OSRS Best F2P Melee Weapon Guide for 2025
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a thrilling free-to-play (F2P) experience, and choosing the right melee weapon is key to dominating combat in Gielinor. Whether you’re training skills, tackling quests, or battling in the Wilderness, the best F2P melee weapon can make all the difference. This guide dives into the top melee weapons available to F2P players, comparing their stats, uses, and accessibility to help you optimize your gameplay.
Melee combat in OSRS relies on three skills: Attack, Strength, and Defence. Your weapon choice directly impacts how effectively you deal damage and progress through training. In F2P, options are limited compared to members’ worlds, but there are still standout weapons that balance speed, power, and accessibility. A good melee weapon maximizes damage per second (DPS), improves accuracy, and suits your combat style—whether you’re slashing, stabbing, or crushing foes.
Understanding Melee Weapon Stats
Weapons in OSRS have specific attributes like attack speed, strength bonus, and attack bonuses (slash, stab, crush). Faster weapons, with an attack speed of 4 ticks (2.4 seconds), typically offer higher DPS, making them ideal for training. Strength bonuses boost your maximum hit, while attack bonuses improve accuracy. In F2P, scimitars, swords, and maces dominate due to their balance of these stats.
F2P Combat Limitations
F2P players face restrictions on gear and monsters, so weapon choice is critical. You won’t have access to high-tier members’ weapons like the Abyssal Whip or Dragon Scimitar. Instead, you’ll rely on rune-tier weapons and niche options like the Barronite Mace for specific scenarios. Knowing which weapon excels in PvE or PvP can save you time and gold.
Top F2P Melee Weapons Ranked
Let’s break down the best F2P melee weapons, focusing on their stats, requirements, and ideal use cases. These are the tools that will carry you through Lumbridge’s goblins to Varrock’s sewers and beyond.
Rune Scimitar: The King of F2P Melee
The Rune Scimitar is widely regarded as the best all-purpose melee weapon in F2P. With a +45 slash attack bonus, +44 strength bonus, and an attack speed of 4 ticks, it delivers unmatched DPS for its requirements.
- Requirements: 40 Attack
- Best For: General training, PvE, PvP
- How to Get: Buy from the Grand Exchange (around 15-20k gold) or smith with 90 Smithing (3 runite bars)
Its speed makes it ideal for training on low-defence monsters like giant frogs or moss giants. In PvP, the Rune Scimitar’s quick attacks pair well with combo-eating strategies. If you’re aiming for 40 Attack, prioritize this weapon for its versatility.
Rune 2H Sword: High-Risk, High-Reward
The Rune 2H Sword sacrifices speed for raw power, boasting a +69 slash attack bonus and +70 strength bonus but a slower 7-tick (4.2 seconds) attack speed.
- Requirements: 40 Attack
- Best For: PvP knockouts, high-defence monsters
- How to Get: Grand Exchange (30-40k gold) or smith with 99 Smithing
This weapon shines in PvP for delivering devastating hits, especially when switching from a faster weapon to land a knockout blow. In PvE, it’s less efficient for training due to its slow speed but can be useful against tougher foes like lesser demons.
Barronite Mace: Niche Powerhouse
The Barronite Mace is a hidden gem for specific scenarios, particularly in the Ruins of Camdozaal. It offers a +40 crush attack bonus and +40 strength bonus, matching the Rune Scimitar’s speed.
- Requirements: 40 Attack
- Best For: Runecrafting golems, low-defence monsters
- How to Get: Complete “Below Ice Mountain” quest, then purchase from Ramarno for 100 Barronite shards
Its golembane effect boosts damage against runecrafting golems, making it the best choice for training there. Outside Camdozaal, it’s a solid crush alternative but falls slightly behind the Rune Scimitar for general use.
Rune Sword: Budget-Friendly Stabbing
The Rune Sword is a reliable stab-focused weapon with a +38 stab attack bonus and +39 strength bonus, maintaining the 4-tick speed.
