Best Beginner Bosses in OSRS: Your Guide to Starting PvM in 2025
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a treasure trove of adventure, and for new players, diving into bossing is one of the most exciting milestones. Whether you’re looking to earn gold, gain combat experience, or snag some cool loot, taking on bosses is a fantastic way to level up your account. But where do you start? The world of Gielinor is packed with fearsome foes, and not all are beginner-friendly. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to the best beginner bosses in OSRS—perfect for players just stepping into player-versus-monster (PvM) content in 2025. These bosses offer simple mechanics, accessible requirements, and rewarding drops to help you build confidence and skills.
Bossing in OSRS is a rite of passage. It teaches you combat mechanics, resource management, and how to gear up effectively. Starting with easier bosses lets you dip your toes into PvM without the steep learning curve of high-level encounters like Zulrah or the Theatre of Blood. Plus, these beginner bosses provide decent rewards—think gold, gear upgrades, and even a shot at rare items—all while requiring minimal stats and preparation. Let’s explore the top picks for new adventurers.
Top 5 Beginner Bosses in OSRS
Here’s our list of the best bosses for beginners in OSRS. Each one is approachable, offers decent loot, and helps you practice foundational PvM skills. We’ve ranked them based on ease of access, simplicity of mechanics, and overall newbie-friendliness.
1. Giant Mole – The Easiest Entry Point
The Giant Mole is widely regarded as the simplest boss in OSRS, making it the ultimate starting point for beginners. Found beneath Falador Park, this oversized rodent is perfect for players with mid-level combat stats (around 50-60 Melee) and basic gear.
- Location: Under Falador Park (dig with a spade on a molehill)
- Requirements: Light source (e.g., lantern), 43 Prayer recommended for Protect from Melee
- Mechanics: The Mole burrows around its lair; just follow and hit it. No complex attacks.
- Loot: Mole claws, mole skins (trade for bird nests), ~20K GP per kill
Why It’s Great for Beginners: With no dangerous special attacks and a predictable pattern, the Giant Mole is low-risk. Use Protect from Melee to negate most damage, and bring a light source to navigate the tunnels. Completing the Falador Hard Diary unlocks the Mole Locator, making it even easier to track. At 900K GP/hour potential, it’s also a solid money-maker for newbies.
2. Barrows Brothers – A Taste of Variety
The Barrows Brothers offer a step up from the Giant Mole but remain highly accessible. This minigame-style boss fight involves taking on six undead warriors in Morytania, each with a unique combat style.
- Location: Barrows mounds, east of Mort’ton
- Requirements: Priest in Peril quest, 43 Prayer, mid-level combat (50+)
- Mechanics: Fight each brother with the right protection prayer (e.g., Protect from Melee for Dharok), then loot the chest.
- Loot: Barrows gear (e.g., Dharok’s greataxe, Guthan’s set), runes, coins
Why It’s Great for Beginners: Barrows introduces prayer-switching and multi-enemy combat without overwhelming complexity. It’s forgiving with decent gear (like Rune armor), and the rewards are iconic—perfect for upgrading your setup or banking some gold.
3. Bryophyta – Free-to-Play Mossy Mayhem
Bryophyta, the Moss Giant boss, is a fantastic option for free-to-play (F2P) players or low-level members looking to test their skills. She lurks in the Varrock Sewers and is one of the easiest bosses to tackle early on.
- Location: Varrock Sewers (requires a Mossy Key from regular Moss Giants)
- Requirements: 40+ combat stats, an axe for Growthlings
- Mechanics: Attack Bryophyta and chop down her summoned Growthlings to prevent healing.
- Loot: Nature runes, seeds, Bryophyta’s Essence (for Staff of Bryophyta)
Why It’s Great for Beginners: Bryophyta’s single mechanic—dealing with Growthlings—is straightforward. F2P players can use a Rune axe and basic armor, while members can speed things up with better gear. The loot is especially useful for Ironmen or those building early-game wealth.
