OSRS Best Melee Training Guide for 2025
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) remains a beloved MMORPG, and mastering melee combat is a core part of the experience. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned adventurer, efficient melee training can significantly boost your Strength, Attack, and Defence stats. This guide dives into the best methods for melee training in OSRS, offering strategies for all levels, gear recommendations, and tips to maximize experience rates. Let’s explore how to level up your melee skills in 2025!
Melee combat in OSRS revolves around three core skills: Attack, Strength, and Defence. Attack determines your accuracy, Strength boosts your damage, and Defence reduces incoming damage. Training these skills efficiently requires choosing the right monsters, gear, and locations. This guide focuses on methods that balance XP rates with accessibility, catering to free-to-play (F2P) and members (P2P) players.
Why Melee Training Matters
Melee is the backbone of many OSRS activities, from slayer tasks to bossing. High melee stats unlock powerful weapons and improve your combat effectiveness, making quests and PvM (Player vs Monster) encounters easier. Plus, melee training is often more straightforward than ranged or magic, requiring less resource management.
Key Factors for Efficient Training
- Monster Selection: Target enemies with low Defence and high HP for optimal XP.
- Gear: Use the best weapons and armor available for your level.
- Locations: Choose areas with multiple enemies to minimize downtime.
- Prayers and Potions: Boosts like Piety and Super Combat Potions enhance performance.
Best Melee Training Methods for Low Levels (1-40)
New players or those starting fresh accounts should focus on accessible monsters and F2P-friendly methods. Here are the best options for levels 1-40.
Chickens (Levels 1-10)
Chickens are the go-to for beginners. Found in Lumbridge, they have low HP (3) and no Defence, making them perfect for quick kills. You can also collect feathers for extra gold.
- Location: Lumbridge chicken coops
- Recommended Gear: Iron scimitar, leather armor
- XP/Hour: ~5,000-10,000
Cows (Levels 10-20)
Cows in Lumbridge or near the Crafting Guild offer slightly more HP (8) and cowhides, which can be sold or used for crafting. They’re ideal for F2P players transitioning from chickens.
- Location: Lumbridge cow field
- Recommended Gear: Steel scimitar, steel armor
- XP/Hour: ~10,000-15,000
Hill Giants (Levels 20-40)
Hill Giants in the Edgeville Dungeon (members) or near Varrock (F2P) are great for mid-level training. They drop big bones, which can be used for Prayer or sold.
- Location: Edgeville Dungeon
- Recommended Gear: Mithril scimitar, adamant armor
- XP/Hour: ~20,000-30,000
Mid-Level Melee Training (40-70)
Once you hit level 40, you can tackle tougher monsters and unlock better weapons like the Rune scimitar. These methods are ideal for both F2P and P2P players.
Rock Crabs (Levels 40-60)
Rock Crabs on Waterbirth Island or in Rellekka are a classic training spot for members. They have high HP (50) and low Defence, making them perfect for AFK training.
- Location: Rellekka shore
- Recommended Gear: Rune scimitar, rune armor
- XP/Hour: ~40,000-60,000
Sand Crabs (Levels 40-70)
Sand Crabs on Hosidius (Zeah) are similar to Rock Crabs but more accessible. They have 60 HP and are highly AFK-friendly, with multiple spawns in one area.
- Location: Crabclaw Isle or Hosidius beach
- Recommended Gear: Rune scimitar, strength amulet
- XP/Hour: ~50,000-70,000
Experiments (Levels 50-70)
Found in the Experiment Cave (members), these creatures have 100 HP and no Defence, offering excellent XP rates. They’re less crowded than crabs, making them a hidden gem.
- Location: Experiment Cave (Canifis)
- Recommended Gear: Dragon scimitar, obsidian armor
- XP/Hour: ~60,000-80,000
High-Level Melee Training (70-99)
For advanced players, high-level training focuses on maximizing XP rates and potentially earning profit through slayer or bossing. These methods require better gear and access to members’ content.
Nightmare Zone (NMZ)
The Nightmare Zone is the gold standard for melee training. It offers customizable bosses, AFK potential, and high XP rates. Use absorption potions and overloads for optimal results.
- Location: Yanille
- Recommended Gear: Abyssal whip, Bandos armor, Primordial boots
- XP/Hour: ~100,000-150,000
Slayer Training
Training melee through Slayer combines XP with profit. Tasks like Dust Devils or Gargoyles offer decent XP and valuable drops. Use a Black Mask or Slayer Helmet for bonus damage.
- Location: Varies (Slayer Masters)
- Recommended Gear: Abyssal bludgeon, Torag’s armor
- XP/Hour: ~80,000-120,000
Bandits in the Desert
Bandits in the Pollnivneach Desert (members) are great for semi-AFK training. Equip a Saradomin or Zamorak item to make them aggressive, and use a cannon for faster kills.
- Location: Pollnivneach
- Recommended Gear: Dragon dagger (p++), Dharok’s armor
- XP/Hour: ~70,000-100,000
Gear and Inventory Setup
Choosing the right gear is crucial for efficient melee training. Below is a table summarizing recommended setups for different levels.
| Level Range | Weapon | Armor | Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-20 | Iron/Steel Scimitar | Leather/Steel Armor | Amulet of Strength |
| 20-40 | Mithril/Adamant Scimitar | Adamant Armor | Combat Bracelet |
| 40-70 | Rune/Dragon Scimitar | Rune/Obsidian Armor | Berserker Ring |
| 70-99 | Abyssal Whip/Bludgeon | Bandos/Dharok’s Armor | Fire Cape, Primordial Boots |
Inventory Tips
- Potions: Super Strength, Super Attack, and Prayer Potions for boosts.
- Food: Sharks or Monkfish for healing during longer sessions.
- Teleports: Bring teleport tabs for quick banking or travel.
Tips for Maximizing Melee XP
To get the most out of your melee training, consider these strategies:
- Use Prayers: Piety or Ultimate Strength prayers significantly boost damage output.
- Train During Boosts: Events like double XP weekends can accelerate your progress.
- Optimize Attack Styles: Switch between Controlled, Aggressive, and Defensive styles based on your goals.
- AFK Strategically: Use spots like Sand Crabs or NMZ for low-effort training.
Free-to-Play Limitations
F2P players are limited to basic gear (up to Rune) and fewer training spots. Focus on Hill Giants or Flesh Crawlers in the Stronghold of Security for the best XP rates. Joining a clan can also help with gear sharing and group training.
Members’ Advantages
Members have access to powerful weapons like the Abyssal Whip, better armor, and exclusive areas like the Nightmare Zone. Investing in quests like “Monkey Madness” for the Dragon Scimitar is highly recommended.
By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to 99 Attack, Strength, and Defence in OSRS. Whether you’re grinding chickens in Lumbridge or battling bosses in the Nightmare Zone, there’s a method for every level. Start training today and dominate Gielinor’s combat scene in 2025!