OSRS Ironman Melee Weapon Progression: Your Ultimate Guide to Powering Up

For Ironman players in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), melee weapon progression is a thrilling yet challenging journey. Unlike regular accounts, Ironmen can’t rely on the Grand Exchange to snag top-tier gear, making every upgrade a hard-earned milestone. This guide dives deep into the melee weapon progression for OSRS Ironmen, offering a clear roadmap from humble beginnings to endgame dominance. Whether you’re swinging a bronze sword or aiming for the coveted Ghrazi Rapier, we’ve got you covered with practical tips and strategies to optimize your combat prowess.

Melee combat—encompassing Attack, Strength, and Defence—is the backbone of many Ironman activities, from Slayer tasks to bossing. As an Ironman, your self-sufficiency means every weapon upgrade directly ties to your ability to gather resources, complete quests, and tackle tougher foes. Prioritizing fast attack speeds and Strength bonuses can make all the difference, especially since you’ll be grinding drops and crafting your own gear.

Starting Out: The Early Game Grind

Your Ironman journey begins with the basics. Fresh off Tutorial Island, you’re equipped with little more than a bronze sword. The early game is about accessibility and gradual improvement as you build your combat stats.

Bronze Sword (Level 1 Attack): Your starting weapon. It’s weak, but it gets you through initial combat training against goblins or cows.
Iron Sword (Level 1 Attack): A slight upgrade, available from shops like the Varrock Sword Shop. Stick with this until you hit Level 5.
Steel Sword (Level 5 Attack): Found in shops or dropped by low-level mobs like guards. It’s a solid step up for early questing.
Black Sword (Level 10 Attack): Obtainable from shops or drops like hill giants. A decent choice before moving to mithril.
Mithril Sword (Level 20 Attack): Crafted via Smithing or bought from shops. Pair it with early Slayer tasks for steady progress.

At this stage, focus on quests like Waterfall Quest (grants 30 Attack and Strength) to skip some grind. Train on low-level monsters like chickens or cows until you’re ready for the next tier.

Mid-Game Milestones: Rune and Dragon Weapons

Best Pure Melee Gear Osrs

Once you’ve got a handle on the basics, the mid-game opens up exciting melee upgrades. This is where your Ironman skills—questing, Slayer, and a bit of luck—start to shine.

Rune Tier: The First Big Leap

Reaching 40 Attack unlocks rune weapons, a major milestone for any Ironman. These are relatively accessible and pack a punch for mid-level content.

Rune Sword (Level 40 Attack): Buy it from the Champions’ Guild after completing Dragon Slayer I. It’s a reliable option with decent stats.
Rune Scimitar (Level 40 Attack): The go-to mid-game weapon. Dropped by fire giants or Zamorak warriors, both of which can be safespotted with Magic. Its fast attack speed makes it ideal for training Strength.

The Rune Scimitar is a standout here. Its speed outperforms slower alternatives like the Rune Longsword, making it a staple until you hit 60 Attack. Pair it with a fighter torso from Barbarian Assault for a Strength boost.

Dragon Tier: Questing for Power

At 60 Attack, dragon weapons become available, offering a significant upgrade. These require quest completion and some grinding, but they’re worth it.

Dragon Longsword (Level 60 Attack): Unlocked after Lost City. Buy it from the Zanaris marketplace or get lucky with a drop from dragons. A solid interim weapon.
Dragon Scimitar (Level 60 Attack): The mid-game king. Complete Monkey Madness I to wield this beauty. Its fast attack speed and decent Strength bonus make it a mainstay until late-game options emerge.
Sarachnis Cudgel (Level 65 Attack): Dropped by Sarachnis, a mid-tier boss. It’s slightly better than the Dragon Scimitar and excels in crush damage—great for specific Slayer tasks.

The Dragon Scimitar is a must-have. Push through Monkey Madness I as soon as you can—it’s a grind, but the reward is a weapon that carries you through countless Slayer tasks and bosses.

Late-Game Powerhouses: Slayer and Boss Drops

The late game is where Ironmen truly flex their self-reliance. Weapons here come from high-level Slayer, bossing, and rare drops, demanding dedication but delivering unmatched power.

