OSRS 4 Tick Weapons: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Attack Speed

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), combat is a rhythm game at its core, driven by the tick system where every action takes a set number of 0.6-second intervals, known as ticks. Among the many factors that define a weapon’s effectiveness, attack speed stands out as a critical mechanic. Enter 4 tick weapons—the gold standard for melee combat in OSRS, offering a perfect balance of speed and power. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into what makes 4 tick weapons so special, explore the best options, and explain how they shape your gameplay, whether you’re slaying bosses or skilling efficiently. Let’s break it down!

In OSRS, attack speed determines how often your character strikes, measured in ticks. A 4 tick weapon lands a hit every 2.4 seconds (4 × 0.6 seconds), making it the fastest melee attack speed available without special modifiers. This speed is a sweet spot—faster than the 5 tick weapons like the Osmumten’s Fang, yet still packing enough punch to dominate in most scenarios. Understanding this mechanic is key to maximizing your damage per second (DPS) and mastering high-level content.

Why 4 Ticks Matter

The 4 tick cycle aligns perfectly with many game mechanics, such as boss attack patterns (e.g., Olm in Chambers of Xeric) and tick manipulation techniques. This synergy allows players to optimize their combat rhythm, squeezing in more hits while dodging or mitigating damage. For example, the famous “4:1 method” at Olm relies on 4 tick weapons to maintain a consistent attack cycle against the boss’s own 4 tick rhythm.

Comparing Attack Speeds

To put 4 tick weapons in context, here’s how they stack up:

• 2 Ticks: Toxic Blowpipe (on Rapid) – Lightning-fast, but ranged-only.
• 4 Ticks: Abyssal Whip, Dragon Scimitar – The melee standard.
• 5 Ticks: Osmumten’s Fang, Scythe of Vitur – Slower but often higher-hitting.
• 6+ Ticks: Two-handed weapons like the Elder Maul – Heavy but sluggish.

The 4 tick speed strikes a balance, offering frequent attacks without sacrificing too much raw power, unlike the slower, harder-hitting alternatives.

Top 4 Tick Weapons in OSRS

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s spotlight the best 4 tick weapons you can wield in OSRS. These are the tools that define melee combat for millions of players.

Abyssal Whip

The Abyssal Whip is the poster child of 4 tick weapons. Dropped by Abyssal Demons, this iconic weapon boasts a +82 Slash attack bonus and +82 Strength bonus, making it a Slayer and training staple. Its 4 tick speed ensures high DPS against low-to-mid defense targets, though it loses some edge against heavily armored foes. At around 2-3 million GP, it’s an affordable powerhouse for most players.

Dragon Scimitar

A classic for mid-level players, the Dragon Scimitar offers a +67 Slash attack bonus and +66 Strength bonus. Requiring 60 Attack and completion of Monkey Madness I, it’s a budget-friendly 4 tick option at roughly 100k GP. While it lacks the Whip’s raw stats, its accessibility and speed make it a go-to for training or early-game PvM.

Ghrazi Rapier

For endgame melee, the Ghrazi Rapier reigns supreme. Dropped by the Theatre of Blood, this 4 tick weapon delivers a +94 Stab attack bonus and +89 Strength bonus. Its precision makes it ideal for high-defense bosses like Bandos or Corporeal Beast. Priced at over 100 million GP, it’s a luxury item, but its performance justifies the cost.

Abyssal Tentacle

An upgrade to the Abyssal Whip, the Abyssal Tentacle adds a +8 Strength bonus boost (totaling +90) and a poison effect, all while retaining the 4 tick speed. Created by combining a Whip with a Kraken Tentacle, it’s a mid-tier upgrade at around 5-6 million GP total. The catch? It degrades after 10,000 hits, requiring upkeep.

How 4 Tick Weapons Impact Combat

The 4 tick attack speed isn’t just a number—it shapes how you approach combat in OSRS. Let’s explore its practical applications.

