Achieving 99 Slayer in Old School RuneScape is a challenging endeavor that requires time and patience. Only a select few players, approximately 13,034,431 XP, can claim this level of Slayer mastery. Those players know firsthand the strategic value of the Block List and how crucial it is to utilize it effectively. Personally, I have reached 99 Slayer, an achievement that took many years of consistent effort.
It’s essential to recognize that most players don’t typically grind for 99 Slayer diligently; instead, this skill is developed organically as you enhance your combat abilities. Slayer often acts as a complementary skill rather than a primary focus.
To streamline your experience in leveling up Slayer, players have the option to block certain monsters that they find tedious or unappealing, by utilizing 100 points at a Slayer Master.
This guide aims to help you maximize your experience gains by suggesting various monsters you might consider blocking, allowing you to focus on what you enjoy most.
Remember, enjoyment should always take precedence over sheer efficiency. If you are not enjoying your tasks, burnout is inevitable.
Understanding the Block List
Let’s delve into the Block List mechanics. Initially, players can block five tasks, with a sixth slot becoming available after attaining 300 quest points, and a seventh slot unlocked upon completing the Lumbridge Elite Diary.
Pursuing the Quest Cape should be a priority for anyone dedicated to significantly investing time in OSRS. This effort will typically yield up to six slots for blocking unwanted tasks. Furthermore, completing Diaries often yields beneficial rewards and valuable experience.
For this guide, it’s assumed that seven slots will be available, and that players have chosen Duradel or Kuradel (if “While Guthix Sleeps”has been completed) as their Slayer Master. The recommendations provided here are not arranged in any particular order.
Hellhounds
Slayer Task Weight: 10
Starting with Hellhounds, it’s essential to note a shared characteristic of many creatures on this list: they are primarily single-target monsters. To maximize XP gains efficiently, players should shift focus to creatures that can be encountered in larger numbers, or those amenable to cannon usage or multi-target spells like Ice Burst/Ice Barrage.
While Hellhounds may provide a more relaxed AFK experience and have valuable drops such as the Primordial Crystal, they often hinder overall XP gains and can result in a loss of resources.
Additionally, these creatures offer minimal rewards, with drops usually limited to rare items like a clue scroll, Ensouled Head, or a Smoldering Stone—generally leading to a net loss from these tasks.
Cave Krakens
Slayer Task Weight: 9
Similar to Hellhounds, Cave Krakens possess a high Slayer Task Weight, which increases their frequency in tasks. They are ideal candidates for the Block List due to their high-weight and slow XP potential.
Moreover, being unable to be killed via melee or ranged attacks necessitates the utilization of a single-target magic weapon like the Trident of the Swamp, which adds undue inefficiency.
Their weak drop table compounds the issue, ultimately offering low financial return over time.
Black Dragons
Slayer Task Weight: 9
Black Dragons present their own set of challenges, as they have large Hitpoints and require gear like an Anti-Dragonfire shield or Antifire Potion for optimal efficiency.
To further complicate things, using a Dragon Hunter Lance—a relatively expensive weapon—becomes essential when tackling these dragons for Slayer tasks.
Duradel might assign you to slay just 10-20 dragons per task, which runs counter to the desired approach of defeating numerous monsters in a single location to enhance XP acquisition.
While Dragon Bones can provide significant Prayer XP, alternative monsters such as Dust Devils or Nechryaels are advantageous, as they permit multi-target spellcasting and come with loot that offsets spell costs.
Greater Demons & Black Demons
Slayer Task Weight: 9 & 8, respectively
Both Greater and Black Demons warrant blocking for their similar disadvantages. They are single-target tasks with high weight that yield very little in terms of loot.
Moreover, Duradel often requests that players defeat large quantities—usually around 130-200 demons—leading to prolonged and unproductive slayer sessions devoid of meaningful XP gains.
Finding a suitable world or battling against competing players for spots can also prove difficult during these assignments.
For Ironmen, these demons may hold some value since the Demon classification permits using the Slayer Helm, along with the Emberlight, enhancing their effectiveness.
Noteworthy drops from K’ril Tsutsaroth, Tormented Demons, and Demonic Gorillas are crucial for players without access to the Grand Exchange.
Spiritual Creatures
Slayer Task Weight: 7
Though Spiritual Creatures do not possess a particularly high task weight, they are notorious for being extremely tedious and frustrating to defeat. Found within the God Wars Dungeon, these creatures are often a hassle to access and provide meager loot.
Experienced players know that unless equipped with specific God-aligned gear, you will be harassed by other aggressive monsters, making tasks even more burdensome.
Unless you are specifically hunting for Dragon Boots, I highly recommend blocking these creatures; they were the first monsters I opted to exclude, and I have never regretted that decision. It was an excellent investment of 100 points!
Steel Dragons
Slayer Task Weight: 7
Steel Dragons, along with any other metal dragons, come with their own set of drawbacks. They are among the most formidable to defeat and are often time-consuming.
They not only utilize a devastating dragonfire attack but also inflict significant melee damage, requiring players to maintain Protect from Melee and use Piety for most of the encounter.
Thanks to the recent Project Rebalance changes, they now exhibit vulnerability to Earth spells; however, this does not significantly expedite the task at hand.
Ultimately, these creatures present weak loot tables, deal substantial damage, and boast high defenses, resulting in disappointing XP returns over time.
As a final note, avoid unlocking Mithril Dragons from your Slayer Master as they are equally slow to defeat.
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