Learn how to tackle Basilisks in Old School RuneScape, including effective strategies, essential gear, and prime locations for hunting.

Basilisks are level 61 monsters requiring a minimum of level 40 Slayer to engage. They are notorious in OSRS for their lethal gaze attack, which can drastically lower your combat stats if not adequately shielded against.

The Gaze Attack

The gaze of a Basilisk is its most dangerous weapon, capable of weakening players by significantly reducing their combat effectiveness. This can make battles particularly challenging, especially if facing multiple enemies or engaging in extended combat scenarios.

Protection Against the Gaze

To counteract the Basilisk's gaze, you must equip a mirror shield, obtainable from Slayer masters. This shield is crucial as it prevents the stat-reducing effects of the Basilisk's gaze. After completing the Fremennik Exiles quest, players can also use the V shield, which offers the same protection with additional benefits. You can encounter Basilisks in two primary locations within OSRS. Understanding these areas will help you plan your approach effectively.

Fremennik Slayer Dungeon

The Fremennik Slayer Dungeon is the most common and accessible location to find Basilisks. Located on the eastern side of the Fremennik Province, this dungeon is reachable after a short walk from the Rellekka lodestone. Once inside, navigate through the dungeon's winding pathways, where the Basilisks are nestled among other creatures. This dungeon is a popular choice not only for its accessibility but also because it doesn't require any quest completions to enter. You can get here either with the fairy ring code AJR or by using the teleport from your Slayer ring.

Jormungand's Prison

A more challenging but rewarding location to hunt Basilisks is Jormungand's Prison, which you can access after starting the Fremennik Exiles quest. This area, hidden beneath the islands of Jatizso and Neitiznot, offers a more secluded spot for Basilisks. It's a good alternative if you're looking for a less crowded space than the Fremennik Slayer Dungeon. Remember, though, that reaching Jormungand's Prison involves more complex quest prerequisites, making it a choice for the more experienced or adventurous slayer. You'll also find basilisk knights here as an alternative for your slayer task, and they could bring you a lot of OSRS gold if you're lucky enough to drop their basilisk jaw.

Required Items for Slaying Basilisks

When preparing to face the Basilisks, you'll need several essential OSRS items to ensure your success and safety during the battle.

Mirror Shield or V Shield

To protect yourself from the Basilisk's deadly gaze, which can significantly reduce your combat stats, you must equip a Mirror Shield or V Shield. This shield is crucial as it prevents the gaze from weakening you, making it a non-negotiable part of your equipment. The upgraded item offers the same protection against the gaze and provides better defensive stats, making it a superior alternative.

Combat Gear

For your combat gear, choose the best armor and weapons available to you. While high attack bonuses are beneficial, they aren't strictly necessary due to the Basilisks' relatively low defense. Focus on gear that balances defense with combat efficiency. If you're on a Slayer task, wearing a Slayer helmet will enhance your accuracy and damage, increasing your overall effectiveness against these creatures. Stab weapons or ranged attacks tend to be particularly effective against Basilisks. If you own one, bring an OSRS Fire Cape. Otherwise, an Obsidian cape should be used for your melee setup.

Food and Potions

Ensure you have a good supply of food to heal any damage taken during the fight. High-healing foods such as sharks or monkfish are recommended for more extended stays. Since Basilisks always drop bones, you can bring bones to peaches tablet or the spell had you unlocked it already. Additionally, consider bringing along potions that boost your combat capabilities, such as super combat potions. Prayer potions are also helpful if you plan to use protective prayers like Protect from Melee, which can significantly reduce the damage you receive, so you don't need to eat food. Super attack and super defense potions can also give you an edge by increasing your ability to hit and reducing the damage Basilisks can inflict.

Recommended Equipment

Melee Setup

Helmet: Helm of Neitiznot or any Slayer helmet (if on a Slayer task)

Weapon: Abyssal whip or a strong stabbing weapon like the Zamorakian hasta

Armor: High defensive armor like Bandos or Barrow sets

Boots: Dragon boots or any high-defense boots

Amulet: Amulet of glory or better

Ring: Berserker ring or Ring of Wealth for extra drops

Ranged Setup

Helmet: Archer helm or any Slayer helmet (if on a Slayer task)

Weapon: Rune crossbow or better

Armor: Black dragonhide set or Armadyl armor

Boots: Snakeskin boots or better

Amulet: Amulet of glory or better

Ring: Archers ring or Ring of Wealth

Basilisk Knights

Basilisk Knights is an advanced variant of the common Basilisks encountered in Old School RuneScape, introduced with the Fremennik Exiles quest. Residing in Jormungand's Prison, these formidable foes are level 204 and require a Slayer level of 60 to engage. They are particularly notable for their enhanced combat abilities and the chance to drop the pricy Basilisk jaw, an item used to upgrade the Neitiznot faceguard into one of the best non-degradable helmets in the game. Given their higher health and damage output, players must be well-prepared with superior gear and strategies to withstand their assault. Engaging these Knights offers a challenging combat experience and the potential for highly valuable rewards, making them a popular target for high-level slayers seeking both profit and adventure.

Slayer Masters

In Old School RuneScape, several Slayer masters can assign Basilisks as a task, making them an integral part of the Slayer Skill's diverse roster of monsters. The masters who can send you on this mission are Vannaka, Chaeldar, Konar quo Maten, Nieve/Steve, and Duradel. Each master has different requirements and slayer point rewards, catering to various player levels and preferences.