PvM: Bossing and Slayer

In PvM, 4 tick weapons excel against enemies with moderate defense. The Abyssal Whip, for instance, out-DPSes the 5 tick Osmumten’s Fang on Slayer tasks like Gargoyles or Nechryaels due to its speed. For bossing, the Ghrazi Rapier’s 4 tick rhythm shines in scenarios like the 4:1 Olm method, where timing is everything. However, against ultra-high-defense targets (e.g., 175+ defense), slower weapons with accuracy passives might edge out.

PvP: Speed Is King

In PvP, 4 tick weapons dominate due to their ability to stack damage quickly. The Dragon Scimitar’s special attack, Sever, disables protection prayers, while the Abyssal Tentacle’s poison adds pressure. The rapid attack cycle lets you combo with specials like the Dragon Dagger or Granite Maul, making 4 tick weapons a cornerstone of hybrid fights.

Tick Manipulation in Skilling

Beyond combat, 4 tick weapons play a role in tick manipulation for skilling. For example, using a 4 tick weapon to flinch an NPC (like a rat) while woodcutting or fishing can reset the skilling timer, boosting XP rates. This technique, while niche, showcases the versatility of 4 tick timing.

4 Tick Weapons vs. Alternatives

While 4 tick weapons are the melee standard, they’re not always the best choice. Let’s compare them to other attack speeds and see where they shine or falter.

4 Ticks vs. 5 Ticks

The debate between 4 tick and 5 tick weapons (e.g., Whip vs. Fang) hinges on enemy defense. Against low-defense targets, the Whip’s extra attack per 12 ticks (5 vs. 4 hits) wins out. But as defense climbs, the Fang’s accuracy passive and higher stats take over. Here’s a quick table:

Weapon	Speed	Strength Bonus	Best Use
Abyssal Whip	4 Ticks	+82	Low-Mid Defense
Osmumten’s Fang	5 Ticks	+105	High Defense

4 Ticks vs. Ranged and Magic

Compared to the 2 tick Toxic Blowpipe or 5 tick magic spells, 4 tick melee weapons offer a middle ground. The Blowpipe’s speed is unmatched, but its nerfed damage and ammo costs level the field. Magic’s 5 tick cycle is slower but brings utility (e.g., freezes), making 4 tick melee a reliable all-rounder.

When to Skip 4 Ticks

For specific niches, slower weapons like the Scythe of Vitur (5 ticks, multi-hit) or Elder Maul (6 ticks, crush focus) outperform 4 tick options. If you’re tackling multi-target bosses like Cerberus or need raw crush power for Verzik, 4 ticks might not cut it.

Tips for Using 4 Tick Weapons Effectively

To get the most out of your 4 tick arsenal, here are some practical tips:

Master the Rhythm

OSRS is a rhythm game, and 4 tick weapons demand timing. Practice clicking every 2.4 seconds to sync with animations—tools like RuneLite’s metronome plugin can help. This is crucial for PvM methods like Woox walking Vorkath or prayer flicking.

Pair with Gear

Boost your 4 tick weapon’s potential with strength gear:

• Primordial Boots: +5 Strength bonus.
• Amulet of Torture: +10 Strength bonus.
• Infernal Cape: +4 Strength bonus.

Every point counts when you’re landing hits every 4 ticks!

Know Your Target

Check enemy weaknesses on the OSRS Wiki or DPS calculators (e.g., Bitterkoekje’s). A 4 tick weapon might shred a Slayer task but struggle against a boss like Tekton. Adapt your loadout accordingly.

Conclusion: 4 tick weapons are the backbone of melee combat in OSRS, blending speed and strength into a versatile package. From the humble Dragon Scimitar to the elite Ghrazi Rapier, these weapons define how millions play the game. Whether you’re a Slayer grinder, PvP enthusiast, or raid master, understanding and wielding 4 tick weapons will elevate your skills. So, grab your Whip, sync your clicks, and dominate Gielinor—one 2.4-second strike at a time!