Hellhounds have been a staple of Old School Runescape since its inception almost 20 years ago. While they are often given as a slayer task to mid and high-level players and have a chance to drop hard clue scrolls, players may be wondering if they should block hellhounds from their task list altogether. This article will explore the pros and cons of blocking hellhounds in OSRS.
One of the main reasons players may consider blocking hellhounds is their relatively low experience rates compared to other slayer tasks. However, hellhounds are fairly easy to defeat as they have low defensive stats and only attack with melee. Protect from Melee can also be used to nullify their attacks. Additionally, demonbane weapons are effective against hellhounds due to their demonic nature.
On the other hand, players may want to keep hellhounds on their task list for their chance to drop hard clue scrolls and other valuable items such as ancient shards and totem pieces. It’s also worth noting that hellhounds can be found in a variety of locations around Gielinor, making them easily accessible for players. Ultimately, the decision to block hellhounds or not comes down to personal preference and playstyle.
Understanding Hellhounds
Characteristics of Hellhounds
Hellhounds are demonic creatures that are often given as a slayer task to mid and high-level players. They are aggressive creatures with a combat level of 122 and low defensive stats, which make them fairly easy to defeat. Hellhounds only attack with melee, so players can use Protect from Melee to nullify their attacks.
Locations of Hellhounds
Hellhounds can be found in various locations throughout Old School RuneScape, including Taverley Dungeon, Stronghold Slayer Cave, Catacombs of Kourend, and Wilderness God Wars Dungeon.
Combat Level and Max Hit
As mentioned earlier, Hellhounds have a combat level of 122. They have an accurate and powerful attack style, which can hit up to 21 damage. Players should be cautious when fighting them, especially if they are low level.
Drops and Loot
Hellhounds drop various items, including bones, ashes, and clue scrolls. They also have a chance to drop the Hellhound champion scroll, which is a very rare drop. In addition, players can obtain a variety of valuable items from Hellhounds, such as the Vile ashes, which are used to make Super combat potions, and Bouncer’s ghost, which is used to make the Bouncer’s DPM enhancer.
Overall, Hellhounds are not a particularly difficult creature to defeat. However, players should be cautious when fighting them, especially if they are low level. With the right strategy and equipment, players can easily take down these demonic creatures and obtain valuable loot.
Slayer Tasks and Hellhounds
Assigning Hellhound Tasks
Hellhounds are a popular Slayer task among OSRS players due to their relatively high Slayer XP and the chance to obtain valuable drops such as the Hellhound’s unique drop, the Hellpuppy pet. Hellhound tasks can be assigned by several Slayer Masters, including Duradel, Nieve, and Konar.
To receive a Hellhound task, players must have at least level 50 Slayer and be a member of OSRS. The likelihood of receiving a Hellhound task increases with higher Slayer levels. Players can also use Slayer reward points to skip or block tasks, including Hellhounds.
Blocking Hellhound Tasks
While Hellhounds are a popular Slayer task, some players may choose to block them due to their low experience rates or personal preferences. Blocking a task means that it will no longer be assigned by a Slayer Master, but it comes at the cost of using up one of the player’s block slots.
Players can block tasks by speaking to their Slayer Master and selecting the “Block Task” option. Duradel and Nieve allow players to block one task, while Konar allows players to block up to five tasks. Hellhounds are a common task to block for players who prefer to focus on more efficient or profitable tasks.
Hellhound Slayer XP
Hellhounds offer a relatively high Slayer XP per kill compared to other Slayer monsters, making them an attractive task for players looking to level up their Slayer skill. The amount of Slayer XP earned per Hellhound kill depends on the player’s Slayer level and whether they are wearing a Slayer helmet or not.
At level 80 Slayer, a player wearing a Slayer helmet can expect to earn around 500 Slayer XP per Hellhound kill. This increases to around 600 Slayer XP per kill at level 90 Slayer. Players who have completed the Elite Morytania Diary and are wearing the Morytania legs 4 can earn even more Slayer XP per kill.
Overall, Hellhounds are a popular Slayer task among OSRS players due to their high Slayer XP and valuable drops. While some players may choose to block them, they remain a popular choice for those looking to level up their Slayer skill.
Strategy and Tips
Protection and Defence
Hellhounds are primarily melee attackers, so it is recommended to use the Protect from Melee prayer while fighting them. This will significantly reduce the amount of damage taken from their attacks. Additionally, players should wear gear with high defence bonuses, particularly in Melee and Ranged defence.
