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OSRS F2P Combat Training Guide for 2025

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) free-to-play (F2P) combat training is a thrilling grind for players looking to dominate monsters, tackle quests like Dragon Slayer, or compete in PvP without a membership. While F2P limits your options for monsters, gear, and locations, smart strategies can maximize your experience rates and make the journey to 99 Attack, Strength, Defence, or Hitpoints enjoyable. This comprehensive guide covers the best F2P combat training methods, gear, quests, and tips to level up efficiently in 2025.
Combat skills—Attack, Strength, Defence, Ranged, and Magic—are the backbone of OSRS gameplay. In F2P, training these skills unlocks better weapons, armor, and quests, making your character stronger and more versatile. Here’s why focusing on combat training matters:
- Quest Progression: High combat stats are required for iconic F2P quests like Dragon Slayer, which unlocks the rune platebody.
- PvP Edge: Strong melee skills give you an advantage in the Wilderness or Clan Wars.
- Profit Potential: Certain monsters drop valuable loot, helping you save for gear or even a bond for membership.
This guide focuses on melee combat (Attack, Strength, Defence, and Hitpoints), as it’s the most accessible and efficient for F2P players, though we’ll touch on Ranged and Magic where relevant.
Best Gear and Weapons for F2P Combat
Choosing the Right Weapon
In F2P, weapon speed and Strength bonuses are critical for maximizing damage per second (DPS) and XP per hour. The scimitar is the best melee weapon due to its fast attack speed (4 ticks) and high Strength bonus. Always use the highest-tier scimitar your Attack level allows:
Weapon | Attack Level | Strength Bonus |
---|---|---|
Bronze Scimitar | 1 | +7 |
Iron Scimitar | 5 | +10 |
Steel Scimitar | 10 | +16 |
Mithril Scimitar | 20 | +23 |
Adamant Scimitar | 30 | +29 |
Rune Scimitar | 40 | +45 |
For ironmen, the rune scimitar requires 90 Smithing (or 89 with a dwarven stout), so consider the barronite mace (from Ruins of Camdozaal) or rune sword as alternatives until then.
Optimal Armor Setup
Armor in F2P prioritizes Strength and Defence bonuses. Aim for the highest-tier plate armor your Defence level allows, paired with a kiteshield and accessories:
- Helm: Full helm (e.g., rune full helm at 40 Defence).
- Body: Platebody (e.g., rune platebody at 40 Defence, requires Dragon Slayer).
- Legs: Platelegs (e.g., rune platelegs).
- Shield: Kiteshield (e.g., rune kiteshield).
- Boots: Fighting boots (from Stronghold of Security) or decorative boots (from Castle Wars).
- Amulet: Amulet of strength (+10 Strength bonus) or amulet of power (+6 Strength, +6 Defence).
Upgrade gear at the Grand Exchange as you level up, and always carry high-healing food like lobsters or swordfish for sustained training.
Early-Level Training (Levels 1–30)
Starting with Quests
Questing is the fastest way to boost early combat levels in F2P, offering significant XP with minimal effort. Complete these quests to skip the tedious low-level grind:
- Vampire Slayer: 4,825 Attack XP.
- The Restless Ghost: 1,125 Prayer XP (helps with early Prayer levels).
- Demon Slayer: 3 Prayer XP (minor, but unlocks useful areas).
These quests require low combat levels and can push you to 20–25 Attack and Strength in under an hour. Save Dragon Slayer (32 quest points) for later, as it’s more challenging but unlocks the rune platebody.
Low-Level Monsters
If you prefer grinding, start with these beginner-friendly monsters around Lumbridge:
- Chickens (Level 1): Found at the farmhouse northeast of Lumbridge. Low HP (3), drop feathers and raw chicken for profit and Cooking XP. Expect 2,000–3,000 XP/hour.
- Cows (Level 2): Located in Lumbridge fields. Higher HP (8) and drop cowhides (sell for ~150 GP each). Yield 3,000–4,000 XP/hour.
- Goblins (Level 2–5): Scattered around Lumbridge. Decent for early XP and minor loot like coins.
Use a bronze or iron scimitar and train in the “accurate” style for Attack, “aggressive” for Strength, or “defensive” for Defence, depending on your goal.
