Obsidian Armor vs Dragon Armor in OSRS - Which Is Better?

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right armor at level 60 Defence can significantly impact your combat effectiveness, whether you’re slaying monsters, tackling Barrows, or engaging in PvP. Two popular options at this level are Obsidian Armor and Dragon Armor. Both have unique strengths, but which one suits your playstyle and budget? This blog post dives deep into the stats, bonuses, costs, and practical uses of Obsidian and Dragon Armor to help you decide. Let’s break it down!

Obsidian Armor is a melee-focused set introduced as part of the TzHaar content in Mor Ul Rek. It’s known for its strength bonuses, making it a favorite for players prioritizing damage output over defensive stats. The full set includes the helmet, platebody, platelegs, cape, and shield, though the cape and shield are more accessible than the core pieces.

How to Obtain Obsidian Armor

Acquiring Obsidian Armor requires access to the TzHaar city. Here’s how you can get it:

Purchase with Tokkul: The helmet, platebody, and platelegs can be bought from TzHaar-Hur-Zal’s Equipment Store in the inner city (requires a Fire Cape to access). The cape and shield are available from TzHaar-Hur-Tel in the outer city.
Monster Drops: Level 221 TzHaar-Ket in the inner city drop the helmet, platebody, and platelegs, but you’ll need to complete the Fight Caves to reach them. Weaker TzHaar-Ket in the outer city drop only the cape and shield.
Grand Exchange Set: You can buy the Obsidian Armor set (helmet, platebody, platelegs) via the Grand Exchange for convenience.

Stats and Bonuses of Obsidian Armor

Obsidian Armor requires 60 Defence to equip (except the cape, which has no requirement). Its standout feature is the strength bonus, which rivals high-end sets like Bandos. When the helmet, platebody, and platelegs are worn together, Obsidian weaponry (e.g., Toktz-xil-ak, Toktz-mej-tal) gains a 10% boost to melee accuracy and strength. This bonus stacks with the Berserker Necklace’s 20% damage increase, making it a potent combo for strength training.

Piece	Strength Bonus	Defensive Bonuses
Obsidian Helmet	+3	+43 Stab, +39 Slash, +47 Crush
Obsidian Platebody	+3	+79 Stab, +83 Slash, +70 Crush
Obsidian Platelegs	+1	+55 Stab, +53 Slash, +56 Crush

Note: Obsidian Armor has lower defensive stats compared to other level 60 armors, making you squishier in high-damage scenarios.

Overview of Dragon Armor in OSRS

Obsidian Armour Preview r2007scape

Dragon Armor is the pinnacle of standard metal armors in OSRS, crafted from Orikalkum and requiring 60 Defence to wear. It’s iconic for its aesthetics and historical prestige, often seen as a status symbol in the early days of RuneScape. The set includes pieces like the chainbody, platelegs, full helm, and boots, with the platebody being notably rare and expensive.

How to Obtain Dragon Armor

Dragon Armor is primarily obtained through monster drops and trading, as most pieces cannot be smithed. Here’s how to get it:

Monster Drops: Dragon chainbody drops from Dust Devils and Kalphite Queen, while platelegs and full helm drop from various high-level monsters like Mithril Dragons.
Grand Exchange: Most pieces are readily available on the Grand Exchange, though the chainbody and platebody can be pricey.
Quests: Completing Dragon Slayer I is required to wear the rune platebody, but Dragon Armor has no quest requirements.

Stats and Bonuses of Dragon Armor

Dragon Armor offers superior defensive stats compared to Obsidian, making it a safer choice for tanking damage. However, its strength bonuses are modest, and it lacks the set effects that Obsidian provides. Here’s a breakdown:

Piece	Strength Bonus	Defensive Bonuses
Dragon Full Helm	+0	+45 Stab, +48 Slash, +44 Crush
Dragon Chainbody	+0	+81 Stab, +93 Slash, +82 Crush
Dragon Platelegs	+0	+68 Stab, +66 Slash, +63 Crush

Note: Dragon Armor’s high defensive stats make it ideal for scenarios where survival is key, but it doesn’t boost damage output significantly.

