Fastest Strength Training OSRS Guide

Strength training in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is crucial for players aiming to maximize their melee damage output. A high Strength level increases your max hit, allowing you to deal more damage per attack, which speeds up combat training and unlocks profitable bossing and PvM opportunities. This guide covers the fastest methods to train Strength from level 1 to 99, optimized for efficiency and experience rates. Whether you’re a new player or a veteran looking to optimize your grind, these strategies will help you hit 99 Strength in no time.

Strength is the backbone of melee combat in OSRS, directly impacting your damage per second (DPS). Unlike Attack, which boosts accuracy, or Defence, which reduces enemy hit chance, Strength increases the raw power of your hits. This makes it the most efficient skill to prioritize for faster experience gains across all melee skills.

Key Benefits of High Strength

• Increased Max Hit: Higher Strength levels and bonuses raise your maximum damage, speeding up kills.
• Faster XP Rates: More damage per hit translates to quicker kills and higher experience per hour.
• Access to Endgame Content: High Strength is essential for bossing, PvP, and quests like Dragon Slayer II.

Early Levels (1–30): Questing for a Head Start

The early grind in OSRS can be slow, but quests offer a massive shortcut for Strength training. Completing specific quests can skyrocket your Strength level without hours of combat, making them the fastest way to kickstart your journey.

Waterfall Quest: The Ultimate Beginner Boost

The Waterfall Quest is a must for any new account. With no skill requirements, it grants 13,750 Strength XP and Attack XP, instantly boosting you from level 1 to 30 in both skills. The quest takes 10–20 minutes but involves dangerous monsters, so bring food or train some Defence and Hitpoints first for safety. Learn more about the Waterfall Quest.

Other Early Quests for Strength XP

• Horror From The Deep: 4,662 Strength XP (requires 35 Agility).
• Scorpion Catcher: 6,625 Strength XP (requires 31 Prayer).

Completing these quests can push you close to level 40, skipping hours of low-level grinding. Always check quest requirements and prepare accordingly.

Mid-Level Training (30–70): Crabs and AFK Methods

Once you’ve completed the early quests, it’s time to grind on monsters with high hitpoints and low defence. Crabs are the go-to choice for mid-level Strength training due to their AFK-friendly nature and excellent XP rates.

Sand Crabs: The AFK King

Sand CrFFIC crabs, located on the Hosidius coast in Zeah, are ideal for levels 30–70. With 60 HP, low defence, and aggressive behavior, they provide consistent combat without much effort. Expect 30,000–50,000 XP/hour depending on your gear and Strength level. To reset their aggression every 10 minutes, run 30 tiles away and return. Sand Crabs Guide.

Ammonite Crabs: A Step Up

For players with access to Fossil Island (requires Bone Voyage quest), Ammonite Crabs are even better. They have 100 HP, making them perfect for higher Strength levels (50+). XP rates can reach 50,000–70,000 XP/hour with decent gear. Their safespot-friendly locations allow for extended AFK sessions.

Rock Crabs: A Free Alternative

If you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player or lack access to Zeah/Fossil Island, Rock Crabs in Rellekka are a solid option. They have 50 HP and similar mechanics to Sand Crabs, offering 20,000–40,000 XP/hour. Use a Camelot teleport to reach them quickly.

High-Level Training (70–99): Nightmare Zone and Slayer

At higher levels, you’ll want to maximize XP rates while potentially earning profit. The Nightmare Zone (NMZ) and Slayer tasks are the fastest and most efficient methods for reaching 99 Strength.

Nightmare Zone (NMZ): The Fastest XP

Nightmare Zone is the pinnacle of Strength training for levels 70–99, offering 80,000–120,000 XP/hour with optimal setups. NMZ allows you to fight quest bosses in a controlled environment, with customizable modes like Hard Rumble for maximum XP.

