OSRS Ammonite Crab vs Sand Crab Comparison for Efficient Training

OSRS Ammonite Crab vs Sand Crab Comparison for Efficient Training

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right training spot can make or break your combat leveling experience. Two popular options for AFK combat training are Ammonite Crabs and Sand Crabs. Both are low-level, aggressive monsters with high hitpoints and minimal combat stats, making them ideal for players seeking efficient, low-effort experience gains. But which is better for your needs? This guide dives into the key differences, advantages, and drawbacks of training at Ammonite Crabs versus Sand Crabs, helping you decide the best spot for your melee, ranged, or magic training.

Ammonite Crabs and Sand Crabs belong to the “crab family” in OSRS, a group of monsters favored for their high hitpoints, low attack, and defensive stats, allowing players to train combat with minimal risk. While they share similarities, their locations, requirements, and mechanics differ significantly, impacting their suitability for different players.

What Are Ammonite Crabs?

Ammonite Crabs are found exclusively on Fossil Island, primarily along the coastal areas and northern beaches, with some spots in the North Wyvern Cave. They have 100 hitpoints, yielding 400 XP per kill, and are accessible only after completing the Bone Voyage quest. Their higher health makes them ideal for players with moderate to high combat stats, as they provide better experience rates compared to other crabs. Ammonite Crabs are less crowded than Sand Crabs due to the quest requirement, but their training spots are fewer and often contested.

What Are Sand Crabs?

Sand Crabs are located along the southern coast of Hosidius in Great Kourend, as well as on Crabclaw Isle, Crabclaw Caves, and other areas like the Isle of Souls. They have 60 hitpoints, granting 240 XP per kill, and require no quests or favor to access, making them beginner-friendly. Sand Crabs are known for their abundance of training spots, especially in Hosidius, but they can be crowded due to their ease of access.

Key Differences Between Ammonite Crabs and Sand Crabs

OSRS Hidden Sand Crabs Training Spot AFK Combat Training YouTube

Understanding the distinctions between these two crab types is crucial for optimizing your training. Below, we compare their hitpoints, accessibility, aggression mechanics, and spot availability to highlight what sets them apart.

Hitpoints and Experience Rates

The most significant difference lies in their hitpoints:

  • Ammonite Crabs: 100 hitpoints, 400 XP per kill. Their higher health means fewer kills are needed for the same experience, making them more efficient at higher combat levels.
  • Sand Crabs: 60 hitpoints, 240 XP per kill. They’re better suited for lower levels but become less efficient as you kill them faster than they respawn at higher levels.

For example, at level 80 strength with a Dragon Scimitar, Sand Crabs yield up to 60,000 XP/hour, while Ammonite Crabs can push closer to 70,000 XP/hour due to their higher hitpoints.

Accessibility and Requirements

Ammonite Crabs require completing the Bone Voyage quest, which needs 100 kudos, the Dig Site quest, and no skill requirements. This quest locks out newer players or pures who avoid questing. Conversely, Sand Crabs are accessible by simply traveling to Hosidius or speaking to Veos for Crabclaw Isle, with no prerequisites. This makes Sand Crabs the go-to for beginners or accounts with minimal quest progress.

Aggression Mechanics

Both crabs are aggressive for 10 minutes before becoming tolerant, requiring players to reset aggression by moving out of their range. Ammonite Crabs have a greater aggression range, allowing you to aggro multiple crabs from a single tile, but their spacing is wider, often limiting you to 2-3 crabs per spot. Sand Crabs are closely packed, with spots supporting 3-4 crabs, but their aggression range is shorter, requiring precise positioning.

Spot Availability

Sand Crabs have more training spots, especially in Hosidius and Crabclaw Isle, but their popularity leads to crowding, requiring world-hopping. Ammonite Crabs have fewer spots (e.g., Volcanic Beach, North Wyvern Cave), and while less crowded overall, prime spots with 3+ crabs are often taken, leading to frustration.

