Combat Leveling Guide OSRS for Beginners and Veterans

Leveling combat in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most exciting parts of the game. Whether you’re swinging a scimitar at goblins or casting spells on rock crabs, the grind to max combat stats is a journey every player remembers. As someone who’s spent countless hours in Gielinor, I’ve gone from a clueless noob to a maxed combat account, and I’m here to share everything I’ve learned. This guide covers efficient training methods, gear setups, and insider tips to make your combat leveling smooth and fun. Let’s dive into the chaos of combat training!

Combat is the heart of OSRS. It unlocks quests, bosses, and PvP content. Higher combat stats mean you can tackle tougher enemies, earn better loot, and flex on your friends. But where do you start? Should you focus on Attack, Strength, or Defence? What about Magic or Ranged? I’ve been there, standing in Lumbridge wondering why my bronze dagger wasn’t cutting it (literally). The key is understanding your goals and picking the right training method for your playstyle.

My First Combat Grind: A Noob’s Tale

When I started OSRS, I was a total mess. I remember attacking chickens in Lumbridge with a bronze sword, thinking I was a warrior. It took me days to realize I was barely gaining XP. My first big “aha” moment was discovering rock crabs. These low-level monsters changed everything. They have high HP, low attack, and respawn fast, making them perfect for early training. Trust me, finding the right spot early on saves you hours of frustration.

Best Combat Skills to Train First

Which combat skill should you prioritize? It depends on your goals, but here’s my take based on years of grinding:

• Attack: Improves accuracy. Train this first if you want to hit more often.

• Strength: Boosts damage. This is my go-to for faster kills and better XP rates.

• Defence: Increases survivability. Great for tanking hits, but not always the priority.

• Magic: Awesome for safe-spotting and teleports. I used it for quests early on.

• Ranged: Perfect for safe training and bossing later. I ignored it at first and regretted it.

Pro tip: If you’re a pure (like I was for a while), focus on Attack and Strength, and skip Defence to keep your combat level low.

Balancing Melee, Magic, and Ranged

Should you train one style or all three? I used to obsess over melee because it felt badass, but neglecting Magic and Ranged bit me later when I needed them for quests like Dragon Slayer II. A balanced approach is smarter. Train melee for early levels, then sprinkle in Magic and Ranged for versatility. Trust me, you don’t want to be level 80 combat and stuck casting Wind Strike.

Early Game Combat Training (Levels 1-40)

Starting out is tough. You’re weak, your gear sucks, and you die to a level 3 rat. Been there. Here’s how to power through the early levels.

Best Monsters for Low Levels

• Chickens (Lumbridge): 3 HP, no threat. Great for levels 1-10. I spent hours here collecting feathers for cash.

• Cows (Lumbridge or Falador): 8 HP, drops cowhides for early money. Perfect for levels 10-20.

• Goblins (Lumbridge): 5 HP, easy to kill. I used them to hit Attack level 20.

• Rock Crabs (Rellekka): The holy grail of early training. 50 HP, barely fight back. I grinded here to level 40 Strength in a weekend.

Gear and Inventory Setup

When I was a noob, I rocked whatever I could afford. Here’s a simple setup for early levels:

Item	Recommendation	Why?
Weapon	Steel Scimitar / Black Scimitar	Fast and affordable. I bought mine from the Varrock sword shop.
Armor	Iron or Steel Armor	Cheap and decent defence. Check the Grand Exchange.
Amulet	Amulet of Strength	Boosts damage. I got mine from a random drop and felt like a king.
Food	Trout or Salmon	Cheap, heals decently. I fished my own in Barbarian Village.
Inventory Extras	Teleport Runes, Emergency Food	Lumbridge teleport saves you if you mess up. Trust me, you will.

Tip: Always bring a teleport and some food. I learned this the hard way after dying to a random aggressive monster.

Mid-Game Combat Training (Levels 40-70)

Once you hit level 40, the game opens up. You can fight tougher monsters and afford better gear. This is where I started feeling like a real adventurer.

Best Training Spots

• Hill Giants (Edgeville Dungeon): 35 HP, drops big bones for Prayer XP. I used these for Strength training.

• Ogres (South of Castle Wars): 60 HP, decent drops. I trained here for Attack and Defence.

• Sand Crabs (Hosidius): Like rock crabs but beefier. 60 HP, great for AFK training. I loved these for chill sessions.

• Experiments (Fenkar’s Castle): 100 HP, no attack. Perfect for pures. I grinded here for hours while watching Netflix.

