OSRS 1 Defence Pure Gear Guide for PvP and PvM
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), a 1 Defence pure is a specialized account build that keeps Defence at level 1 while maximizing offensive stats like Attack, Strength, Ranged, and Magic. This guide dives into the best gear setups for 1 Defence pures, tailored for both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-monster (PvM) scenarios. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, we’ll cover budget-friendly options and best-in-slot (BIS) gear to optimize your pure’s performance.
A 1 Defence pure sacrifices defensive capabilities for a lower combat level and higher offensive output, making it a favorite for PvP in places like Edgeville or the Wilderness. The lack of Defence means you rely on evasion, prayer, and raw damage. This build shines in short, high-stakes fights but requires careful gear selection to balance cost and effectiveness.
Benefits of 1 Defence Pures
- Low Combat Level: Access to lower-level PvP brackets for an edge against less optimized opponents.
- High Damage Output: Focus on offensive stats allows for devastating hits.
- Unique Challenge: Mastering a glass cannon playstyle is rewarding and skill-intensive.
Challenges to Consider
- Fragility: Low Defence makes you vulnerable to high-damage attacks.
- Gear Limitations: Restricted to items with no Defence requirements.
- Quest Planning: Avoid quests that grant Defence XP to maintain the build.
Melee Gear for 1 Defence Pures
Melee is a popular choice for 1 Defence pures due to its accessibility and high burst damage. Gear focuses on boosting Strength and Attack while keeping costs manageable or aiming for BIS for endgame PvP.
Budget Melee Setup
For new players or those with limited gold, this setup keeps costs low while offering decent performance:
- Head: Iron Full Helm – Free from starter quests, minimal bonuses.
- Cape: Team Cape – Cheap and provides slight offensive boosts.
- Neck: Amulet of Strength – Affordable, +10 Strength bonus.
- Body: Monk’s Robe Top – Free from Monastery, lightweight.
- Legs: Monk’s Robe Bottom – Matches the top for consistency.
- Weapon: Rune Scimitar – Strong for 40 Attack, widely available.
- Shield: Book of War – Minor Strength bonus, no Defence needed.
- Gloves: Combat Bracelet – Budget-friendly with small bonuses.
- Boots: Decorative Boots – Low cost from Castle Wars.
- Ring: Ring of Recoil – Useful for chip damage in PvP.
Cost Estimate: ~100k-200k GP, depending on Grand Exchange prices.
Best-in-Slot Melee Setup
For maxed pures or those ready to invest, this BIS setup maximizes damage output:
| Slot | Item | Bonuses | Approx. Cost (GP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Decorative Helmet (Castle Wars) | +3 Strength | 100k-200k |
| Cape | Fire Cape | +4 Strength, +1 Prayer | Earned via Fight Caves |
| Neck | Amulet of Torture | +15 Strength | 12M-14M |
| Body | Fighter Torso | +4 Strength | Earned via Barbarian Assault |
| Legs | Decorative Legs | +2 Strength | 100k-200k |
| Weapon | Dragon Scimitar | +66 Slash, +67 Strength | 100k |
| Shield | Zamorak Unholy Book | +8 Strength | 200k-300k |
| Gloves | Barrows Gloves | +12 Strength | Earned via Recipe for Disaster |
| Boots | Climbing Boots | +2 Strength | 100k |
| Ring | Berserker Ring (i) | +8 Strength | 3M-4M |
Total Cost: ~15M-20M GP, excluding time-based rewards like Fire Cape. The Dragon Scimitar is preferred over Rune for its speed and strength, while the Amulet of Torture offers unmatched offensive power.
Ranged Gear for 1 Defence Pures
Ranged setups are ideal for safe PvM training and PvP kiting. They prioritize Ranged attack and strength bonuses, with Ava’s devices being a must for ammo conservation.
Budget Ranged Setup
This setup is great for early-game training or low-risk PvP:
- Head: Coif – Cheap, +2 Ranged attack.
- Cape: Ava’s Attractor – 20% ammo save, requires Animal Magnetism.
- Neck: Amulet of Glory – +10 Ranged attack, affordable.
- Body: Leather Body – Basic protection, no Defence needed.
- Legs: Leather Chaps – Matches body, low cost.
- Weapon: Rune Crossbow – Decent for 50 Ranged, uses bolts.
- Ammo: Mithril Bolts – Balanced cost and damage.
- Gloves: Leather Vambraces – Minor Ranged bonus.
