The Best Ring for Melee in OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

If you’re diving into the world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and focusing on melee combat, choosing the right ring can make or break your performance. Rings in OSRS aren’t just shiny accessories—they’re game-changers that boost your stats, enhance your damage output, and help you dominate in PvM and PvP alike. With so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Which ring truly reigns supreme for melee builds? In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the best rings for melee in OSRS, focusing on their stats, accessibility, and practical use cases as of April 2025. Whether you’re slaying bosses or clashing in the Wilderness, this post will help you pick the perfect ring for your melee adventures.

In OSRS, the ring slot is one of the most underrated yet impactful equipment choices. Unlike armor or weapons, rings don’t take up much space in your inventory, but they pack a punch in terms of stat bonuses. For melee players, the right ring can increase your Strength, accuracy, or even defensive capabilities, directly influencing your damage per second (DPS) and survivability. With melee being a cornerstone of combat in Gielinor—used everywhere from Slayer tasks to high-stakes raids—optimizing your ring choice is non-negotiable.

The Role of Strength in Melee Combat

Strength is the king of melee stats. It determines your maximum hit, making it the primary focus for most melee rings. A higher Strength bonus means harder-hitting attacks, which is critical for taking down tough bosses like Vardorvis or surviving PvP encounters. Rings that boost Strength are often prioritized over those offering accuracy or defense, though situational needs can shift this balance.

Balancing Offense and Defense

While raw damage is crucial, some melee scenarios—like tanking in group content—require a mix of offensive and defensive bonuses. Rings that offer a blend of stats can be invaluable, especially for mid-tier players who aren’t yet swimming in GP or endgame gear. Understanding your playstyle and goals is key to picking the best ring for your melee setup.

The Contenders: Top Melee Rings in OSRS

OSRS offers a variety of rings tailored for melee combat, each with unique strengths and trade-offs. Let’s break down the top contenders that melee enthusiasts swear by in 2025.

Ultor Ring: The Unmatched Strength King

The Ultor Ring sits at the top of the melee ring hierarchy, boasting an incredible +12 Strength bonus—the highest of any ring in OSRS as of now. Introduced with Desert Treasure II – The Fallen Empire, this ring is a dream for melee DPS enthusiasts.

• Stats: +12 Strength, no accuracy or defensive bonuses
• How to Get: Crafted by combining a Berserker icon, Ultor vestige (dropped by Vardorvis), 500 blood runes, and three chromium ingots; requires 90 Magic and 80 Crafting
• Requirement: At least one Vardorvis kill
• Price: Around 50-60M GP (varies with market trends)

The Ultor Ring’s sheer Strength bonus makes it the best-in-slot (BiS) for pure melee damage, perfect for endgame PvM like the Theatre of Blood or PvP builds aiming to maximize hits. Its downside? It lacks any defensive stats, and the steep requirements and cost make it inaccessible for newer players.

Berserker Ring (i): The Classic Powerhouse

For years, the Berserker Ring (i) has been a staple for melee players, and it remains a strong contender in 2025. When imbued, it offers a solid +8 Strength bonus and +8 Crush defense.

• Stats: +8 Strength, +8 Crush defense
• How to Get: Dropped by Dagannoth Rex (1/128 chance), imbued via Nightmare Zone (650K points) or Soul Wars (260 Zeal tokens)
• Price: ~3-5M GP for imbued version

This ring strikes a balance between affordability and power, making it ideal for mid-to-high-level players. It’s a go-to for Slayer tasks, mid-tier bossing, and PvP, though it’s outclassed by the Ultor Ring in raw DPS.

Tyrannical Ring (i): The Crush Accuracy Specialist

The Tyrannical Ring (i) shines for players wielding Crush weapons like the Elder Maul or Dragon Warhammer. It provides a +8 Crush attack bonus when imbued.

• Stats: +8 Crush attack
• How to Get: Dropped by Callisto (Wilderness boss), imbued via Nightmare Zone or Soul Wars
• Price: ~2-4M GP for imbued

While it lacks a Strength bonus, its accuracy boost is clutch for landing hits with Crush-based specials, like the Dragon Warhammer’s defense-draining attack. It’s a niche pick but invaluable in specific PvM scenarios.

