OSRS Best Free-to-Play Monsters to Kill for Profit and XP in 2025

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a vast world for free-to-play (F2P) players to explore, and one of the most engaging activities is monster hunting. Whether you’re looking to grind combat XP or stack up some gold pieces (GP) for that shiny new gear, knowing which F2P monsters to kill can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll dive into the best free-to-play monsters in OSRS to slay in 2025, balancing profit, experience, and accessibility. From low-level starters to high-level challenges, there’s something here for every F2P adventurer.
In the F2P version of OSRS, monster killing (or PvM—Player vs. Monster) is a core mechanic for leveling combat skills and earning GP. Unlike members’ worlds, which unlock a broader range of lucrative monsters and bosses, F2P players need to get creative with what’s available. The right monster can offer consistent drops, decent XP rates, and a chance at rare items—all without a membership fee.
Balancing Profit and XP
When choosing a monster, consider your goals. Are you after quick cash to fund a bond, or do you want to max out your melee stats? Some monsters lean toward profit (like Ogress Warriors), while others are XP machines (like Flesh Crawlers). We’ll cover both in this post.
Accessibility for All Levels
F2P spans combat levels 3 to 126, so we’ve included monsters for beginners, mid-tier players, and seasoned veterans. No matter your stats, there’s a monster worth your time.
Top Low-Level F2P Monsters for Beginners
If you’re just starting out in OSRS, low-level monsters are your bread and butter. They’re easy to kill, often located near banks, and drop items that add up over time.
Cows (Level 2)
Location: Lumbridge pastures
Combat Level: 2
Drops: Cowhide (100-150 GP), raw beef, bones
Cows are the classic newbie monster. Found right outside Lumbridge, they’re perfect for players with combat levels under 20. Each kill nets you about 250 GP when you sell the cowhide on the Grand Exchange, and the bones help train Prayer. Bring a sack to collect hides and bank them in Lumbridge—easy money for early gear upgrades.
Goblins (Level 2-5)
Location: Near Lumbridge Castle
Combat Level: 2-5
Drops: Coins, bronze items, goblin mail
Goblins are another starter favorite. They’re weak, plentiful, and drop small amounts of coins and junk items. While not a goldmine, they’re great for training Attack, Strength, and Defense up to level 10 or 15 without much risk.
Best Mid-Level F2P Monsters for Profit and Growth
Once you hit combat level 30-50, it’s time to step up. Mid-level monsters offer better XP and more valuable drops, making them ideal for players transitioning from beginner to intermediate.
Hill Giants (Level 28)
Location: Edgeville Dungeon, Varrock shack (brass key required)
Combat Level: 28
Drops: Big bones (200-250 GP), limpwurt roots (300-400 GP), Giant Key
Hill Giants are a staple for mid-level F2P players. Their big bones are a reliable Prayer XP and GP source, while limpwurt roots add extra profit. The Giant Key drop lets you challenge Obor, the F2P boss, for a shot at rare loot like the Hill Giant Club (700k+ GP). Use the Edgeville Dungeon spot for quick banking.
Moss Giants (Level 42)
Location: Varrock Sewers, Crandor
Combat Level: 42
Drops: Big bones, black sq shield (5k-6k GP), runes
Moss Giants hit harder than Hill Giants but reward you with higher XP and better drops. The black square shield is a decent chunk of change, and their rune drops (chaos, nature) are great for mages or alchers. Stick to Varrock Sewers for easier access, and bring some food if your Defense is low.
Flesh Crawlers (Level 28-41)
Location: Stronghold of Security (Level 2)
Combat Level: 28-41
Drops: Herbs, runes, body runes (stackable)
Flesh Crawlers are XP goldmines for mid-level players. They’re aggressive and respawn instantly, making them perfect for AFK melee training. Drops like herbs and runes add up, though they’re not as profitable as Hill Giants. Wear decent armor—they hit often but not too hard.
