Ankou are undead monsters commonly assigned as Slayer tasks. They're easy to fight, have no quest or level requirements, and are weak to the Salve amulet, which makes them a good target for efficient training and profit. In this guide, we'll go over gear setups for different combat styles, recommended inventory setups, and strategies for each Ankou location in the game, including the Wilderness.

Quick Overview

• Combat Style: Melee only (protect from melee works)

• Weakness: Salve Amulet (especially useful if you're using melee or ranged)

• Slayer Level: No requirement

• Best Combat Styles: Magic (Bursting), Melee (Salve amulet), or Ranged

• Multi-Combat Areas: Great for cannoning or AoE bursting

• Single Combat: Best for conserving supplies and using safer methods

Salve Amulet Explained

There are four variants of the Salve Amulet:

• Salve Amulet – Basic version fromthe  Haunted Mine quest.

• Salve Amulet (e) – Enchanted for a +20% damage and accuracy bonus against undead (melee only).

• Salve Amulet (i) – Imbued version from Nightmare Zone (+15% bonus in all styles).

• Salve Amulet (ei) – Enchanted and imbued; +20% in all styles (magic, ranged, melee).

Important Note: The Salve Amulet does not stack with the Slayer Helmet. If you're only choosing one for undead tasks like Ankou, the Salve (ei) amulet is generally better than an imbued Slayer helmet.

You can get multiple Salve Amulets by revisiting the Haunted Mine, and the quests required are relatively easy, making this item very accessible.

Combat Style Setups

Magic Setups (Bursting)

If you're planning to burst Ankou in the Catacombs of Kourend, this is the fastest method in terms of XP and Slayer task speed.

Budget Magic Setup:

• Mystic robes, Ancient staff, Glory, God book

• Prayer gear optional (Monk robes, Holy sandals)

• Blood or Ice burst runes

Mid-Tier Setup:

• Ahrim's or Void Mage

• Occult necklace, Mage's book, Staff of the dead or Kodai

• Imbued God cape

Max Setup:

• Ancestral, Kodai wand, Tormented bracelet, Eternal boots

• Salve amulet (ei) or Slayer Helm (imbued, if not using Salve)

• Prayer bonus gear like Max cape (prayer) or Devout boots

Non-Burst Magic (Single combat): If you're not in the Catacombs, stick to high DPS magic gear and focus on one target at a time.

Ranged Setups

Best Option: Use the Venator Bow inside the Catacombs for splash damage between multiple Ankou.

Budget Setup:

• Black d'hide, Magic shortbow, Broad arrows

• Glory, Ava's accumulator, Salve amulet

Mid-Tier Setup:

• Karil's or Void Range, Blowpipe with addy darts

• Salve (ei), Ava's assembler

Max Setup:

• Armadyl, Venator Bow or Bowfa

• Zaryte vambraces, Pegasian boots

• Salve (ei), Ava's assembler

For ammo, don't bring too many—especially in the Wilderness (300 max arrows/darts is a safe number).

Melee Setups

Multi-Combat Area (Catacombs):

• High-DPS weapons like Scythe of Vitur or Abyssal Bludgeon

• Salve amulet (ei) is best

• Protect from melee reduces all incoming damage

Budget Setup:

• Rune or Dragon scimitar, Glory, Proselyte or Rune

• Dragon defender, Salve amulet

Mid-Tier Setup:

• Abyssal whip or Sara sword

• Fighter torso, Barrows legs, Fire cape

Max Setup:

• Scythe of Vitur, Justiciar, Salve (ei)

• Max strength bonuses with some prayer gear

Optional:

• Guthan's for passive healing

• Saradomin godsword, or SGS for prayer and HP regeneration

If you don't want to pray, you can use a crush defense setup with high food supply.

Wilderness Slayer Cave Setups

If you're assigned Ankou in the Wilderness, you'll want a risk-controlled setup to avoid losing too much to player killers (PKers).

