Combat Training F2P OSRS: The Ultimate Guide to Leveling Melee Skills

Combat Training F2P OSRS: The Ultimate Guide to Leveling Melee Skills


Welcome to the ultimate guide for combat training in free-to-play (F2P) Old School RuneScape (OSRS)! Whether you’re a new player swinging a bronze sword or a seasoned adventurer aiming for max melee stats, this blog post will walk you through the best methods to train Attack, Strength, and Defence in F2P worlds. Combat is a core part of OSRS, and mastering it without a membership can be both challenging and rewarding. We’ll cover efficient training spots, gear progression, and tips to optimize your experience—all tailored for F2P players as of April 7, 2025. Let’s dive in!

Combat skills—Attack, Strength, and Defence—are the backbone of OSRS gameplay. In F2P, leveling these skills unlocks better weapons and armor, boosts your damage output, and prepares you for tougher challenges like the Dragon Slayer I quest. Plus, a higher combat level means you can flex your skills in PvP areas like the Wilderness. Training in F2P is also a great way to build a foundation before considering a membership or simply enjoying the game without spending a dime.

Understanding Combat Skills

Before we jump into training methods, let’s break down what each skill does:

  • Attack: Increases your accuracy and lets you wield higher-tier weapons.
  • Strength: Boosts your maximum hit, making you deal more damage.
  • Defence: Reduces the chance of taking damage and unlocks better armor.

Most F2P players train these skills together for a balanced combat level, but some prefer focusing on Strength for faster kills or keeping Defence low for PvP builds. Your choice depends on your goals—let’s explore how to get there.

Best F2P Combat Training Methods by Level

The Ultimate OSRS F2P Combat Guide 199 High Ground Gaming

F2P combat training revolves around finding the right monsters for your level. Below, we’ve outlined the best spots from level 1 to 99, focusing on efficiency and accessibility.

Levels 1–20: Chickens and Cows

Start your journey with the weakest foes in Gielinor—chickens and cows. These are perfect for beginners due to their low stats and proximity to starting areas.

  • Chickens (Lumbridge): Found east of Lumbridge Castle across the river. They have 3 Hitpoints and drop feathers (stackable, sellable loot).
  • Cows (Lumbridge): North of the chicken coop, cows have 8 Hitpoints and drop cowhides (worth ~150 gp each). Cook their raw beef for food if needed.

Tip: Use a bronze or iron sword to start, upgrading to steel at Attack level 5. Bring a few pieces of food like shrimp from the Lumbridge fishing tutor.

Levels 20–40: Giant Rats and Giant Frogs

Once you’ve outgrown farm animals, head to Lumbridge Swamp for tougher foes.

  • Giant Rats (Lumbridge Swamp): Level 6 with 5 Hitpoints, these are south of Lumbridge Castle past the graveyard. They’re easy to kill and respawn quickly.
  • Giant Frogs (Lumbridge Swamp): Level 13 with 23 Hitpoints, found deeper in the swamp. Their higher HP means more XP per kill.

Gear: Equip a mithril scimitar (Attack 20) and mithril armor (Defence 20) for better damage and protection.

Levels 40–60: Hill Giants

Hill Giants in Edgeville Dungeon are a staple for mid-level F2P training.

  • Location: Enter via the house northeast of Barbarian Village (bring a brass key, ~100 gp from the Grand Exchange).
  • Stats: Level 28, 35 Hitpoints, low Defence.
  • Loot: Big bones (~250 gp) and occasional limpwurt roots (~400 gp).

Tip: Use an adamant scimitar (Attack 30) and adamant armor (Defence 30). Bank in Edgeville for profit or prayer training with bones.

Levels 60–99: Giant Spiders

For high-level F2P training, giant spiders in the Stronghold of Security are unbeatable for their AFK potential.

  • Location: Level 3 (Pit of Pestilence), accessed via Barbarian Village.
  • Stats: Level 50, 50 Hitpoints, aggressive for 10 minutes.
  • Perks: No notable drops, but their aggression and high HP make them ideal for XP grinding.

Gear: Rune scimitar (Attack 40) and full rune armor (Defence 40)—the best F2P gear available.

Gear Progression for F2P Combat Training

OSRS Best Melee Training Spots Monsters F2P P2P FandomSpot

Upgrading your gear as you level is crucial for faster kills and longer trips. Here’s a progression path:

Level Weapon Armor
1 Bronze Sword Bronze Armor
5 Steel Scimitar Steel Armor
20 Mithril Scimitar Mithril Armor
30 Adamant Scimitar Adamant Armor
40 Rune Scimitar Rune Armor

Why Scimitars?

Scimitars are the go-to F2P weapon due to their fast attack speed (2.4 seconds) and decent Strength bonuses, offering the highest damage per second among F2P melee options.

Accessories and Extras

Tips to Maximize F2P Combat XP

Training efficiently in F2P requires strategy. Here are some pro tips to boost your XP rates:

Use the Best Food Available

Swordfish (14 HP healed, ~150 gp) are the top F2P food. Buy them from the Grand Exchange or fish them at Catherby/Musa Point with 50 Fishing. For cheaper options, cook lobsters (12 HP, ~100 gp) at 40 Cooking.

Leverage Multi-Combat Areas

Places like Hill Giants and Giant Spiders are multi-combat, meaning multiple monsters can attack you. Turn on Auto-Retaliate (in combat settings) to keep fighting without clicking.

Quest for Early XP

Complete these F2P quests for free combat XP:

Bank Loot for Profit

Monsters like Hill Giants drop valuable items. Bank them in nearby towns (Edgeville, Lumbridge) to fund gear upgrades or food.

F2P Combat Training for PvP Players

If you’re building a combat pure for PvP (e.g., 1 Defence accounts), your training strategy shifts. Focus on Strength and Attack while keeping Defence at 1 to stay in low combat brackets.

Optimal PvP Training Monsters

  • Seagulls (Port Sarim/Corsair Cove): Level 2–3, 6–10 Hitpoints. Great for early levels with no Defence XP.
  • Minotaurs (Stronghold of Security, Level 1): Level 12–27, decent HP, and low risk.
  • Giant Frogs: High HP for Strength grinding once you hit Attack 40.

PvP Gear Setup

For 1 Defence pures:

  • Weapon: Rune scimitar or rune warhammer (no Attack requirement, high Strength bonus).
  • Armor: Iron chainbody or monk robes for slight bonuses without Defence reqs.
  • Amulet: Strength for max hits in PvP fights.

Note: Train in single-combat areas to control XP gains and avoid unwanted Defence levels.

Castle Wars Boost

In Castle Wars (F2P minigame), wear a castle wars bracelet and use castlewars brew for a massive damage boost. Attack a 1 Defence alt holding a flag for the highest F2P max hits—perfect for Strength training.

With these methods, gear, and tips, you’re set to conquer F2P combat training in OSRS. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 melee stats, prepping for PvP, or just enjoying the grind, stick to these strategies for success. Happy scaping!