Best Offhand for Range in OSRS: Top Picks for 2025
If you’re diving into the world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and focusing on ranged combat, choosing the right offhand can make or break your performance. Ranged is one of the three core combat styles in OSRS, alongside melee and magic, and it shines for its ability to deal damage from a distance. Whether you’re tackling bosses, slaying monsters, or dominating in PvP, pairing your mainhand weapon with the best offhand for range is crucial. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top offhand options for ranged combat in OSRS as of 2025, breaking down their stats, uses, and accessibility. Let’s find the perfect offhand to boost your ranged game!
In OSRS, ranged combat relies heavily on accuracy, damage, and utility. Your offhand isn’t just a secondary piece of gear—it directly impacts your ability to hit harder and survive longer. Unlike mainhand weapons that dictate attack speed and base damage, offhands provide bonuses to ranged attack, strength, defense, or unique effects that complement your build. Picking the right one depends on your level, budget, and combat goals.
How Offhands Enhance Ranged Builds
Offhands in ranged setups typically fall into two categories: shields for defensive bonuses or offhand weapons for dual-wielding offense. Shields like the Twisted Buckler offer protection, while offhand crossbows or darts boost your damage output. The choice hinges on whether you prioritize survivability or raw DPS (damage per second).
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Offhand
When selecting the best offhand for range in OSRS, keep these in mind:
- Ranged Attack Bonus: Higher accuracy means more consistent hits.
- Ranged Strength Bonus: Boosts your max hit for bigger damage.
- Defensive Stats: Crucial for PvM or PvP where you’re taking hits.
- Cost and Accessibility: Not everyone can afford endgame gear.
- Requirements: Level and quest prerequisites can limit options.
Top 5 Offhands for Ranged in OSRS
Here’s a rundown of the best offhand options for ranged combat in OSRS, ranked by their effectiveness and versatility in 2025. Whether you’re a beginner or a maxed-out ranger, there’s something here for you.
1. Twisted Buckler
The Twisted Buckler reigns supreme as the best offhand shield for ranged combat in OSRS. Dropped by the Theatre of Blood, this endgame item boasts incredible stats:
- Ranged Attack: +58
- Ranged Strength: +10
- Defensive Bonuses: +53 stab, +55 slash, +60 crush, +22 magic, +50 ranged
Why It’s Great: The Twisted Buckler combines top-tier ranged attack and strength with solid defense, making it ideal for high-level PvM like Chambers of Xeric or Inferno runs. Its only downside is the steep price tag—expect to shell out over 100 million GP—and the 75 Ranged requirement.
2. Offhand Ascension Crossbow
For dual-wield enthusiasts, the Offhand Ascension Crossbow (OH Ascension) is a powerhouse. Crafted from Ascension grips and a mainhand Ascension Crossbow, it’s a Tier 90 weapon with:
Why It’s Great: Paired with its mainhand counterpart, this offhand maximizes DPS against high-defense targets like bosses or Slayer monsters. It’s costly (around 150M+ GP) and requires Slayer grinding for keystones, but it’s unmatched for pure offense.
3. Odium Ward
The Odium Ward strikes a balance between offense and defense, making it a mid-tier favorite. Crafted from three Onyx shards dropped by Skotizo, it offers:
- Ranged Attack: +20
- Defensive Bonuses: +24 stab, +26 slash, +28 crush, +52 magic
- Requirements: 60 Ranged
Why It’s Great: At around 3-4M GP, the Odium Ward is budget-friendly compared to endgame options. Its magic defense is a standout, perfect for mid-level players tackling Zulrah or Dagannoth Kings.
4. Offhand Chaotic Crossbow
A relic from the Dungeoneering days, the Offhand Chaotic Crossbow remains a solid choice. Purchased with 200,000 Dungeoneering tokens, it provides:
Why It’s Great: It’s free-to-obtain (no GP cost) if you grind Dungeoneering, making it a go-to for Ironmen or players avoiding the Grand Exchange. Pair it with a mainhand chaotic for a strong mid-tier dual-wield setup.
5. Book of Law
For early-game rangers or those on a tight budget, the Book of Law is a surprisingly effective offhand. Obtained from Horror from the Deep quest, it offers:
Why It’s Great: At under 1M GP, it’s dirt cheap and accessible to F2P and low-level players. The prayer bonus helps sustain protection prayers, making it a practical choice for training or low-risk PvP.
Comparing Offhand Options: A Quick Table
| Offhand | Ranged Attack | Ranged Strength | Key Defensive Stats | Requirements | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twisted Buckler | +58 | +10 | +50 Ranged, +52 Magic | 75 Ranged | 100M+ GP |
| OH Ascension Crossbow | +102 | N/A | None | 90 Ranged | 150M+ GP |
| Odium Ward | +20 | 0 | +52 Magic | 60 Ranged | 3-4M GP |
| OH Chaotic Crossbow | +80 | N/A | None | 80 Ranged, 80 Dungeoneering | 200K Tokens |
| Book of Law | +10 | 0 | None | None | ~800K GP |
Best Offhand for Your Ranged Level
Your ideal offhand changes as you level up. Here’s a breakdown by Ranged level to guide your progression.
Levels 1-40: Book of Law or Basic Shields
At low levels, stick to the Book of Law or even a basic Anti-Dragon Shield (if you’re fighting dragons). They’re cheap, easy to get, and provide enough bonuses to train effectively on crabs or low-level Slayer tasks.
Levels 40-70: Odium Ward
Once you hit 60 Ranged, the Odium Ward becomes your best friend. It’s affordable and offers enough punch to handle mid-tier content like Pest Control or early bossing.
Levels 70-90: Offhand Chaotic Crossbow
At 80 Ranged, the Offhand Chaotic Crossbow shines for dual-wielders. It’s a great stepping stone to endgame gear, especially if you’re grinding Dungeoneering anyway.
Levels 90+: Twisted Buckler or OH Ascension
For maxed or near-maxed players, the Twisted Buckler or Offhand Ascension Crossbow are the ultimate choices. Pick the Buckler for versatility or Ascension for pure DPS, depending on your activity.
How to Pair Offhands with Mainhand Weapons
Your offhand is only as good as the weapon it’s paired with. Here’s how to match them for maximum impact.
Shields with Two-Handed Weapons
The Twisted Buckler and Odium Ward pair beautifully with two-handed ranged weapons like the Toxic Blowpipe or Twisted Bow. The Blowpipe’s speed benefits from the Buckler’s strength bonus, while the Twisted Bow’s accuracy synergizes with its high attack stats.
Dual-Wielding with Crossbows
For dual-wielding, match the Offhand Ascension or Chaotic Crossbow with their mainhand versions. Use Bakriminel bolts with Ascension for insane DPS, or stick to cheaper bolts like Broad with Chaotics for cost-effective training.
Budget Pairings
On a budget? Pair the Book of Law with a Rune Crossbow or Magic Shortbow. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done for low-to-mid-level content.
Finding the best offhand for range in OSRS boils down to your playstyle and resources. The Twisted Buckler is the king of versatility, while the Offhand Ascension Crossbow rules DPS. Mid-tier players can’t go wrong with the Odium Ward or Chaotic Crossbow, and beginners should grab a Book of Law to start strong. Experiment with these options, match them to your mainhand, and watch your ranged prowess soar in 2025!