OSRS Fighter Torso vs Bandos Chestplate Which Is Better for Your Build

OSRS Fighter Torso vs Bandos Chestplate Which Is Better for Your Build

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right armor can make or break your combat efficiency. Two of the most popular melee chest pieces are the Fighter Torso and the Bandos Chestplate. Both offer a +4 Strength bonus, making them top choices for players prioritizing damage output. But which one is better for your account? This blog post dives deep into the stats, acquisition methods, costs, and use cases to help you decide. Whether you’re a mid-game grinder or a late-game PvMer, we’ve got you covered.

The Fighter Torso and Bandos Chestplate are iconic melee armors in OSRS, each with unique strengths. The Fighter Torso is a reward from the Barbarian Assault minigame, while the Bandos Chestplate is a high-value drop from General Graardor in the God Wars Dungeon. Both are prized for their +4 Strength bonus, but they differ in defensive stats, accessibility, and cost.

Fighter Torso Basics

The Fighter Torso, also known as the Penance Torso, requires 40 Defence to equip. It’s obtained by earning 375 Honour Points in each of the four roles (Attacker, Defender, Collector, Healer) in Barbarian Assault, plus one Penance Queen kill. It’s untradable, meaning it costs no GP but requires time and teamwork.

Bandos Chestplate Basics

The Bandos Chestplate, part of the Bandos armor set, requires 65 Defence. It’s dropped by General Graardor and his minions in the God Wars Dungeon, making it a tradable item with a market price around 29 million GP (as of recent Grand Exchange data). It offers superior defensive bonuses and a +1 Prayer bonus.

Stats Comparison Fighter Torso vs Bandos Chestplate

Theoatrixs 199 Combat Training Guide OSRS

Understanding the stat differences is key to choosing between these armors. Below is a detailed comparison of their offensive and defensive bonuses.

Offensive Stats

Both items shine in their identical +4 Strength bonus, which maximizes your max hit for melee attacks. Neither provides attack accuracy bonuses (stab, slash, or crush), so your choice here depends on other factors.

Defensive Stats

The Bandos Chestplate significantly outperforms the Fighter Torso in defensive stats. Here’s a breakdown:

Stat Fighter Torso Bandos Chestplate
Stab Defence +62 +98
Slash Defence +85 +93
Crush Defence +62 +105
Range Defence +67 +90
Magic Defence -10 +26
Prayer Bonus 0 +1

The Fighter Torso’s defensive stats are comparable to a Rune Platebody, with a notable high slash defence (+85) but weaker stab and crush. Its -40 Magic attack bonus makes it ideal for splashing. The Bandos Chestplate, however, offers robust all-around defence, especially against crush and magic, making it better for tanking in PvM or PvP.

Acquisition Time vs Money

The biggest decision factor for most players is how these armors are obtained. Let’s break it down.

Getting the Fighter Torso

Earning the Fighter Torso requires grinding Barbarian Assault, a team-based minigame. With a good team, it takes 2-3 hours to earn 375 Honour Points per role and kill the Penance Queen. For newer players or less coordinated teams, it can take up to 5 hours. No GP is needed, but you’ll need decent combat stats (recommended: 60+ Attack/Strength) and patience to learn the minigame mechanics.

  • Pros: Free, untradable (kept on death below level 20 Wilderness), accessible at 40 Defence.
  • Cons: Time-intensive, requires teamwork, learning curve for Barbarian Assault.

Getting the Bandos Chestplate

The Bandos Chestplate is a drop from General Graardor, with a drop rate of approximately 1/381 for the chestplate itself. Soloing or teaming up in God Wars Dungeon requires high combat stats (80+ recommended) and gear, plus protection from Bandos minions. Alternatively, you can buy it from the Grand Exchange for ~29M GP. This makes it a quick acquisition if you have the cash but a long grind if you’re farming it yourself.

  • Pros: No minigame grind, better defensive stats, tradable (can sell later).
  • Cons: Expensive, requires 65 Defence, risk of losing it in PvP above level 20 Wilderness.

Use Cases and Build Recommendations

Your choice depends on your account’s goals, combat level, and budget. Here’s how each armor fits into different scenarios.

Fighter Torso Best Scenarios

The Fighter Torso is a mid-game staple for players focusing on Slayer training, combat leveling, or splashing. Its low Defence requirement and zero cost make it ideal for:

  • Mid-level accounts: 40-70 Defence players who can’t afford Bandos or meet its requirements.
  • Pure builds: Accounts avoiding high Defence levels (e.g., 45 Defence pures) benefit from the +4 Strength bonus.
  • Splashing: The -40 Magic attack bonus is perfect for AFK magic training.
  • Clue scroll hunters: Required for a master clue step with Falo the Bard.

Recommended Gear Pairings: Combine with Obsidian Legs (+1 Strength), Dragon Defender, and an Amulet of Torture for maximum DPS on a budget.

Bandos Chestplate Best Scenarios

The Bandos Chestplate shines in high-level PvM, PvP, and situations where survivability matters. It’s best for:

  • Endgame PvM: Bossing at places like Zulrah, Cerberus, or Nightmare, where higher defence reduces damage taken.
  • PvP: The extra defence helps in Wilderness or LMS against multi-combat attacks.
  • High Defence builds: 70+ Defence accounts aiming for tanky setups with Barrows or Justiciar gear.

Recommended Gear Pairings: Pair with Bandos Tassets (+2 Strength), Primordial Boots, and Ferocious Gloves for a top-tier melee setup.

Cost-Benefit Analysis and Upgrade Path

For most players, the Fighter Torso is the better early-game choice due to its accessibility. Here’s a strategic approach to your melee gear progression:

Why Start with Fighter Torso

The Fighter Torso is essentially free DPS.

Since it matches the Bandos Chestplate’s Strength bonus, you’re not sacrificing damage by choosing it. The time spent (2-5 hours) is a worthwhile investment, especially since you’ll use it for hundreds of hours in Slayer and combat training. It’s also required for the Kandarin Elite Diary (level 5 in any Barbarian Assault role), adding long-term value.

When to Upgrade to Bandos Chestplate

Upgrade to the Bandos Chestplate when you have excess GP (after buying key upgrades like Amulet of Torture, Primordial Boots, or Bandos Tassets) and are engaging in content where defence matters. For example:

  • You’re tanking in raids like Chambers of Xeric or Theatre of Blood.
  • You’re PvPing in high-risk scenarios where extra defence reduces incoming damage.
  • You’ve completed most mid-game goals and want a flex item for aesthetics.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on cash, sell the Bandos Chestplate later to fund other BiS gear, as it’s tradable.

Other Alternatives

If neither suits your needs, consider these options:

  • Blood Moon Chestplate: Matches the +4 Strength bonus, dropped from the Moons of Peril. Good for mid-game players but requires specific PvM.
  • Inquisitor’s Hauberk: Also +4 Strength, ideal for crush-based weapons, but extremely expensive (~400M GP).
  • Torva Platebody: The best-in-slot with +6 Strength, but costs over 1B GP and requires 80 Defence.

In conclusion, the Fighter Torso is the go-to for mid-game players, pures, and budget builds due to its zero cost and accessibility. The Bandos Chestplate is better for high-level PvM and PvP where its defensive stats shine, but it’s a luxury upgrade. Prioritize the Torso early, then transition to Bandos when your bank and combat goals align. Both are excellent, but your choice depends on time, GP, and playstyle. Happy scaping!