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OSRS Magic Weapon Progression Guide: Best Staves and Wands for Every Level
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a rich and diverse magic system, allowing players to wield powerful spells through an array of magical weapons. Whether you’re a beginner casting your first spell or an endgame mage tackling raids like the Chambers of Xeric, choosing the right magic weapon is key to maximizing your damage, efficiency, and overall gameplay experience. In this OSRS magic weapon progression guide, we’ll walk you through the best staves and wands at every stage of your journey, from level 1 to 99 Magic. Optimized for both newbies and seasoned players, this guide will help you plan your upgrades and dominate Gielinor with spellcasting prowess.
Magic in OSRS isn’t just about leveling up your Magic skill—it’s about pairing it with the right gear to amplify your spells’ accuracy and damage. Unlike melee or ranged weapons, magic weapons like staves and wands often provide unique bonuses, such as unlimited runes or built-in spells, making them essential for combat, training, and utility. Understanding the progression of these weapons ensures you’re always equipped for the task at hand, whether it’s splashing for cheap XP or battling high-level bosses.
Key Stats to Understand
Before diving into the progression, let’s break down the stats that matter:
- Magic Attack Bonus: Increases your spell accuracy, crucial against enemies with high magic defense.
- Magic Damage Bonus: Boosts the maximum damage of your spells, typically as a percentage.
- Autocast Ability: Allows you to automatically cast combat spells from specific spellbooks.
- Built-in Spells: Some weapons have their own spells, eliminating the need for runes in certain cases.
Early Game Magic Weapons (Level 1–40)
For new players or those starting fresh, early game magic weapons are affordable, accessible, and perfect for training up to mid-level content. These options focus on simplicity and cost-efficiency.
Staff (Level 1)
The basic Staff is your starting point, requiring no Magic level. Available from Zaff’s staff shop in Varrock for a mere 15 coins, it offers a +10 Magic Attack bonus. While it lacks flair, it’s a solid choice for casting low-level spells like Wind Strike.
Elemental Staves (Level 1)
Next up are the Elemental Staves—Staff of Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. Each provides a +10 Magic Attack bonus and unlimited runes of its respective element. Priced at around 1,000–2,000 GP each, they’re ideal for splashing (a cheap training method) and early combat. The Staff of Air is particularly popular due to the prevalence of air-based spells.
Staff of Iban (Level 50 Attack, Level 50 Magic)
Unlocked after the Underground Pass quest, the Staff of Iban (or its upgraded version, Iban’s Staff (u)) is a game-changer for early mages. It has a +10 Magic Attack bonus and a built-in Iban’s Blast spell, dealing up to 25 damage without additional runes (once charged with death and fire runes). At around 200,000 GP, it’s a strong pick for PvM and Slayer tasks.
Mid-Game Magic Weapons (Level 40–70)
As you progress into mid-tier content like Slayer and early bossing, your magic weapons need to step up. These options offer better stats and versatility, bridging the gap to endgame gear.
Mystic Staves (Level 40)
Mystic Staves (Air, Water, Earth, Fire) require 40 Magic and 40 Attack to wield. Crafted from battlestaves and orbs, they boast a +15 Magic Attack bonus and unlimited elemental runes. Priced at 25,000–40,000 GP each, they’re a budget-friendly upgrade for autocasting combat spells.
Slayer’s Staff (Level 55 Magic, Level 50 Slayer)
The Slayer’s Staff is a niche pick for Slayer enthusiasts. Requiring 55 Magic and 50 Slayer, it costs around 21,000 GP from Slayer Masters and allows autocasting of Slayer Dart, a spell effective against specific Slayer monsters. It offers a +12 Magic Attack bonus, making it a situational but useful tool.
Trident of the Seas (Level 75 Magic)
The Trident of the Seas marks a significant leap in power. Dropped by Cave Kraken (87 Slayer), it requires 75 Magic and delivers a built-in spell that scales with your Magic level, hitting up to 23 damage at 75 Magic. With a +15 Magic Attack bonus, it’s a staple for mid-game PvM, costing around 40,000 GP to acquire and runes to charge.
Late-Game Magic Weapons (Level 70–90)
At this stage, you’re tackling tougher bosses, raids, and PvP. Late-game weapons bring higher damage, accuracy, and unique effects to the table.
