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Best Ranged Off-Hand OSRS Ultimate Guide for 2025
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), ranged combat is a cornerstone of PvM, PvP, and Slayer tasks, offering high damage output and the safety of distance. While your main-hand weapon, like the Toxic Blowpipe or Twisted Bow, grabs the spotlight, the off-hand slot is just as critical for maximizing your ranged effectiveness. The right off-hand can boost accuracy, strength, defense, or utility, making it a game-changer in tough encounters. This guide dives into the best ranged off-hand options in OSRS for 2025, covering their stats, uses, and acquisition methods to help you optimize your ranger build.
The off-hand slot in OSRS enhances your ranged setup by providing additional bonuses that complement your main-hand weapon. Unlike melee or magic, ranged off-hands typically focus on boosting Ranged Attack for accuracy, Ranged Strength for damage, or defensive stats to survive tough fights. Some off-hands also offer unique utility, like prayer bonuses or special effects, making them versatile for specific scenarios. Choosing the right off-hand depends on your Ranged level, budget, and activity—whether it’s bossing, Slayer, or PvP.
Key Factors for Choosing an Off-Hand
- Stat Bonuses: Prioritize Ranged Attack and Strength for damage output.
- Defensive Stats: Useful for tanking in PvM or surviving PvP.
- Utility: Prayer bonuses or special effects can be clutch in prolonged fights.
- Accessibility: Consider your Ranged level and ability to obtain the item.
- Cost: Budget-friendly options are key for newer players or Ironmen.
Top Ranged Off-Hand Options for All Levels
From beginner-friendly books to endgame shields, OSRS offers a variety of ranged off-hands to suit every player. Below, we rank the best options based on their bonuses, accessibility, and overall utility, starting with entry-level gear and progressing to best-in-slot (BiS) items.
Book of Law (Armadyl Book)
The Book of Law is an excellent early-game off-hand for rangers with moderate stats. Requiring 40 Ranged to equip, it provides a solid +10 Ranged Attack bonus, making it a step up from basic options like the Book of Balance (+4 Ranged Attack). It’s also relatively affordable, costing around 1M GP, and offers a +5 Prayer bonus, which is handy for conserving prayer points during Slayer or low-level bossing.
- Requirements: 40 Ranged, completion of Horror from the Deep
- Stats: +10 Ranged Attack, +5 Prayer
- How to Get: Purchase Armadyl page set from the Grand Exchange and combine with a Damaged Book.
- Best For: Low to mid-level players, budget builds, Ironmen.
Unholy Book
For players with a slightly higher budget, the Unholy Book is another accessible option. Like the Book of Law, it requires 40 Ranged and offers +8 Ranged Attack, but it’s slightly cheaper at around 500K-700K GP. Its +5 Prayer bonus makes it viable for extended fights, though it falls short of the Book of Law’s accuracy boost.
- Requirements: 40 Ranged, completion of Horror from the Deep
- Stats: +8 Ranged Attack, +5 Prayer
- How to Get: Purchase Zamorak page set from the Grand Exchange and combine with a Damaged Book.
- Best For: Budget-conscious players, early Slayer tasks.
Odium Ward
The Odium Ward is a mid-to-high-level off-hand that offers a strong balance of offense and defense. With +12 Ranged Attack and +11 Ranged Defense, it’s a significant upgrade over books. Its defensive stats (+52 Stab, +56 Slash, +50 Crush, +24 Magic) make it ideal for PvM scenarios where you need to tank hits, such as at God Wars Dungeon or against Slayer bosses.
- Requirements: 60 Defence
- Stats: +12 Ranged Attack, +11 Ranged Defense, +52 Stab, +56 Slash, +50 Crush, +24 Magic
- How to Get: Crafted using an Odium Shard 3 (dropped by Chaos Fanatic) and two Onyx Bolts at a Singing Bowl in The Gauntlet.
- Best For: Mid-level bossing, PvM, players with 60 Defence.
Twisted Buckler
The Twisted Buckler is a high-end off-hand that shines in both PvP and PvM. It boasts +18 Ranged Attack, +10 Ranged Strength, and impressive defensive stats (+58 Stab, +62 Slash, +56 Crush, +22 Magic, +26 Ranged Defense). Requiring 75 Ranged and 75 Defence, it’s a late-game item but worth the investment for its versatility and power.