Key Tips:

• Only bring a few valuable items (around 3)

• Limit ammo and ether (max ~1500 ether, ~300 arrows, ~500 darts)

• Always have a one-click teleport (Royal seed pod, Slayer ring, etc.)

• Use Runelite's Player Indicators plugin to spot PKers early

Magic Wilderness Setup:

• Mystic robes or Ahrim's top with a cheap bottom

• Ancient staff, 500–1000 casts

• Salve (ei), God cape

Ranged Wilderness Setup:

• Black d'hide, Blowpipe or Rune crossbow

• Salve amulet, Glory

• Only bring minimal ammo

Melee Wilderness Setup:

• D scim or Dragon mace, Black d'hide, Salve (ei)

• Avoid Scythe, Bludgeon, or other high-risk weapons

• Always hover teleport and run at the first sign of red dots on the minimap

Location Guide: Where to Kill Ankou

1. Catacombs of Kourend

How to get there:

• Xeric's Heart (Talisman)

• Kourend Castle teleport (Arceuus spellbook)

• Kharedst's Memoirs (Lunch by the Lancallium)

• Minecart from Great Kourend

Steps:

• Enter statue (Investigate)

• Head south and southwest

• Use the 17 Agility shortcut

Best for:

• Multi-target attacks (bursting/cannoning)

• Good Slayer XP and bone drops

2. Stronghold of Security

How to get there:

• Skull Sceptre (Teleport to Barbarian Village)

• Soul Wars grouping teleport

• Amulet of Glory to Edgeville

• Draynor Manor teleport

Steps:

• Enter Stronghold

• Use portals to go down to Level 4

• Go northeast to the Ankou room

Best for:

• Using a cannon in a safe zone

• Solo players are not bursting

3. Stronghold Slayer Cave

How to get there:

• Slayer ring (Direct teleport)

• Spirit Tree to Gnome Stronghold

• Necklace of passage to Outpost

• Royal seed pod, then run from the Tree Gnome Stronghold

Steps:

• Enter the cave, run all the way east to the Ankou room

Best for:

• Safe cannoning

• Quick and easy access

4. Wilderness Slayer Cave

How to get there:

• Obelisk to level 18 Wilderness

• Games necklace to Corporeal Beast cave (then exit)

• Burning Amulet to Chaos Temple

• Ring of dueling to Ferox Enclave

• Grouping teleport to LMS or Clan Wars

Steps:

• Run northwest inside the cave

• Drop the cannon and begin the task

Best for:

• Wilderness Slayer tasks

• Risky but potentially faster XP with cannon

Sample Inventory & Prayer Setup

Inventory Suggestions:

• Stat-boosting potions (Super sets, Magic pots)

• Prayer potions

• Food (Sharks, Saradomin brews)

• Teleport (always have a one-click)

• Cannon and cannonballs (if using)

• Runes if using magic

• Optional: Slayer ring, Imbued heart, Bonecrusher

Anything highlighted in yellow on most guides is optional based on your style.

Quick Prayer Setup:

• Protect from Melee (always)

• Piety or Rigour or Augury, depending on your style

• Preserve (if boosting stats)

• Redemption (optional)

Set up quick prayers to match your style and toggle them on when you arrive.

Tools to Help You

If you want to experiment with different gear setups and see your DPS, resource usage, and time estimates, check out the Nobs OSRS Slayer Calculator. It helps compare untradeables, determine gear value vs. efficiency, and even gives location maps. It's super helpful if you're not sure which setup will save you time or OSRS gold.

Conclusion

Ankou are one of the simpler Slayer tasks in OSRS, and with the right setup, they can be extremely efficient. Whether you're bursting for fast Slayer XP in the Catacombs, cannoning in a safe location, or taking the risk for Wilderness Slayer points, there's a method for every kind of player.

Make sure to bring the right gear for your setup, always keep an eye on your prayer points and HP, and avoid over-investing in high-risk areas. If you're doing Slayer consistently, consider upgrading to a Salve (ei) amulet—it's worth the effort.

RSorder Team