Ahrim’s Staff (Level 70 Magic, Level 70 Attack)
Part of the Barrows set, Ahrim’s Staff requires 70 Magic and Attack. It offers a +15 Magic Attack bonus and a +5% Magic Damage bonus when paired with the full Ahrim’s set. Priced at around 2–3 million GP (depending on market trends), it’s a solid choice for hybrid setups and PvM.
Trident of the Swamp (Level 78 Magic)
An upgrade to the Trident of the Seas, the Trident of the Swamp is enhanced with a Magic Fang from Zulrah. Requiring 78 Magic, it provides a +25 Magic Attack bonus and a built-in spell hitting up to 24 damage at 78 Magic, plus a chance to inflict venom. At 4–5 million GP, it’s a must-have for bossing and Slayer.
Sanguinesti Staff (Level 82 Magic)
Dropped in the Theatre of Blood, the Sanguinesti Staff requires 82 Magic and offers a +25 Magic Attack bonus. Its built-in spell scales to 26 damage at 82 Magic and heals you for 1/6 of the damage dealt (with a 1/6 chance to heal 50% of the hit). Priced at 90–100 million GP, it’s a premium weapon for solo PvM and sustainability.
Endgame Magic Weapons (Level 90+)
For the elite mages of OSRS, endgame weapons are the pinnacle of power, reserved for those with deep pockets and high-level skills. These are the best of the best.
Kodai Wand (Level 75 Magic)
The Kodai Wand, a Chambers of Xeric drop, requires 75 Magic but shines at higher levels. With a +28 Magic Attack bonus, +15% Magic Damage bonus, and unlimited water runes, it’s the top wand for autocasting Ancient Magicks and standard spells. At 80–90 million GP, it’s a versatile endgame choice for PvP and PvM.
Harmonised Nightmare Staff (Level 82 Magic)
The Harmonised Nightmare Staff combines a Nightmare Staff with a Harmonised Orb (from The Nightmare). Requiring 82 Magic, it offers a +16 Magic Attack bonus and a +15% Magic Damage bonus. Its standout feature is enabling 4-tick casting with standard spellbook spells, making it a PvP and bossing powerhouse at 800–900 million GP.
Tumeken’s Shadow (Level 85 Magic)
The ultimate magic weapon, Tumeken’s Shadow, comes from Tombs of Amascut. Requiring 85 Magic, it triples your Magic Attack and Damage bonuses from gear, offering unrivaled power. Priced at over 1 billion GP, it’s the endgame goal for mages, excelling in all high-level content.
Magic Weapon Progression Table
Here’s a quick reference table for your magic weapon progression in OSRS:
| Weapon | Magic Level | Magic Attack Bonus | Magic Damage Bonus | Cost (GP) | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff | 1 | +10 | 0% | 15 | Early Training |
| Elemental Staves | 1 | +10 | 0% | 1,000–2,000 | Splashing |
| Staff of Iban | 50 | +10 | 0% | 200,000 | Early PvM |
| Mystic Staves | 40 | +15 | 0% | 25,000–40,000 | Mid-Game Combat |
| Trident of the Seas | 75 | +15 | 0% | 40,000 | Mid-Game PvM |
| Trident of the Swamp | 78 | +25 | 0% | 4–5M | Bossing/Slayer |
| Sanguinesti Staff | 82 | +25 | 0% | 90–100M | Solo PvM |
| Kodai Wand | 75 | +28 | +15% | 80–90M | PvP/PvM |
| Harmonised Nightmare Staff | 82 | +16 | +15% | 800–900M | PvP/Bossing |
| Tumeken’s Shadow | 85 | Triples Gear Bonuses | Triples Gear Bonuses | 1B+ | Endgame All Content |
Tips for Efficient Magic Weapon Upgrades
Upgrading your magic weapons can be a grind, but these tips will streamline the process:
- Prioritize Training: Use splashing or alching to hit key Magic levels (e.g., 75 for Trident of the Seas) quickly.
- Farm GP Early: Quests, Slayer, and skilling can fund mid-tier weapons like the Trident of the Swamp.
- Invest in PvM: Bosses like Zulrah and Theatre of Blood drop high-value weapons, accelerating your progression.
- Match Gear to Content: Use cheaper weapons for training and save expensive ones for bossing or PvP.
With this OSRS magic weapon progression guide, you’re equipped to choose the best staves and wands for your level and goals. From the humble Staff to the mighty Tumeken’s Shadow, each step brings you closer to mastering magic in Old School RuneScape. Happy spellcasting!