Fang or Whip in OSRS: Which Weapon Should You Choose in 2025?

Fang or Whip in OSRS: Which Weapon Should You Choose in 2025?


In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right weapon can make or break your gameplay experience, whether you’re slaying monsters, tackling bosses, or training your combat skills. Two standout melee weapons often debated by players are Osmumten’s Fang and the Abyssal Whip. As of April 2025, these weapons remain iconic, but their uses and effectiveness vary depending on your goals. This blog post dives deep into the Fang vs. Whip debate, comparing stats, use cases, and value to help you decide which is best for your OSRS journey. Let’s explore!

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s break down what these weapons are and why they matter in OSRS.

What is Osmumten’s Fang?

Osmumten’s Fang is a one-handed stab weapon introduced as a rare drop from the Tombs of Amascut raid. Requiring 82 Attack to wield, it’s a high-tier weapon prized for its unique mechanics. Its passive effects make it a beast against high-defense targets, and its special attack, Eviscerate, boosts accuracy and damage potential.

What is the Abyssal Whip?

The Abyssal Whip, a classic OSRS weapon, is a one-handed slash weapon dropped by Abyssal Demons (85 Slayer required). With a 70 Attack requirement, it’s accessible earlier and renowned for its fast attack speed (2.4 seconds per hit), making it a staple for Slayer training and general PvM.

Stats Comparison: Fang vs. Whip

To understand which weapon suits your needs, let’s compare their raw stats and mechanics side-by-side.

Attack and Strength Bonuses

  • Osmumten’s Fang: +105 Stab, +55 Slash, +89 Strength
  • Abyssal Whip: +82 Slash, +82 Strength

The Fang clearly outclasses the Whip in raw bonuses, especially for stab attacks. However, the Whip’s faster attack speed often balances this out against lower-defense foes.

Special Mechanics

Fang: Its standout feature is two passive effects: it re-rolls accuracy on failed hits, and damage rolls range from 15% to 85% of your max hit (or up to 100% with its special attack). This consistency shines against tanky enemies.

Whip: Lacks passive effects but has a special attack, Energy Drain, which boosts accuracy by 25% and, in PvP, steals 10% of the target’s run energy. It’s less impactful in PvM but still useful.

Feature Osmumten’s Fang Abyssal Whip
Attack Speed 5 ticks (3.0s) 4 ticks (2.4s)
Special Attack Eviscerate (50% accuracy boost, full max hit range) Energy Drain (25% accuracy boost, energy steal in PvP)
Cost (April 2025) ~30-40M GP ~1.5-2M GP

Use Cases: When to Use Fang or Whip

Both weapons excel in different scenarios. Here’s where each shines in OSRS.

Fang for High-Defense Monsters and Bosses

The Fang’s passive effects make it a top choice for bossing and high-defense Slayer tasks. Its accuracy re-roll and tighter damage range shred through enemies like:

  • Metal Dragons (Steel, Mithril, Adamant, Rune)
  • Cerberus
  • Vardorvis (from Desert Treasure II)
  • Tombs of Amascut bosses

If you’re tackling content where defense exceeds 100-150, the Fang often outpaces even higher-tier weapons like the Ghrazi Rapier.

Whip for Slayer and Low-Defense Foes

The Whip’s speed and affordability make it ideal for Slayer and general combat training. It excels against:

  • Gargoyles
  • Bloodvelds
  • Fire Giants
  • Trolls

For monsters with low-to-moderate defense, the Whip’s faster hits often translate to higher DPS and XP rates.

Upgraded Variants

Abyssal Tentacle: Combine the Whip with a Kraken Tentacle for +90 Slash and +4 Strength, plus a 25% poison chance. It degrades after 10,000 hits but offers a strong middle ground.

Fang (or): A cosmetic variant with no stat changes, just for flexing your style.

Cost and Accessibility in 2025

Your budget and progression in OSRS heavily influence this choice.

Price Point Analysis

As of April 2025, the Fang costs around 30-40M GP, reflecting its power and rarity from ToA. The Whip, at 1.5-2M GP, is a fraction of that, making it a budget-friendly option. The Abyssal Tentacle sits in between, with the Whip plus a ~5M GP Kraken Tentacle.

Obtaining Each Weapon

Fang: Requires raiding Tombs of Amascut, which demands high combat stats, gear, and team coordination—or a hefty GP stack to buy it.

p>Whip: Farmable from Abyssal Demons with 85 Slayer, or easily purchased early on. It’s far more accessible for mid-game players.

Which Should You Choose: Fang or Whip?

Here’s the final breakdown to guide your decision.

For Early-to-Mid Game Players

If you’re still building your account (e.g., 70-90 combat stats), the Whip is your go-to. Its low cost, fast attack speed, and Slayer utility make it a no-brainer. Pair it with a Dragon Defender and Slayer Helmet for a solid setup.

For Endgame Players and Boss Hunters

At 90+ combat and with GP to spare, the Fang becomes a must-have. Its dominance against high-defense targets makes it BiS (Best in Slot) for many bosses and challenging Slayer tasks. It’s also a flex item in PvM circles.

Hybrid Approach: Own Both

Given the Whip’s low price, many players own both. Use the Whip for quick Slayer tasks and the Fang for bosses or tanky mobs. This versatility maximizes efficiency across all content.

Pro Tip: Check DPS calculators like the one on oldschool.tools with your stats and gear to confirm which performs better for specific tasks.

In conclusion, the Fang vs. Whip debate in OSRS boils down to your playstyle, budget, and goals in 2025. The Abyssal Whip remains a timeless, affordable option for Slayer and training, while Osmumten’s Fang reigns supreme for endgame PvM and high-defense challenges. Whether you’re a budget-conscious adventurer or a raid-ready veteran, both weapons have a place in your arsenal. Which will you wield next?