Magic Gear Progression in OSRS: A Complete Guide to Leveling Up Your Mage
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a rich and diverse combat system, with Magic being one of the most versatile and powerful skills in the game. Whether you’re teleporting across Gielinor, alchemizing items for profit, or blasting enemies with devastating spells, having the right gear is essential to maximizing your Magic potential. This guide dives into the magic gear progression in OSRS, breaking down the best armor, weapons, and accessories for every stage of your journey—from a fledgling wizard to a master mage. If you’re looking to optimize your setup and dominate both PvE and PvP, you’re in the right place!
Magic in OSRS isn’t just about leveling up your skill; it’s about pairing that progress with gear that enhances your accuracy, damage, and survivability. Unlike melee or ranged, Magic gear progression is less linear and heavily depends on your goals—training, bossing, or player-killing. The right equipment can drastically improve your spellcasting efficiency, making it a critical aspect of your gameplay.
Key Stats to Understand
Before diving into the gear, let’s clarify the stats that matter for Magic:
- Magic Attack Bonus: Increases your spell accuracy, helping you hit more often.
- Magic Damage Bonus: Boosts hears Increases the maximum damage of your spells (notably useful for burst/barrage spells).
- Magic Defence Bonus: Reduces damage taken from enemy Magic attacks.
Balancing these stats with defensive bonuses (stab, slash, crush) is key, especially for hybrid setups or PvM content.
How Gear Affects Gameplay
Your gear dictates how effectively you can cast spells. Early on, you’ll rely on affordable robes and staves, but as you progress, high-tier items like the Ancestral Robes or Kodai Wand become game-changers, offering massive boosts to damage and utility. Whether you’re splashing for XP or barraging Slayer tasks, upgrading your gear ensures faster progression and better outcomes.
Early Game Magic Gear (Levels 1-40)
Starting as a mage in OSRS can feel daunting, but the early game is all about affordability and accessibility. Here’s where to begin your magical journey.
Basic Armor: Wizard Robes
The Wizard Robes set (hat, top, and skirt) is your go-to starting gear. Available in blue, black, or trimmed variants, it’s cheap and offers modest bonuses:
You can grab these from the Grand Exchange or shops like the Wizards’ Guild for next to nothing, making them perfect for free-to-play (F2P) players or Ironmen.
Weapons: Elemental Staves
At level 1, equip an Elemental Staff (Air, Water, Earth, or Fire). These provide unlimited runes of their respective element, saving you gold while training with spells like Wind Strike or Fire Strike. The Staff of Air is especially popular for its synergy with early combat spells.
Accessories and Extras
Keep it simple here—an Amulet of Magic (+10 Magic Attack) from the Grand Exchange gives a small but noticeable boost. No need for rings or capes yet; focus on leveling up!
Mid-Game Magic Gear (Levels 40-70)
Once you hit level 40 Magic, your options expand significantly. This is where you start transitioning into more powerful gear suited for Slayer, PvP, or early bossing.
Armor: Mystic Robes
Mystic Robes are the mid-tier staple, requiring 40 Magic and 20 Defence. They offer solid stats for the price:
Dropped by Slayer monsters like Banshees or purchasable on the GE, Mystic Robes strike a balance between cost and performance.
Weapons: Trident of the Seas
At level 59 Magic, the Trident of the Seas becomes available after completing a bit of questing (e.g., “Swan Song”). This staff uses runes and charges to autocast powerful built-in spells, with stats like:
It’s a fantastic choice for training or mid-level PvM, though it requires upkeep with chaos runes and coins.
Accessories: Occult Necklace and More
The Occult Necklace (70 Magic required) is a mid-game must-have, dropped by Smoke Devils:
Pair it with a Seers Ring (+6 Magic Attack/Defence) from Dagannoth Prime for a well-rounded setup.
Late-Game Magic Gear (Levels 70-99)
Reaching the late game unlocks the pinnacle of Magic gear. These items are expensive and often tied to endgame content like Raids or God Wars, but they’re worth every GP.
Armor: Ancestral Robes
Ancestral Robes are the best-in-slot Magic armor, requiring 75 Magic and 65 Defence. Dropped from Chambers of Xeric, they boast:
At around 380M GP, it’s a hefty investment, but the damage boost makes it ideal for high-level PvM like Theatre of Blood.
Weapons: Kodai Wand
The Kodai Wand (75 Magic) is the ultimate Magic weapon, also from Chambers of Xeric:
Its versatility—autocasting Ancient Magicks and standard spells—makes it a top pick for PvP and bossing.
Accessories: Imbued Heart and Tormented Bracelet
Enhance your setup with:
- Imbued Heart: Boosts Magic level by 1-10 (dropped by superior Slayer monsters).
- Tormented Bracelet: +10 Magic Attack, +5% Magic Damage (80 Magic, from Nightmare Zone).
Add a Mage’s Book (+15 Magic Attack/Defence) or Arcane Spirit Shield for extra defense in tough fights.
Specialized Magic Gear for Specific Activities
Beyond general progression, certain activities demand tailored setups. Here’s how to adapt your gear for training, bursting, or PvP.
Training: Void Knight Equipment
Void Knight Equipment (42 Magic, among other stats) from Pest Control offers:
- Magic Accuracy: +45% (with Mage helm)
- Upgradable to Elite Void for +2.5% damage
It’s cost-effective for splashing or Slayer, though situational compared to raw damage setups.
Bursting/Barraging: Max Damage Setup
For multi-target spells like Ice Barrage, prioritize damage over accuracy:
| Slot | Item | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Ancestral Robetop | +35 Magic Attack, +2% Damage |
| Weapon | Sanguinesti Staff | +25 Magic Attack, heals on hit |
| Neck | Occult Necklace | +10% Magic Damage |
This combo excels at Dust Devils or Nechryaels, netting fast XP and profit.
PvP: Hybrid and Utility Gear
In PvP, mix Magic with defensive stats:
- Ahrim’s Robes: +58 Magic Attack, decent melee defence (70 Magic/Defence).
- Staff of the Dead: +17 Magic Attack, halves melee damage (special attack).
These provide flexibility for hybridding with Ancients like Ice Barrage.
Tips for Efficient Magic Gear Progression
Upgrading your gear doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s how to progress smartly:
Earning GP for Gear
Fund your upgrades with:
- High Alchemy: Turn junk into gold with level 55 Magic.
- Slayer: Profit from drops like Mystic pieces or Occult Necklaces.
- Raids: Grind Chambers of Xeric for Ancestral or Kodai drops.
Questing for Unlocks
Complete quests to unlock key items:
- Lunar Diplomacy: Access to Lunar Spells and armor.
- Desert Treasure: Ancient Magicks for PvP and bursting.
These also grant Magic XP, pushing you toward higher-tier gear faster.
Ironman Considerations
For Ironmen, focus on self-sufficiency:
- Grind Barrows for Ahrim’s.
- Farm Slayer for Imbued Heart or Occult.
- Use Void or Mystic until endgame drops.
With this Magic gear progression guide for OSRS, you’re equipped to evolve from a novice spellcaster to a feared mage. Start small, scale smartly, and soon you’ll be raining fire—or ice—on Gielinor’s toughest challenges!