Best Cheap Magic Gear in OSRS: Affordable Options for Mages in 2025
If you’re diving into the magical world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and want to maximize your spellcasting without breaking the bank, you’re in the right place. Magic is one of the most versatile combat styles in OSRS, offering powerful spells for combat, utility, and skilling. However, gearing up as a mage can get pricey—especially if you’re eyeing endgame items like the Ancestral Robes or Kodai Wand. Fortunately, there are plenty of budget-friendly options that deliver solid performance for training, PvM, or even PvP. In this guide, we’ll explore the best cheap magic gear in OSRS, perfect for players on a budget in 2025. Whether you’re a beginner or a mid-level mage, these affordable picks will help you cast spells like a pro without draining your gold pile.
Magic gear in OSRS boosts your magic attack, defense, and sometimes damage, making it essential for effective spellcasting. Expensive gear like the Ancestral Set (+69 magic attack) or Trident of the Swamp (+25 magic attack) is fantastic, but not everyone has millions of GP to spare. Cheap magic gear offers a cost-effective way to train Magic, tackle low-to-mid-tier content, or experiment with the combat style before investing heavily. Plus, with the right budget setup, you can still achieve decent accuracy and damage while saving up for those dream items.
Balancing Cost and Performance
The key to affordable magic gear is finding items that offer solid stats for their price. You don’t need maxed-out bonuses to splash at the Lumbridge dummies or take on Barrows runs. Cheap gear often provides enough magic attack and defense to get the job done, especially for early-game players or ironmen who can’t rely on the Grand Exchange (GE).
Who Should Use Budget Magic Gear?
This guide is ideal for new players, F2P adventurers, low-budget P2P members, or anyone looking to train Magic efficiently without overspending. If you’re high-alching, bursting Slayer tasks, or just starting your mage journey, these options will keep your wallet happy.
Best Cheap Magic Armor in OSRS
Armor is the backbone of any magic setup, providing the bulk of your magic attack and defense bonuses. Here are the best affordable options available in 2025, based on current GE prices and accessibility.
Wizard Robes (F2P Friendly)
For absolute beginners or free-to-play players, Wizard Robes are the go-to choice. The set includes the Wizard Hat (+2 magic attack/defense) and Robe Top (+3 magic attack/defense), often paired with a skirt or trousers. Costing under 1K GP total, they’re dirt cheap and widely available from shops like the Varrock clothing store or as drops from low-level monsters.
- Stats: +5 magic attack/defense (Hat + Top)
- Price: ~500-1,000 GP
- Best For: Early Magic training (e.g., splashing)
Mystic Robes (P2P)
Stepping into P2P, Mystic Robes offer a massive upgrade for a modest price. Requiring 40 Magic and 20 Defense, the full set (Hat, Top, Bottoms, Gloves, Boots) provides +35 magic attack and defense. Blue Mystic Robes are the cheapest variant, often dropping from Slayer monsters like Banshees or purchased from the Wizards’ Guild for around 100K-150K GP total.
- Stats: +35 magic attack/defense (full set)
- Price: ~100K-150K GP
- Best For: Mid-level training, Barrows, PvP
Splitbark Armor
For mages needing some melee defense alongside magic bonuses, Splitbark Armor is a hidden gem. Requiring 40 Magic and 40 Defense, it offers +26 magic attack and +36 magic defense for the body and legs, plus decent melee protection. Crafted from bark and fine cloth, it’s around 200K-300K GP on the GE—perfect for hybrid setups or ironmen.
- Stats: +26 magic attack, +36 magic defense (Body + Legs)
- Price: ~200K-300K GP
- Best For: PvM with melee threats, budget ironmen
Top Budget Magic Weapons in OSRS
Your weapon determines your spellcasting power, and luckily, there are some fantastic cheap options that rival pricier staves and wands. Here’s what to grab in 2025.
