OSRS Combat Training Guide for Fast Leveling

OSRS Combat Training Guide for Fast Leveling

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) combat training is a cornerstone of the game, unlocking quests, bosses, and PvP opportunities. Whether you’re a new player or a veteran leveling an alt, this guide covers efficient methods to train Attack, Strength, Defence, and Hitpoints. From early quests to endgame strategies, we’ll explore the best spots, gear, and tips to hit your combat goals fast.

Combat in OSRS revolves around three melee skills—Attack, Strength, and Defence—plus Hitpoints, which levels passively as you deal or take damage. Each skill impacts your performance differently:

  • Attack: Increases accuracy, letting you hit more often and wield better weapons.
  • Strength: Boosts max hit, increasing damage per attack for faster kills.
  • Defence: Reduces how often enemies hit you, improving survivability.
  • Hitpoints: Determines your health pool, growing naturally during combat.

Your combat level, visible in-game, is calculated using these skills (plus Ranged, Magic, and Prayer). For melee-focused players, prioritizing Strength often yields the best experience rates, as higher damage speeds up kills.

Why Train Combat?

High combat stats open doors to:

  • 12+ quests requiring melee skills, like Lunar Diplomacy (Attack) or King’s Ransom (Defence).
  • Bosses like Zulrah, Vorkath, and raids needing melee for optimal damage.
  • PvP builds, where weapons like the Armadyl Godsword shine with high Strength.
  • Slayer tasks, which pair well with melee for efficient leveling.

Low-Level Combat Training (Levels 1–40)

Level 3100 Combat Training Guide Old School RuneScape Discussion

Early levels fly by with the right approach. New players should focus on high-hitpoint, low-defence monsters and quests to skip slow grinds.

Best Quests for Fast XP

Quests are the fastest way to jumpstart your combat stats. They’re safe, require minimal gear, and reward massive XP. Here’s a recommended list:

Quest XP Reward Skill Requirements
Waterfall Quest 13,750 Attack, Strength None
Vampyre Slayer 4,825 Attack None
Holy Grail 15,300 Defence 20 Attack
The Grand Tree 18,400 Attack 25 Agility

Tip: Complete Waterfall Quest at level 3 to rocket to 30 Attack and Strength instantly. No combat requirements make it perfect for beginners.

Top Training Spots for Levels 1–20

After quests, train on low-level monsters. These spots are ideal:

  • Chickens (Lumbridge): 3 HP, drop feathers for profit. Use a bronze scimitar and leather armor.
  • Cows (Lumbridge): 8 HP, drop cowhides (sell for ~150 gp each). Great for free-to-play (F2P).
  • Monks (Edgeville Monastery): 15 HP, heal you on request, no food needed.

Levels 20–40: Crabs and Beyond

At 20+, switch to crabs for better XP. Their high HP and low attack make them perfect for AFK training:

  • Rock Crabs (Rellekka): 50 HP, aggressive for 10–20 minutes. Reset aggro by running away briefly.
  • Sand Crabs (Hosidius): 60 HP, less crowded than Rock Crabs. Pay 10k for Crabclaw Isle access for more spawns.

Gear Tip: Upgrade to mithril or adamant scimitars and armor as you hit 20/30 Attack and Defence. Use an amulet of strength for a damage boost.

Mid-Level Combat Training (Levels 40–70)

Mid-levels are where you unlock better weapons and training methods. Focus on efficiency with gear upgrades and new locations.

Weapon and Armor Progression

Your gear directly impacts XP rates. Follow this progression:

Level Weapon Armor Notes
40 Rune Scimitar Rune Armor Complete Dragon Slayer I for rune platebody.
50 Granite Hammer Granite Armor Hammer has high Strength bonus, affordable.
60 Dragon Scimitar Fighter Torso Requires Monkey Madness I; torso from Barbarian Assault.

Pro Tip: Prioritize Strength bonus (e.g., fighter torso, berserker ring) over defensive stats for faster kills and XP.

Nightmare Zone (NMZ) Basics

At 40–50 combat, Nightmare Zone becomes viable. It’s a minigame near Yanille where you fight quest bosses for XP. Why it’s great:

  • AFK-friendly: Use absorption potions and Dharok’s armor for 15–20 minute sessions.
  • High XP: Up to 70k XP/hr at mid-levels with overloads and prayers.
  • Rewards: Points buy imbues (e.g., berserker ring) and herb boxes for profit.