Attack Styles
Hellhounds are weak to Magic attacks, with a Magic level of 80 required to be able to hit them. However, using Ranged or Melee attacks can also be effective. Players should use the attack style they are most comfortable with and have the highest level in.
Safe Spots and Cannons
There are several safe spots available when fighting Hellhounds, such as in the Stronghold Slayer Cave, the Karuulm Slayer Dungeon, and the Catacombs of Kourend. Players can also use a Dwarf Multicannon to speed up the killing process, but this is not recommended in some areas due to the risk of being attacked by other players.
It is important to note that using a cannon may not be the most efficient strategy in terms of experience gained, as it can reduce the amount of experience gained per kill due to the cannon taking the last hit. Players should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of using a cannon when deciding on their strategy.
Overall, players should aim to maximize their Prayer Bonus and gear up accordingly to ensure they can survive and defeat Hellhounds efficiently.
Special Hellhounds and Drops
Hellhounds are a popular slayer monster in Old School RuneScape due to their high experience rates and potential for valuable drops. However, there are some variations of hellhounds that offer unique challenges and rewards. This section will cover Cerberus, Revenant Hellhounds, and Vet’ion, as well as their respective drop tables.
Cerberus and Its Drops
Cerberus is a boss version of the traditional hellhound that can be found in the Taverley Dungeon. It requires level 91 Slayer to fight and can be assigned as a boss task by Duradel, Nieve, and Konar. Cerberus has three heads, each with its own combat style, and can drop the following notable items:
- Primordial, Eternal, and Pegasian crystals, which can be combined with a pair of Dragon boots to create Primordial, Eternal, and Pegasian boots, respectively.
- Smouldering stone, which can be combined with a Dragon axe, Dragon harpoon, or Infernal pickaxe to create an Infernal axe, Infernal harpoon, or Infernal pickaxe, respectively.
- Hellpuppy, a pet that can be obtained as a rare drop.
Revenant Hellhounds and Their Drops
Revenant Hellhounds are a special type of hellhound that can only be found in the Wilderness while on a Revenant Slayer task assigned by Krystilia. They are significantly more powerful than regular hellhounds and can drop unique items such as:
- Ancient emblems and totems, which can be combined to create Ancient relics that can be traded in for various rewards.
- Craw’s bow, Thammaron’s sceptre, and Viggora’s chainmace, which are powerful weapons that require a certain Wilderness level to wield.
- Revenant ether, a tradeable item that can be used to charge a Revenant weapon or to create a Revenant bracelet.
Vet’ion and Its Drops
Vet’ion is a boss that can be found in the Wilderness, near the Bone Yard. It requires level 494 Slayer to fight and can be assigned as a boss task by Duradel, Nieve, and Konar. Vet’ion has two forms and can drop the following notable items:
- Ring of the gods, a ring that provides a prayer bonus and can be imbued to provide additional bonuses.
- Granite legs and boots, which are high-level melee armor that require level 50 and 65 Defense, respectively.
- Ancient shards, which can be traded in for various rewards such as the Ancient mace, Ancient staff, and Ancient wyvern shield.
Overall, hellhounds offer a variety of challenges and rewards, especially when facing their special variations. However, it is important to keep in mind the potential dangers of fighting these monsters in the Wilderness and to take appropriate precautions.
Dungeon Locations
When it comes to slaying Hellhounds in Old School RuneScape, there are several dungeon locations that players can explore. Each dungeon has its own unique features and challenges, so it’s important to choose the right one based on your combat level, gear, and Slayer task requirements.
Taverley Dungeon
The Taverley Dungeon is a classic location for killing Hellhounds. It’s located beneath the village of Taverley and can be accessed by climbing down the ladder in the house north of the blue moon inn. The dungeon is relatively small, but it has plenty of Hellhounds to slay. Players can use the rocks in the center of the dungeon as cover and attack the Hellhounds from a safe distance.
Catacombs of Kourend
The Catacombs of Kourend is a great location for players who have completed the Architectural Alliance miniquest. It’s a large dungeon that contains a variety of monsters, including Hellhounds. Players can access the dungeon by using the teleport on the Xeric’s Talisman. The Catacombs of Kourend is a dangerous location, so players should be prepared to face other monsters and players while they’re there.
Stronghold Slayer Cave
The Stronghold Slayer Cave is a popular location for players who want to use a Dwarf multicannon to slay Hellhounds. It’s located beneath the Tree Gnome Stronghold and can be accessed by climbing down the ladder in the western part of the stronghold. The dungeon has a large number of Hellhounds, and players can use the various safespots to avoid taking damage while they’re using the cannon.
