How to Wield Hasta OSRS A Comprehensive Guide

How to Wield Hasta OSRS A Comprehensive Guide

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a vast array of weapons, and the hasta stands out as a versatile one-handed melee option. Known for its similarity to spears but with the ability to be wielded with a shield or defender, hastae are excellent for players looking to balance offense and defense. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about wielding a hasta in OSRS, from requirements to combat applications, ensuring you can maximize its potential in your adventures across Gielinor.

Hastae are one-handed melee weapons that resemble spears but come with slightly lower stats. Unlike spears, they allow players to equip off-hand items, making them ideal for situations requiring additional defensive bonuses. The most notable hastae include the Zamorakian hasta, Dragon hasta, and various metal hastae (e.g., bronze to rune). Each has unique requirements and uses, making them suitable for different combat scenarios.

What Makes Hastae Unique

Hastae differ from other melee weapons due to their one-handed nature and balanced attack styles. They offer stab, slash, and crush options, with some, like the Zamorakian hasta, excelling in stab and crush attacks. Their ability to be paired with a shield or defender makes them a favorite for players tackling tough PvM encounters or engaging in PvP.

Types of Hastae in OSRS

  • Zamorakian Hasta: A high-tier weapon requiring 70 Attack, known for its strong stab and crush bonuses.
  • Dragon Hasta: Features a powerful “Unleash” special attack, ideal for burst damage.
  • Metal Hastae: From bronze to rune, these are accessible to lower-level players but have weaker stats.
  • Gilded Hasta: A cosmetic variant with stats similar to the rune hasta.

Requirements for Wielding a Hasta

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Before you can wield a hasta, you must meet specific skill and quest requirements. These ensure you have the necessary training to craft and use these weapons effectively. The primary requirement revolves around completing parts of the Barbarian Training miniquest.

Skill Requirements

To wield most hastae, you need to complete the Smithing portion of Barbarian Training, which requires:

  • Level 55 Fishing: To access the Fishing section of Barbarian Training.
  • Level 5 Smithing: For crafting basic hastae, though higher levels are needed for better ones.
  • Attack Level: Varies by hasta (e.g., 70 for Zamorakian hasta, 60 for Dragon hasta).

For the Zamorakian hasta, you also need to complete the Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest to unlock the Smithing section fully.

Quest and Miniquest Requirements

The Barbarian Training miniquest, led by Otto Godblessed, is essential. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Start by speaking to Otto Godblessed near Baxtorian Falls.
  2. Complete the Fishing section (requires 55 Fishing and 35 Strength or 15 Agility).
  3. Progress to the Smithing section, which involves crafting a spear and hasta on an anvil south of Otto’s house.
  4. For Zamorakian hasta, complete the Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest (requires 65 Fishing, 30 Cooking, and 5 Agility).

Once these are done, you can craft and wield hastae, provided you meet the Attack level for the specific hasta.

How to Obtain a Hasta

Hastae can be obtained through trading, crafting, or specific in-game activities. Depending on the type, the process varies in complexity and cost.

Crafting a Hasta

Most hastae are crafted using the Smithing skill after completing Barbarian Training. Here’s a general process:

  1. Gather a metal bar (e.g., bronze, iron, or rune) and logs.
  2. Use the bar and logs on the anvil near Otto’s house to craft a spear.
  3. Convert the spear into a hasta using the same anvil.

For the Zamorakian hasta, take a Zamorakian spear to Otto Godblessed with 300,000 coins (or 150,000 after Elite Kandarin Diary). The Dragon hasta is obtained via trading or as a rare drop from certain monsters.

Purchasing or Trading

Hastae like the Zamorakian and Dragon hastae are often bought through the Grand Exchange. Check GE Tracker for current prices to ensure you’re getting a fair deal. Metal hastae can also be purchased from other players or NPC shops, though crafting is often more cost-effective for lower-tier options.

Using the Hasta in Combat

Wielding a hasta effectively requires understanding its strengths, attack styles, and ideal scenarios. The Zamorakian hasta, for instance, is a top-tier choice for specific bosses and monsters due to its high stab and crush bonuses.

Best Attack Styles

Hastae offer three attack styles:

  • Stab: Ideal for monsters weak to stab, like dragons or Cerberus.
  • Crush: Effective against enemies like Vet’ion or the Kalphite Queen.
  • Slash: Less commonly used, as other weapons like the abyssal whip outperform hastae in this style.

The Zamorakian hasta’s special attack, “Shove,” stuns opponents in PvP or smaller monsters in PvM, consuming 25% special attack energy. Note that it doesn’t work on large monsters (those occupying more than one tile).

Pairing with Off-Hand Items

The one-handed nature of hastae allows pairing with:

  • Defenders: Boost offensive bonuses while maintaining decent defense.
  • Shields: Like the dragonfire shield, ideal for dragon-slaying tasks.
  • God Books: For additional prayer bonuses in prolonged fights.

This flexibility makes hastae a strategic choice for balancing damage and survivability.

Best Scenarios for Hasta Use

Hasta Type Best Use Case Recommended Enemies
Zamorakian Hasta PvM (bossing), PvP Cerberus, General Graardor, Vet’ion, dragons
Dragon Hasta Burst damage in PvM/PvP Slayer tasks, mid-tier bosses
Rune Hasta Mid-level PvM Slayer monsters, training

The Zamorakian hasta is particularly effective against bosses weak to stab or crush, while the Dragon hasta’s “Unleash” special attack (100% increased accuracy, 50% extra damage) shines in high-damage scenarios.

Tips for Maximizing Hasta Effectiveness

To get the most out of your hasta, consider these strategies to enhance your combat performance and efficiency.

Upgrading Your Hasta

The Zamorakian hasta can be upgraded to the Dragon hunter lance by combining it with a hydra’s claw (dropped by Alchemical Hydra). This lance offers 20% higher accuracy and damage against draconic creatures, making it a worthwhile investment for dragon-slaying tasks.

Poisoning Hastae

Most hastae (except Zamorakian, Gilded, and Dragon hunter lance) can be poisoned with weapon poison or karambwan paste. This adds extra damage over time, making them more effective for Slayer tasks or prolonged fights.

Training with Hastae

For efficient training, use hastae on monsters weak to their primary attack style. For example, train with the Zamorakian hasta on stab-weak monsters like dark beasts or crush-weak ones like Vet’ion. Pair with Slayer tasks to maximize XP and loot.

Managing Costs

The Zamorakian hasta’s conversion cost (300,000 coins) can be steep. Complete the Elite Kandarin Diary to reduce it to 150,000 coins. For budget-conscious players, rune or dragon hastae offer solid performance at a lower cost.

Wielding a hasta in OSRS opens up a world of tactical combat possibilities. By meeting the skill and quest requirements, crafting or purchasing your desired hasta, and mastering its attack styles, you can tackle some of Gielinor’s toughest challenges. Whether you’re slaying dragons, battling bosses, or engaging in PvP, the hasta’s versatility makes it a worthy addition to your arsenal. Start your Barbarian Training today and wield the power of the hasta!