Fastest Defence XP in OSRS – Ultimate Training Guide

Levelling up Defence in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can feel like a grind, but with the right methods, you can hit 99 faster than you might think. Defence is crucial for unlocking high-tier armour, surviving tough bosses, and completing achievement diaries. This guide dives into the fastest ways to gain Defence XP, from questing to end-game training methods, ensuring you maximize efficiency. Whether you’re a main, pure, or ironman, we’ve got you covered with proven strategies to boost your Defence level quickly.

Defence reduces damage taken in combat, making it essential for PvM, Slayer, and tank roles. Higher Defence levels unlock powerful gear like Barrows armour (level 70) and Justiciar (level 75), which are game-changers for end-game content. Additionally, quests and diaries like Recipe for Disaster and the Falador Hard Diary require specific Defence levels. Training Defence efficiently saves time and opens up more gameplay opportunities.

Benefits of High Defence

• Access to Better Gear: Equip Dragon, Barrows, or Bandos armour for superior stats.
• Improved Survivability: Take less damage in PvM and PvP scenarios.
• Quest and Diary Completion: Meet requirements for major milestones like Barrows gloves.
• Slayer Efficiency: Tank hits from tough monsters during tasks.

Questing for Early Defence XP

Questing is the fastest way to kickstart your Defence training, especially for low-level accounts. Completing specific quests can propel you to level 51 Defence in just a few hours, skipping the slow grind of early combat training. These quests offer substantial XP rewards and often have minimal requirements, making them ideal for fresh accounts or pures managing Defence carefully.

Top Defence XP Quests

Quest	Defence XP	Requirements	Notes
The Blood Pact	100	None	Free-to-play, quick for new accounts
A Soul’s Bane	500	None	Low-level combat, easy
Dragon Slayer	18,650	32 Quest Points	Free-to-play, unlocks Rune Platebody
Holy Grail	15,300	20 Attack, Merlin’s Crystal	Moderate combat
Camelot Training Room	20,000	65 Defence, King’s Ransom	High requirements, huge XP

Total Defence XP from Quests: 116,937 (enough for level 51 from level 1)

Questing Tips

• Follow Optimal Quest Order: Use the OSRS Optimal Quest Guide to minimize skill training.
• Stock Up: Bring food (e.g., trout, lobsters) and decent gear like an Iron Scimitar.
• Combine Rewards: Pair Defence quests with those unlocking teleports (e.g., Gnome Gliders).
• Avoid Unwanted XP: For pures, skip quests like Monkey Madness I unless choosing Defence XP carefully.

Fastest Defence Training Methods

Once you’ve exhausted quest XP, it’s time to hit the training spots. The fastest Defence XP methods involve high-intensity combat with specific gear and setups. Below, we outline the top methods, focusing on XP per hour and requirements.

Dinh’s Bulwark at Nechryaels (420k XP/Hour)

The absolute fastest Defence XP in OSRS comes from using Dinh’s Bulwark at Nechryaels in the Catacombs of Kourend. This method requires 75 Attack and Defence, plus access to alt accounts or friends for special attack energy transfers. The Bulwark’s special attack hits up to 10 enemies in an 11×11 area, making it ideal for multi-combat zones with densely packed monsters.

• Requirements: 75 Attack/Defence, Lunar Diplomacy (for Energy Transfer spell), 70 Prayer (Piety).
• Setup: Full Bandos, Dinh’s Bulwark, Dragon Claws (for special attack synergy), Amulet of Torture.
• XP Rate: Up to 420k XP/hour with 3 alt accounts; 200k solo.
• Location: Nechryaels in Catacombs of Kourend.
• Tip: Use alt accounts to cast Energy Transfer, teleport to a house, and return to maximize efficiency.

Pest Control (Post-Combat Achievements)

At combat level 100, Pest Control becomes the fastest solo Defence training method if you’ve completed Combat Achievements. Extra points from achievements boost XP rates, and it’s less click-intensive than Dinh’s Bulwark.

• Requirements: Combat level 100, Combat Achievements (Hard tier recommended).
• Setup: Full Dharok’s, Amulet of Fury, Dragon Defender, Piety prayer.
• XP Rate: ~200k-250k XP/hour solo.
• Location: Void Knights’ Outpost.
• Tip: Focus on defending the Void Knight for faster games and better rewards.

Chinning on Defensive Mode (400k XP/Hour)

Using black chinchompas on defensive mode in the Monkey Madness II tunnels is another high-XP method, doubling as the fastest Defence and Ranged training. It’s costly but effective for players with high Ranged and Defence levels.

• Requirements: 70 Ranged, 70 Defence, Monkey Madness II completed.
• Setup: Full Armadyl, Black Chinchompas, Dragonbone Necklace, Bonecrusher.
• XP Rate: Up to 400k Defence XP/hour, plus 400k Ranged XP.
• Location: Maniacal Monkeys in MM2 tunnels.
• Tip: Use alt accounts to stack monkeys for AFK efficiency.

Nightmare Zone for AFK Training

For players seeking a more relaxed approach, Nightmare Zone (NMZ) offers AFK Defence training with decent XP rates. You only need to check your screen every 15-20 minutes, making it perfect for multitasking or casual play.

NMZ Setup and Strategy

• Requirements: 5 completed quests (e.g., Vampire Slayer, Witch’s House), 43 Prayer.
• Setup: Full Obsidian Armour, Berserker Necklace, Toktz-xil-ak, Absorption potions.
• XP Rate: ~100k-170k XP/hour (scales with level; Dharok’s optimal at 90+ Hitpoints).
• Bosses: Choose low-defence bosses like Count Draynor, Sand Snake, or King Roald.
• Tip: Use Power Surge power-ups and Piety to boost XP rates.

Why Choose NMZ?

• AFK-Friendly: Minimal input, ideal for watching movies or working.
• Safe: No risk of losing items upon death.
• Cost-Effective: Absorption potions are cheap, and NMZ points cover costs.

Tips for Maximizing Defence XP

To hit 99 Defence as fast as possible, combine the above methods with these efficiency tips. Small optimizations can shave hours off your grind.

Gear and Inventory Optimization

• Prioritize Strength Bonus: Gear like Bandos Chestplate and Amulet of Torture boosts DPS, increasing XP rates.
• Use Defenders: Dragon Defender offers accuracy bonuses over shields like Toktz-ket-xil for non-dragon fights.
• Prayer Boosts: Piety or Rigour (for chinning) significantly improves XP per hour.

Additional Strategies

• Slayer Training: Combine Defence with Slayer for dual XP gains, especially on tasks like Dust Devils or Nechryaels.
• Combat Achievements: Unlock extra Pest Control points for faster solo training.
• Join a Clan: OSRS clans or Reddit’s r/2007scape offer tips and group training opportunities.
• Track Progress: Use an OSRS XP calculator to monitor gains and optimize methods.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Don’t Skip Quests: Manual training below level 30 is slow and inefficient.
• Avoid High-Defence Monsters: Stick to low-defence targets like crabs or NMZ bosses for faster kills.
• Manage Costs: Chinning and Dinh’s Bulwark are expensive; balance with profitable Slayer or NMZ.

By combining questing, high-intensity methods like Dinh’s Bulwark or chinning, and AFK options like Nightmare Zone, you can reach 99 Defence in record time. Start with quests to breeze through early levels, then transition to Pest Control or Nechryaels for end-game grinding. With the right gear, prayers, and strategies, you’ll be rocking Justiciar armour and tanking bosses in no time. Happy training!