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Strength 1 to 99 OSRS Leveling Guide

Getting to 99 Strength in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a badge of honor. It’s not just about flexing big numbers; it’s about unlocking your character’s potential to hit harder, clear quests faster, and dominate in PvP or PvE. I’ve been grinding OSRS for years, and Strength was my first 99. Let me tell you, the journey was wild, sweaty, and worth every click. This guide breaks down how to level Strength from 1 to 99, with tips, personal stories, and strategies to make it fun and efficient. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, I’ve got you covered.
Strength is the backbone of melee combat. It boosts your max hit, letting you deal more damage with every swing. Higher Strength means faster kills, better loot, and bragging rights at the Grand Exchange. But why should YOU care?
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Quests: Strength unlocks key quests like Dragon Slayer II.
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Combat: Higher Strength makes you a beast in PvP and PvE.
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Fun: Smacking monsters for big damage is just satisfying.
When I started, I was obsessed with hitting harder in the Duel Arena. That drive pushed me to train Strength relentlessly. What’s your reason for chasing 99?
Starting Out – Levels 1 to 30
The early levels are a breeze, but they set the tone for your grind. You don’t need fancy gear or millions of GP to start. A basic weapon and some enthusiasm will do.
Best Methods for Early Levels
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Chickens (Levels 1-10): Head to Lumbridge’s chicken coop. These feathered friends are easy pickings, and you can grab feathers for some starter cash. I used to spend hours here, dreaming of maxing out while picking up feathers for my Fletching grind later.
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Cows (Levels 10-20): The cow pen near Lumbridge is perfect. Cows drop hides, which you can sell or bank for Crafting. I remember my first cow kill I accidentally misclicked and attacked a cowherd. Total noob moment!
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Goblins (Levels 20-30): Goblins around Lumbridge or near Varrock are great. They’re weak, drop decent loot, and are everywhere. Plus, who doesn’t love smashing goblins?
Gear and Setup
You don’t need much at this stage. Grab a Black Scimitar or Mithril Scimitar from the Grand Exchange, some basic armor like Iron or Steel, and you’re set. If you’re broke, the Iron Scimitar from the Varrock Sword Shop works fine. I started with a Bronze Sword because I was too cheap to buy anything better. Big mistake it was so slow!
Pro Tip: Use the Strength attack style on your weapon to maximize Strength XP. Check your combat settings and make sure you’re not accidentally training Attack or Defence.
Mid-Level Grind – Levels 30 to 60
Now things get interesting. You’re past the noob phase, and monsters start hitting back. This is where I really got hooked on the grind, chasing those sweet XP gains.
Best Training Spots
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Hill Giants (Levels 30-50): These big boys in the Edgeville Dungeon are a classic. They drop Big Bones for Prayer XP and limpwurt roots for Herblore. I spent way too many hours here, hoarding bones for my Prayer grind. Pro tip: Bring a brass key for quick dungeon access.
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Rock Crabs (Levels 40-60): Found on Waterbirth Island or in Rellekka, these crabs are XP machines. They have low HP, high respawn rates, and barely fight back. My first trip to Rock Crabs was a game-changer I hit 50 Strength in a weekend!
Gear Upgrades
Upgrade to a Rune Scimitar or Rune 2h Sword for faster kills. If you’ve got some GP, the Dragon Scimitar (after Monkey Madness I) is a game-changer. I saved up for weeks to afford mine, and the moment I equipped it, I felt unstoppable. Wear Amulet of Strength and Rune Armor for a nice boost. If you’re a free-to-play player, stick with Rune gear it’s solid.
Quests for Strength XP
Quests are a great way to skip some grinding. Here’s a quick list of quests with Strength rewards:
Quest |
Strength XP |
Level Requirement |
Notes |
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13,750 |
None |
Amazing early XP boost. Be careful of high-level mobs! |
|
The Grand Tree |
7,900 |
25 Agility |
Fun quest, great XP. |
Tree Gnome Village |
11,450 |
None |
Quick and easy for early levels. |
I did Waterfall Quest at level 20, and the XP boost shot me straight to 30. It felt like cheating, but in a good way. Have you tried these quests yet? They’re worth it.
Pushing to High Levels – Levels 60 to 80
This is where the grind gets real. You’ll start seeing big hits, but the XP requirements climb fast. I remember hitting 70 Strength and feeling like a god in the Duel Arena, only to realize I was still miles from 99.
Top Training Methods
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Sand Crabs (Levels 60-70): Similar to Rock Crabs but on Zeah (Hosidius). They’re crowded, but the XP is worth it. I used to AFK here while watching movies just don’t forget to reset aggro every 10 minutes!
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Ammonite Crabs (Levels 60-80): Also on Zeah, these are slightly better than Sand Crabs for XP and less crowded. I switched here at 65 and never looked back.
