Melee Gear Progression in Old School RuneScape
Training your melee stats and acquiring new weapons and armor in Old School RuneScape doesn’t always guarantee success in battle. In fact, stacking item bonuses can often provide better results than simply equipping the latest shiny items. This guide will walk you through the proper progression of melee gear in Old School RuneScape and explain the benefits of each build.
Early Game
Starting at level 40, it’s recommended to wear a full set of rune armor. This armor set is relatively affordable, selling for around 130,000 GP, and has minimal requirements. The only prerequisite is completing the “Dragon Slayer I” quest to unlock the rune plate body. Additionally, you’ll want to equip the following items:
- Amulet of Glory
- Blessing (any)
- Combat Bracelet
- Rune Boots
At level 60 attack, you can obtain the dragon scimitar by completing the “Monkey Madness I” quest. Regular players can purchase one from the Grand Exchange for approximately 60,000 GP, while ironman players can acquire it from Daga in Ape Atoll for 100,000 GP.
Once you reach 65 attack and 65 strength, swapping your rune kiteshield for a rune defender is recommended. Though it requires 40 defense and attack, wielding the rune defender at this level boosts your damage-per-second stats without sacrificing defense bonuses. The rune defender can be obtained as a random drop by killing Cyclopes at the Warrior’s Guild.
At 45 defense, it’s time to exchange your rune helmet for a berserker helmet. To wear this helm, completion of “The Fremennik Trials” quest is necessary. The berserker helmet is tradable and can be purchased from the Grand Exchange for around 80,000 GP. Ironman players can buy it from Skulgrimen’s Battle Gear shop in Rellekka for 78,000 GP. The berserker helmet provides +30 defense bonuses for stab, slash, and crush attacks, as well as ranged. However, it decreases your magic and ranged attack bonuses by five.
Once you reach 55 defense, consider swapping your berserker helmet for the helmet of neitiznot. This helm removes the subtracted bonuses from the berserker helmet and adds a +3 defense bonus for magic. The helmet of neitiznot can be obtained by completing the appropriate quest.
Mid Game
At 60 defense, it’s time to upgrade your gear. Aim to obtain the following items:
- Dragon Defender
- Dragon Boots
- Barrows Gloves
- Fighter Torso
- Berserker Ring
- Obsidian Platelegs
- Sarachnis Cudgel
The dragon defender is dropped by level 106 Cyclopes found in the Warrior’s Guild basement. Dragon boots are tradable and can be purchased from the Grand Exchange for around 170,000 GP. Barrows Gloves require completion of the “Recipe for Disaster” quest and provide significant attack and defense bonuses. They can be obtained for 130,000 coins from the Culinaromancer’s Chest in Lumbridge Castle.
The fighter torso is a non-tradable item obtained by playing the barbarian assault minigames. Players must have at least 40 defense to wear this item. It can be purchased for 375 honour points from Commander Connad at the barbarian outpost. The berserker ring, which provides defense and strength bonuses, can be obtained from the Grand Exchange or as a drop from Dragannoth Rex.
Obsidian platelegs require a defense level of 60 and can be purchased from the Grand Exchange or TzHaar-Hur-Zal’s Equipment Store. The sarachnis cudgel, a one-handed crush weapon, can be obtained by killing the Sarachnis boss. It requires a minimum attack level of 65 and can be purchased from the Grand Exchange.
At 65 defense, challenge yourself by attempting the TzHaar Fight Cave to earn the fire cape.
Once you reach 70 strength and 70 attack, you can equip the Abyssal Whip and the Amulet of Fury. The Abyssal Whip is tradable and can be purchased from the Grand Exchange, while the Amulet of Fury is considered one of the best amulets in the game. The amulet provides attack and defense bonuses for all combat slots, as well as strength bonuses.
Upon reaching 75 defense, you’ll finally be able to wear the dragon fire shield. This tradable item can be purchased from the Grand Exchange and requires starting the “Dragon Slayer I” quest.