OSRS Best Magic Capes Top Picks for Mages
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the cape slot is crucial for mages looking to maximize their magical prowess. Whether you’re casting spells in PvM, PvP, or skilling, the right cape can make a significant difference. This guide explores the best magic capes in OSRS, highlighting their stats, uses, and how to obtain them. From iconic skill capes to powerful combat upgrades, we’ll help you choose the perfect cape to enhance your mage build.
Capes in OSRS are more than just cosmetic. For mages, they provide critical bonuses to magic attack, defense, and sometimes even magic strength, which directly impact spell accuracy and damage. Choosing the right cape depends on your playstyle—whether you prioritize raw power, utility, or prestige. With recent updates like Varlamore’s The Final Dawn, new capes have entered the scene, shaking up the meta. Let’s dive into the top contenders.
Top Magic Capes for Every Mage
Below, we rank the best magic capes based on their bonuses, accessibility, and overall utility. Each cape serves a unique purpose, so we’ll break down their strengths and ideal scenarios.
Eldritch Veil
The Eldritch Veil is the pinnacle of magic capes in OSRS, introduced with Varlamore’s The Final Dawn update. It’s the best-in-slot magic cape, offering unmatched bonuses for high-level mages.
- Stats: +20 Magic Attack, +20 Magic Defence, +3% Magic Strength
- Requirements: 80 Magic
- Passive Effect: Guarantees a minimum hit of 2 for all Magic attacks (unaffected by Tumeken’s Shadow multipliers)
How to Get It: Defeat the Osto-Ayak boss at Delve level 8. This is a high-skill challenge requiring precise mechanics and top-tier gear, making it a status symbol for elite players.
Best For: Endgame PvM (e.g., Chambers of Xeric, Theatre of Blood) and PvP where maximizing magic damage is critical. Its passive effect ensures consistent damage, especially against high-defense targets.
Imbued God Cape
Before the Eldritch Veil, the Imbued God Cape (Saradomin, Zamorak, or Guthix) held the crown as the best magic cape. It remains a fantastic option for most players due to its accessibility and strong bonuses.
How to Get It: Complete the Mage Arena II miniquest in the Wilderness. You’ll need to defeat three high-level monsters and imbue a standard God Cape with a Justiciar’s Hand, Ent’s Roots, or Demon’s Heart. Be cautious—this takes place in a PvP area.
Best For: Mid-to-late-game PvM (e.g., Zulrah, Inferno) and PvP scenarios like Ice Barrage setups. Its high magic attack bonus boosts accuracy, and the 2% strength bonus adds a rare damage edge.
God Cape
The God Cape (Saradomin, Zamorak, or Guthix) is an earlier version of the imbued variant, perfect for newer mages or those not ready for Mage Arena II.
How to Get It: Complete the Mage Arena I miniquest by defeating Kolodion in the Wilderness. After victory, pray at one of the god statues to receive your chosen cape.
Best For: Early-to-mid-game mages training at places like the Magic Training Arena or fighting monsters with magic-based attacks. It’s also useful in God Wars Dungeon to align with a faction (e.g., Zamorak cape to avoid aggression).
Magic Skillcape
The Magic Skillcape is a prestigious choice for mages who’ve reached level 99 Magic, offering both utility and a unique perk.
- Stats: +9 to all Defence bonuses, +4 Prayer
- Perk: Switch spellbooks up to five times per day without visiting an altar
How to Get It: Purchase from Wizard Sinina at the Wizards’ Guild for 99,000 coins after achieving 99 Magic.
Best For: Versatile mages who switch between Standard, Ancient, Lunar, or Arceuus spellbooks. It’s ideal for Barrows runs (freezing brothers with Ancients) or Slayer tasks requiring Lunar spells like NPC Contact.
Infernal Cape
While not a traditional magic cape, the Infernal Cape deserves mention for its defensive stats, which can benefit hybrid mage setups.