- Requirements: 40 Attack
- Best For: Stab-weak monsters, budget builds
- How to Get: Grand Exchange (10-15k gold) or smith with 89 Smithing
It’s a cheaper alternative to the scimitar and excels against monsters weak to stab, like certain quest bosses. However, its lower DPS makes it less ideal for extended training.
Hill Giant Club: Crush Specialist
The Hill Giant Club is the best crush weapon in F2P, with a +65 crush attack bonus and +50 strength bonus but a sluggish 6-tick (3.6 seconds) speed.
- Requirements: 40 Attack
- Best For: Crush-weak monsters, flexing
- How to Get: Rare drop from hill giants or Grand Exchange (50-60k gold)
Its slow speed reduces DPS, so it’s not great for training. Use it for specific crush-weak enemies or to show off your grind.
Weapon Comparison Table
To help you choose, here’s a quick comparison of the top F2P melee weapons:
| Weapon | Attack Bonus | Strength Bonus | Speed (Ticks) | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rune Scimitar | +45 (Slash) | +44 | 4 | General training, PvP |
| Rune 2H Sword | +69 (Slash) | +70 | 7 | PvP knockouts |
| Barronite Mace | +40 (Crush) | +40 | 4 | Golems, crush attacks |
| Rune Sword | +38 (Stab) | +39 | 4 | Stab-weak foes |
| Hill Giant Club | +65 (Crush) | +50 | 6 | Crush-weak foes |
How to Choose the Right Weapon
Your weapon choice depends on your goals, combat level, and budget. Here are key factors to consider:
Training Efficiency
For leveling Attack, Strength, or Defence, prioritize DPS. The Rune Scimitar is your go-to due to its speed and strength bonus. Pair it with an amulet of strength for higher max hits or an amulet of power for balanced stats. Train on monsters like giant frogs (Lumbridge Swamp) or moss giants (Varrock Sewers) for optimal XP.
PvP Scenarios
In the Wilderness or Clan Wars, versatility is crucial. The Rune Scimitar excels for sustained damage, but switch to a Rune 2H Sword for a final hit to secure kills. Use full rune armour and green d’hide vambraces (40 Ranged required) to tank hits.
Questing and Bosses
Quests like “Dragon Slayer I” or fights against bosses like the Giant Champion require specific attack styles. The Rune Sword is great for stab-weak enemies, while the Barronite Mace shines in Camdozaal-based tasks. Check monster weaknesses on the OSRS Wiki before engaging.
Tips to Maximize Your Melee Potential
Beyond picking the right weapon, these strategies will boost your F2P melee performance:
- Complete Key Quests: Quests like “Vampire Slayer” and “The Grand Tree” (if you temporarily go P2P) give combat XP, helping you reach 40 Attack faster.
- Optimize Gear: Use full rune armour for melee defence, a chainbody against crush attacks, and decorative boots (gold) from Castle Wars for a +1 strength bonus.
- Bank Efficiently: Train near banks (e.g., Lumbridge Castle for giant frogs) to restock food quickly.
- Use Food Wisely: Buy kebabs (1gp) in Al Kharid or fish for shrimp to sustain longer training sessions.
- Join a Clan: Clans offer PvP training and group PvE events, improving your combat skills.
Conclusion: Start Slashing Today
The Rune Scimitar stands tall as the best F2P melee weapon in OSRS for its speed, damage, and accessibility. Whether you’re grinding XP, clashing in PvP, or questing, it’s a reliable choice. For niche scenarios, the Barronite Mace and Rune 2H Sword offer specialized power, while the Rune Sword and Hill Giant Club cater to specific weaknesses. Equip your weapon, train smart, and conquer Gielinor’s challenges in 2025!
Ready to wield your blade? Share your favorite F2P melee weapon in the comments or join the OSRS community on Reddit for more tips!