Best Training Spots for Each Crab

Location plays a massive role in training efficiency. Below, we outline the top spots for both Ammonite and Sand Crabs, along with tips for securing them.

Ammonite Crab Hotspots

Ammonite Crabs are found in three main areas on Fossil Island:

  • Volcanic Beach: South of the Fossil Island Volcano, this spot has 3 crabs and minimal competition, ideal for AFK training.

  • North Wyvern Cave (Entrance): Near the cave entrance, 2 crabs spawn safely away from wyverns, perfect for secluded training.

  • North Wyvern Cave (South-East): A riskier spot with 3 crabs, reachable without wyvern aggro if you reset aggression carefully.

Tip: Use a Digsite Pendant for quick teleports to the barge, then run north to the beaches. The RuneLite “NPC Aggression Timer” plugin helps track when to reset aggro.

Sand Crab Hotspots

Sand Crabs are more widespread, with key spots including:

  • Hosidius Beach: South of Hosidius, this area has multiple 3- and 4-crab spots but is often crowded.

  • Crabclaw Isle: Accessible via Veos, it’s less crowded but requires 10,000 coins per trip unless you’ve completed the Kourend & Kebos Diary.

  • Crabclaw Caves: Offers 4-crab spots, ideal for players with some combat levels to handle the tighter space.

Tip: Bring weight-reducing gear to reach Hosidius faster, and use the nearby altar to recharge Prayer when resetting aggression.

Experience Rates and Training Strategies

Your combat level, gear, and training method (melee, ranged, or magic) influence which crab is better. Here’s a breakdown of expected XP rates and strategies.

Melee Training

For melee, Ammonite Crabs generally outperform Sand Crabs at higher levels due to their hitpoints. Example XP rates with a Dragon Scimitar:

Level Range Sand Crabs XP/Hour Ammonite Crabs XP/Hour
40–60 30,000 35,000
60–80 45,000 55,000
80–99 60,000 70,000

Strategy: Use strength-boosting gear (e.g., Fighter Torso, Obsidian Legs) and Super Strength potions for maximum XP. Avoid degradable armor like Barrows to save costs.

Ranged Training

Ranged training follows a similar trend, with Ammonite Crabs pulling ahead at higher levels. Using mithril darts at level 68 ranged, Sand Crabs yield around 40,000 XP/hour, while Ammonite Crabs can hit 50,000 XP/hour.

Strategy: Equip a Ring of Wealth to auto-pickup numulite from Ammonite Crabs for minor profit. Use Ava’s Accumulator to save ammo.

Magic Training

For magic, Ammonite Crabs are viable with spells like Fire Wave, offering up to 70,000 XP/hour from level 60 to 99, though this is costly. Sand Crabs are less efficient due to lower hitpoints, capping at around 50,000 XP/hour.

Strategy: Consider cheaper spells like Fire Bolt for budget training, and use a smoke battlestaff to save runes.

Which Crab Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your combat level, quest progress, and tolerance for world-hopping. Here’s a quick decision guide:

  • Choose Ammonite Crabs if: You’ve completed Bone Voyage, have combat stats above 60, and want higher XP rates with less crowding. Ideal for pures or ironmen seeking fossils/numulite.

  • Choose Sand Crabs if: You’re a beginner, haven’t done Bone Voyage, or prefer more training spots despite crowds. Great for low-level accounts or quick setup.

Pro Tip: If Ammonite Crab spots are full, try Nightmare Zone for even higher XP rates (up to 160,000 XP/hour with a Venator Bow), though it’s less AFK.

In conclusion, Ammonite Crabs are generally superior for players with access to Fossil Island and higher combat levels, offering better XP and less competition. Sand Crabs, however, remain a fantastic, accessible option for newer players or those avoiding quests. Test both to see which fits your playstyle, and use RuneLite plugins to optimize your AFK sessions. Happy training!