OSRS Quests That Reward Defense XP A Comprehensive Guide

OSRS Quests That Reward Defense XP A Comprehensive Guide

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of quests that reward players with Defense experience (XP), helping you level up this crucial combat skill without grinding through endless battles. Whether you’re building a pure, a main, or a specialized account like a zerker, knowing which quests provide Defense XP can save you time and effort. In this guide, we’ll break down every OSRS quest that grants Defense XP, their requirements, rewards, and strategic tips to maximize your gains. Let’s dive into the world of Gielinor and explore how quests can boost your Defense level efficiently.

Quests in OSRS are a fantastic way to earn Defense XP because they offer substantial rewards with minimal combat training, making them ideal for players who want to level up quickly or maintain specific account builds. Unlike traditional training methods like fighting monsters, quests provide a fixed XP amount upon completion, often with engaging storylines and additional unlocks like new areas or items. For Defense, which governs your ability to wear better armor and reduce damage taken, quest rewards can propel you to key level thresholds, such as 40 for Rune armor or 70 for Barrows gear.

Benefits for Different Account Types

Quests are especially valuable for account types with restricted Defense levels, such as pures or zerkers. For example, 1 Defense pures must avoid these quests to keep their combat level low, while zerkers (capping at 45 Defense) carefully select quests to stay within their limit. Mains, on the other hand, can freely complete all Defense XP quests to unlock high-level gear and content faster.

XP Efficiency Compared to Training

Training Defense through combat can be slow, especially at lower levels. Quests like Dragon Slayer, which grants 18,650 Defense XP, can instantly boost you from level 1 to 30, saving hours of grinding. This efficiency makes quests a go-to method for players aiming to hit specific Defense milestones without repetitive monster slaying.

List of OSRS Quests That Reward Defense XP

Quests with Good XP Rewards in OSRS

Below is a detailed rundown of every OSRS quest that directly awards Defense XP upon completion. These quests are listed in ascending order of XP rewarded, with their skill requirements and additional rewards noted for planning purposes. According to sources like the OSRS Wiki, you can earn a total of approximately 116,937 Defense XP from quests, enough to reach level 51 from level 1.

Quest Defense XP Skill Requirements Other Rewards
The Blood Pact 100 None Combat gear, 100 Attack XP
A Soul’s Bane 500 None 500 Hitpoints XP
In Search of the Myreque 600 25 Agility Access to Myreque hideout
In Aid of the Myreque 2,000 25 Crafting, 15 Mining, 7 Magic Access to Burgh de Rott
Nature Spirit 2,000 18 Crafting, 10 Prayer Access to Mort Myre Swamp
What Lies Below 2,000 35 Runecrafting Beacon Ring
The Fremennik Trials 2,812 40 Woodcutting, 40 Crafting Fremennik helms
Heroes’ Quest 3,075 55 Quest Points, 53 Cooking, 53 Fishing, 25 Herblore, 50 Mining Access to Heroes’ Guild
Between a Rock… 5,000 30 Defense, 40 Mining, 50 Smithing Rune pickaxe
Defender of Varrock 10,000 51 Agility, 51 Hunter, 54 Smithing, 59 Mining Varrock armor 3
Olaf’s Quest 12,000 40 Firemaking, 50 Woodcutting Access to Brine Rat Cavern
Holy Grail 15,300 20 Attack 11,000 Prayer XP
Dragon Slayer 18,650 32 Quest Points Rune platebody access

Notable Mentions with Choice Rewards

Some quests allow you to allocate XP to Defense or other skills via lamps or books. These are useful for flexibility but are often better spent on slower skills like Runecrafting or Herblore unless Defense is your priority:

  • Monkey Madness: Grants 35,000 XP to Attack and Defense or Strength and Hitpoints (chosen pair), with 20,000 XP to the other pair. You can minimize Defense XP by choosing Strength/Hitpoints.
  • Observatory Quest: Randomly awards 875 XP to Attack, Strength, Defense, or Hitpoints based on the constellation observed.
  • King’s Ransom: Post-quest Camelot training room offers 20,000 Defense XP (requires 65 Defense).

Strategic Questing for Defense Levels

Choosing which quests to complete depends on your account goals and current Defense level. Here’s how to approach questing strategically to optimize your Defense XP gains.