4. Obor – The Hill Giant Heavyweight
Obor, the Hill Giant boss, is another F2P-friendly option that’s perfect for beginners. Found in the Edgeville Dungeon, he’s a beefy target with simple attacks, making him an ideal early boss.
- Location: Edgeville Dungeon (requires a Giant Key from Hill Giants)
- Requirements: 40+ combat stats, ranged/magic recommended
- Mechanics: Uses melee and ranged attacks; safe-spot with Entangle or ranged hits.
- Loot: Hill Giant Club, runes, big bones
Why It’s Great for Beginners: Obor’s attacks are predictable, and you can mitigate damage by kiting or using a safe spot. The Hill Giant Club is a standout drop for F2P, offering a strong weapon upgrade or a nice chunk of GP.
5. Chaos Fanatic – Wilderness Warm-Up
For players ready to brave the Wilderness, the Chaos Fanatic is an excellent beginner boss with slightly more challenge but manageable mechanics. He’s a wild mage with erratic attacks, perfect for practicing movement and prayer.
- Location: West of the Lava Maze, Wilderness (level 40-42)
- Requirements: 60+ Ranged, Protect from Magic, minimal gear (risk only 3-4 items)
- Mechanics: Dodges his explosive AoE attacks while hitting with ranged/magic.
- Loot: Odium/Malediction shards, bones, runes
Why It’s Great for Beginners: The Chaos Fanatic introduces Wilderness risk and basic dodging, preparing you for tougher bosses. A Toxic Blowpipe or Magic Shortbow makes quick work of him, and the shards can fetch decent GP.
Gear and Preparation Tips for Beginner Bosses
Before you charge into battle, let’s cover the essentials for taking on these beginner bosses. You don’t need BiS (best-in-slot) gear—just solid basics to get the job done.
Recommended Gear
- Melee: Rune armor, Rune scimitar or whip (if available)
- Ranged: Green d’hide, Magic Shortbow, or Toxic Blowpipe
- Magic: Mystic robes, Staff of Air/Water
- Prayer: 43+ for protection prayers
Stick to affordable gear you’re comfortable losing, especially in the Wilderness. Bring food (lobsters or better) and a teleport for emergencies.
Inventory Setup
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Food (10-15) | Healing during fights |
| Prayer Potions (2-4) | Maintain protection prayers |
| Teleport (e.g., Varrock Tab) | Quick escape |
| Spade/Light Source | For Giant Mole access |
Adjust based on the boss—add an axe for Bryophyta or extra food for Barrows runs.
Strategies to Succeed as a Beginner
Success in bossing isn’t just about gear—it’s about strategy. Here’s how to tackle these fights like a pro, even as a newbie.
Learn the Mechanics
Each boss has a gimmick: the Mole burrows, Bryophyta summons Growthlings, and the Chaos Fanatic throws explosives. Watch a quick YouTube guide or practice a few runs to get the hang of it.
Prayer Is Your Friend
Protection prayers (Melee, Ranged, Magic) cut damage significantly. Toggle them based on the boss’s attack style—e.g., Protect from Melee for Giant Mole, Protect from Magic for Chaos Fanatic.
Start Small, Scale Up
Begin with the Giant Mole or Bryophyta to build confidence, then move to Barrows or Wilderness bosses. Each victory preps you for tougher challenges like Vorkath or Zulrah down the line.
Benefits of Bossing Early in OSRS
Why bother with bosses as a beginner? The perks are worth it:
- Gold: Consistent income from drops (e.g., 900K/hour from Giant Mole)
- Combat XP: Level up Attack, Strength, and Defense fast
- Gear Upgrades: Barrows sets or Hill Giant Clubs boost your power
- Confidence: Mastering these fights sets you up for bigger PvM goals
Plus, it’s just plain fun to take down a boss and see that loot hit your inventory!
Ready to start your bossing journey in OSRS? The Giant Mole, Barrows Brothers, Bryophyta, Obor, and Chaos Fanatic are your perfect entry points in 2025. Grab your gear, stock your inventory, and head out to Gielinor’s battlegrounds. With practice, you’ll go from newbie to PvM pro in no time. Which boss will you tackle first? Let us know in the comments!