OSRS Best Free-to-Play Gear 2023 Ultimate Guide

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), free-to-play (F2P) players can still access powerful gear to excel in combat, training, and PvP without a membership. This guide explores the best F2P gear in 2023, optimized for melee, ranged, and magic combat styles. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned F2P pure, we’ll cover top-tier equipment, how to obtain it, and why it’s the best choice. Let’s dive into the gear that will maximize your Gielinor adventures!

In F2P OSRS, gear progression is limited compared to pay-to-play (P2P), but the right equipment can significantly boost your combat effectiveness. Unlike P2P, F2P gear lacks offensive bonuses on armor, making your choices critical for maximizing damage output or defense. Selecting the best-in-slot (BiS) items ensures you’re ready for PvM, PvP, or skill training, even with restricted options.

Key Considerations for F2P Gear

• Combat Style: Melee, ranged, or magic—each requires specific gear to optimize performance.
• Accessibility: Some gear requires quests or high skill levels, while others are easily bought.
• Budget: F2P players often rely on the Grand Exchange, so cost matters.
• Stats: Prioritize strength, attack, or defensive bonuses based on your goals.

Best F2P Melee Gear

Melee is the most popular combat style in F2P due to its accessibility and high damage potential. The best melee gear focuses on maximizing strength and attack bonuses while maintaining decent defense.

Rune Armor Full Set

The Rune Platebody, Rune Full Helm, Rune Plateskirt, and Rune Kiteshield form the cornerstone of F2P melee armor. Requiring 40 Defence and completion of the Dragon Slayer I quest for the platebody, this set offers the highest defensive bonuses in F2P. It’s ideal for tanking in PvM or surviving longer in PvP.

• How to Get: Purchase from the Grand Exchange or kill Obor for helm and kiteshield (Ironmen).
• Cost: Approximately 100k-150k GP for the full set.

Rune Scimitar

The Rune Scimitar is the best F2P melee weapon for training and general combat, offering a +45 slash bonus and fast attack speed. It requires 40 Attack to wield and is a staple for most F2P players.

• How to Get: Buy from the Grand Exchange (~15k GP) or smith at 90 Smithing.
• Why It’s Great: Balances speed and damage, perfect for all combat styles (slash, stab, block).

Hill Giant Club

For players prioritizing crush damage, the Hill Giant Club is BiS with a +65 crush bonus and +70 strength bonus. It’s a two-handed weapon, so you’ll sacrifice the kiteshield’s defense.

• How to Get: Dropped by Hill Giants or Obor (~80k GP on GE).
• Use Case: PvP knockout weapon or PvM against enemies weak to crush.

Amulet of Strength

The Amulet of Strength provides a +10 strength bonus, making it BiS for melee damage. It’s affordable and boosts max hits significantly.

• How to Get: Craft at 50 Crafting (ruby amulet + enchant) or buy (~2k GP).

Best F2P Ranged Gear

Ranged combat in F2P is excellent for safe-spotting NPCs and PvP due to its distance advantage. The best ranged gear emphasizes accuracy and attack speed.

Green Dragonhide Armor

The Green D’hide Body, Green D’hide Chaps, and Green D’hide Vambraces are BiS for ranged defense and bonuses. Requiring 40 Ranged and 40 Defence (plus Dragon Slayer I for the body), this set offers +15 to +25 ranged attack bonuses.

• How to Get: Craft with 57-63 Crafting or buy (~10k-20k GP).
• Tip: Pair with a Coif for extra ranged accuracy.

Maple Shortbow with Adamant Arrows

The Maple Shortbow paired with Adamant Arrows is the top F2P ranged setup. The shortbow requires 30 Ranged, and adamant arrows provide the highest damage for F2P.

• How to Get: Buy shortbow (~1k GP) and arrows (~11 GP each) from GE or fletch at 60 Fletching.
• Why It’s Great: Fast attack speed and high damage for PvM and PvP.

Amulet of Power

The Amulet of Power offers balanced bonuses (+6 ranged attack, +6 strength) and is BiS for ranged combat in F2P.

• How to Get: Craft at 70 Crafting (diamond amulet + enchant) or buy (~3k GP).

Best F2P Magic Gear

Magic in F2P is limited but effective for low-to-mid-level combat and utility spells like teleports. The best magic gear boosts accuracy for consistent hits.

Wizard Robes and Zamorak Robes

Wizard Robes (top, bottom, hat) provide basic magic accuracy, while Zamorak Monk Robes (top and bottom) are BiS for F2P magic due to their +6 magic attack bonus per piece. No level requirements make them accessible to all.

• How to Get: Wizard robes from shops (~1k GP); Zamorak robes dropped by Monks of Zamorak (~5k GP).
• Tip: Use with a Wizard Hat for extra accuracy.

Staff of Fire with Fire Blast

The Staff of Fire paired with Fire Blast (level 59 Magic) is the strongest F2P magic setup, offering a max hit of 16. The staff provides unlimited fire runes, saving inventory space.

• How to Get: Buy staff (~1.5k GP) and runes from GE or Mage Arena.
• Use Case: PvM or low-level PvP for high burst damage.

Amulet of Magic

The Amulet of Magic grants a +10 magic attack bonus, making it BiS for spell accuracy in F2P.

• How to Get: Craft at 24 Crafting (sapphire amulet + enchant) or buy (~1k GP).

Gear Comparison Table

Below is a table summarizing the best F2P gear for each combat style, including key stats and approximate costs (as of 2023).

Combat Style	Slot	Item	Key Bonus	Cost (GP)
Melee	Body	Rune Platebody	+82 Stab Defence	~40k
Melee	Weapon	Rune Scimitar	+45 Slash	~15k
Melee	Neck	Amulet of Strength	+10 Strength	~2k
Ranged	Body	Green D’hide Body	+25 Ranged Attack	~10k
Ranged	Weapon	Maple Shortbow	+29 Ranged Attack	~1k
Magic	Body	Zamorak Monk Top	+6 Magic Attack	~3k
Magic	Weapon	Staff of Fire	Unlimited Fire Runes	~1.5k

Tips for Optimizing Your F2P Gear Setup

To get the most out of your F2P gear, follow these strategies to enhance performance and efficiency.

Complete Key Quests

Quests like Dragon Slayer I unlock essential gear (Rune Platebody, Green D’hide Body). Others, like Vampire Slayer, provide combat XP to reach gear requirements faster.

Balance Cost and Performance

If you’re low on GP, prioritize affordable items like the Amulet of Strength or Wizard Robes. Save for big purchases like Rune Armor by grinding low-level monsters or skilling.

Train Efficiently

Use BiS gear to train at optimal locations, such as Hill Giants for melee or Ogresses for ranged/magic. Efficient training unlocks higher-tier gear faster.

PvP Considerations

In PvP, mix gear for hybrid setups (e.g., Green D’hide with Rune Scimitar). The Hill Giant Club is a popular knockout weapon, while Zamorak Robes shine for magic pures.

By equipping the best F2P gear in 2023, you’ll dominate combat in OSRS, whether you’re slaying monsters, battling players, or grinding XP. Stick to this guide, and your F2P journey will be both rewarding and efficient. Happy ‘scaping!