Best Bosses to Solo in Old School RuneScape for Profit and Fun

Solo bossing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most rewarding activities for players looking to test their skills, earn valuable loot, and enjoy engaging combat mechanics. Whether you’re a seasoned PvMer or a beginner dipping your toes into bossing, choosing the right solo bosses can make all the difference. This guide explores the best bosses to solo in OSRS, focusing on accessibility, profitability, and enjoyment. From low-level starters to high-level challenges, we’ve got you covered with detailed strategies and tips to maximize your success.
Solo bossing offers unique advantages: complete control over the fight, no need to split loot, and the satisfaction of mastering complex mechanics on your own. It’s also a great way to progress your account, gain combat experience, and farm rare items like pets or high-value gear. The bosses below are ideal for solo players due to their manageable mechanics, rewarding drops, and varying difficulty levels, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Beginner-Friendly Solo Bosses
If you’re new to bossing or have mid-level stats, these bosses are perfect starting points. They require minimal gear and offer straightforward mechanics, making them accessible while still providing decent rewards.
Giant Mole
The Giant Mole, located beneath Falador Park, is widely regarded as the easiest boss in OSRS. With a combat level of 230, it’s ideal for players with base 60 melee stats and 43 Prayer for Protect from Melee. The Mole burrows underground, requiring you to chase it through its lair, but the fight is low-risk with no complex mechanics.
- Recommended Gear: Dragon dagger (p++), Rune armor, or better.
- Loot: Mole claws and skins (tradeable for bird nests, worth ~20k per kill), potential for pet (1/3,000).
- Tip: Use a light source and the Falador Hard Diary reward (Mole Locator) to track it easily.
Expect 15–20 kills per hour, making it a relaxed introduction to bossing with consistent profit for beginners.
Bryophyta
Bryophyta, the Moss Giant boss in Varrock Sewers, is another excellent choice for low-level players. Accessible with a Mossy Key (dropped by regular Moss Giants), she has a combat level of 128 and a unique mechanic where she summons Growthlings that must be chopped with an axe.
- Recommended Stats: 50+ Attack, Strength, Defence.
- Gear: Rune axe, basic melee setup (e.g., Rune scimitar, Mithril armor).
- Loot: Nature runes, seeds, Bryophyta’s Essence (~1.5m for Staff of Bryophyta).
Bryophyta is perfect for Ironmen or players training combat, offering low-stress fights and decent rewards for minimal effort.
Mid-Tier Solo Bosses for Growing Accounts
Once you’ve got some combat experience, these mid-tier bosses offer better rewards and slightly more challenging mechanics. They’re great for players with 70+ combat stats looking to make serious gold or hunt unique items.
Chaos Fanatic
The Chaos Fanatic, a Wilderness boss at level 42 near the Lava Maze, is a step up in difficulty but remains manageable. With a combat level of 202, he uses magic-based attacks and explosive green orbs, countered by Protect from Missiles and magic defence gear like Black d’hide.
- Recommended Stats: 70+ Ranged, 43+ Prayer.
- Gear: Toxic blowpipe, Black d’hide, or Karil’s armor.
- Loot: Odium Shard 1, Malediction Shard 1 (~1m each), Chaos Runes.
Warning: The Wilderness location means PKer risks. Limit your gear to four valuable items and be ready to escape. With practice, you can achieve 20–25 kills per hour, netting ~500k–1m GP/h.
Barrows Brothers
The Barrows Brothers in Morytania are a unique bossing experience, involving six undead warriors with distinct combat styles. Each brother is fought individually, followed by a crypt fight against a random brother. It’s accessible with mid-level stats and offers a chance at iconic Barrows equipment.
- Recommended Stats: 60+ Attack, Strength, Defence, 43+ Prayer.
- Gear: Magic (e.g., Iban’s Staff), melee weapon, Prayer potions.
- Loot: Barrows sets (e.g., Dharok’s greataxe, Guthan’s spear, ~2–5m each), runes, coins.
Use Protect prayers to counter each brother’s style (e.g., Protect from Melee for Dharok). Completing the Morytania Hard Diary boosts rewards. Expect 8–12 runs per hour, yielding 1–2m GP/h with luck.