Mid-Level Training (Levels 30–60)
Stronghold of Security
The Stronghold of Security in Barbarian Village is a goldmine for mid-level F2P combat training. Its four levels house aggressive monsters ideal for AFK training:
- Flesh Crawlers (Level 28–41): Second level (Catacomb of Famine). High HP (25–40), low Defence, and aggressive. Drops runes and herbs. Expect 8,000–12,000 XP/hour.
- Giant Spiders (Level 50): Third level (Pit of Pestilence). 50 HP, aggressive for 10 minutes (reset by running away or climbing ladders). Yield 15,000–20,000 XP/hour with 40+ Defence.
- Zombies (Level 44–53): Second level. 40–50 HP, aggressive until combat level 107. Drops runes and arrows. Around 8,000–12,000 XP/hour.
Bring plenty of food, as these monsters hit hard. Giant spiders are especially AFK-friendly due to their high spawn density (up to 44 spawns).
Hill Giants and Al Kharid Warriors
For variety, consider these alternatives:
- Hill Giants (Level 28): Edgeville Dungeon (requires brass key). 35 HP, drop big bones (~200 GP each) and limpwurt roots. Yield 10,000–15,000 XP/hour. Great for profit and Prayer XP.
- Al Kharid Warriors (Level 9): Al Kharid Palace. Aggressive in a multicombat area, allowing you to fight multiple at once. Around 6,000–8,000 XP/hour. Convenient for banking in Al Kharid.
Switch to an adamant scimitar at 30 Attack and prioritize Strength training to increase your max hit, boosting XP rates.
High-Level Training (Levels 60–99)
Ogress Warriors in Corsair Cove
For high-level F2P players, ogress warriors (Level 82) in Corsair Cove Dungeon are the best for both XP and profit. Accessible after starting The Corsair Curse, they offer:
- High XP Rates: Up to 25,000–30,000 XP/hour with rune gear and 70+ Defence.
- Valuable Drops: Mithril ore, gems, and runes (e.g., nature runes). Can yield 50,000–100,000 GP/hour.
- Safespot Option: Use Ranged or Magic to avoid damage (maple shortbow for Ranged, Fire Blast for Magic).
Use Protect from Melee (43 Prayer) to extend trips, and bank loot in Corsair Cove or Port Sarim.
Lesser Demons and Greater Demons
For advanced players, demons offer high-risk, high-reward training:
- Lesser Demons (Level 82): Karamja Volcano. 81 HP, drop rune med helms and runes. Safespot available for Ranged/Magic. Around 20,000–25,000 XP/hour.
- Greater Demons (Level 92): Wilderness (Demonic Ruins). 87 HP, high risk due to PKers, but Prayer Points recharge automatically. Up to 30,000 XP/hour. Best for high Defence and Prayer.
Greater demons are only recommended for experienced players with rune gear and ample food. Avoid carrying valuable items in the Wilderness.
AFK Training with Combat Pures
For 1 Defence pures with 80+ Hitpoints, the Free-For-All Clan Wars portal offers the fastest melee XP in F2P. Stock up on jugs of wine and attack other 1 Defence pures. This method can yield 50,000+ XP/hour but requires a dedicated pure account and isn’t viable for main accounts.
Tips for Efficient F2P Combat Training
Maximize your grind with these strategies:
- Upgrade Gear Early: Invest in rune gear as soon as possible to boost DPS and survivability.
- Bank Loot Regularly: Sell drops like big bones, runes, or mithril ore to fund better gear or food.
- Mix Training Spots: Rotate between Stronghold of Security, Hill Giants, and Ogress Warriors to avoid burnout.
- Use AFK Methods: Giant spiders and flesh crawlers are ideal for low-attention training.
- Complete Stronghold of Security: Earn 10,000 GP and fighting boots, which are best-in-slot for F2P.
For ironmen, focus on quests and smithing to unlock gear, and use safespots to conserve food. If you’re aiming for profit, prioritize ogress warriors or hill giants over pure XP spots like spiders.
With these methods, you can hit 99 in any combat skill while enjoying the F2P grind. Whether you’re a new player or a veteran, focus on upgrading gear, banking loot, and mixing up training spots to keep the journey fresh. Happy scaping!