Elemental Staves (F2P Friendly)
The basic Elemental Staves (Air, Water, Earth, Fire) are free-to-use staples for F2P and early P2P mages. Each provides unlimited runes of its element and a +10 magic attack/defense bonus. The Staff of Air, for example, is under 2K GP and perfect for Wind Strike or high-alching with air runes.
Ancient Staff (P2P)
For P2P players with 50 Magic and 50 Attack, the Ancient Staff is a steal at around 100K GP. It offers +15 magic attack/defense and can autocast Ancient Magicks, making it ideal for bursting Slayer tasks or PvP. Obtain it from the Mage Arena or GE.
- Stats: +15 magic attack/defense
- Price: ~100K GP
- Best For: Ancient Magicks, mid-level PvM/PvP
Trident of the Seas
At 75 Magic, the Trident of the Seas is a game-changer for under 1M GP. With +15 magic attack/defense and a built-in spell (scales with Magic level), it’s perfect for PvM like Kraken or Barrows. Charge it with coins and runes, and you’re set—no rune pouch needed.
- Stats: +15 magic attack/defense
- Price: ~700K-900K GP
- Best For: PvM, Slayer, bossing
Affordable Magic Accessories
Accessories like capes, amulets, and rings can boost your magic stats without costing a fortune. Here are the best budget picks.
God Cape (Imbued)
The Imbued God Cape (Saradomin, Zamorak, or Guthix) requires completing Mage Arena I and costs about 400K-500K GP to imbue. At +15 magic attack/defense and +2% magic strength, it’s the best budget cape for mages.
Amulet of Magic
For F2P or early P2P, the Amulet of Magic offers +10 magic attack for under 1K GP. Craft it with 24 Crafting or buy it from the GE—simple and effective.
- Stats: +10 magic attack
- Price: ~500-1,000 GP
- Best For: Early-game boosting
Seers Ring
The Seers Ring, dropped by Dagannoth Prime, costs around 300K-400K GP and gives +6 magic attack/defense. It’s a solid budget ring for mid-level mages before upgrading to the imbued version.
- Stats: +6 magic attack/defense
- Price: ~300K-400K GP
- Best For: Mid-tier PvM
Sample Budget Magic Gear Setup
Here’s a complete budget setup for a mid-level mage (50-75 Magic) costing under 2M GP total, based on 2025 prices:
| Slot | Item | Stats | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Mystic Hat | +4 magic attack/defense | ~15K GP |
| Body | Mystic Robe Top | +15 magic attack/defense | ~50K GP |
| Legs | Mystic Robe Bottom | +10 magic attack/defense | ~30K GP |
| Weapon | Trident of the Seas | +15 magic attack/defense | ~800K GP |
| Cape | Imbued God Cape | +15 magic attack/defense, +2% magic strength | ~450K GP |
| Amulet | Amulet of Magic | +10 magic attack | ~1K GP |
| Ring | Seers Ring | +6 magic attack/defense | ~350K GP |
| Total | – | +75 magic attack, +65 magic defense | ~1.7M GP |
This setup offers +75 magic attack and +65 magic defense—plenty for Slayer, Barrows, or mid-tier bossing—while staying under 2M GP.
Tips for Using Cheap Magic Gear Effectively
To get the most out of your budget gear, follow these strategies:
Train Smart
Use splashing (e.g., Wind Strike with -65 magic attack) for AFK training or burst tasks like Dust Devils with Ancient Magicks for faster XP. Cheap gear shines in these scenarios.
Upgrade Gradually
Start with Wizard Robes, move to Mystic, then save for Trident or Splitbark. Incremental upgrades keep costs low while improving performance.
Leverage Quests and Minigames
Unlock the Imbued God Cape via Mage Arena I or gather Splitbark materials through crafting. Quests and minigames often provide access to gear without GE reliance.
With these cheap magic gear options, you can dominate OSRS’s magical landscape in 2025 without spending a fortune. From Wizard Robes to the Trident of the Seas, there’s something for every budget and playstyle. Start casting, save your GP, and work your way up to the big leagues!