Best Weapon to Train Defence in OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide

Best Weapon to Train Defence in OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide


If you’re diving into Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and looking to boost your Defence skill efficiently, choosing the right weapon is key. Defence is a crucial combat stat that reduces the damage you take, unlocks better armor, and balances your combat level for PvM and PvP alike. But with so many weapons available, which one stands out as the best for training Defence? In this guide, we’ll explore the top weapons, strategies, and tips to level up your Defence quickly and effectively in OSRS, all while keeping it fun and practical for your journey through Gielinor.

Defence isn’t just about taking hits—it’s about surviving longer, wearing stronger armor, and tackling tougher content. A higher Defence level lets you equip iconic gear like Rune or Dragon armor, and it’s a requirement for quests like “Monkey Madness” and diaries like the Achievement Diary Cape (70 Defence). Plus, it’s a core part of balancing your combat stats, whether you’re a main account or a pure tweaking your build.

How Defence Experience Works

In OSRS, Defence XP is gained when you select the “Defensive” or “Longrange” combat style (for Ranged) or use “Controlled” to split XP across Attack, Strength, and Defence. The amount of XP depends on the damage you deal—4 XP per damage point on Defensive mode. So, the faster and harder you hit, the quicker your Defence levels climb.

Why Weapon Choice Is Critical

Your weapon determines your attack speed, accuracy, and damage output, all of which directly affect Defence XP rates. A weapon that’s too slow might leave you swinging less often, while one with low accuracy could miss too many hits against high-Defence foes. The goal? Find a weapon that maximizes hits per minute while keeping you alive against your chosen training monsters.

Top Weapons for Training Defence in OSRS

Let’s cut to the chase—here are the best weapons for training Defence in OSRS, tailored to different levels and playstyles. Each excels in specific scenarios, so your choice depends on your stats, budget, and training spot.

Abyssal Whip: The All-Rounder King

The Abyssal Whip is a standout choice for mid-to-high-level players (70 Attack required). With its blazing 4-tick attack speed (2.4 seconds) and +82 Slash bonus, it’s a DPS machine. Pair it with a Dragon Defender for extra accuracy and Strength, and you’ve got a setup that dishes out consistent hits—perfect for racking up Defence XP.

  • Pros: Fast attack speed, high accuracy, affordable (around 2-3M GP).
  • Cons: Slash-only, less effective against Slash-resistant monsters.
  • Best For: Nightmare Zone, Slayer tasks, mid-level training (60-80 Defence).

Saradomin Sword: Budget DPS Beast

For players at 70 Attack who can’t afford a whip or want a two-handed option, the Saradomin Sword shines. It boasts a +82 Crush bonus and a 4-tick speed, plus a special attack that hits twice—great for burst damage. At roughly 1M GP, it’s a cost-effective alternative.

  • Pros: High Crush bonus, cheap, special attack boosts XP rates.
  • Cons: Two-handed (no shield), slightly less accurate than the whip.
  • Best For: Budget training at crabs or bandits.

Dragon Scimitar: Early-Game Star

Newer players with 60 Attack can’t go wrong with the Dragon Scimitar. Its +67 Slash bonus and 4-tick speed make it a reliable choice for early Defence training. Unlock it via “Monkey Madness I” and enjoy a solid weapon under 100K GP.

  • Pros: Affordable, fast, accessible after a quest.
  • Cons: Outclassed by higher-tier options later on.
  • Best For: Levels 40-60 Defence at crabs or hill giants.

Zamorakian Hasta: Versatile Stabber

The Zamorakian Hasta (70 Attack) offers flexibility with +85 Stab, +75 Slash, and +65 Crush bonuses. Its 4-tick speed and ability to pair with a shield (like a Dragonfire Shield) make it ideal for tanky setups or monsters weak to Stab, like dragons.

  • Pros: Multi-style versatility, shield-compatible, strong vs. Stab-weak foes.
  • Cons: Pricier (around 15M GP), niche use cases.
  • Best For: Slayer tasks, dragon-killing, high-Defence training (70+).