High-Level F2P Monsters for Max Profit
For combat levels 70+, these monsters bring the best GP-per-hour rates in F2P. They require stronger gear and strategy but pay off big time.
Ogress Warriors (Level 82)
Location: Corsair Cove Dungeon
Combat Level: 82
Drops: Rune med helm (10k-11k GP), nature runes, mithril items
Ogress Warriors are the crown jewel of F2P money-making. Found in Corsair Cove (unlocked via The Corsair Curse quest), they drop stacks of runes, alchable gear, and coins. Expect 100k-200k GP per hour with good stats and a safe spot (plenty exist in the dungeon). Use Ranged or Magic for efficiency.
Ogress Shamans (Level 82)
Location: Corsair Cove Dungeon
Combat Level: 82
Drops: Rune items, death runes, law runes
Ogress Shamans share the same dungeon as Warriors and offer similar loot, but with less competition. They use Magic attacks, so prayer flicking (Protect from Magic) can make trips nearly food-free. Pair with a fire to cook tuna spawns in the room for infinite sustain. Profits rival Warriors at 150k-200k GP/hour.
Ankous (Level 75-82)
Location: Stronghold of Security (Level 4)
Combat Level: 75-82
Drops: Death runes, noted adamant arrows, law runes
Ankous are a high-level grinder’s dream. Their death and law rune drops stack up fast, and noted adamant arrows are a nice bonus. They’re aggressive, so bring rune armor and food. You’ll pull 50k-100k GP/hour while racking up solid XP—perfect for prepping a bond.
Bosses Worth Tackling in F2P
F2P bosses add excitement and rare drops to your monster-killing roster. They’re tougher but worth the effort for high-level players.
Obor (Level 106)
Location: Edgeville Dungeon (Hill Giant area)
Requirements: Giant Key from Hill Giants
Drops: Hill Giant Club (700k-800k GP), runes, alchables
Obor, the Hill Giant boss, is accessible with a Giant Key. He uses Melee and Ranged, so bring food and a Strength potion. The Hill Giant Club is the big prize, but even regular drops (rune items, coins) make each kill profitable. Aim for 50k-100k GP per kill, depending on luck.
Bryophyta (Level 128)
Location: Varrock Sewers
Requirements: Mossy Key from Moss Giants
Drops: Bryophyta’s Essence (300k-400k GP), nature runes
Bryophyta, the Moss Giant boss, demands decent stats and gear. Her essence is a rare, high-value drop, and she tosses out nature runes like candy. Kills net 50k-80k GP on average, with the essence being the jackpot. Use Protect from Melee and watch her poison attack.
Tips for Maximizing Your F2P Monster Kills
To get the most out of these monsters, follow these strategies:
- Gear Up: Use the best F2P armor (rune for melee, green d’hide for ranged) and weapons (rune scimitar, maple shortbow).
- Safe Spots: Exploit safe spots for Ogresses and Moss Giants to save food and boost kill speed.
- Bank Smart: Stick to locations near banks (Edgeville, Varrock) for quick trips.
- Stackable Drops: Prioritize monsters with runes or noted items to extend trips.
- Quests: Complete The Corsair Curse for Ogress access—it’s a game-changer.
Monster | Combat Level | GP/Hour (Avg) | Best Drop |
---|---|---|---|
Cows | 2 | 20k-30k | Cowhide |
Hill Giants | 28 | 40k-60k | Giant Key |
Ogress Warriors | 82 | 100k-200k | Rune med helm |
Ankous | 75-82 | 50k-100k | Death runes |
Obor | 106 | 50k-100k | Hill Giant Club |
Monster killing in OSRS F2P is all about finding your sweet spot—whether it’s grinding cows for your first 10k or taking down Ogress Warriors for bond money. Start small, scale up, and watch your bank grow. Which monster will you tackle first? Drop your favorite in the comments and happy slaying!