OSRS 99 Defence Guide: Best Methods to Max Your Defence in Old School RuneScape
Reaching level 99 Defence in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a monumental achievement that opens up a world of opportunities, from tanking high-level bosses to wearing the best armor in the game. Defence is one of the three core melee combat skills, alongside Attack and Strength, and it plays a crucial role in reducing the accuracy of enemy attacks. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran looking to max out your stats, this OSRS 99 Defence guide will walk you through the fastest, most efficient, and even profitable methods to hit that coveted 99. Let’s dive into the strategies, gear, and training spots to get you there!
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why you’d want to train Defence to 99. In OSRS, Defence doesn’t reduce the damage you take—it reduces the chance of an enemy landing a hit on you. This makes it invaluable for surviving longer fights, especially against hard-hitting monsters or in PvP scenarios. Plus, hitting 99 unlocks some awesome perks:
- Access to Top-Tier Armor: Gear like Barrows armor, Bandos, and Justiciar requires high Defence levels.
- Bossing and Tanking: High Defence lets you tank bosses like General Graardor or the Theatre of Blood with ease.
- Achievement Diaries: The Achievement Diary cape requires 70 Defence, but 99 makes you a true completionist.
- Bragging Rights: That shiny Defence cape is a badge of honor in Gielinor!
Now that you’re motivated, let’s break down the journey to 99 Defence step by step.
Getting Started: Levels 1–40
The early levels of Defence can feel slow, but with the right approach, you’ll breeze through them. Here’s how to kick things off efficiently.
Questing for Early XP
Quests are a fantastic way to skip the tedious low-level grind. They offer big chunks of experience with minimal effort. Here are some must-do quests for Defence XP:
- Waterfall Quest: Grants 13,750 Attack and Strength XP (boosts Defence indirectly via combat level).
- Dragon Slayer I: Rewards 18,650 Defence and Strength XP—perfect for a big early jump.
- Fight Arena: Gives 2,175 Defence XP alongside Attack XP.
- The Grand Tree: Offers 2,150 Defence XP with no combat requirements.
By completing these, you can easily hit level 30+ Defence without swinging a sword. Pair them with some light training, and you’ll be at 40 in no time.
Low-Level Training Spots
If you’d rather train manually, start with these beginner-friendly monsters:
- Chickens (Levels 1–10): Found in Lumbridge, they’re weak and perfect for new accounts.
- Cows (Levels 10–20): Also in Lumbridge, they drop cowhides for early cash.
- Goblins (Levels 20–30): Scattered across Gielinor, they’re easy and aggressive.
- Rock Crabs (Levels 30–40): On Rellekka’s shores, they have high HP and low Defence, making them ideal for XP.
Use the best gear you can afford—bronze or iron armor at first, upgrading to steel or black as you level. Set your combat style to “Defensive” to funnel all XP into Defence.
Mid-Level Grind: Levels 40–70
Once you hit 40 Defence, the game starts opening up. You can wear better armor and tackle tougher foes. This is where the grind gets serious, but also more rewarding.
Best Mid-Level Training Methods
Here are the top spots to train Defence from 40 to 70:
- Ammonite Crabs (Levels 40–60): On Fossil Island, these are an upgraded version of Rock Crabs with higher HP. They’re aggressive and great for AFK training.
- Hill Giants (Levels 40–50): In Edgeville Dungeon, they drop big bones for Prayer XP and limpwurt roots for profit.
- Nightmare Zone (Levels 50–70): Unlock this minigame with quests like “Vampyre Slayer” and “The Grand Tree.” Use the “Normal” rumble mode with absorption potions for AFK Defence XP at 50k–70k per hour.
Gear Upgrades for Mid-Levels
Your gear starts mattering more here. Aim for these upgrades:
| Slot | Item | Defence Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Rune Platebody | 40 |
| Legs | Rune Platelegs | 40 |
| Weapon | Rune Scimitar | 40 Attack (for faster kills) |
| Shield | Rune Kiteshield | 40 |
These items are affordable on the Grand Exchange and provide solid Defence bonuses. If you’ve got some cash, grab a Fighter Torso from Barbarian Assault for extra Strength (boosting kill speed).
High-Level Push: Levels 70–99
This is the home stretch! From 70 to 99, you’ll need around 12 million XP, so efficiency is key. Here’s how to power through.
Fastest Methods to 99 Defence
For the quickest XP rates, focus on these methods:
- Nightmare Zone (NMZ): Switch to “Hard” rumbles at 70 Defence. With absorption potions, overloads, and a Dharok’s set (low HP boosts damage), you can hit 100k–150k Defence XP per hour. Use bosses like Tree Spirit and King Roald for easy points.
- Slayer Tasks: Train Defence alongside Slayer using the “Defensive” style. Tasks like Dust Devils or Gargoyles offer 80k–120k XP per hour, plus profit from drops. Grab a Slayer Helmet for accuracy boosts.
- Bandits (AFK Option): In the Bandit Camp (Kharidian Desert), wear a Saradomin or Zamorak item to keep them aggressive. With 70 Defence and full Torag’s, you can AFK for 10–20 minutes at 60k–80k XP per hour.
Best Gear for High Levels
At this stage, invest in top-tier gear to maximize efficiency:
| Slot | Item | Defence Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Bandos Chestplate | 65 |
| Legs | Bandos Tassets | 65 |
| Weapon | Abyssal Whip | 70 Attack |
| Shield | Dragon Defender | 60 |
| Head | Helm of Neitiznot | 55 |
The Abyssal Whip is excellent for Defence training, while the Dragon Defender boosts your offence. Bandos gear offers high Defence and Strength bonuses, making it ideal for NMZ or Slayer.
Tips and Tricks for Efficient Defence Training
To make your grind smoother, keep these pro tips in mind:
Optimize Your Setup
- Prayer Flicking: Use Protect from Melee at Bandits or NMZ to extend trips (requires 43 Prayer).
- Absorption Potions: In NMZ, these let you tank hits without healing, perfect for AFK training.
- Boosts: Overloads in NMZ (unlocked with points) temporarily boost your stats, increasing XP rates.
Profit While You Train
Slayer is your best bet for making money while training Defence. High-level tasks like Abyssal Demons or Cerberus drop valuable loot (e.g., Abyssal Whips, Primordial Crystals). You could net millions by 99!
AFK vs. Active Training
Decide your playstyle: NMZ and Bandits are great for AFK (60k–80k XP/hour), while Slayer or optimized NMZ setups (150k XP/hour) suit active players. Mix and match to avoid burnout.
Final Thoughts: Your Path to 99 Defence
Getting to 99 Defence in OSRS is a marathon, not a sprint, but with this guide, you’ve got a roadmap to success. Start with quests and low-level monsters, transition to Ammonite Crabs or NMZ for mid-levels, and finish strong with Slayer or optimized NMZ runs. Invest in good gear, use boosts wisely, and tailor your method to your goals—whether it’s speed, profit, or a chill AFK grind.
How long will it take? At 100k XP per hour (a solid average with NMZ or Slayer), you’re looking at about 130 hours from level 1. Faster setups could cut that to 80–100 hours. Whatever your pace, the Defence cape is worth it—both for the stats and the flex. So grab your Rune Scimitar, slap on some armor, and start training. See you at 99!