- Requirements: 75 Ranged, 75 Defence
- Stats: +18 Ranged Attack, +10 Ranged Strength, +58 Stab, +62 Slash, +56 Crush, +22 Magic, +26 Ranged Defense
- How to Get: Purchased from the Chambers of Xeric reward shop for 90,000 points or traded on the Grand Exchange (~10M GP).
- Best For: High-level PvM, PvP, raids, and bossing.
Antler Guard (Best-in-Slot Prayer Off-Hand)
Introduced in the Varlamore: The Final Dawn update, the Antler Guard is the best-in-slot off-hand for prayer-focused ranged builds. Requiring 50 Prayer to equip, it’s designed for AFK Slayer tasks with prayer gear, offering a unique niche. While its offensive ranged bonuses are minimal, its +5 Prayer and defensive stats make it a situational BiS for specific setups.
- Requirements: 50 Prayer
- Stats: -25 Defensive Stats (subject to change), +5 Prayer
- How to Get: Dropped by Custodia Stalkers in the new Varlamore Slayer dungeon.
- Best For: Prayer-heavy AFK Slayer, niche tanking setups.
Comparing Ranged Off-Hands: Stats and Use Cases
To help you choose the best off-hand, here’s a comparison table summarizing key stats and ideal scenarios for each item:
| Off-Hand | Ranged Attack | Ranged Strength | Prayer Bonus | Defensive Stats | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book of Law | +10 | 0 | +5 | Minimal | Early Slayer, Budget Builds |
| Unholy Book | +8 | 0 | +5 | Minimal | Low-Cost Training |
| Odium Ward | +12 | 0 | 0 | +52 Stab, +56 Slash, +50 Crush, +24 Magic | Mid-Level Bossing, PvM |
| Twisted Buckler | +18 | +10 | 0 | +58 Stab, +62 Slash, +56 Crush, +22 Magic | High-Level PvM, PvP |
| Antler Guard | 0 | 0 | +5 | -25 (TBC) | AFK Slayer, Prayer Builds |
Budget vs. Endgame: Which Off-Hand Suits You?
Your choice of off-hand depends on your Ranged level, combat goals, and budget. Here’s a breakdown to guide your decision:
Budget-Friendly Options (Under 1M GP)
For newer players or those on a tight budget, the Book of Law and Unholy Book are go-to choices. Both are affordable, require only 40 Ranged, and provide decent Ranged Attack bonuses for training or low-level PvM. The Book of Law edges out slightly due to its +10 Ranged Attack, making it the better pick if you can afford it.
Mid-Tier Upgrades (1M-5M GP)
Once you hit 60 Defence, the Odium Ward becomes a fantastic upgrade. Its +12 Ranged Attack and robust defensive stats make it ideal for tackling mid-tier bosses like Saradomin GWD or Slayer tasks. It’s also a solid choice for Ironmen, as the Chaos Fanatic is farmable for the Odium Shard 3.
Endgame Powerhouses (5M+ GP)
For high-level players, the Twisted Buckler is the undisputed king of ranged off-hands in most scenarios. Its +18 Ranged Attack and +10 Ranged Strength make it perfect for raids, high-level bosses, and PvP. The Antler Guard, while niche, is BiS for prayer-focused Slayer builds, especially in the new Varlamore content.
Tips for Maximizing Your Ranged Off-Hand
To get the most out of your off-hand, consider these strategies:
- Pair with High-DPS Weapons: Combine your off-hand with weapons like the Toxic Blowpipe or Armadyl Crossbow for maximum damage output.
- Use with Ava’s Devices: Equip Ava’s Assembler to recover 80% of your ammo, saving costs during long sessions.
- Match Your Activity: Use the Twisted Buckler for DPS-heavy fights, but switch to the Antler Guard for prayer-intensive Slayer tasks.
- Train Ranged Efficiently: Focus on AFK methods like sand crabs or chinning in Monkey Madness tunnels to hit the level requirements for top-tier off-hands.
- Monitor GE Prices: Off-hand prices fluctuate, so check the Grand Exchange for deals on books or the Twisted Buckler.
By selecting the right ranged off-hand for your needs, you’ll boost your combat effectiveness and dominate in OSRS. Whether you’re a budget ranger or an endgame PvMer, there’s an off-hand to suit your playstyle. Equip wisely, and happy ranging!