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Nightmare Zone (NMZ): Unlocked after a few mini-quests, NMZ is a dream for AFK training. Use Normal Mode with bosses like Bouncer or King Roald for steady XP. I’d set up NMZ with absorption potions and AFK for hours. It’s a lifesaver for busy players.
Gear and Inventory
At this point, invest in a Dragon Scimitar or Abyssal Whip if you can afford it. The Saradomin Sword is another solid option for its Strength XP boost. Wear Obsidian Armor or Bandos Armor for better stats. My go-to was the Whip with a Fighter Torso I earned from Barbarian Assault. That torso took forever, but it’s so worth it.
Inventory Setup:
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10-15 pieces of food (Sharks or Monkfish)
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Emergency teleport (like a Varrock Tab)
Question: What’s your favorite weapon to train with? I’m curious!
The Final Push – Levels 80 to 99
This is it the home stretch. The grind to 99 is long (13M XP, yikes!), but the feeling of hitting that golden cape is unreal. I still remember my 99 Strength party at the Falador Party Room. Friends, fireworks, and a lot of flexing.
Best Methods for Endgame
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Nightmare Zone (NMZ): Still king for AFK training. Use Hard Mode with bosses like Moss Giant or Sand Snake for max XP (up to 70k XP/hour). I practically lived in NMZ from 85 to 99.
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Slayer Tasks: If you’re also training Slayer, use a Black Mask or Slayer Helm for a damage boost. Tasks like Dust Devils or Gargoyles give solid Strength XP. I mixed Slayer with Strength training to keep things fresh.
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Chinning/Bursting (Expensive): If you’ve got millions to burn, chinning with Red Chinchompas in the Monkey Madness II tunnels can hit 200k+ XP/hour. I tried this once, but my bank account cried.
Gear for the Elite
Go all out with Abyssal Whip, Saradomin Sword, or even a Blade of Saeldor if you’re rich. Pair it with Bandos Armor, Primordial Boots, and a Berserker Ring (i). I splurged on a Dragonfire Shield for the style points, but it’s not necessary. Use Piety Prayer for a massive Strength boost.
Pro Tip: If you’re in NMZ, use Overloads from Herblore to max your stats temporarily. They’re pricey but worth it for the XP.
How Long Does It Take?
Here’s a rough estimate of hours to hit 99 Strength, based on my experience and common methods:
Method |
XP/Hour |
Hours to 99 |
Notes |
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Rock Crabs |
30k |
430+ |
Free, but slow. |
NMZ (Normal) |
50k |
260 |
AFK-friendly, affordable. |
NMZ (Hard) |
70k |
185 |
Requires setup, but fast. |
Chinning |
200k+ |
65+ |
Expensive, needs high Ranged too. |
I stuck with NMZ and hit 99 in about 200 hours. It felt like forever, but seeing that cape made it all worth it. How many hours are you ready to commit?
Tips and Tricks from My Grind
Here are some nuggets of wisdom from my journey to 99 Strength:
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Mix It Up: Don’t burn out on one method. I alternated between NMZ and Slayer to stay sane.
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Use Boosts: Piety Prayer, Super Strength Potions, or Overloads can shave hours off your grind.
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Bank Efficiently: Keep your inventory lean to minimize banking trips. I learned this the hard way after running to the bank every 10 minutes.
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Join a Clan: Chatting with clanmates made long grinds fun. Plus, they might throw you a 99 party!
Question: What’s the toughest part of the Strength grind for you? For me, it was staying focused during those long NMZ sessions.
My 99 Strength Story
I’ll never forget the moment I hit 99. I was in NMZ, half-asleep, clicking away at King Roald. When the level-up message popped, I screamed so loud my roommate thought I’d won the lottery. I ran to Falador, bought my Strength Cape, and threw a party with my clan. The emote felt so good to spam. That cape still sits in my bank, a reminder of the grind.
What’s your dream moment for hitting 99? Picture it it’ll keep you motivated.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Wrong Attack Style: Always use the Strength-focused style (like “Slash” on a Scimitar). I wasted hours training Attack by mistake.
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Ignoring Quests: Early quests like Waterfall Quest save so much time. Don’t skip them!
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Burning Out: Take breaks. I pushed too hard at 90 and nearly quit. Pace yourself.
Final Thoughts
The road to 99 Strength in OSRS is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about finding a rhythm, enjoying the grind, and celebrating the small wins. Whether you’re smashing chickens in Lumbridge or AFKing in NMZ, every XP counts. My journey taught me patience, and I hope this guide helps you find your own path to that shiny cape.
What’s your next step? Grab that Scimitar, pick a spot, and start swinging. You’ve got this!