OSRS F2P Combat Guide: Master Melee, Ranged, and Magic in Free-to-Play

OSRS F2P Combat Guide: Master Melee, Ranged, and Magic in Free-to-Play


Welcome to the ultimate OSRS F2P combat guide! If you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) looking to level up your combat skills, this blog post is for you. Combat is a core part of OSRS, whether you’re slaying monsters, completing quests, or preparing for PvP in the Wilderness. In F2P worlds, you have access to three combat styles—melee, ranged, and magic—each offering unique ways to train and dominate. This guide will walk you through the best methods, monsters, and gear to maximize your combat experience without spending a dime on membership. Let’s dive into the world of Gielinor and get you ready to fight!

Combat in OSRS is divided into several skills that determine your effectiveness in battle. For F2P players, the key combat skills are Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Ranged, Magic, and Prayer. Your combat level is calculated based on these stats, with Hitpoints and Prayer contributing universally across styles, while Attack, Strength, and Defence govern melee, Ranged handles bows and arrows, and Magic controls spellcasting. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Attack: Increases melee accuracy and unlocks better weapons.
  • Strength: Boosts melee damage output.
  • Defence: Reduces the chance of being hit.
  • Hitpoints: Determines your health pool—higher levels let you survive longer.
  • Ranged: Governs accuracy and damage with bows and arrows.
  • Magic: Controls spell accuracy and unlocks stronger spells.
  • Prayer: Offers combat buffs but is harder to train in F2P.

Unlike members’ worlds, F2P limits your equipment and training options, but with the right strategy, you can still reach high levels efficiently. Let’s explore each combat style and how to train them effectively.

Melee Combat Training in OSRS F2P

Melee is the most popular combat style in F2P due to its simplicity and accessibility. It relies on Attack, Strength, and Defence, making it ideal for new players and veterans alike. Here’s how to train melee effectively in free-to-play OSRS.

Best Melee Training Spots by Level

Your choice of training spot depends on your combat level and stats. Below are the best F2P monsters to fight at different stages:

  • Levels 1-10: Chickens – Found northeast of Lumbridge, chickens have 3 Hitpoints and low Defence, perfect for beginners. They drop feathers (stackable for profit) and raw chicken for cooking.
  • Levels 10-20: Cows – East of Lumbridge, cows offer 8 Hitpoints and drop cowhides (sell for ~150 GP each) and raw beef. Great for early cash and combat XP.
  • Levels 20-30: Giant Frogs – In Lumbridge Swamp, these have 25 Hitpoints and low attack, dropping big bones for Prayer training.
  • Levels 30-50: Hill Giants – Located in Edgeville Dungeon (bring a brass key), they have 35 Hitpoints and drop big bones and limpwurt roots, offering decent XP and loot.
  • Levels 50+: Moss Giants – Found in Varrock Sewers or Crandor, moss giants boast 60 Hitpoints and drop valuable items like black square shields and seeds.

Melee Gear Progression

Upgrading your gear as you level is crucial for faster training. Here’s a progression table for melee equipment in F2P:

Level Weapon Armour Notes
1 Bronze Scimitar Bronze Armour Starter gear from Tutorial Island.
5 Iron Scimitar Iron Armour Cheap upgrade from Lumbridge shops.
20 Black Scimitar Black Armour Better stats, buy from Grand Exchange.
30 Mithril Scimitar Mithril Armour Solid mid-tier option.
40 Rune Scimitar Rune Armour Best F2P gear, aim for this endgame set.

Tip: Use scimitars for their high speed and damage per second. Pair with an amulet of strength or power for extra boosts.

Ranged Combat Training in OSRS F2P

Ranged lets you attack from a distance, making it safer for training against aggressive monsters. It’s governed by the Ranged skill and pairs well with Hitpoints growth. Here’s how to master ranged in F2P.

Top Ranged Training Locations

Ranged training benefits from safe-spotting—attacking monsters from areas they can’t reach. Try these spots:

  • Levels 1-20: Goblins – North of Lumbridge, goblins are weak and plentiful. Use a shortbow and bronze arrows.
  • Levels 20-40: Minotaurs – In the Stronghold of Security (Level 1), they drop iron arrows, letting you sustain ammo supplies.
  • Levels 40-60: Hill Giants – Safe-spot them in Edgeville Dungeon with a maple shortbow and steel arrows.
  • Levels 60+: Moss Giants – Use a safe spot in Varrock Sewers with a maple longbow and adamant arrows for high XP rates.

Ranged Gear Progression

Ranged gear focuses on bows and leather armour. Here’s the progression:

  • Level 1: Shortbow + Bronze Arrows + Leather Armour
  • Level 5: Oak Shortbow + Iron Arrows + Hardleather Body
  • Level 20: Willow Shortbow + Steel Arrows + Studded Leather
  • Level 30: Maple Shortbow + Mithril Arrows + Green D’hide
  • Level 40: Maple Longbow + Adamant Arrows + Green D’hide (full set)

Tip: Stock up on arrows from Lowe’s Archery Emporium in Varrock or collect drops from monsters like minotaurs.

Magic Combat Training in OSRS F2P

Magic in F2P is versatile, offering both combat and utility spells like teleports. It’s trickier to train due to rune costs, but with smart methods, you can level it efficiently.

Best Magic Training Methods

Magic XP comes from casting spells that hit enemies. Here are the top spots and spells:

  • Levels 1-13: Wind Strike – Cast on chickens or goblins. Get free air and mind runes from the Magic Tutor in Lumbridge every 30 minutes.
  • Levels 13-25: Water Strike – Use on cows or giant rats in Lumbridge Swamp for slightly higher XP.
  • Levels 25-43: Fire Strike – Train on hill giants or monks (Monastery west of Edgeville) for decent XP and safety.
  • Levels 43+: Fire Bolt – Target moss giants with chaos runes for the best F2P magic XP rates.

Magic Gear and Runes

Magic gear boosts accuracy and defence. Here’s what to aim for:

  • Level 1: Staff (free from Zaff in Varrock) + Wizard Robes
  • Level 20: Air Staff + Blue Wizard Robes
  • Level 40: Fire Staff + Green D’hide Body (for defence) + Amulet of Magic

Rune Tip: Buy runes from Aubury in Varrock or the Grand Exchange. Stockpile air and mind runes from the Magic Tutor to save gold.

Tips for Efficient F2P Combat Training

To maximize your combat training in OSRS F2P, follow these expert tips:

General Combat Strategies

  • Food Management: Fish and cook lobsters or swordfish (Fishing levels 50/40) for high-healing food. Buy from the Grand Exchange if needed.
  • Banking: Train near banks (e.g., Edgeville for hill giants) to store loot and restock food quickly.
  • Quests: Complete Vampyre Slayer (4825 Attack XP) and Dragon Slayer (18,650 Strength/Defence XP) for big early boosts.
  • Prayer Training: Bury big bones from giants to level Prayer for combat buffs like +15% Strength.

Balancing Combat Skills

Decide your focus—pure accounts (e.g., 1 Defence pures) prioritize Attack and Strength, while balanced accounts train all skills evenly. For general play, keep Attack, Strength, and Defence within 5-10 levels of each other to maintain versatility.

With this OSRS F2P combat guide, you’re equipped to conquer Gielinor’s free-to-play challenges. Whether you swing a rune scimitar, fire adamant arrows, or cast Fire Bolt, consistent training and smart gear choices will get you to high levels fast. Start slaying chickens today and work your way up to moss giants—your combat legend begins now!