Granite Hammer: Crush on a Budget

At 50 Attack and Strength, the Granite Hammer delivers a +57 Crush bonus with a 4-tick speed. It’s a sleeper hit for mid-tier players, costing under 200K GP, and excels against Crush-vulnerable enemies like crabs or skeletons.

  • Pros: Cheap, decent Crush damage, easy to obtain.
  • Cons: Lower stats than high-end weapons.
  • Best For: Levels 50-70 Defence on a budget.

Best Training Spots for Defence

Your weapon’s effectiveness depends on where you train. Here are top spots to pair with these weapons for optimal Defence XP.

Rock Crabs: AFK Early Levels

Rock Crabs (Rellekka or Waterbirth Island) are perfect for levels 1-50. Their low Defence and high HP (50) let you land hits consistently, and their aggression means AFK training for up to 10 minutes.

Nightmare Zone: Mid-to-High Levels

Nightmare Zone (NMZ) is the go-to for 50+ Defence. Fight quest bosses in a controlled environment, stack points for imbues, and use absorptions/prayer potions for near-AFK runs.

  • Weapon: Abyssal Whip or Saradomin Sword.
  • XP/Hour: 60K-100K Defence XP.

Sand Crabs: Coastal Convenience

Sand Crabs on Hosidius shores are a step up from Rock Crabs, with 60 HP and multi-combat zones for faster kills. Ideal for 40-70 Defence.

  • Weapon: Granite Hammer or Saradomin Sword.
  • XP/Hour: 40K-70K Defence XP.

Gear and Setup Tips for Defence Training

Weapons alone won’t max your XP rates—gear and setup matter too. Here’s how to optimize your Defence training.

Best Armor for Defence XP

Focus on Strength bonuses over Defence unless you’re tanking high-damage foes. Here’s a progression:

Defence Level Armor Strength Bonus
1-40 Rune Platebody, Legs +0
40-60 Fighter Torso, Obsidian Legs +4 (Torso)
60+ Bandos Chestplate, Tassets +4 (Chest), +2 (Tassets)

Accessories and Boosts

  • Amulet: Amulet of Strength (+10) or Fury (+8 all stats).
  • Ring: Berserker Ring (i) for +8 Strength.
  • Potions: Super Defence or Combat Potions to boost Defence/Strength.
  • Prayers: Piety (+25% Defence, +20% Strength) for max XP.

Fastest Defence Training Method: Chinning

For the ultimate Defence XP grind (70+ Defence), chinning with Black Chinchompas on Defensive mode at Maniacal Monkeys in Kruk’s Dungeon is unmatched. You’ll need 45 Ranged and “Monkey Madness II” completed, but the payoff is huge.

How Chinning Works

Throw chinchompas in a multi-combat area stacked with monkeys. Each hit splits XP between Ranged (1.5 XP), Defence (1.5 XP), and Hitpoints (0.5 XP) per damage point. With 99 Ranged, expect up to 350K Defence XP/hour.

  • Cost: 2-3M GP/hour (chinchompas).
  • Gear: Void Ranger, Salve Amulet (ei).
  • Pros: Fastest Defence XP in-game.
  • Cons: Expensive, requires high Ranged.

Conclusion: Picking Your Perfect Defence Weapon

The “best” weapon to train Defence in OSRS depends on your level, budget, and goals. For most players, the Abyssal Whip strikes the perfect balance of speed, power, and accessibility—making it our top pick. Budget players can lean on the Saradomin Sword or Granite Hammer, while early gamers thrive with the Dragon Scimitar. For the elite, chinning offers insane XP rates if you can foot the bill.

Pair your weapon with the right spot—Rock Crabs for starters, NMZ for mid-tier, or Sand Crabs for a chill grind—and optimize your gear with Strength-focused pieces. Whether you’re aiming for 70 Defence for Barrows gloves or pushing to 99 for that skill cape, this guide has you covered. What’s your favorite Defence training setup? Drop a comment and let’s keep the conversation going!