Ring of Suffering (i): The Defensive Titan

For melee tanking, the Ring of Suffering (i) is unmatched, offering +20 to all defensive stats and a recoil effect when charged.

• Stats: +20 Stab, Slash, Crush, Magic, and Ranged defense; +4 Prayer
• How to Get: Crafted with 70 Crafting and 70 Magic, imbued for 725K Nightmare Zone points or 300 Zeal tokens
• Price: ~4-6M GP

This ring sacrifices offense for top-tier defense, making it a favorite for solo bossing or tank roles in group content like Chambers of Xeric. The recoil damage (up to 100K charges) adds passive DPS, though it’s not a primary damage source.

Comparing the Best Melee Rings: Which One Wins?

To crown the “best” ring for melee, we need to weigh stats, cost, and practicality. Here’s a handy comparison table:

Ring	Strength Bonus	Other Bonuses	Cost (GP)	Best Use Case
Ultor Ring	+12	None	50-60M	Endgame PvM/PvP
Berserker Ring (i)	+8	+8 Crush def	3-5M	General PvM, Slayer
Tyrannical Ring (i)	0	+8 Crush atk	2-4M	Crush weapon PvM
Ring of Suffering (i)	0	+20 All def, +4 Prayer	4-6M	Tanking, Solo bosses

The Verdict: Ultor Ring Takes the Crown

For pure melee DPS, the Ultor Ring is the undisputed champion. Its +12 Strength bonus outshines all competitors, delivering the highest max hits for endgame content. However, its cost and requirements make it a luxury item. For most players, the Berserker Ring (i) offers the best bang for your buck, balancing power, accessibility, and a touch of defense.

How to Choose the Right Melee Ring for Your Playstyle

The “best” ring depends on your goals, budget, and combat scenarios. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

For Budget Players

If you’re short on GP or still leveling, the unimbued Berserker Ring (+4 Strength) or even the Warrior Ring (+4 Slash attack) can tide you over. They’re cheap (under 1M GP) and drop from Dagannoth Rex, who’s safespottable with decent gear.

For Mid-Tier Grinders

Players with 5-10M GP and access to Nightmare Zone or Soul Wars should grab the Berserker Ring (i). It’s versatile, affordable, and boosts your DPS significantly without breaking the bank.

For Endgame Warriors

If you’re tackling raids, high-level bosses, or PvP, the Ultor Ring is your endgame goal. Pair it with gear like the Torva armor and Inquisitor’s Mace for maximum melee carnage.

For Tanks and Hybrids

Taking hits for the team? The Ring of Suffering (i) is your pick. Its defensive stats and recoil effect make it a lifesaver in prolonged fights.

Tips to Maximize Your Melee Ring’s Potential

Getting the ring is just the start—here’s how to make the most of it:

• Pair with High-Strength Gear: Combine your ring with items like the Primordial Boots (+5 Strength) and Bandos Chestplate for a devastating melee setup.
• Imbue Early: Don’t sleep on imbuing—doubling your ring’s bonuses is worth the grind in Nightmare Zone or Soul Wars.
• Switch Rings Situationally: Carry multiple rings (e.g., Ultor for DPS, Suffering for tanking) and swap them mid-fight using OSRS’s equipment presets.
• Monitor the Market: Ring prices fluctuate—buy low on the Grand Exchange to save GP.

Final Thoughts on the Best Melee Ring in OSRS

In the ever-evolving world of OSRS, the Ultor Ring stands tall as the best ring for melee in 2025, offering unrivaled Strength for those who can afford it. For the average player, the Berserker Ring (i) remains a reliable, cost-effective choice that’s hard to beat. Whether you’re a budget warrior or an endgame titan, picking the right ring will elevate your melee game to new heights. So, equip your ring, sharpen your blade, and charge into Gielinor’s toughest battles with confidence!

What’s your favorite melee ring in OSRS? Drop your thoughts below and let’s keep the conversation going!