Optimal NMZ Setup:

• Weapon: Abyssal Bludgeon or Saradomin Sword (high Strength bonuses, fast attack speed).
• Armour: Full Obsidian with Berserker Necklace for a massive Strength boost.
• Inventory: Overloads (if affordable) or Super Strength potions, Prayer potions, and a Rock Cake for Dharok’s setups.

Dharok’s Strategy: At 92+ Hitpoints, use full Dharok’s armour with a Greataxe. Lower your HP to 1 using a Rock Cake to maximize damage (Dharok’s hits harder at low HP). This can push XP rates to 100,000–150,000 XP/hour. Note that Dharok’s degrades after 15 hours, requiring repairs.

Slayer: XP and Profit Combined

Training Strength through Slayer is slower than NMZ but more rewarding due to valuable drops and simultaneous Slayer XP. Use a Slayer Helmet for a 16.67% Strength and Attack boost on tasks. Focus on tasks like Gargoyles, Nechryaels, or Abyssal Demons for high XP and profit. Expect 50,000–80,000 XP/hour depending on tasks and gear.

Slayer Tips:

• Use a Black Mask or Slayer Helmet on every task.
• Bring teleportation tablets for quick escapes from dangerous monsters.
• Prioritize tasks with high-HP monsters for better Strength XP.

Best Weapons and Gear for Strength Training

Choosing the right weapons and gear is critical for maximizing Strength XP. Faster weapons with high Strength bonuses are ideal, as they increase your DPS and XP rates.

Top Weapons for Strength Training

Weapon	Attack Requirement	Strength Bonus	Attack Speed	Best Use
Blade of Saeldor	80	+94	4 ticks	Endgame, high-budget training
Abyssal Bludgeon	70	+85	4 ticks	Crush-based monsters, cost-effective
Saradomin Sword	70	+82	4 ticks	Budget-friendly, low-defence monsters
Dragon Scimitar	60	+66	4 ticks	Mid-level training
Rune Scimitar	40	+45	4 ticks	Early levels, F2P

Note: Always use the aggressive attack style to gain Strength XP. Weapons with a 4-tick attack speed (2.4 seconds) are optimal for maximum XP per second.

Essential Gear for Strength Boosts

• Amulet of Torture: +15 Attack, +10 Strength bonus.
• Primordial Boots: +5 Strength bonus, best-in-slot for melee.
• Infernal Cape: +4 Strength bonus, obtained from defeating TzTok-Jad.
• Berserker Ring: +4 Strength bonus, no level requirements.

For budget players, use an Amulet of Strength (+10 Strength) and Dragon Boots (+4 Strength) until you can afford better gear.

Tips for Efficient Strength Training

To hit 99 Strength as fast as possible, follow these tips to optimize your training sessions.

Maximize Your XP Rates

• Use Potions: Super Strength potions or Overloads (in NMZ) boost your Strength level temporarily, increasing damage and XP.
• Prayer Flicking: Use Ultimate Strength prayer for a 15% Strength boost, especially in F2P or Slayer tasks.
• Revolution Mode: Enable Revolution Combat mode to automate abilities, saving time on manual inputs.

Save Time and Gold

• Bank Efficiently: Use teleports like Xeric’s Talisman or Skills Necklace to quickly access training spots.
• Guthan’s for Sustainability: Guthan’s set has a 25% chance to heal you based on damage dealt, reducing banking trips. Switch to it when low on HP.
• Buy OSRS Gold: If gear is too expensive, consider purchasing OSRS gold from trusted sites like Ezrsgold to afford better weapons and potions.

Track Your Progress

Use the in-game XP tracker or third-party tools like RuneLite to monitor your XP/hour and estimate time to 99. This helps you stay motivated and adjust strategies if needed.

With these methods, you can reach 99 Strength in as little as 100–150 hours with NMZ or slightly longer with Slayer for added profit. Start with quests, grind crabs, and dominate NMZ or Slayer to become a melee powerhouse in OSRS. Happy training!