- Stats: +12 to all Defence bonuses, +4 Prayer, +1 Magic Attack
- Requirements: None, but obtaining it requires defeating TzKal-Zuk in the Inferno
How to Get It: Complete the Inferno, one of OSRS’s toughest PvM challenges. Expect multiple attempts and top-tier gear.
Best For: Mages tanking in high-level content like Theatre of Blood, where defensive stats are as important as offensive ones. Its minimal magic attack bonus makes it less ideal for pure DPS.
Comparing Magic Capes
To help you decide, here’s a table summarizing the key stats and requirements of these capes:
| Cape | Magic Attack | Magic Defence | Magic Strength | Other Bonuses | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eldritch Veil | +20 | +20 | +3% | Min hit of 2 | 80 Magic |
| Imbued God Cape | +15 | +15 | +2% | None | 75 Magic |
| God Cape | +10 | +10 | 0% | None | 60 Magic |
| Magic Skillcape | 0 | +9 | 0% | +4 Prayer, Spellbook switch | 99 Magic |
| Infernal Cape | +1 | +12 | 0% | +4 Prayer | None |
This table highlights why the Eldritch Veil and Imbued God Cape dominate for offensive mages, while the Magic Skillcape shines for utility.
How to Choose the Right Magic Cape
Selecting a magic cape depends on your goals, skill level, and account progression. Here are some factors to consider:
Your Magic Level
If you’re below 75 Magic, the God Cape is your best bet. For 75+ Magic, aim for the Imbued God Cape or push for the Eldritch Veil at 80 Magic. The Magic Skillcape requires 99, so it’s a long-term goal.
PvM vs. PvP
For PvM, the Eldritch Veil’s 3% strength bonus and passive effect make it unmatched. In PvP, the Imbued God Cape’s +15 Magic Attack ensures high accuracy for spells like Entangle or Ice Barrage. The God Cape is a budget option for both but falls short in competitive scenarios.
Budget and Accessibility
The God Cape is the easiest to obtain, requiring only the Mage Arena I miniquest. The Imbued God Cape demands more effort but is still accessible for mid-level players. The Eldritch Veil and Infernal Cape are endgame items, requiring significant skill and investment. The Magic Skillcape, while expensive in terms of XP, costs only 99,000 coins.
Tips for Getting Your Magic Cape
Acquiring these capes can be daunting, especially for newer players. Here are some tips to make the process smoother:
- Prepare for the Wilderness: Both God Capes and Imbued God Capes involve the Mage Arena, located in deep Wilderness. Bring minimal gear to reduce risk, and scout for PKers.
- Train Magic Efficiently: Use methods like High Alchemy, stun-alching, or bursting at Ape Atoll to hit the required levels (60, 75, or 80).
- Gear Up for Osto-Ayak: For the Eldritch Veil, optimize your setup with Ancestral robes, Sanguinesti Staff, and prayer-switching skills to tackle the Delve boss.
- Practice Inferno Mechanics: If aiming for the Infernal Cape, practice wave management in the Fight Caves first to build confidence.
- Grind for 99 Magic: For the Magic Skillcape, combine combat training (e.g., Slayer) with skilling spells to make the grind feel rewarding.
Honorable Mentions
While not top-tier for magic, these capes can still be useful in specific scenarios:
Fire Cape
With +11 Magic Defence and +1 Magic Attack, the Fire Cape is a decent alternative for early-game mages who’ve completed the Fight Caves.
Ardougne Cloak
The Ardougne Cloak 4 offers +6 Prayer and minor defensive stats, making it a niche choice for prayer-heavy magic setups.
Mythical Cape
Better suited for melee, the Mythical Cape’s +6 Crush bonus can complement hybrid builds using magic for utility spells.
Final Thoughts: The best magic cape for you depends on your current progress and goals. For most mages, the Imbued God Cape strikes a balance between power and accessibility, while the Eldritch Veil is the ultimate prize for dedicated players. Whichever you choose, these capes will elevate your magical adventures in Gielinor. What’s your favorite magic cape? Let us know in the comments!