What should I buy with Slayer points first?
Malevolent Masquerade (400 points) for the Slayer helmet comes first. After it, buy Bigger and Badder for superiors, then Gargoyle Smasher and block slots.
What level do you need for Duradel?
100 Combat and 50 Slayer, plus Shilo Village completed so you can reach him in Shilo Village.
Where is Chaeldar and when should I use her?
Chaeldar is in Zanaris and needs Lost City and 70 Combat. Use her from 70 to 84 Combat. Between 75 and 84 you can also use Konar if you want more points and accept location-locked tasks.
What does the Slayer ring do?
It teleports you to the Stronghold Slayer Cave, the Slayer Tower, the Fremennik Slayer Dungeon, Tarn’s Lair and the dark beasts. It also checks your current task, so you can leave the enchanted gem at home.
What is the fastest way to 99 Slayer?
Train on Duradel and burst or barrage every eligible task in the Catacombs of Kourend and the Smoke Devil Dungeon. Cannon where you can, turn on superiors and block slow melee tasks. Raise Combat first so you reach Duradel as early as possible.
Do my blocks reset when I switch masters?
In practice, yes. Since August 2025 every master has a separate block list, so blocks on Duradel do nothing on Konar or Nieve. Mortimer has his own two-slot list.
Your next step
If you are under 100 Combat, reaching Duradel is a worthwhile goal, since he needs 100 Combat and Shilo Village, so plan your quests and melee levels around it. If you are already on Duradel, set aside 400 points for the helmet and add blocks one by one. Leave Mortimer and his Sailing requirement until you start on the Imbued Heart.