Witchaven Dungeon
The Witchaven Dungeon is a lesser-known location for slaying Hellhounds. It’s located beneath the fishing village of Witchaven and can be accessed by climbing down the ladder in the house with the blue door. The dungeon is relatively small, but it has a decent number of Hellhounds. Players should be careful not to attack the aggressive Cave Horrors that also inhabit the dungeon.
Karuulm Slayer Dungeon
The Karuulm Slayer Dungeon is a location that requires players to have completed the Kebos Lowlands quest. It’s located beneath Mount Karuulm and can be accessed by using the rope on the north side of the mountain. The dungeon has a large number of Hellhounds, and players can use the various safespots to avoid taking damage while they’re attacking them.
God Wars Dungeon
The God Wars Dungeon is a high-level dungeon that contains some of the toughest monsters in the game. It’s located in the Troll Country and can be accessed by using the rope on the north side of the mountain. The dungeon has a small number of Hellhounds, but they are much tougher than the ones found in other locations. Players should only attempt to slay Hellhounds in the God Wars Dungeon if they have a high combat level and powerful gear.
Wilderness Resource Area
The Wilderness Resource Area is a location that requires players to risk their items in the Wilderness. It’s located in the northeast corner of the Wilderness and can be accessed by using the lever in the Edgeville bank. The area has a small number of Hellhounds, but they drop valuable resources like ensouled heads and ancient shards. Players should only attempt to slay Hellhounds in the Wilderness Resource Area if they are willing to risk losing their items to other players.
Community Discussions
Reddit Discussions
The Old School RuneScape community on Reddit is a great resource for players looking for advice on whether or not to block Hellhounds. Many players have shared their experiences and opinions on the matter. Some players believe that Hellhounds are not worth the time and effort, while others find them to be an easy and profitable task.
One user suggests that players should block Hellhounds if they are looking to maximize their Slayer experience. They argue that Hellhounds are not very good in terms of experience and that players should only do them if they are interested in fighting Cerberus. Another user suggests that players should only block Hellhounds if they don’t have enough money to buy prayer potions, as they can be very AFKable in the Kourend Dungeon.
Members Online Discussions
Members Online is another great resource for players looking for advice on whether or not to block Hellhounds. The community is very active and helpful, with many experienced players willing to share their knowledge.
One member suggests that players should block Hellhounds if they are looking to save time and focus on more profitable tasks. They argue that Hellhounds are not very good in terms of experience and that players should only do them if they are interested in fighting Cerberus. Another member suggests that players should only block Hellhounds if they are low on cash, as they can be very AFKable in the Kourend Dungeon.
Overall, the consensus among the Old School RuneScape community is that players should only do Hellhounds if they are interested in fighting Cerberus or if they have enough money to buy prayer potions. Otherwise, it is recommended that players block them and focus on more profitable tasks.
Additional Information
Hard Clue Scrolls
Hellhounds are a great source of hard clue scrolls, dropping them more frequently than other monsters. Players who are looking to complete their clue scroll collection may want to consider keeping hellhounds on their task list. It is important to note that hard clue scrolls are only available to members.
Free-to-Play vs Members
While hellhounds can be found in both free-to-play and members’ areas, the ones in members’ areas have a higher combat level and drop better loot. Members will also have access to more efficient training methods, such as the Catacombs of Kourend, which has nine spawns of hellhounds and is almost never crowded.
In Search of the Myreque
Players who have completed the In Search of the Myreque quest will have access to the Slayer Tower basement, which has a concentration of hellhounds that can be killed without leaving the area. This is a convenient option for players who want to train Slayer and collect loot without having to constantly move around.
When killing hellhounds in the Slayer Tower basement, players should be aware of the aggressive bloodvelds and abberant spectres that also inhabit the area. It may be helpful to bring a prayer potion and use Protect from Melee or Magic to avoid taking unnecessary damage.
Experience and Proselyte
Hellhounds are not the most efficient monsters to kill for experience, but they can still provide decent Slayer and combat experience. Players who are looking to maximize their experience gains may want to consider blocking hellhounds and focusing on other tasks.
However, players who are looking to train Prayer may want to consider killing hellhounds while wearing Proselyte armor. The armor provides a significant boost to Prayer experience gained, making it a useful option for players who want to train Prayer while also earning Slayer experience.