Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a diverse range of combat training methods, each with its own optimal weapon choices. Choosing the right weapon significantly impacts your training speed and efficiency. This guide breaks down the best weapons for various combat styles and training locations, helping you maximize your experience gains.
Understanding Combat Styles and Weapon Types
Before diving into specific weapon recommendations, it's crucial to understand OSRS's combat styles:
- Melee: Involves close-range attacks using weapons like swords, axes, maces, and whips.
- Ranged: Utilizes ranged weapons such as bows, crossbows, and thrown weapons to attack from a distance.
- Magic: Employs spells and staves to inflict damage on opponents.
Each combat style benefits from different weapon types, affecting accuracy, damage output, and special attack effects.
Best Weapons for Each Combat Style
Melee Combat Training
The optimal melee weapon depends heavily on your combat level and training location.
Early Game (Levels 1-40):
- Iron Sword: A cheap and readily available option, ideal for beginners. Its low requirements make it perfect for early-game training at places like the Lumbridge Swamp Caves.
- Bronze Sword: A slight upgrade from the Iron Sword, offering slightly better stats.
Mid-Game (Levels 40-70):
- Steel Sword: A solid step up in terms of damage and attack speed. Effective at various training locations, including the Stronghold of Security.
- Black Knife: Excellent for early-mid game training due to its high attack speed. Consider this if you're focusing on consistent hits rather than massive damage bursts.
Late Game (Levels 70+):
- Abyssal Whip: A highly sought-after weapon known for its exceptional attack speed and damage, making it ideal for high-level training areas like the Slayer Tower. However, its high requirement level makes it inaccessible to lower-level players.
- Dragon Scimitar: Another powerful option for high-level melee training. Its superior attack stats compared to the Abyssal Whip, although slightly slower attack speed, make it worthy of consideration.
Ranged Combat Training
Ranged training offers a good balance of efficiency and safety, especially at higher levels. Weapon choices again depend on your level and training goals.
Early Game (Levels 1-40):
- Bronze Arrows & Bow: The standard starting equipment.
- Iron Arrows & Bow: A small upgrade, but effective for initial training.
Mid-Game (Levels 40-70):
- Mithril Arrows & Bow: A significant improvement in damage and accuracy.
- Adamant Arrows & Bow: A further step up, offering much better stats for increased training efficiency.
Late Game (Levels 70+):
- Rune Arrows & Bow: These provide the best damage output for their tier, making them suitable for advanced ranged training methods.
- Dark Bow: This provides a powerful special attack making it excellent for high-level training areas.
Magic Combat Training
Magic training utilizes spells and staves, often involving higher levels and more complex strategies.
Early Game (Levels 1-40):
- Air spells: Starting spells are essential for early training, easily accessed through spellbooks.
Mid-Game (Levels 40-70):
- Water spells: As you progress, water spells become more effective for damage and experience gains.
Late Game (Levels 70+):
- Higher-level spells: Focus on spells like Ice Barrage and Fire Surge for maximum efficiency. Your choice will depend on your preferred spellcasting style and the monsters you're fighting.
Choosing the Right Weapon for You
The "best" weapon ultimately depends on several factors:
- Your Combat Level: Weapons have level requirements; you can't wield a weapon above your level.
- Your Combat Style: Melee, ranged, and magic all use different weapons.
- Your Training Location: Certain weapons are more effective in specific locations due to monster strengths and weaknesses.
- Your Budget: Some weapons are far more expensive than others.
This guide provides a starting point for selecting the most effective weapons for your OSRS combat training journey. Remember to experiment and find what works best for your playstyle and goals. Happy training!
