Does the Type of Blackjack Matter in OSRS? A Detailed Guide

Does the Type of Blackjack Matter in OSRS? A Detailed Guide


If you’re diving into the world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and exploring the Thieving skill, you’ve likely come across blackjacking. This popular training method involves using a blackjack weapon to knock out NPCs and pickpocket them for fast experience points (XP). But with multiple types of blackjacks available—ordinary, offensive, and defensive, each in oak, willow, and maple variants—a common question arises: Does the type of blackjack matter in OSRS? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about blackjacks, their differences, and whether the type you choose impacts your gameplay.

Blackjacks are unique members-only melee weapons in OSRS, primarily used for training the Thieving skill in Pollnivneach. Unlike traditional weapons designed for combat, blackjacks serve a dual purpose: knocking out specific NPCs (Villagers, Bandits, and Menaphite Thugs) and enabling players to pickpocket them while they’re unconscious. This method, known as “blackjacking,” is one of the fastest ways to level Thieving from 45 to 91+.

Types of Blackjacks

There are three main categories of blackjacks, each available in three tiers:

  • Ordinary Blackjack: Provides a small strength bonus.
  • Offensive Blackjack: Boosts strength and attack stats, requiring specific Attack and Thieving levels.
  • Defensive Blackjack: Enhances strength and defense stats, requiring Defense and Thieving levels.

Each category comes in oak, willow, and maple variants, with higher tiers offering better combat stats and longer stun durations in melee combat.

How to Obtain Blackjacks

To start blackjacking, you’ll need to complete the blackjacking section of The Feud quest to unlock the ability. After that:

  • Ordinary Blackjacks: Purchase from the blackjack seller in Pollnivneach (near the kebab shop) post-quest.
  • Offensive/Defensive Blackjacks: Complete the blackjack section of the Rogue Trader miniquest, then buy from Ali Morrisane in Al Kharid.

Does Blackjack Type Affect Thieving Success?

The short answer is no—the type of blackjack you use does not affect your success rate when knocking out or pickpocketing NPCs for Thieving XP. Whether you wield an oak ordinary blackjack or a maple offensive blackjack, the mechanics remain the same: lure the NPC, knock them out, and pickpocket twice. Your success depends solely on your Thieving level, not the blackjack’s type or tier.

Knockout and Pickpocket Mechanics

The blackjacking process is straightforward:

  1. Lure: Right-click the NPC and select “Lure” to isolate them (if needed).
  2. Knockout: Use the “Knock-Out” option. Success scales with your Thieving level, peaking at 94% at level 99.
  3. Pickpocket: If successful, pickpocket twice before the NPC wakes up.

The blackjack’s type (ordinary, offensive, or defensive) and tier (oak, willow, maple) don’t alter these odds. For example, a maple offensive blackjack won’t knock out a Menaphite Thug faster or more reliably than an oak ordinary blackjack.

XP Rates by NPC

Your XP gains depend on the NPC you’re blackjacking, not the blackjack type:

NPC Thieving Level Required XP per Pickpocket
Bearded Bandits 45 65
Unbearded Bandits 55 84.3
Menaphite Thugs 65 137.5

With optimal timing, blackjacking can yield 125k XP/hour at level 45, scaling to over 250k XP/hour at higher levels—regardless of blackjack type.

Combat Differences: When Type Matters

While blackjack type doesn’t impact Thieving, it does matter in combat scenarios. Each type and tier offers distinct bonuses, making them relevant if you use blackjacks as weapons rather than Thieving tools.

Combat Stats by Blackjack Type

Here’s how the variants differ:

  • Ordinary: Minimal bonuses, focused on strength (+4 to +20 depending on tier).
  • Offensive: Higher attack and strength bonuses (e.g., maple offensive: +24 attack, +20 strength).
  • Defensive: Better defense stats (e.g., maple defensive: +18 defense, +20 strength).

Stun Duration in Combat

In melee combat, higher-tier blackjacks stun enemies longer:

  • Oak: 1-tick delay (0.6 seconds).
  • Willow: 2-tick delay (1.2 seconds).
  • Maple: 3-tick delay (1.8 seconds).

This matters if you’re fighting with a blackjack (e.g., as a low-level pure), but it’s irrelevant for blackjacking since Thieving knockouts have a fixed duration.

Which Blackjack Should You Choose?

Since blackjack type doesn’t affect Thieving success, your choice depends on accessibility, cost, and personal goals.

Best Blackjack for Thieving

For pure Thieving, the maple blackjack (any type) is the community favorite due to its availability and decent stats if combat arises. However, an oak ordinary blackjack works just as well for knocking out NPCs. Buy what’s cheapest on the Grand Exchange (GE) or most convenient to obtain.

Cost Comparison

Prices fluctuate, but here’s a rough guide (as of April 2025):

Blackjack GE Price (GP)
Oak Blackjack ~600-800
Willow Blackjack ~1,000-1,200
Maple Blackjack ~1,500-2,000

Offensive and defensive variants may cost slightly more due to combat utility.

For Combat Builds

If you’re a pure or hybrid build using blackjacks in PvP or PvM:

  • Offensive: Ideal for maximizing damage (requires 30 Attack for maple).
  • Defensive: Better for tanking hits (requires 30 Defense for maple).

Tips for Effective Blackjacking

Regardless of blackjack type, success hinges on technique and preparation. Here’s how to optimize your blackjacking sessions:

Setup and Gear

  • Blackjack: Any type works; maple is recommended for versatility.
  • Rogue Outfit: Doubles loot (optional, requires 50 Thieving/Agility).
  • Food: Bring noted wines or lobsters to un-note at Pollnivneach’s merchant.
  • Desert Protection: Waterskins or desert robes to counter heat.

Technique

Master the rhythm:

  1. Lure the NPC into a tent and close the door.
  2. Knock out, then pickpocket twice as fast as possible.
  3. If you fail and get attacked, knock out again or climb a ladder to reset aggression.

Pro Tips

  • Hide Attack Option: In settings, disable NPC attack options to reduce misclicks.
  • Practice Timing: Start slow to nail the knockout-pickpocket cycle.
  • Use Sound: Audio cues help with the “Double Double Hit” technique for max XP.

With practice, you’ll hit 250k+ XP/hour and earn decent GP (up to 5M from 45-99 with Rogue gear).

Conclusion: Does It Really Matter?

For Thieving, the type of blackjack in OSRS doesn’t matter—oak, willow, maple, ordinary, offensive, or defensive all perform identically for knocking out NPCs. Your XP rates and success depend on your Thieving level and timing, not the weapon’s stats. However, if you’re using blackjacks in combat, the type and tier become significant due to differing bonuses and stun durations.

For most players, grabbing a maple blackjack (any variant) from the GE is the simplest, most versatile choice. It’s affordable, widely available, and covers all bases. So, focus on mastering the blackjacking method rather than agonizing over which blackjack to pick—your skills will carry you further than your weapon choice ever will.

Ready to blackjack your way to 99 Thieving? Share your thoughts or tips in the comments below, and happy skilling!