Is Bandos Worth It in OSRS

So, you’re grinding away in Old School RuneScape, eyeing that shiny Bandos armor, and wondering if it’s really worth the hassle and the gold. I’ve been there, staring at my bank, debating whether to drop millions on gear that might not even change my gameplay that much. As someone who’s clocked thousands of hours in OSRS, from noob days to endgame raids, let me break it down for you. We’ll look at the stats, how to get it, costs, alternatives, and when it actually makes sense to go for it. Stick around, because by the end, you’ll have a clear picture.

First off, Bandos armor comes from the God Wars Dungeon, dropped by General Graardor and his minions. It’s melee-focused gear that’s been a staple for years. But with all the new updates, is it still holding up in 2025? Let’s dive in.

Bandos armor isn’t just any old set; it’s tied to the god Bandos, known for strength and war. The main pieces people talk about are the chestplate, tassets, and boots. There’s no helmet in the set, so you pair it with something like a Neitiznot faceguard or Serpentine helm.

Why do players love it? Simple: the strength bonuses. That extra max hit can make a big difference in bossing or slayer tasks.

Key Stats and Requirements

To wear Bandos, you need 65 Defence. That’s not too high, making it accessible for mid-to-late game accounts. Here’s a quick table breaking down the stats for the core pieces:

These numbers come straight from the OSRS wiki, and they’ve stayed solid over the years. The defensive stats are decent, better than dragon in some areas, but the real star is that +6 total strength bonus from chest and tassets combined. It boosts your DPS without sacrificing too much tankiness.

But wait, is +6 strength really game-changing? In short, yes, for pure melee setups. It adds about 1-2 max hits depending on your weapon and levels.

How to Get Your Hands on Bandos

Grinding for Bandos means heading to the God Wars Dungeon. You’ll fight General Graardor, the big orc boss in the Bandos section. To enter his chamber, you need 40 kill count from his followers, or use an ecumenical key to skip that.

Solo vs Group Strategies

Soloing Graardor is tough but doable with good gear. I remember my first solo trips back in the day; I’d bring a Saradomin brew setup, pray melee, and flick his mage minion. With 80+ combat stats and some practice, you can get 20-30 kills per trip.

In groups, it’s easier. Join a team of 4-5, split drops, and rotate worlds. Profit per hour? Around 4 million gp if you’re efficient, based on recent guides. But luck plays a part; drop rates for chestplate and tassets are about 1/381 each.

Requirements include:

• 70 Strength to enter the stronghold.
• High combat levels (80+ recommended).
• Protection prayers unlocked.

Pro tip: Use the Trollheim teleport for quick access after Eadgar’s Ruse quest.

Have you tried farming Graardor yet? If not, start with a few trips to test the waters. It’s chaotic, but the adrenaline rush is worth it.

Current Prices and Cost Analysis

Prices fluctuate, but as of September 2025, expect to pay around 24 million gp for the chestplate, 16 million for tassets, and about 450k for boots. Total set? Roughly 40 million gp. That’s down from peaks earlier this year, thanks to more players farming it and alternatives popping up.

Is that a lot? For new players, absolutely. But if you’re at the stage where you’re doing Theatre of Blood or Chambers of Xeric, it’s an investment. Think about it: how long would it take to farm that gold? Maybe 10-20 hours at high-end money makers like Vorkath or Zulrah.

Some folks on Reddit argue it’s not worth buying if you can grind a Fighter Torso instead. The torso is free from Barbarian Assault, gives +4 strength like the chestplate, but zero defence. So, Bandos shines when you need that tankiness.

Pros and Cons of Bandos Armor

Let’s list them out to make it clear.

Pros:

• Strong melee bonuses: +6 strength total, great for max hits.
• Good defence: High stab, slash, and crush resists, plus solid ranged defence.
• Versatile: Works for slayer, bossing, and PvP.
• Upgradable: Boots can become guardian or echo boots.
• Prestige: Wearing Bandos feels like you’ve made it in OSRS.

Cons:

• Expensive: 40m+ isn’t pocket change.
• No helmet: You have to mix and match.
• Alternatives exist: Cheaper options like Blood Moon give similar strength for less gold.
• Degrades in value? With Torva out, Bandos isn’t BiS anymore.
• Risky to obtain: GWD can be deadly if you’re not prepared.

Weighing these, it’s about your playstyle. If you’re all about min-maxing DPS with defence, go for it.

