Best Bolts for Training OSRS
Training Ranged in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rewarding journey, but choosing the right bolts for your crossbow can make or break your efficiency and budget. Bolts are the ammunition used by crossbows, crafted through Smithing and Fletching or obtained via monster drops and shops. With so many options, from budget-friendly to high-damage enchanted bolts, it’s crucial to pick the ones that suit your Ranged level, crossbow, and training goals. This guide explores the best bolts for training Ranged in OSRS, balancing cost, damage, and accessibility, while offering tips for Ironman accounts and Slayer tasks.
Bolts are essential for crossbow users, providing varied Ranged Strength bonuses and special effects when enchanted. Most bolts are crafted by combining metal components (via Smithing) with feathers (via Fletching), though some, like Dragon bolts, come from monster drops. Their damage depends on the crossbow’s level, with higher-tier crossbows unlocking the full potential of stronger bolts. For training, you’ll want bolts that offer a good balance of damage and affordability, especially since Ranged training often involves firing thousands of bolts.
Key Factors for Choosing Bolts
- Ranged Strength: Higher bonuses mean more damage, speeding up training.
- Cost: Budget bolts are ideal for prolonged training sessions.
- Accessibility: Some bolts require Slayer levels or specific skills.
- Crossbow Compatibility: Ensure your crossbow can fire the bolts.
Top Bolts for Early and Mid-Level Training
For players with Ranged levels below 61 or limited budgets, early and mid-level bolts are the go-to choice. These bolts are affordable, accessible, and effective for training at places like the Crabs on Fossil Island or the Ogres in the Corsair Cove.
Steel Bolts
Steel Bolts are a solid starting point for low- to mid-level players. With a Ranged Strength bonus of +46, they’re perfect for training with a Steel Crossbow or Dorgeshuun Crossbow.
- Requirements: 31 Ranged, 33 Smithing, 37 Fletching
- Cost: ~20-30 GP each (Grand Exchange)
- Best For: Early Ranged training, budget-conscious players
- Tip: Pair with Ava’s Accumulator to recover some bolts.
Mithril Bolts
Mithril Bolts step up the game with a +82 Ranged Strength bonus, offering better damage for players progressing through the mid-levels.
- Requirements: 36 Ranged, 53 Smithing, 57 Fletching
- Cost: ~50-70 GP each
- Best For: Mid-level training, Slayer tasks like Blue Dragons
- Ironman Tip: Craft these using Mithril bars to save GP.
Emerald Bolts (e)
Enchanted Emerald Bolts add a Magical Poison effect, dealing 5 poison damage per tick, which is great for prolonged fights.
- Requirements: 36 Ranged, 58 Fletching, 27 Magic
- Cost: ~100-150 GP each
- Best For: Slayer tasks, low-level PKing
- Tip: The Hard Kandarin Diary boosts the poison effect chance by 10%.
Best Bolts for High-Level Training
Once you hit 61 Ranged and unlock the Rune Crossbow, high-level bolts become viable. These bolts offer superior damage and are ideal for Slayer tasks, PvM, and efficient training at high XP spots like the Nightmare Zone.
Broad Bolts
Broad Bolts are a fan favorite for high-level training due to their +100 Ranged Strength bonus, matching Adamant Bolts but at a fraction of the cost.
- Requirements: 55 Slayer, 61 Ranged, 55 Fletching (with Broader Fletching unlock)
- Cost: ~50-60 GP each
- Best For: General Ranged training, Slayer tasks (Turoth, Kurasks)
- Ironman Tip: Buy Unfinished Broad Bolts from Slayer Masters for bulk crafting.
Adamant Bolts
Adamant Bolts provide a +100 Ranged Strength bonus and are accessible without Slayer requirements, making them a versatile choice.
- Requirements: 46 Ranged, 73 Smithing, 67 Fletching
- Cost: ~150-200 GP each
- Best For: Mid- to high-level training, PvM
- Tip: Consider Diamond Bolts (e) for a +5 Ranged Strength bonus if budget allows.
Runite Bolts
Runite Bolts offer a +115 Ranged Strength bonus, making them a strong choice for players with Rune or higher-tier crossbows.
- Requirements: 61 Ranged, 88 Smithing, 69 Fletching
- Cost: ~100-150 GP each
- Best For: High-level training, bossing
- Tip: Drops from King Black Dragon or Ancient Wizards can supplement your stock.
Premium Bolts for Endgame Training
For players tackling elite PvM content or aiming for maximum damage, premium bolts like Dragon and Onyx Bolts are unmatched. However, their high cost makes them less practical for general training.
Dragon Bolts
Dragon Bolts boast a +122 Ranged Strength bonus, the highest in OSRS, and serve as the base for powerful enchanted variants.
- Requirements: 64 Ranged, 84 Fletching
- Cost: ~900-1000 GP each
- Best For: Elite PvM (Zulrah, Vorkath), high-stakes PvP
- Ironman Tip: Farm Adamant or Rune Dragons for Unfinished Dragon Bolts.
Ruby Bolts (e)
Enchanted Ruby Bolts have a Blood Forfeit effect, dealing 20% of the target’s HP (up to 100 damage) at the cost of 10% of your HP.
- Requirements: 46 Ranged, 67 Fletching, 49 Magic
- Cost: ~200-300 GP each
- Best For: High-HP bosses (God Wars, Vorkath)
- Tip: Use with Zaryte Crossbow for enhanced effects.
Onyx Bolts (e)
Onyx Bolts (e) feature a Life Leech effect, dealing 20% extra damage and healing you for 25% of the damage dealt.
- Requirements: 61 Ranged, 73 Fletching, 87 Magic
- Cost: ~8500-9000 GP each
- Best For: Fight Caves, high-level PvM
- Tip: Reserve for critical moments due to high cost.
Comparing Bolts for Training Efficiency
To help you choose, here’s a table comparing the best bolts for training based on cost, damage, and requirements.
| Bolt Type | Ranged Strength | Cost (GP) | Ranged Req. | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Bolts | +46 | 20-30 | 31 | Early training |
| Mithril Bolts | +82 | 50-70 | 36 | Mid-level training |
| Broad Bolts | +100 | 50-60 | 61 | Slayer, general training |
| Runite Bolts | +115 | 100-150 | 61 | High-level training |
| Dragon Bolts | +122 | 900-1000 | 64 | Elite PvM |
Tips for Maximizing Bolt Efficiency
To get the most out of your bolts, consider these strategies:
- Use Ava’s Devices: Ava’s Accumulator or Assembler recovers a portion of fired bolts, saving GP.
- Complete Kandarin Diary: The Hard Diary boosts enchanted bolt effect activation by 10%.
- Train at High XP Spots: Sand Crabs, Ammonite Crabs, or Nightmare Zone offer fast XP with minimal bolt loss.
- Stockpile for Ironman: Farm bolts from monsters like Iron Dragons or buy Unfinished Broad Bolts from Slayer Masters.
- Enchant Strategically: Only enchant bolts for specific tasks to avoid wasting resources.
By choosing the right bolts for your Ranged level and training goals, you can optimize both XP rates and GP efficiency. Whether you’re a beginner using Steel Bolts or an endgame player wielding Dragon Bolts, this guide has you covered for training Ranged in OSRS.