Comparing Obsidian vs Dragon Armor – Key Differences

Both armors cater to different playstyles, so let’s compare them across critical factors:

Strength and Damage Output

Obsidian Armor excels in strength training and DPS due to its +12 strength bonus across the set and the 10% boost to Obsidian weapons. When paired with a Berserker Necklace and Toktz-xil-ak, it outperforms Dragon Armor against low-defence targets, making it ideal for Slayer tasks or training at places like Nightmare Zone.

Dragon Armor offers no strength bonus from most pieces, relying on your weapon for damage. It’s less effective for maximizing DPS but still viable with high-strength weapons like the Abyssal Whip.

Defensive Capabilities

Dragon Armor is the clear winner here, with significantly higher defensive bonuses across all combat styles. It’s better for high-damage environments like Barrows or bossing, where reducing incoming damage is crucial.

Obsidian Armor sacrifices defence for offence, leaving you vulnerable in prolonged fights. It’s less suited for tanking but fine for low-risk activities.

Cost and Accessibility

Obsidian Armor can be costly due to the Tokkul grind or the need to kill high-level TzHaar-Ket. As of May 2025, the Grand Exchange price for the set (helmet, platebody, platelegs) is around 2-3M GP, but acquiring Tokkul for ironmen is time-consuming.

Dragon Armor varies in cost. The chainbody and platebody are expensive (5-10M GP for the chainbody), but platelegs and full helm are more affordable (1-2M GP). Dragon is easier to buy outright but harder to farm for ironmen due to rare drops.

Practical Uses and Recommendations

Choosing between Obsidian and Dragon Armor depends on your goals, budget, and combat scenarios. Here’s a guide to help you decide:

When to Use Obsidian Armor

Strength Training: The strength bonus and weapon boost make it perfect for training melee stats at places like Experiments or Sand Crabs.
PvP: The Obsidian Maul with the set bonus can hit hard in PvP, especially against low-defence opponents.

Slayer: Against low-defence monsters, Obsidian maximizes DPS, speeding up tasks.
Budget Bandos Alternative: If you can’t afford Bandos, Obsidian offers comparable strength bonuses at a lower cost.

When to Use Dragon Armor

Barrows Runs: Higher defensive stats make Dragon safer for surviving Barrows brothers’ attacks.

Bossing: For mid-level bosses like the Kalphite Queen, Dragon’s defence helps you tank hits.
Flexing: Dragon Armor’s iconic look is a status symbol, especially the chainbody or platebody.
General Combat: If you’re not focused on DPS, Dragon’s balanced stats suit a variety of activities.

Hybrid Setups

Many players mix and match for optimal performance:

Fighter Torso + Obsidian Platelegs: The Fighter Torso (from Barbarian Assault) outclasses both Obsidian and Dragon platebodies for strength, and Obsidian legs add +1 strength.

Helm of Neitiznot + Dragon Armor: The Helm of Neitiznot offers better defence and the same strength bonus as the Obsidian helm, pairing well with Dragon’s defensive pieces.

Final Verdict – Which Armor Should You Choose?

Obsidian Armor is the go-to for players focused on maximizing damage output, especially for strength training, Slayer, or PvP on a budget. Its set bonus with Obsidian weapons and Berserker Necklace makes it a powerhouse against low-defence targets, but its low defensive stats mean you’ll take more damage in tough fights.

Dragon Armor shines in scenarios requiring durability, like Barrows or mid-level bossing. It’s also more accessible for non-ironmen via the Grand Exchange, but its lack of strength bonuses makes it less efficient for DPS-focused activities.

Recommendation: If you’re training melee or on a budget, go for Obsidian Armor with a Fighter Torso and Berserker Necklace for maximum DPS. If you need defence for bossing or prefer a safer playstyle, invest in Dragon Armor or mix it with better helmets like the Helm of Neitiznot. For the best of both worlds, consider hybrid setups tailored to your combat goals.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your playstyle, budget, and whether you prioritize offence or defence. Whichever you pick, both armors are viable at level 60 Defence and will serve you well until you can afford endgame gear like Bandos or Barrows. Happy scaping!