Arclight is OSRS’s best-in-slot weapon specifically for killing demons, with a passive effect that applies a 70% accuracy and damage reduction on every demon type in the game. Getting it requires upgrading Darklight with Ancient Shards — a resource farmed from demons in the Catacombs of Kourend. If your Slayer log has a lot of demon tasks ahead, Arclight is worth the investment.
- Created by using 3 Ancient Shards on Darklight at the Altar of the Damned
- Ancient Shards are dropped by various demons in the Catacombs of Kourend
- Darklight is obtained by completing the Shadow of the Storm quest
- Arclight degrades — each charge is consumed per attack (1,000 charges per 3 shards)
- 70% damage and accuracy reduction applied to all demonic creatures while wielded
How to Get Arclight in OSRS
Arclight is created by combining Darklight with 3 Ancient Shards at the Altar of the Damned. The process requires having Darklight in your inventory, 3 Ancient Shards, and using them at the Altar located inside the Catacombs of Kourend (the large underground dungeon in Great Kourend).
Step-by-step:
- Obtain Darklight by completing Shadow of the Storm (requires Demon Slayer and Biohazard as prerequisites)
- Farm Ancient Shards from demons in the Catacombs of Kourend (see below for sources)
- Travel to the Catacombs of Kourend — entrance via the statue in the centre of Great Kourend, or Xeric’s Talisman
- Use 3 Ancient Shards on Darklight at the Altar of the Damned, located in the northern section of the Catacombs
- Arclight is created instantly — it starts with 1,000 charges
ℹ️ Arclight starts to degrade toward Darklight when its charges are depleted. To recharge, simply use 3 more Ancient Shards on it at the Altar. There’s no cost beyond the shards — which you’ll be farming anyway on demon tasks.
How to Farm Ancient Shards
Ancient Shards are dropped by demons in the Catacombs of Kourend exclusively. They don’t drop outside the Catacombs, so all shard farming happens underground.
| Source | Drop Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser Demon | 1/256 | Very slow — not recommended |
| Greater Demon | 1/128 | Decent, especially on task |
| Black Demon | 1/96 | Good option |
| Abyssal Demon | 1/85 | Best rate; popular Slayer task |
| Cerberus | 1/64 | Fast if you’re already farming |
| Skotizo | Guaranteed 3 | Boss; requires Dark Totem |
Abyssal Demons in the Catacombs are the most efficient shard source for most players. They’re a popular Slayer task, hit fast, and their 1/85 shard rate means you’ll accumulate shards naturally over a normal Slayer grind. You typically won’t need to grind shards separately.
How Good Is Arclight?
Arclight’s passive effect — 70% accuracy and damage reduction on demonic creatures — makes it the best weapon for virtually any demon fight, often surpassing Scythe of Vitur in certain encounters purely from the debuff value. Against Greater Demons, Black Demons, and Demonic Gorillas, it’s unambiguously the right choice. If you want to build your account toward Slayer efficiency faster, our OSRS Slayer boosting services can accelerate your demon task count and shard income simultaneously.
For the Chambers of Xeric fight against Tekton and the Theatre of Blood encounter with Xarpus (which has a demonic categorisation), Arclight applies there too — an unexpected bonus for raiding accounts.
OSRS Arclight FAQ
Below are the most common questions about obtaining and using Arclight in OSRS.
How Many Ancient Shards Do I Need?
You need 3 Ancient Shards to create Arclight from Darklight (or to recharge it). Each recharge gives 1,000 charges. Over a long Slayer grind with demon tasks, most players accumulate enough shards naturally without dedicated farming.
Does Arclight Work on All Demons?
Arclight’s passive effect applies to all demonic creatures in OSRS — this includes Abyssal Demons, Black Demons, Greater Demons, Demonic Gorillas, K’ril Tsutsaroth (GWD), and Skotizo. It also applies to the Nightmare Zone versions of demon bosses.
Can I Use Arclight on Non-Demons?
Yes, but Arclight without the passive debuff is weaker than standard BiS melee weapons. It has decent stats (Attack bonuses similar to Abyssal Whip) but no special advantage outside demonic targets. Don’t use it as a general-purpose weapon.
What Quest Do I Need for Darklight?
Shadow of the Storm is required to obtain Darklight. Its prerequisites include Demon Slayer and Biohazard. Both are relatively short quests — the full chain takes 1–2 hours for a prepared account.
Does Arclight Degrade Quickly?
At 1,000 charges per 3 shards, and with Abyssal Demons having a 1/85 shard rate, most active Slayer grinders maintain positive charge balance naturally. A full 1-hour Abyssal Demon task typically yields 10–15 shards, easily covering the charge cost of using Arclight throughout.
Arclight transforms demon tasks from routine grinds into efficient ones — the 70% debuff is genuinely impactful on kill speed and survivability at content like Demonic Gorillas.