- Boots: Leather Boots – Dirt cheap, negligible stats.
- Ring: Ring of Wealth – Minor utility, low cost.
Cost Estimate: ~50k-150k GP. Perfect for training at crabs or low-level Slayer tasks.
Best-in-Slot Ranged Setup
For high-level PvP or bossing, this BIS ranged gear delivers precision and power:
| Slot | Item | Bonuses | Approx. Cost (GP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Robin Hood Hat | +8 Ranged attack | 400k-500k |
| Cape | Ava’s Accumulator | +4 Ranged attack, 80% ammo save | Earned via Animal Magnetism |
| Neck | Necklace of Anguish | +15 Ranged attack, +5 Ranged strength | 14M-16M |
| Body | Rangers’ Tunic | +15 Ranged attack | 1M-2M |
| Legs | Black D’hide Chaps | +8 Ranged attack | 300k-400k |
| Weapon | Zaryte Crossbow | +110 Ranged attack | 400M+ |
| Ammo | Dragon Bolts (e) | High damage with enchantments | 1k-2k each |
| Gloves | Barrows Gloves | +6 Ranged attack | Earned via Recipe for Disaster |
| Boots | Ranger Boots | +8 Ranged attack | 30M-40M |
| Ring | Archers Ring (i) | +8 Ranged attack | 3M-4M |
Total Cost: ~450M+ GP for Zaryte Crossbow setup; swap to Armadyl Crossbow (~30M) for a cheaper BIS alternative. The Necklace of Anguish is a game-changer for Ranged strength.
Magic Gear for 1 Defence Pures
Magic is less common but effective for PvP teleblocks or PvM safespotting. Gear focuses on Magic attack and prayer bonuses for sustainability.
Budget Magic Setup
Ideal for splashing or early PvM:
- Head: Wizard Hat – +2 Magic attack, dirt cheap.
- Cape: Zamorak Cape – +3 Magic attack, free from Mage Arena.
- Neck: Amulet of Magic – +10 Magic attack, under 10k GP.
- Body: Wizard Robe Top – Basic Magic gear, low cost.
- Legs: Wizard Robe Bottom – Matches top, affordable.
- Weapon: Staff of Air – Free air runes, no level requirement.
- Shield: Book of Darkness – Minor Magic bonus.
- Gloves: Leather Gloves – Negligible stats, cheap.
- Boots: Boots of Lightness – Lightweight, no stats.
- Ring: Ring of Life – Safety for PvM, ~10k GP.
Cost Estimate: ~20k-50k GP. Great for AFK splashing or low-level quests.
Best-in-Slot Magic Setup
For PvP teleblocks or high-level PvM:
- Head: Elder Chaos Hood – +8 Magic attack.
- Cape: Imbued God Cape – +15 Magic attack, earned via Mage Arena II.
- Neck: Occult Necklace – +12 Magic attack, +10% Magic damage.
- Body: Elder Chaos Top – +13 Magic attack.
- Legs: Elder Chaos Bottom – +11 Magic attack.
- Weapon: Kodai Wand – +28 Magic attack, autocast ancients.
- Shield: Mage’s Book – +15 Magic attack.
- Gloves: Barrows Gloves – +6 Magic attack.
- Boots: Wizard Boots – +4 Magic attack.
- Ring: Seers Ring (i) – +8 Magic attack.
Total Cost: ~50M-60M GP, with Kodai Wand being the bulk (~40M). The Occult Necklace’s damage boost is critical for PvP.
Tips for Optimizing Your Gear
Gear alone won’t make you a top-tier pure. Here are practical tips to get the most out of your setup:
Quest for Rewards
Complete quests like Animal Magnetism (Ava’s devices), Recipe for Disaster (Barrows Gloves), and Fight Caves (Fire Cape) to unlock BIS items without Defence XP.
Balance Cost and Risk
In PvP, only risk what you’re willing to lose. Use budget gear for learning and save BIS for high-stakes fights or clan events.
Hybrid Setups
For PvP, consider hybrid gear (e.g., Black D’hide with Elder Chaos robes) to switch between Ranged and Magic, keeping opponents guessing.
Conclusion
Building a 1 Defence pure in OSRS is a thrilling challenge that rewards strategic planning and skill. From budget setups for training to BIS gear for dominating PvP, this guide covers options for every budget and playstyle. Start with affordable gear, grind for quest rewards, and gradually invest in high-end items as your skills grow. What’s your favorite 1 Def pure setup? Share your thoughts in the comments!