Alternatives to Bandos

Not sold on Bandos? Fair enough. There are options that might fit better or cost less.

Budget Alternatives

• Fighter Torso: Free, +4 strength, but no defence. Pair with Verac’s skirt for a hybrid setup.
• Blood Moon Armour: Newer set with +6 strength like Bandos, but cheaper (around 10-15m total) and focuses on crush. Less defence though.
• Obsidian Armour: Tanky, but no strength bonus. Good for NMZ training.

High-End Upgrades

• Torva Armour: The king, with +8 strength and way better defence. But it’s 500m+ gp. Worth it for endgame.
• Inquisitor’s Armour: Crush specialist, +5 strength, but penalties to other styles.
• Justiciar Armour: Super defensive, but zero strength. For tank roles only.

Here’s a comparison table:

From what I’ve seen, Blood Moon is stealing Bandos’ thunder for budget players. But if you want ranged defence, stick with Bandos.

What about you? Are you rocking a budget setup or going all-in on BiS?

My Personal Experiences with Bandos

Ah, the memories. I got my first Bandos chestplate drop after 500 kc on my main back in 2018. I was ecstatic, jumping out of my chair like I’d won the lottery. That piece carried me through my first Inferno attempts and countless slayer tasks. The extra strength meant I could one-hit more mobs, speeding up everything.

But here’s the thing: on my ironman, I skipped Bandos entirely. Why? The grind was too long, and Fighter Torso did the job for most content. I went straight to Blood Moon when it released, and honestly, I didn’t miss Bandos much. The defence difference shows in places like God Wars itself, where ranged attacks from minions can chip away.

One time, during a mass GWD trip, I lost my Bandos tassets to a DC. Ouch. That taught me to always bring risk gear. As an OSRS vet, I’d say Bandos is GREAT for midgame progression, but not essential anymore.

Have you ever had a lucky drop like that? It changes how you view the gear.

When Is Bandos Actually Worth It?

This is the big question. Is Bandos worth it? It depends.

For slayer? If you’re using slash or stab weapons, maybe not. Blood Moon or Inquisitor might edge it out.

For bossing? Absolutely, in places like Nightmare or Cerberus where defence matters.

PvP? The strength helps, but inquisitor dominates crush meta.

Short answer: If your bank is over 100m and you’re melee-heavy, yes. Otherwise, save for Bowfa or Masori first.

Let’s break it down further.

Scenarios Where Bandos Shines

• Midgame Melee Bossing: Think Sarachnis or Grotesque Guardians. The balance of offence and defence is perfect.
• God Wars Dungeon Runs: Ironically, it’s great for farming more Bandos.
• Training Strength: In NMZ, it outperforms obsidian setups slightly.

When to Skip It

• If you’re an iron and hate long grinds.
• Prefer ranged or magic; sell for Bowfa instead.
• Already have Torva? Bandos is a downgrade.

Question: What’s your combat level? If under 100, focus on levels first.

In my experience, I bought Bandos on my alt last year, and it paid off in ToB runs. Extra hits meant faster kills, more loot. But with prices dropping, maybe wait for a dip.

Upgrading and Maintaining Bandos

Once you have it, what next? Bandos doesn’t degrade, which is a plus over Barrows gear.

You can smith the chest and tassets into components for Torva repairs, if you’re at 90 Smithing. That’s a nice bonus if you’re going for endgame.

Boots upgrade to guardian boots with a black tourmaline core, adding even more defence.

Maintenance is easy: just don’t die with it unprotected.

Community Opinions on Bandos

Scrolling through forums and X, opinions are mixed. Some say it’s overrated now with Blood Moon out. Others swear by it for the defence.

One X post asked if it’s worth saving for on a fresh account. Replies said yes for the fun, but prioritize quests first.

Reddit threads compare it to Justiciar for tanking, but Bandos wins for DPS.

The consensus? It’s worth it if melee is your jam, but not mandatory.

Final Thoughts

Wrapping this up, Bandos armor is still a solid choice in OSRS 2025, but it’s not the must-have it once was. With alternatives like Blood Moon offering similar bonuses for less, think hard about your goals. For me, as a longtime player, it holds sentimental value and practical use in certain spots. If you’re debating, try farming a few trips to Graardor; the thrill might convince you.

What do you think? Drop a comment if Bandos changed your game. Happy scaping!