Low-Level Quests for Beginners

If you’re starting fresh, focus on quests with no or low requirements to jumpstart your Defense level:

  • The Blood Pact and A Soul’s Bane require no skills and give 100 and 500 XP, respectively, perfect for level 1 accounts.
  • In Search of the Myreque (600 XP) needs only 25 Agility, making it accessible early on.

Mid-Level Quests for Steady Progress

Once you’ve got some levels under your belt, tackle these quests to hit milestones like 40 Defense for Rune armor:

  • Nature Spirit and In Aid of the Myreque (2,000 XP each) are manageable with moderate skill requirements.
  • The Fremennik Trials (2,812 XP) unlocks useful Fremennik gear, boosting your combat setup.
  • Dragon Slayer (18,650 XP) is a must for free-to-play players, granting access to the Rune platebody and catapulting you to level 30 Defense.

High-Level Quests for Advanced Players

For players aiming for 70+ Defense, these quests offer big XP and prestigious unlocks:

  • Defender of Varrock (10,000 XP) and Olaf’s Quest (12,000 XP) require higher skills but reward generously.
  • Holy Grail (15,300 XP) is relatively easy for its XP, needing only 20 Attack.
  • King’s Ransom (post-quest, 20,000 XP) is ideal for endgame players with 65 Defense, pushing you toward Barrows gear.

Tips for Pures and Restricted Accounts

Players building 1 Defense pures or zerkers need to tread carefully to avoid unwanted Defense XP, as it can ruin their combat level goals. Here are key considerations:

Avoiding Defense XP as a Pure

For 1 Defense pures, skip all quests listed in the table above, as they grant unavoidable Defense XP. Notably, Monkey Madness allows you to choose Strength/Hitpoints for the 35,000 XP reward, avoiding Defense XP entirely if you speak to Daero carefully post-quest. Always double-check quest guides to ensure no hidden Defense XP is awarded, as even small amounts (e.g., 40 Attack XP from A Soul’s Bane) can accidentally level Defense if you’re at a low combat level.

Zerker Planning for 45 Defense

Zerkers aiming for 45 Defense can complete most Defense XP quests but must calculate totals to avoid overshooting. For example, combining Dragon Slayer (18,650), The Fremennik Trials (2,812), Heroes’ Quest (3,075), and Nature Spirit (2,000) yields 26,537 XP, leaving room for other quests like Monkey Madness (20,000 if you minimize Defense). Use an XP calculator to stay under the 61,637 XP needed for level 45.

Additional Benefits of Defense Quests

Beyond XP, these quests unlock gear, areas, and content that enhance your OSRS experience. Here’s a quick look at some standout rewards:

  • Dragon Slayer: Unlocks the Rune platebody, a staple for free-to-play and early members’ combat.
  • The Fremennik Trials: Grants access to Fremennik helms like the Berserker helm, boosting melee stats.
  • Heroes’ Quest: Opens the Heroes’ Guild, where you can charge Amulets of Glory and buy dragon battleaxes.
  • Nature Spirit: Enables access to Mort Myre Swamp, useful for ghast hunting and Prayer training.
  • Defender of Varrock: Provides Varrock armor 3, enhancing Mining and Smithing activities.

Balancing XP and Unlocks

When choosing quests, weigh the XP against the unlocks. For instance, Holy Grail offers 15,300 Defense XP and 11,000 Prayer XP, making it a dual-purpose quest for combat builds. Similarly, Between a Rock… (5,000 XP) grants a Rune pickaxe, ideal for Mining enthusiasts. Prioritize quests that align with your gameplay goals, whether it’s PvM, PvP, or skilling.

Post-Quest Opportunities

Some quests lead to post-quest activities that further boost Defense or related skills. For example, completing Olaf’s Quest unlocks the Brine Rat Cavern, a decent training spot for mid-level players. King’s Ransom grants access to the Camelot training room, offering additional Defense XP for high-level players.

Final Thoughts: OSRS quests are a powerful tool for leveling Defense, offering significant XP and valuable unlocks with less grind than traditional training. Whether you’re a beginner aiming for Rune armor, a pure dodging Defense XP, or a zerker capping at 45, this guide equips you to make informed questing decisions. Plan your quest order, check requirements, and enjoy the journey through Gielinor’s rich stories while boosting your Defense level. Happy questing!