Hi folks,
So I never came across anything other than some limited discussion about the Venator bow. I've tested it pretty extensively now with the aim being to optimise it as an AFK Slayer tool.
I want to start out by saying how amazing this thing is. I have built what I think is an optimal duradel block list which profits points all whilst giving us low intensity gains.
Passive Benefits:
- AFK slayer xp/range/defence (on long range)/prayer
- Superior drop tables. namely for Imbued Heart.
- Huge whip supply for tents
- Steady supply of cash
- Clues.
- Totem pieces for Skotizo farming
- Ancient Shards for arclight
- Amass large stock of slayer points
- Others I haven't discovered?
Do Tasks (DURADEL):
Note that I have a slayer cape for the 10% repeat perk. Konar every 100th. You can probably achieve a point profit by going to Konar every 50th still even without the slayer cape perk.
I would say across a day of slayer you could reasonably expect to average out at 30k xp per hour.
**Block List (**I have 7 unlocked)
Wyrms
Kraken
Greaters
Nechs
Smoke Devils
Black Demons
Drakes
Anything else is a skip. Of course if you don't mind a certain task do it. You'll profit more points massively.
This will differ from account to account. I have quest cape. Of the additional slayer unlocks "hot stuff" "stop the wyvern" are the only ones ticked. Unlocks such as "like a boss" and other high weighted tasks should be avoided if your intention is to AFK. I respect this is very niche and most people want a boss task, or want to hunt a DWH or Jaw on task. The beauty of this is it can be tailored to your needs. Mine are to be full afk. Tailor the block list to your desire!
Setup:
Crystal is fine to use. You will be praying melee so you want something with prayer bonus. It won't lose charges. Aim to maximise prayer bonus here. Most tasks don't require max range because of the speed you kill mobs.
Rune arrows, addy work but xp rates take quite a hit.
There's room for upgrades to this setup. Ring of the gods objectively is much better. Certain tasks like bloodvelds better DPS with Masuri and Zartyt vambs would be amazing. As with the task list, your gear can match your needs. Lazy with contracts? Put monk robes on or something and barely lose supplies. Its worth noting some of the tasks drop ranarrs to lessen the burden.
Everything you need can be taken in one invy to limit time banking/messing around.
I range pot for all tasks bar hellhounds.
SGS is a nice extra and will significantly decrease ppot usage. I use a ring/ammy switch to help specs.
Prossy/whip setup for Dark Beast/Black Dragons & Kalphite. Note Blue Keris for Kalphite. If you don't have a Blue Keris use a good crush weapon.
Holy Wrench to help prayer supply
Various teleports to speed things up with banking/healing & grabbing tasks. Rune pouch for alchs & Kourend Castle teleport
Ash Sanctifier for passive prayer XP. It immensely adds up.
Maintenance
- The bow on rapid uses 1,500 charges ph c. On Long range 1,200. Here's the catch, long term you need to charge this with a steady supply of ancient essence fro Muspah. I worked out roughly 1hour of 80% efficient Muspah (I don't have Tbow or Zcb), is around 20,000-22,000 ess per hour. This will include breaking down future shards and icons. So roughly 1hour of Muspah will net around 15hours of bow usage. If you can bear the maintenance, the boss is actually insane regardless to regularly visit. Huge abundance of goodies on that drop table for us folk.
- Prayer pots. I listed the ppots per task in the table above. You can calculate if you can sustain this or not. I don't run farming contracts anymore but if you do, then its a nonissue. With SGS and the passive ranarrs from tasks I've found its not so bad. Remember also the maintenance at muspah nets you a decent supply of snap/ranarr seeds.
- Rune Arrows. Eventually if you use this baby enough your arrows will be gone. They get used a far slower rate, but nonetheless they do get used. Anyone who actively raids or bosses however shouldn't find this to be an issue. I run COX every now and then and it works out an average of 240 rune arrows a chest c. if you make the runite ore into arrows as well. Rune is on so many drop tables these days, i'm sure there are other great sources.
Tips & Tricks
- Wiki task weight calc:
https://oldschool.runescape.wiki/w/Calculator:Slayer/Slayer_task_weight
- I probably haven't worked out the absolute most optimal tile to stand on during each task but I aim to be central to give the best chance at attracting multiple spawns. From there the bow can do its work and grab further away spawns.
- Sounds on helps a lot for AFKing. The bow has a unique sound for when the passive effect is fully optmising the 3 hits. If it isn't, a very different sound is generated. This has been very effective for me not needlessly checking my screen.
- Some tasks you require to reagro the area. I highly recommend using the NPC Agression Timer plugin. Turn on timer/show on slayer task and you will only see the area lines for the tasks you're on. Simply run a tile outside them. Agro areas are a 21x21 moving box, this makes it much easier to reagro when you're not sure where to run to regain it.
Imbued Heart
If your intention is to passively chance imbued heart I recommend swapping out Kalphites for Nechs. Nechs can be semi AFK by rounding them up 5 or 6 a time via melee.
You may also want to consider taking the time out to do Smoke Devils due to their high potential superiors unique drop table, as well as amazing XP rates. I personally have nothing to gain from that task.
Thanks if you stuck out the whole thread. Its definitely not for everyone and has a lot of prerequisite. But if you manage to get there I hope the guide can help assist you in your goals. PLEASE leave any feedback and tips I may have missed myself. Like I said, I didn't find much information in the community so have developed the guide by myself.