OSRS Slayer training guide 2026: best masters, fastest XP and point priorities
Slayer is trained by getting an assignment (a task) from a Slayer master and killing the assigned monsters — Slayer XP is roughly equal to the monster's Hitpoints. For fastest XP, use Duradel (or Nieve/Steve before you qualify) and prioritise barrage tasks such as dust devils, nechryael, smoke devils and jellies, plus cannon-friendly tasks like araxytes. Spend reward points in this order: unlock your block slots, buy the Superior Slayer monsters perk (50 pts), the Slayer helmet (400 pts), then extensions and small unlocks. In 2026 the newest master is Mortimer, added with the Fallen From Grace quest (Wyrmscraig Cavern), who has his own task list including warped creatures, aquanites and gryphons.
Key takeaways
- Slayer XP is roughly equal to a monster's Hitpoints per kill.
- Fastest XP: Duradel (or Nieve/Steve early), with barrage + cannon tasks.
- Top XP tasks: dust devils, nechryael, smoke devils, jellies, araxytes.
- Point order: blocks → Superior Slayer (50) → Slayer helmet (400) → extensions.
- 2026: newest master Mortimer (Fallen From Grace) at Wyrmscraig Cavern.
How Slayer works
Slayer is trained by taking assignments from a Slayer master and killing the monsters they assign. The Slayer XP you get per kill is roughly equal to the monster's Hitpoints, so big, slow monsters give more XP than small ones.
The skill is built around reward points. You earn points by completing tasks, and you spend them on blocks, extensions and unlocks. You can cancel a task for 30 points, permanently block a monster from being assigned (up to 7 slots, unlocking more slots costs quest points), or extend a task to double its length.
- XP per kill ≈ the monster's Hitpoints.
- Cancel a task: 30 points.
- Block a monster permanently: up to 7 slots (more need quest points).
- Extend a task: doubles the task length.
- Slayer points are the real progression currency.
Best Slayer masters by level
Which master you use matters more than almost anything else, because better masters give better task weightings and more points per task. Duradel is generally considered the best master for fast experience once you qualify (100 combat, 50 Slayer, Shilo Village), giving 15 points per task; Nieve/Steve (85 combat, after Monkey Madness II) is the best option before that and matches Duradel's points with the elite Western Provinces diary.
For mid-game, Chaeldar (70 combat + Lost City) is a solid start and Konar quo Maten (75 combat) pays the most points per task (18) but locks you to a specific location. Krystilia (any level, Wilderness-only) pays 25 points per task but every task is in the Wilderness.
Turael or Aya (any level) pay 0 points and are used for point-boosting: do a Turael task, then a higher master for points. Mazchna (20 combat), Vannaka (40 combat) and Spria (A Porcine of Interest) are stepping-stone masters.
Fastest-XP tasks
The fastest Slayer XP comes from multi-target magic and cannon tasks in multicombat areas. The classic barrage tasks are dust devils, nechryael, smoke devils and jellies in the Catacombs of Kourend, where you can hit many monsters at once with ancient magic spells.
Araxytes are another top task because they work well with both the dwarf multicannon and the venator bow. Worth extending. On the other side, metal dragons are widely avoided — they are slow, resistant and rarely worth extending.
Several top tasks have boss variants that turn the task into a money maker: Cerberus (hellhounds), the Abyssal Sire (abyssal demons), the Kraken (cave kraken), the Thermonuclear smoke devil (smoke devils), Vorkath (blue dragons) and Araxxor (araxytes).
- Barrage tasks: dust devils, nechryael, smoke devils, jellies.
- Cannon + venator: araxytes (worth extending).
- Avoid extending: metal dragons.
- Boss tasks: Cerberus, Abyssal Sire, Kraken, Thermonuclear smoke devil, Vorkath, Araxxor.
- Common blocks: wyrms, drakes, trolls, suqah.
Where to spend your points
Points should be spent in a deliberate order. First, unlock your block slots so you can remove the worst tasks from your pool. Next buy the Superior Slayer monsters perk (50 points) — superior versions of tasks spawn as you kill, with dramatically better drops and XP. Then save for the Slayer helmet (400 points), which is the single best slayer unlock because of its accuracy and damage boost on task.
After that come extensions for the tasks you enjoy, and small unlocks such as the Slayer ring (150 points) for the teleports. The 500-point Task Storage perk lets you save or swap a current task, which is useful if a better task comes up.
What's new in 2026
The big 2026 addition is Mortimer, the newest Slayer master, introduced with the Fallen From Grace quest and found in Wyrmscraig Cavern. Mortimer requires 100 combat and 70 Slayer, and brings his own task list including warped creatures, aquanites and gryphons. His block cost is higher (120 points) and he only offers 2 block slots.
New gear has widened the meta: the Sunfire fanatic armour adds a strong Prayer bonus for melee, Hallowfell is a melee option for burst- and barrage-style tasks, and the Oathplate armour, Aranea boots, Avernic treads and Confliction gauntlets round out new setups. The While Guthix Sleeps quest also introduced Aya and Kuradal as interchangeable pairs with Turael and Duradel.
Questions players ask
What is the fastest way to train Slayer in 2026?+
Use Duradel once you qualify (100 combat, 50 Slayer, Shilo Village) and take barrage tasks — dust devils, nechryael, smoke devils, jellies — plus cannon/venator tasks like araxytes. Skip or block slow tasks.
Which Slayer master is best at my level?+
Chaeldar (70 combat) is a good mid-game start, Konar (75 combat) pays the most points per task but locks locations, Nieve/Steve (85 combat) is best before 100 combat, and Duradel is the fastest-XP option after that.
What should I spend Slayer points on first?+
In order: block slots, the Superior Slayer monsters perk (50 pts), the Slayer helmet (400 pts), then extensions and the Slayer ring. This maximises both XP and loot over the long run.
What are the best Slayer tasks for money?+
The boss variants turn tasks into money makers: Cerberus, the Abyssal Sire, the Kraken, the Thermonuclear smoke devil, Vorkath (blue dragons) and Araxxor all have valuable unique drops.
Who is the new Slayer master in 2026?+
Mortimer, added with the Fallen From Grace quest at Wyrmscraig Cavern. He requires 100 combat and 70 Slayer, has his own task list (warped creatures, aquanites, gryphons), a 120-point block cost and only 2 block slots.
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