How Long Does It Take to Get the Fighter Torso in OSRS? A Time Guide

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) players know that the Fighter Torso is one of the most coveted pieces of melee gear for mid-level accounts. Offering a juicy +4 Strength bonus, it’s a staple for training and bossing without breaking the bank. But the real question is: how long does it take to snag this beauty? Whether you’re a seasoned Barbarian Assault pro or a newbie dreading the minigame, this guide breaks down the time investment, strategies to speed things up, and whether it’s worth your grind in 2025. Let’s dive in!

The Fighter Torso, also known as the Penance Torso, is a reward from the Barbarian Assault minigame. It’s a melee armor piece requiring 40 Defence to wear, and it shines with its +4 Strength bonus—matching the likes of the Bandos Chestplate but at a fraction of the cost (free, if you don’t count your time!). It’s a go-to for players looking to maximize melee damage without splashing millions of GP.

Stats of the Fighter Torso

Here’s a quick look at what the Torso brings to the table:

• Attack Bonuses: 0 across all styles
• Defence Bonuses: +62 Stab, +85 Slash, +47 Crush, +65 Magic, +4 Ranged
• Strength Bonus: +4
• Prayer Bonus: 0

It’s not just about the Strength bonus—those solid defensive stats make it a versatile pick for Slayer tasks, training, or even early-game bossing like the Giant Mole or King Black Dragon.

Why It’s a Must-Have in 2025

Even with OSRS’s ever-evolving meta, the Fighter Torso holds strong in 2025. It’s still one of the best free-to-play-friendly Strength items, and for Ironmen or budget mains, it’s a no-brainer. Sure, Bandos gear or Inquisitor’s armor might outclass it for the wealthy, but the Torso’s accessibility keeps it relevant.

How to Get the Fighter Torso: Barbarian Assault Basics

The Fighter Torso comes from Barbarian Assault, a team-based minigame located in the Barbarian Outpost. You’ll need to earn 375 Honour Points in each of the four roles—Attacker, Defender, Collector, and Healer—across multiple waves. It’s not a solo affair; you’ll need a squad of five players working in sync.

Unlocking the Minigame

To start, head to the Barbarian Outpost (north of Ardougne, near the Agility course). You’ll need to complete a short tutorial in the basement with Captain Cain. It’s quick—about 5-10 minutes—and mandatory for first-timers. After that, you’re ready to join a team.

The Roles and Point System

Each wave has four roles, and you’ll rotate through them:

• Attacker: Fight Penance creatures with melee, ranged, or magic.
• Defender: Drop food to lure and trap Penance Runners.
• Collector: Gather eggs dropped by enemies and load them into a cannon.
• Healer: Heal teammates and poison Penance Healers.

You earn Honour Points based on your performance per wave, capped at 60 points per role per wave (excluding the Queen wave). To get the Torso, you need 375 points in each role, plus 275 more for the Queen kill on Wave 10.

Time Breakdown: How Long Does It Really Take?

The time to get a Fighter Torso varies wildly based on your team, experience, and efficiency. Let’s crunch the numbers for an average player in 2025.

Average Time per Wave

Barbarian Assault has 10 waves, with Wave 10 being the Queen fight. Here’s a rough estimate:

• Waves 1-9: 3-5 minutes each with a decent team (say, 4 minutes average).
• Wave 10 (Queen): 6-8 minutes due to its complexity.

Total time for one full run (Waves 1-10): about 42-50 minutes.

Points per Run and Runs Needed

Assuming you max out points (60 per role per wave), you’d earn:

• 9 waves × 60 points = 540 points per role (Waves 1-9).
• Wave 10 gives no role points, just the 275 bonus for the Queen kill.

Since 540 exceeds the 375 needed per role, one perfect run could theoretically get you the Torso—if you play all roles across the waves and kill the Queen. Realistically, most players don’t max points every wave (averaging 40-50 points), and teams often stick to one role per run, requiring multiple runs.

Total Time Estimate

For a typical player in a casual team:

Scenario	Runs Needed	Time per Run	Total Time
Efficient Team (50 pts/wave)	2-3 runs	45 mins	1.5-2.5 hours
Average Team (40 pts/wave)	3-4 runs	50 mins	2.5-3.5 hours
Inefficient Team (30 pts/wave)	4-5 runs	55 mins	3.5-5 hours

Add 10-20 minutes for finding teams and setup, and you’re looking at 2-5 hours total in 2025, depending on your squad.

Factors That Affect Your Fighter Torso Grind Time

Not all Torso hunts are created equal. Here’s what can make or break your time investment.

Team Coordination

A well-oiled team that communicates (via in-game chat or Discord) can blaze through waves in 3 minutes flat. A disorganized group fumbling roles might take twice as long—or wipe entirely. Pro tip: join a Barbarian Assault FC (like “BA Games”) for smoother runs.

Your Experience Level

First-timers will stumble—learning Defender lures or Healer timings takes practice. Experienced players can hit peak efficiency right away. Expect your first Torso to take longer (closer to 4-5 hours) if you’re new, dropping to 2-3 hours once you’re a vet.

Queue Times and Player Availability

In 2025, Barbarian Assault isn’t as crowded as it once was, but peak hours (evenings GMT) still see decent activity. Off-peak might mean waiting 10-15 minutes per team, stretching your grind closer to 5 hours.

Tips to Get the Fighter Torso Faster

Want to shave hours off your grind? Here’s how to optimize your Barbarian Assault runs.

Find a Dedicated Team

Random matchmaking is a dice roll. Use the OSRS forums, Discord servers (like the official OSRS one), or friends/clanmates to form a consistent squad. A team that sticks together for 2-3 runs can knock it out in under 2 hours.

Master One Role First

Specialize in one role (e.g., Attacker) to rack up points fast, then swap roles across runs. This beats juggling all four roles in one go and cuts learning time. Most teams need Attackers or Healers—start there.

Use High-Level Gear

Bring your best weapons (e.g., Abyssal Whip, Dragon Scimitar) and food (Sharks or better). Faster kills and fewer deaths mean quicker waves. For Healers, a decent Magic level (70+) with multi-target spells like Ice Burst speeds up Wave 10.

Skip the Gamble, Buy It with Thaler

If minigames aren’t your vibe, you can skip Barbarian Assault entirely. The Torso costs 150 Thaler from the minigame spotlight shop. Earning Thaler via other minigames (like Castle Wars) takes ~15-20 hours of casual play—way longer than grinding BA directly, but less stressful for some.

Is the Fighter Torso Worth the Time in 2025?

At 2-5 hours, the Fighter Torso is a steal compared to grinding GP for Bandos gear (20M+ GP, or 20-30 hours of Slayer). For Ironmen, it’s practically mandatory. But if you’re a main with cash to burn or access to better gear (like Inquisitor’s), the time might not justify it—unless you enjoy Barbarian Assault’s chaos.

Ultimately, the Fighter Torso’s grind time in OSRS hinges on your patience and teamwork. For most, 2.5-3.5 hours is a realistic target with a solid crew. So, grab some mates, hit the Outpost, and claim that +4 Strength glory—your melee stats will thank you!