OSRS Slayer Guide (Updated 2025: Faster XP, Points & Better Tasks) | Tons of XP Blog
Leveling Slayer in OSRS? Our updated guide covers the new per-master block lists, cheaper point unlocks, cannon use, and efficient task methods for faster XP!
OSRS Slayer Guide: Tips for Faster XP, Points & Better Tasks (2025 Update)
Slayer is one of Old School RuneScape's most beloved skills. It provides excellent combat XP, unlocks profitable bosses, and grants access to iconic gear like the Slayer Helmet. However, the skill can feel slow if not approached efficiently.
Following a massive 2025 quality-of-life update, the path to efficient Slayer training has changed for the better. This guide provides updated, practical tips to speed up your training, maximize your Slayer points, and make the grind more enjoyable.
Choosing Your Slayer Master
The master you choose significantly impacts your task quality and point gain, especially with the recent updates.
- Early Game: Start with Turael/Spria, but move on quickly. Mazchna (6 pts) and Vannaka (8 pts) are now excellent choices for early-to-mid levels, providing a steady stream of points that wasn't possible before.
- Mid Game (75+ Combat): Konar quo Maten (Mount Karuulm) is great for money with her Brimstone Keys. Nieve/Steve (Gnome Stronghold) offers a solid list for good XP.
- Late Game (85+ Combat): Duradel (Shilo Village) is still considered the best for raw XP rates and high-level tasks.
Point Boosting Strategy: The classic "Turael skipping" method (9 easy tasks from Turael, 1 milestone task from Duradel/Konar) remains the fastest way to farm points. However, it's less critical now that lower-level masters are more rewarding.
Essential Slayer Point Unlocks (Updated Priorities!)
The cost of several key unlocks has been drastically reduced, changing the optimal spending order.
- Bigger and Badder (Superior Slayer - 50 Points): This is your new #1 priority. Reduced from 150 points, this unlock gives a chance for powerful Superior monsters to spawn, offering massive XP drops and unique loot like the Imbued Heart.
- Malevolent Masquerade (Slayer Helmet - 400 Points): Still a crucial unlock. It combines the Black Mask's damage boost with the protection of multiple slayer items into one best-in-slot helmet.
- Blocking Tasks (40-100 Points per slot): The system is completely new! Each master has their own block list, and the cost varies. You can now build a highly specialized list for each one.
- Ring Bling (Slayer Rings - 150 Points): The cost for this unlock was halved, making these useful teleport rings much more accessible early on.
- Task Extensions: After your main unlocks, you can spend points to increase the number of monsters for tasks you enjoy, like Dust Devils or Nechryaels for bursting.
Building Your Block & Skip Lists (The New Way)
This is the most impactful change to Slayer. The single, universal block list is gone.
- Per-Master Block Lists: You can now create an optimized block list for Duradel that is completely different from your Krystilia (Wilderness) list. This allows for unprecedented efficiency.
- How to Block: Speak to any master and use the "View List" option. This new interface shows you every possible task and allows you to block them directly, saving you time and points.
- What to Block: The principle is the same: block high-weight tasks that are slow XP. For high-level masters like Duradel, common blocks include
Metal Dragons
(which now covers all base metal dragons in one slot),Wyrms
,Drakes
, andSpiritual Creatures
. For a detailed strategy, see our Slayer Block List Efficiency Guide. - Skipping (30 Points): Skipping tasks you haven't blocked is still essential for preserving your task streak for milestones.
Tips for Faster Task Completion
- Use a Cannon: In multi-combat areas, the Dwarf Multicannon dramatically increases your kills per hour. Funding it is a great investment.
- Bursting/Barraging: For tasks like
Dust Devils
,Nechryaels
, andSmoke Devils
, using Ancient Magicks (Ice Burst/Barrage) offers the best Slayer XP rates in the game. CompletingDesert Treasure I
is a must-have unlock. - Efficient Gear: Always wear your Slayer Helmet (i) on task. Use the best gear for each assignment, utilizing the correct attack style and powerful prayers like Piety, Rigour, and Augury. Plan your equipment with our OSRS Gear Progression Guide.
- Travel Optimization: Minimize downtime by using teleports. A well-stocked Player-Owned House, Slayer Rings, and various teleport items are essential.
- Aggression Potions / AFK: For certain tasks, aggression potions or finding naturally aggressive monster spots can allow for very low-effort, AFK training.
Conclusion: Slayer is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Getting to 99 Slayer is a long journey, but the recent updates have made it smoother and more strategic. Prioritize the newly cheapened point unlocks, take full advantage of the flexible per-master block lists, and use the best training methods for each task.
→ Struggling with the GP for cannonballs or bursting runes? Fast OSRS Gold from Tons of XP can keep your supplies topped up.
→ Need help with prerequisite quests or a specific Slayer level grind? Check out our safe and 100% hand-trained OSRS Services.