High-Level Solo Bosses for Max Profit
For players with 85+ combat stats and high-end gear, these bosses offer top-tier rewards but demand precision and practice. They’re the pinnacle of solo bossing, balancing risk with massive profit potential.
Zulrah
Zulrah, the solo-only snake boss in Zul-Andra, is a fan favorite for its high profit and engaging mechanics. With a combat level of 725, Zulrah cycles through predictable rotations of Magic, Ranged, and Melee attacks, requiring players to switch gear and prayers.
- Recommended Stats: 85+ Magic, 75+ Ranged, 70+ Defence.
- Gear: Trident of the Seas, Toxic blowpipe, Void or Ancestral, Ava’s accumulator.
- Loot: Tanzanite fang, Magic fang, Serpentine visage (~2–3m each), scales, runes (~2m+/h).
Learning Zulrah’s rotations takes time, but once mastered, you can achieve 25–30 kills per hour. It’s one of the best money-makers, often exceeding 2m GP/h, and offers a pet chance (1/4,000).
Vorkath
Vorkath, the undead dragon from Dragon Slayer II, is another top-tier solo boss. Located on Ungael, it has a combat level of 732 and uses a mix of dragonfire, magic, ranged, and special attacks like acid pools and zombified spawns.
- Recommended Stats: 85+ Ranged, 80+ Defence, 74+ Prayer (Rigour).
- Gear: Dragon hunter crossbow, Elite Void, or Armadyl, Salve amulet (e).
- Loot: Skeletal visage (~14m), Draconic visage (~3m), dragonbones, hides (~2–3m/h).
Vorkath is easier to learn than Zulrah and allows 25–30 kills per hour with practice. The dragon hunter crossbow boosts efficiency, and the loot consistency makes it a reliable 2–3m GP/h.
Comparing Solo Bosses
To help you choose, here’s a quick comparison of the bosses based on difficulty, requirements, and rewards.
Boss | Combat Level | Recommended Stats | Profit/Hour | Difficulty |
---|---|---|---|---|
Giant Mole | 230 | 60 Melee, 43 Prayer | ~500k | Very Easy |
Bryophyta | 128 | 50 Melee | ~300–500k | Easy |
Chaos Fanatic | 202 | 70 Ranged, 43 Prayer | ~500k–1m | Moderate |
Barrows Brothers | Varies (93–149) | 60 Melee/Magic, 43 Prayer | ~1–2m | Moderate |
Zulrah | 725 | 85 Magic/Ranged, 70 Defence | ~2m+ | Hard |
Vorkath | 732 | 85 Ranged, 80 Defence | ~2–3m | Hard |
This table highlights how profit scales with difficulty, helping you pick a boss that matches your skill level and goals.
Tips for Successful Solo Bossing
Before diving into these fights, keep these strategies in mind to boost your efficiency and survivability.
Optimize Your Gear and Inventory
Invest in gear that matches your combat style. For example, use Void armor for versatility or Bandos/Armadyl for high-level bosses. Always bring Prayer potions, food (e.g., sharks or brews), and teleports for quick escapes, especially in the Wilderness.
Learn Mechanics Through Practice
Bosses like Zulrah and Vorkath require memorizing attack patterns. Watch guides or use practice modes (e.g., Vorkath’s deathless practice) to build confidence without losing items.
Manage Risk in the Wilderness
For Chaos Fanatic, stay alert for PKers. Use Protect Item prayer and avoid risking more than you’re willing to lose. Scout the area before engaging and have an escape plan, like teleporting to Edgeville.
Track Your Progress
Use the Collection Log to monitor unique drops and set goals, like completing Barrows sets or hunting Vorkath’s pet. It keeps bossing motivating and rewarding.
Solo bossing in OSRS is a thrilling way to challenge yourself and rake in profits. Start with beginner-friendly bosses like the Giant Mole or Bryophyta to build confidence, then progress to mid-tier options like the Barrows Brothers or Chaos Fanatic. For maxed accounts, Zulrah and Vorkath offer unmatched rewards. Whatever your level, there’s a solo boss waiting to test your skills. Grab your gear, study those mechanics, and start slaying!