Upgrading Your Gear

By now, you can afford some shiny new gear. Here’s what I used:

Item	Recommendation	Why?
Weapon	Rune Scimitar / Dragon Scimitar	Rune is cheap, Dragon is a flex. I saved up for the Dragon Scim at 60 Attack.
Armor	Rune Armor	Solid defence, looks cool. I felt unstoppable in full Rune.
Amulet	Amulet of Power	Balanced stats boost. I swapped to this from Strength.
Boots	Climbing Boots / Rune Boots	Cheap and effective. I got Climbing Boots from Tenzing in Burthorpe.
Rings	Ring of Wealth (optional)	Better drops, but not essential. I skipped this to save cash.

Question: Ever died to a bad gear choice? I did, trying to tank ogres in leather armor. Stick to Rune for safety.

Late-Game Combat Training (Levels 70-99)

This is where the grind gets real. You’re no longer a noob, but the XP rates slow down. I remember hitting level 70 Strength and thinking, “I’m close!” Spoiler: I wasn’t. Here’s how to push through.

Nightmare Zone: The Ultimate Grind

Nightmare Zone (NMZ) is a game-changer. I spent months here maxing my melee stats. You fight bosses from quests in a dream world, earning XP and points for rewards. Here’s why I love it:

• Customizable fights: Pick easy bosses like Count Draynor for fast XP.

• AFK-friendly: Use absorption potions and overloads for minimal clicking. I watched entire movies while training.

• Rewards: Points buy imbues and herbs. I funded my herblore with NMZ points.

How to start: Finish 5 quests (like Vampire Slayer or Tree Gnome Village) to unlock NMZ. Talk to Dominic Onion in Yanille. I messed this up by forgetting quests, so double-check your progress.

Slayer: Train While Earning

Slayer is my favorite way to train combat. You get tasks to kill specific monsters, leveling Slayer alongside combat. I started Slayer at level 50 combat and never looked back. Here’s why it rocks:

• Variety: No more repetitive crabs. Tasks like trolls or dust devils keep it fresh.

• Profit: Drops like rune items or alchs add up. I made millions from Slayer.

• Unlocks: Boss tasks like Abyssal Sire are endgame goals.

Tip: Use a Slayer Helmet for a 16.67% XP boost. I got mine at level 55 Slayer and it was a game-changer.

Magic Training: From Fire Bolt to Ancients

Magic was my weak spot for years. I stuck to melee until I needed Magic for quests. Here’s how I leveled it:

• Low Levels (1-43): Cast Fire Strike on safe-spotted monsters like lesser demons. I used the Karamja dungeon.

• Mid Levels (43-55): High Alchemy for profit and XP. I alched yew longbows while watching TV.

• High Levels (55-99): Burst or Barrage on Ancients in multi-combat areas like the Monkey Madness II tunnels. I hit 94 Magic here in a week.

Question: What’s your favorite spell? Mine’s Ice Barrage for the freeze effect.

Ranged Training: Bows and Blowpipes

Ranged is clutch for bossing and PvP. I ignored it early on, but here’s how I caught up:

• Low Levels (1-40): Use a shortbow on rock crabs. Cheap and effective.

• Mid Levels (40-70): Magic Shortbow with rune arrows at ogres. I got 60 Ranged here fast.

• High Levels (70-99): Toxic Blowpipe in NMZ or Slayer. I borrowed one from a clanmate and hit 99 in weeks.

Gear Tip: Black D’hide and Ava’s Accumulator are must-haves. I saved up for Ava’s and never regretted it.

Advanced Tips from My Experience

After years of grinding, here are my top tips:

1. Use Potions: Super Attack/Strength potions boost XP rates. I always kept a stack in my bank.

2. Quest for XP: Quests like Waterfall Quest give huge early XP. I skipped days of grinding by doing this first.

3. Join a Clan: Clanmates share tips and gear. My clan lent me a Dragon Scimitar when I was broke.

4. AFK Smart: Sand crabs and NMZ let you train while studying or working. I maxed Defence during college lectures.

5. Track Progress: Use a HiScores tracker. Seeing my rank climb kept me motivated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made every mistake in the book. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Training on Bad Monsters: Killing low-HP enemies past level 40 is slow. I wasted days on goblins.

• Ignoring Quests: Quests unlock training spots and XP. I delayed Monkey Madness and regretted it.

• Poor Inventory Management: Always bring food and teleports. I died in the Wilderness once because I forgot runes.

Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Grind

Combat leveling in OSRS is a marathon, not a sprint. I remember the grind feeling endless, but every level felt like a victory. Whether you’re smashing crabs or bursting in NMZ, find what makes it fun for YOU. What’s your favorite training spot? Drop a comment and let me know! Keep swinging, and you’ll hit 99 before you know it.