Fastest Defence XP in OSRS: Top Methods to Level Up Quickly

Training Defence in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can feel like a grind, but with the right methods, you can power through the levels faster than ever. Whether you’re aiming to unlock high-tier armor, boost your combat prowess, or just round out your stats, knowing the fastest ways to gain Defence XP is key. In this guide, we’ll explore the most efficient techniques to level up Defence, from low-level questing to endgame strategies, all updated for 2025. Let’s dive into the best ways to maximize your Defence XP per hour and hit that coveted level 99!

Defence is one of the core melee combat skills in OSRS, alongside Attack and Strength. While it doesn’t directly increase your damage output, it reduces the chance of enemies landing hits on you, making it essential for survivability in PvM, PvP, and Slayer tasks. Plus, higher Defence levels unlock powerful armor like Barrows sets and Bandos gear, giving you an edge in tough encounters. For players chasing a maxed account or combat achievements, Defence is a must-train skill—here’s how to do it fast.

The Role of Defence in Combat

A higher Defence level means fewer successful hits from opponents, letting you tank bosses or AFK train with less food. It’s especially valuable when paired with high Hitpoints, making you a durable fighter in any scenario.

Unlocking Gear with Defence Levels

From Rune armor at level 40 to Torva at level 80, Defence dictates what you can wear. Speeding through these levels gets you into top-tier gear quicker, boosting both your offence and resilience.

Starting Strong: Early Levels (1-40)

For new accounts or low-level players, the fastest way to kickstart Defence training is through quests and basic combat. These methods skip the slow early grind and set you up for more efficient training later.

Questing for Quick Defence XP

Quests are a fantastic way to jumpstart your Defence without slogging through low-XP monsters. Here’s a list of beginner-friendly quests that reward Defence XP:

• Waterfall Quest – No requirements, grants 13,750 Attack and Strength XP (pair with Defence training later).
• Holy Grail – Requires 20 Attack, rewards 15,300 Defence XP.
• The Grand Tree – Gives 18,400 Attack XP, but you can follow up with Defence-focused combat.

Completing these can get you to level 30+ in no time, letting you equip decent gear like Mithril or Adamant armor early on.

Low-Level Monster Training

Once quests are done, head to spots like Rock Crabs or Sand Crabs. Set your combat style to Defensive (longsword or mace) to focus XP on Defence. These monsters have high HP, low attack, and respawn quickly, offering around 20k-30k XP per hour at low levels.

Fastest Defence XP Methods (40-99)

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to ramp up the XP rates. These methods are the cream of the crop for Defence training, offering the highest XP per hour in OSRS as of April 2025.

Nightmare Zone (NMZ): The AFK King

Nightmare Zone, located north of Yanille, is a go-to for melee training, including Defence. Using the Defensive combat style with gear like Dharok’s or Obsidian, you can hit 100k-170k Defence XP per hour, depending on your setup.

How to Maximize NMZ:

• Use Dharok’s set with low HP for bigger hits (requires 70 Defence).
• Bring absorption potions and overloads (purchased with NMZ points).
• Pick easy bosses like Tree Spirit or King Roald for consistent XP.

NMZ is semi-AFK, requiring check-ins every 15-20 minutes, making it perfect for multitasking.

Dinh’s Bulwark with Alt Accounts

For the absolute fastest Defence XP in OSRS—up to 420k XP per hour—you’ll need level 75 Attack and Defence, Dinh’s Bulwark, and a few alt accounts. This method uses the Bulwark’s special attack, which hits up to 10 enemies in an 11×11 area, paired with the Lunar spell Energy Transfer to restore special attack energy.

Setup Guide:

1. Head to Nechryaels in the Catacombs of Kourend (multi-combat area).
2. Use alt accounts to cast Energy Transfer, teleport to a house, restore energy, and repeat.
3. Wear high-accuracy gear like Bandos or Void to maximize hits.

This method is costly and requires coordination, but it’s unmatched for speed.

Chinning on Defensive Mode

If you prefer a solo ranged approach, chinning with grey or black chinchompas on Defensive mode in the Monkey Madness II tunnels can net 200k-300k Defence XP per hour. You’ll also gain Ranged and Hitpoints XP, making it a multi-skill grind.

Tips for Chinning:

• Use Void Ranger or Armadyl gear for accuracy.
• Stack maniacal monkeys with an alt or friend for efficiency.
• Expect high costs—chinchompas aren’t cheap!

Alternative Methods for Defence XP

Not everyone has alt accounts or millions of GP for chins. These alternatives still offer solid XP rates while being more accessible or profitable.

Pest Control: Solo Speed

At level 100 combat, Pest Control becomes the fastest solo melee method, offering 100k-150k Defence XP per hour with Combat Achievements completed. Spend points on Defence XP rewards (280-560 XP per point, scaling with level).

Why It Works:

• Consistent games with 20+ wins per hour.
• Extra points from Combat Achievements (+1/+2/+3 per game).
• Low gear requirements—just bring your best melee setup.

Slayer Training with Defence Focus

Training Defence via Slayer is slower (around 50k-80k XP per hour), but it’s a two-for-one deal. Use the Defensive style on tasks like Dust Devils or Nechryaels with a whip or sword. You’ll hit 99 Defence in about 600 hours while also leveling Slayer.

Bursting/Barraging on Defensive Cast

For magic lovers, casting Ice Burst or Barrage on Defensive mode at maniacal monkeys offers 80k-140k Defence XP per hour, plus Magic and Hitpoints XP. It’s less intensive than chinning and pairs well with prayer gear.

Gear and Setup for Optimal Defence Training

Your gear can make or break your XP rates. Here’s a breakdown of the best setups for fast Defence training, tailored to different levels and budgets.

Low to Mid-Level Gear (40-70)

Slot	Item	Defence Req.
Head	Helm of Neitiznot	55
Body	Fighter Torso or Obsidian Plate	40
Legs	Rune Platelegs	40
Weapon	Dragon Scimitar	60 Attack

Pair with an Amulet of Glory and Combat Bracelet for a budget-friendly boost.

High-Level Gear (70-99)

Slot	Item	Defence Req.
Head	Serpentine Helm	75
Body	Bandos Chestplate	65
Legs	Bandos Tassets	65
Weapon	Abyssal Whip or Dinh’s Bulwark	70 Attack / 75 Def

Add a Berserker Ring and Fire Cape for maximum efficiency.

Potions and Boosts

Super Defence potions (boost +5-15) or Overloads (boost +5-19 all combat stats) are clutch for higher accuracy and survivability. Use Piety or Chivalry prayers to further increase Defence and hit rates.

With these methods and gear, you’re set to blaze through Defence levels in OSRS. Whether you opt for the AFK comfort of NMZ, the raw speed of Dinh’s Bulwark, or the versatility of Slayer, you’ll hit 99 faster than you thought possible. Happy training, and may your RNG be ever in your favor!