Setup: Complete five quests (e.g., Vampire Slayer, Witch’s House) to unlock bosses. Choose melee-based bosses like Count Draynor and use protect-from-melee prayer.

Alternative: Pest Control

Pest Control is another solid option at 40+ combat. It’s a team-based minigame on Void Knight’s Outpost offering:

  • XP rewards scaling with level (e.g., 1,120 XP per game at 70 Attack).
  • Void Knight armor, great for high-defence targets like Corporeal Beast.
  • 20k–30k XP/hr with Combat Achievements for bonus points.

Strategy: Join the intermediate boat and focus on portals to maximize points.

High-Level Combat Training (Levels 70–99)

Reaching 70+ unlocks the fastest methods and best gear. Your goal is maximizing XP/hr while balancing effort and cost.

Nightmare Zone Mastery

NMZ becomes the go-to for 70+ players. With optimal setups, you can hit 100k–200k XP/hr solo or 400k/hr with alt accounts. Key strategies:

  • Dharok’s Set: At 1 HP (using rock cake/locator orb), Dharok’s deals massive damage, boosting XP.
  • Overloads/Absorptions: Overloads boost stats; absorptions let you tank hits for AFK sessions.
  • Power Surge: This NMZ power-up regenerates special attack, pairing well with weapons like Dragon Claws.

Boss Choices: Pick low-defence bosses like Moss Giant or King Roald for consistent hits.

Slayer for Combat XP

Training via Slayer at 70+ is slower (~50k XP/hr) but levels multiple skills and offers loot. Benefits include:

  • Slayer Helm: 16.67% melee boost on-task, increasing damage and XP.
  • Profit: Tasks like gargoyles or wyverns drop valuable items.
  • Variety: Keeps training engaging with diverse monsters.

Tip: Start Slayer at 80+ combat for better tasks and efficiency. Use a Black Mask until you unlock the helm.

Best Gear for 70–99

High-level gear is critical for max XP. Top picks:

  • Weapons: Abyssal Whip (70 Attack) for Attack/Defence; Osmumten’s Fang (82 Attack) for all-around training.
  • Armor: Bandos chestplate/tassets for Strength; Torva (80 Defence) for top-tier bonuses.
  • Accessories: Berserker ring (imbued), amulet of torture, infernal cape.

Budget Option: Obsidian armor with a berserker necklace gives a 10% melee boost, rivaling Bandos for less cost.

Free-to-Play Combat Training

F2P players face slower XP rates but can still hit 99 with dedication. Focus on these methods:

Early Game (1–40)

Stick to chickens, cows, and monks. At 20+, try:

Mid-to-Late Game (40–99)

The Stronghold of Security is your best bet:

  • Zombies (Catacomb of Famine): 40–50 HP, aggressive until combat level 107, 8k–25k XP/hr.
  • Giant Spiders (Pit of Resilience): 50 HP, AFK for 10 minutes, up to 20k XP/hr.

Gear: Max out with rune scimitar/armor and an amulet of strength. Complete Stronghold for 10k coins to buy food.

Tips for Efficient Combat Training

Maximize your grind with these strategies:

General Advice

  • Use Potions: Super combat potions boost Attack/Strength/Defence, increasing XP rates.
  • Prayer Flicking: Activate Piety for a 40% melee boost without draining Prayer points (requires skill).
  • AFK Reset: For crabs or bandits, run away every 10–20 minutes to reset aggression.

Profit While Training

Combine training with money-making:

  • Slayer: High-level tasks drop alchables and rares.
  • Bossing: At 85+, try Sarachnis or Barrows for XP and loot (millions/hr).
  • NMZ Points: Buy herb boxes for 500k–1M gp/day.

Ironman Considerations

Ironmen should prioritize quests and Slayer for self-sufficient gear. Key unlocks:

With this guide, you’re set to dominate OSRS combat training. Whether you’re questing as a noob, AFKing at NMZ, or slaying for loot, consistency is key. Hit the grind, and you’ll be maxed in no time!