In the vast, often grimy world of Gielinor, some of the most valuable secrets are hidden behind the most unassuming—and foul-smelling—objects. Enter the Fetid Key in OSRS, a humble yet crucial item that unlocks a unique mini-boss and a trove of useful rewards. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a mid-level player looking for your next target, understanding how to obtain and use the Fetid Key is a rewarding endeavor.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know: from locating the key and defeating its guardian to reaping the profitable rewards. We’ll cover strategies, requirements, and essential tips to turn this smelly key into a consistent source of income and experience.
What is the Fetid Key in Old School RuneScape?
The Fetid Key is a single-use key that unlocks the door to the lair of Salarin the Twisted, a chaotic monk located in the Yanille Agility Dungeon. Unlike permanent keys, a Fetid Key is consumed upon use, meaning you’ll need a new one for each attempt at battling Salarin. The appeal lies in Salarin’s unique drop table, which includes several high-value Herblore secondary ingredients, making this a popular activity for both ironmen and main accounts looking to profit.
The key’s name, “fetid,” perfectly describes its origins—it is found in the murky, monster-infested waters of the Lumbridge Swamp. It’s a small piece of content that ties together Slayer, low-level combat, and Herblore in a satisfying way.
How to Get the Fetid Key: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Obtaining the Fetid Key OSRS players seek requires a specific task and a bit of patience. It cannot be traded between players, so you must earn it yourself.
Step 1: The Slayer Requirement
You must have a Slayer level of 58 or higher. This is the absolute prerequisite, as the monsters that drop the key are assigned only by Slayer masters.
Step 2: Receive a Specific Task
You need to be assigned Cave Crawlers, Cave Slimes, or Cave Bugs by a Slayer Master. These monsters are commonly assigned by Chaeldar in Zanaris, Vannaka in the Edgeville Dungeon, or Nieve/Steve in the Tree Gnome Stronghold.
Step 3: Head to the Lumbridge Swamp Caves
The only location where the Fetid Key drops is within the Lumbridge Swamp Caves. You can access this dungeon by entering the cave in the Lumbridge Swamp, south of Lumbridge Castle (fairy ring code BKP).
Step 4: Farm the Monsters
Once inside and on a correct Slayer task, defeat Cave Crawlers, Cave Slimes, or Cave Bugs. The Fetid Key is a rare drop, so you may need to kill a fair number of them.
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Drop Rate: Approximately 1/64 from Cave Crawlers and Cave Slimes, and 1/85 from Cave Bugs.
Pro Tips for Key Farming:
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Bring Antipoison: Cave Crawlers and Cave Slimes can poison you. An antipoison potion or a Serpentine helm is essential.
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Use Salve Amulet: These monsters are undead, making the Salve amulet (e) incredibly effective for faster kills.
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Optimize Your Trip: The caves are multi-combat. Using area-of-effect (AoE) prayers like Prayer of Thunder from the Archaeus spellbook can speed up tasks significantly.
Using the Fetid Key: Confronting Salarin the Twisted
Once you have the key, the next step is to use it. Make your way to the Yanille Agility Dungeon. The entrance is a manhole located in the center of Yanille, requiring 67 Thieving or the help of a Watchtower Teleport to access easily.
Navigate through the dungeon (Agility shortcuts can help) until you find a gate described as “a foul-looking gate.” Use your Fetid Key on this gate to enter Salarin’s chamber.
Preparing for the Fight:
Salarin the Twisted is a level 84 monster with moderate combat stats. The fight has two unique mechanics:
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Stat-Draining Attack: His primary magic attack can temporarily drain your Attack, Strength, and Defense by 5 levels. Super combat or regular restore potions are recommended.
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Chaotic Magic: He alternates between Magic and Melee attacks. Praying Protect from Magic is the most effective defensive strategy.
Recommended Gear and Inventory:
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Combat Style: Magic is highly effective. Using Iban Blast (or better) with Protect from Magic makes the fight trivial.
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Inventory: Bring 1-2 prayer potions, a super restore or combat potion, antipoison, and food. Remember, the Fetid Key takes up one inventory slot.
The Rewards: Why the Fetid Key is Worth Your Time
The main attraction of this entire process is Salarin the Twisted’s unique drop table. He is the only monster in OSRS to drop certain Herblore secondaries, making his loot consistently valuable.
Key Valuable Drops from Salarin:
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Grimy Torstol: A high-level herb used for creating Super combat potions. Always in demand.
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White Berries: A secondary for Super Defense potions. Another consistently high-value item.
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Snapdragon Seed & Torstol Seed: Valuable seeds for high-level Farming runs.
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Limpwurt Root: Used for Strength potions. Commonly dropped in stacks.
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Rune Essence & Cosmic Runes: Useful for Ironmen accounts.
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Clue Scroll (Elite): A chance at high-reward clue loot.
Profit Potential:
While not a massive money-maker like end-game bosses, killing Salarin the Twisted offers a steady, low-effort profit of 100,000 to 250,000+ gold per kill, depending on the drop. For Ironmen, this is an essential method for gathering white berries and torstols without relying on farming or other monsters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I buy the Fetid Key on the Grand Exchange?
A: No. The Fetid Key is untradeable in OSRS. You must obtain it yourself from the Lumbridge Swamp Caves while on a relevant Slayer task.
Q: How many times can I use one Fetid Key?
A: Only once. The key is destroyed when you use it to open Salarin’s gate. You need a new OSRS Fetid Key for each attempt.
Q: Is there a quick way to get back to Salarin after banking?
A: Yes. The best methods are:
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Watchtower Teleport (Magic): Takes you directly to Yanille, right next to the manhole.
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Yanille House Portal (Construction): If your POH is in Yanille or you have a friend’s house.
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Fairy Ring (C I Q): Gets you close to the Yanille manhole.
Q: Is this worth doing on an Ironman account?
A: Absolutely. For ironmen, Salarin is a primary source of White Berries and a reliable source of Grimy Torstols, both critical for high-level Herblore training.
Q: What’s the fastest way to get a Slayer task for the key?
A: Use Slayer Masters like Nieve/Steve or Duradel, who assign Cave creatures in higher quantities, increasing your chance of seeing a key drop during the task.
Advanced Strategies and Final Tips
To truly master the fetid key osrs grind, consider these advanced tips:
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Task Stacking: If you get a Cave creature task, consider farming for multiple keys. You can kill the monsters until you get a key, then finish the task elsewhere, banking the key for future use.
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Efficiency: Combine Salarin kills with other activities. For example, use a Yanille teleport for a Herb run, then pop down to kill Salarin before heading back to a bank.
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Low-Level Strategy: If your combat is low, focus purely on magic. Safe-spot Salarin from the entrance if possible, and always keep your prayer up.
The journey for the Fetid Key embodies the classic OSRS charm: a bit obscure, requiring multiple skills, and offering a tangible, rewarding payoff. It connects early-game Slayer in Lumbridge Swamp to a niche, profitable fight that supports the ever-important Herblore skill.
Ready to Dive into the Swamp?
The path to Salarin’s loot is clear. Train your Slayer to 58, grab a task for those dank cave creatures, and brave the Lumbridge Swamp. That fetid key is more than just a smelly piece of iron—it’s a ticket to consistent profits and valuable resources.