OSRS 1-99 Combat Guide: Level Up Fast in Old School RuneScape
Welcome to the ultimate OSRS 1-99 combat guide! Whether you’re a new player fresh off Tutorial Island or a seasoned adventurer looking to max out your combat skills, this guide will walk you through the best methods to reach level 99 in Attack, Strength, Defence, and Hitpoints. Combat is the backbone of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), unlocking everything from epic boss fights to thrilling PvP battles. In this SEO-friendly guide, we’ll cover efficient training methods, gear progression, and tips for both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players. Let’s dive in and get you on the path to combat mastery!
Combat in OSRS isn’t just about swinging a sword—it’s your ticket to the game’s most exciting content. High combat stats open doors to Slayer tasks, raids, and high-level quests like “Monkey Madness” and “Dragon Slayer II.” Plus, with a maxed combat level of 126, you’ll dominate in the Wilderness or PvP worlds. Training Attack, Strength, and Defence individually gives you flexibility, whether you’re building a pure, a main, or an Ironman. Ready to start? Let’s break it down.
Understanding Combat Skills
Before we jump into training, here’s a quick rundown of the melee combat skills:
- Attack: Increases your accuracy and unlocks better weapons.
- Strength: Boosts your max hit, letting you deal more damage.
- Defence: Reduces the chance of getting hit, improving survivability.
- Hitpoints: Your health pool—grows naturally as you deal or take damage.
Early Levels: 1-40 Combat Training
The early grind is all about building a foundation. At these levels, you’ll want low-risk, high-reward targets that are easy to kill and accessible to all players. Here’s how to get started.
F2P Training: Chickens, Cows, and Goblins
For free-to-play players, the journey begins with the classics:
- Chickens (Lumbridge): With only 3 Hitpoints, they’re perfect for levels 1-20. Bring a bronze sword and some food.
- Cows (Lumbridge Pasture): Slightly tougher with 8 Hitpoints, great for levels 10-30. Bonus: collect cowhides to sell!
- Goblins (East of Lumbridge): Low stats and decent XP—ideal up to level 40.
Gear up with iron or steel armor from the Grand Exchange and a matching scimitar. Scimitars are the go-to F2P weapon due to their speed and strength bonuses.
P2P Boost: Questing and Monks
Members can skip some grind with early quests and unique training spots:
- Waterfall Quest: No requirements, grants 13,750 Attack and Strength XP—rocketing you to level 30 instantly.
- Monks (Edgeville Monastery): 15 Hitpoints and they heal you on request. Train here up to level 40 with no food needed.
Use a steel or black scimitar and basic armor like mithril. Quests like “Tree Gnome Village” (11,450 Attack XP) can also speed things up.
Mid-Tier Levels: 40-70 Combat Training
By level 40, you’ve got some options. This is where P2P players start to pull ahead with faster methods, but F2P still has solid choices.
F2P: Hill Giants and Beyond
Time to take on bigger foes in F2P:
- Hill Giants (Edgeville Dungeon): 35 Hitpoints and decent drops like big bones. Train here from 40-70. Bring a brass key for quick access.
- Giant Spiders (Stronghold of Security): 50 Hitpoints and 10-minute AFK potential—perfect for relaxed training.
Upgrade to rune armor and a rune scimitar. The amulet of strength or power will boost your damage or accuracy.
P2P: Sand Crabs and Rock Crabs
For members, crabs are the gold standard:
- Sand Crabs (Hosidius, Zeah): 60 Hitpoints, non-aggressive, and multi-spawn spots. Reset aggro by running 30 tiles away every 10 minutes.
- Rock Crabs (Rellekka): Similar stats to Sand Crabs but less crowded. Great for levels 40-70.
Equip mithril or adamant gear and a scimitar. These spots offer 20-30k XP per hour, making them semi-AFK and efficient.
High-Level Training: 70-99 Combat
At level 70, the game opens up. You’ve got access to top-tier gear and methods that can push you to 99 fast. Let’s explore the best options.
F2P: Flesh Crawlers and Moss Giants
F2P players can still grind efficiently:
- Flesh Crawlers (Stronghold of Security): 25 Hitpoints but aggressive—bring food and rune gear for 70-99.
- Moss Giants (Varrock Sewers): 60 Hitpoints and decent drops like seeds. A solid choice for higher levels.
Stick with full rune and a rune scimitar. XP rates hover around 30-40k per hour.
P2P: Nightmare Zone (Fastest Method)
The Nightmare Zone (NMZ) north of Yanille is the king of P2P combat training:
- Rumble Mode: Fight waves of quest bosses like the Dagannoth Mother. Use absorption potions and overloads for 70-100k XP per hour.
- Dharok’s Set: Pair with a rock cake to stay at 1 HP, maximizing damage and XP (up to 120k/hour).
Wear Void Knight armor or Bandos gear with a dragon scimitar or whip. This is the fastest way to 99, especially if you AFK with absorptions.
P2P Alternative: Slayer and Bossing
For variety and profit:
- Slayer: Train combat while leveling Slayer. Tasks like Dust Devils or Ankou offer 50-80k XP per hour plus loot.
- Bossing: Take on Zulrah, Vorkath, or the Giant Mole for XP and millions in GP. Requires 85+ stats and good gear.
Use a whip, Barrows armor, or Torag’s for durability. Slayer’s a slower grind but builds multiple skills at once.
Gear and Weapon Progression
Your gear evolves as you level. Here’s a breakdown to keep you hitting hard and staying alive.
Levels 1-40: Starting Out
| Slot | F2P | P2P |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Iron/Steel Scimitar | Black Scimitar |
| Armor | Iron/Steel Set | Mithril Set |
| Amulet | Amulet of Power | Amulet of Strength |
Levels 40-70: Mid-Tier Power
| Slot | F2P | P2P |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Rune Scimitar | Dragon Scimitar |
| Armor | Rune Set | Adamant Set |
| Amulet | Amulet of Strength | Amulet of Glory |
Levels 70-99: Endgame Gear
| Slot | F2P | P2P |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Rune Scimitar | Abyssal Whip/Dragon Dagger |
| Armor | Rune Set | Bandos/Barrows Set |
| Amulet | Amulet of Power | Amulet of Torture |
For P2P, unlock the Helm of Neitiznot (Fremennik Isles quest) at 55 Defence—it’s a top-tier helm all the way to 99.
Tips for Efficient Combat Training
Maximize your grind with these pro tips:
General Advice
- Food Management: Lobsters (F2P) or sharks (P2P) keep you in the fight longer.
- Potions: Strength potions (P2P) boost XP rates early on.
- AFK Training: Use crabs or NMZ for low-effort gains.
Skill Priority
Focus on Attack first to wield better weapons, then Strength for damage, and Defence last unless you’re tanking. For pures, skip Defence entirely and max Strength.
Ironman Considerations
Ironmen should smith their own gear (up to rune) and use Slayer for resources. Sand Crabs and NMZ remain top choices.
Final Thoughts: Hitting 99 in OSRS combat takes time—around 100-150 hours with optimal methods—but it’s worth it. Whether you’re slaying crabs or bosses, stick to a plan, upgrade your gear, and enjoy the journey. Which method will you try first? Drop into the Nightmare Zone or stick with the classics? Either way, you’re now equipped to conquer Gielinor!