Slayer Unlocks: The Whip and Beyond

Slayer becomes your best friend in the late game, offering some of the most iconic melee weapons.

Abyssal Whip (Level 70 Attack): Dropped by Abyssal Demons at 85 Slayer (boostable from 80 with wild pies). With a 1/512 drop rate, this is a grind, but its speed and accuracy are unmatched for training and general use.
Leaf-Bladed Battleaxe (Level 65 Attack): Requires 55 Slayer and drops from Kurasks or Turoths. A strong crush option for specific tasks, though slower than the Whip.

The Abyssal Whip is the holy grail of mid-to-late-game Ironman melee. Pair it with a Dragon Defender from the Warriors’ Guild for a perfect balance of offence and defence.

Bossing Rewards: Elite Weapons

For endgame Ironmen, bossing unlocks the cream of the crop. These weapons require serious effort but dominate any combat scenario.

Zamorakian Hasta (Level 70 Attack): Dropped by K’ril Tsutsaroth in God Wars Dungeon. A top-tier stab and crush weapon, ideal for dragons and other high-defence targets.
Blade of Saeldor (Level 80 Attack): Crafted from an enhanced crystal weapon seed in The Gauntlet. A slash powerhouse with stats rivaling the Whip, and it’s untradeable—perfect for Ironmen.
Ghrazi Rapier (Level 80 Attack): Dropped by Theatre of Blood. The best stab weapon in the game, it’s a rare prize for dedicated PvMers.
Osmumten’s Fang (Level 82 Attack): From Tombs of Amascut. Excels against high-defence monsters with its unique accuracy mechanic.

The Ghrazi Rapier and Osmumten’s Fang are endgame goals. Theatre of Blood and Tombs of Amascut are team content, so join an Ironman-friendly clan to tackle them efficiently.

Specialized Weapons and Utility Options

Beyond the main progression, some weapons serve niche roles or offer special attacks that can turn the tide in specific situations.

Special Attack Weapons

Special attacks add versatility to your arsenal, especially for bossing or PvM.

Dragon Dagger (Level 60 Attack): Buyable in Zanaris or dropped by dragons. Its special attack delivers rapid, high-damage hits—great for burst damage.
Granite Maul (Level 50 Attack/Strength): Dropped by Gargoyles (75 Slayer). A cheap, powerful special attack weapon for finishing off foes.
Armadyl Godsword (Level 75 Attack): From General Graardor. Its special attack boosts max hits significantly, ideal for PvM and PvP.

Niche and Fun Alternatives

For variety or specific tasks, consider these:

Brine Sabre (Level 40 Attack): Dropped by Brine Rats (47 Slayer). A quirky mid-game option with a minor special attack.
Dual Macuahuitl (Level 70 Attack): From While Guthix Sleeps. Its double-hit mechanic shines against low-defence targets like Sulphur Naguas.

Progression Table and Tips

Here’s a quick reference table to map your melee weapon journey as an Ironman:

Attack Level	Weapon	How to Obtain	Key Use
1	Bronze/Iron Sword	Shops or drops	Early training
40	Rune Scimitar	Fire giants, Zamorak warriors	Mid-game training
60	Dragon Scimitar	Monkey Madness I	Slayer and quests
70	Abyssal Whip	Abyssal Demons (85 Slayer)	Late-game all-purpose
80+	Ghrazi Rapier	Theatre of Blood	Endgame PvM

Top Tips for Success

Quest Early: Quests like Waterfall Quest and Monkey Madness I fast-track your combat stats and gear.
Slayer Focus: Train melee through Slayer for resources and weapon drops like the Whip.
Prayer Matters: Unlock Piety (70 Prayer) via King’s Ransom to boost your melee output.
Team Up: For endgame bossing (e.g., Theatre of Blood), join Ironman communities to secure rare drops.

OSRS Ironman melee weapon progression is a testament to patience and perseverance. From swinging a bronze sword at chickens to piercing bosses with a Ghrazi Rapier, every step builds your legacy. Embrace the grind, and enjoy the satisfaction of wielding gear you’ve earned entirely on your own.