OSRS Best Melee Capes Your Guide to Top Picks
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right melee cape can make or break your combat performance. Whether you’re grinding Slayer tasks, tackling bosses, or flexing your PvM prowess, the cape slot is prime real estate for boosting your melee stats. This guide dives into the best melee capes in OSRS, covering their stats, uses, and how to get them. From iconic classics to endgame status symbols, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to optimize your setup.
Capes in OSRS aren’t just about looking cool—though that’s a nice bonus. For melee builds, they provide critical stat boosts like Strength, attack accuracy, and defense, which directly impact your damage output and survivability. Unlike other slots, capes often come with unique perks or prestige, making them a focal point for players aiming to min-max their gear. With so many options, picking the right one depends on your combat goals, skill level, and budget.
Key Stats to Look For
When evaluating melee capes, focus on these stats:
- Strength Bonus: Increases your max hit, crucial for DPS.
- Attack Bonuses: Improves accuracy for stab, slash, or crush attacks.
- Defense Bonuses: Enhances survivability against various attack styles.
- Prayer Bonus: Extends prayer point duration, vital for prolonged fights.
Top Melee Capes Ranked
Let’s break down the best melee capes in OSRS, ranked by their combat effectiveness and accessibility. Each cape offers unique benefits, so we’ll explore their stats, requirements, and ideal use cases.
Infernal Cape
The Infernal Cape is the undisputed king of melee capes, boasting unmatched stats and prestige. Earned by conquering the Inferno—a grueling PvM challenge—it’s a badge of skill few players possess.
- Stats: +8 Strength, +4 to all attack bonuses (except +1 Magic and Ranged), +12 to all defense bonuses, +4 Prayer.
- How to Get: Defeat TzKal-Zuk in the Inferno, requiring elite combat skills and precise prayer switching.
- Best For: Endgame PvM like Theatre of Blood, Nightmare, or high-level Slayer.
Its +8 Strength bonus maximizes melee DPS, while the +12 defense across all styles ensures you’re tanky against bosses. The catch? The Inferno demands top-tier gear, patience, and practice. For those who can’t yet claim it, the Fire Cape is a solid stepping stone.
Fire Cape
A classic OSRS staple, the Fire Cape is the go-to melee cape for mid-to-high-level players. It’s more accessible than the Infernal Cape but still packs a punch.
- Stats: +4 Strength, +1 to all attack bonuses, +11 to all defense bonuses, +2 Prayer.
- How to Get: Complete the TzHaar Fight Caves, defeating TzTok-Jad after 63 waves of enemies.
- Best For: Slayer tasks, mid-tier bossing (e.g., Zulrah, Vorkath), and general combat.
The Fire Cape’s +4 Strength bonus is ideal for boosting damage during Slayer or boss fights, and its animated fiery design screams achievement. With combat stats around 75+, most players can secure this cape with practice, making it a must-have for melee enthusiasts.
Mythical Cape
The Mythical Cape shines for players needing a crush attack boost, often overlooked in favor of its flashier cousins. It’s a versatile choice with a handy teleport perk.
- Stats: +1 Strength, +6 Crush attack, +6 to all defense bonuses.
- How to Get: Purchase for 10,000 coins from Jack at the Myth’s Guild after completing Dragon Slayer II.
- Best For: Crush-based weapons like the Dragon Warhammer at Corporeal Beast or Wilderness bosses.
Its +6 Crush attack bonus pairs perfectly with weapons like the Abyssal Bludgeon or Dragon Warhammer, especially for landing special attacks. The unlimited Myth’s Guild teleports add utility, making it a practical pick for specific melee setups.
Honorable Mentions for Melee Capes
Not every melee cape needs to dominate endgame content. These honorable mentions offer niche benefits or accessibility for players at different stages of their OSRS journey.
Obsidian Cape
The Obsidian Cape is a budget-friendly option for early-to-mid-game players who haven’t tackled the Fight Caves yet.
- Stats: +9 to all defense bonuses.
- How to Get: Buy from the TzHaar-Hur-Zal’s Equipment Store for ~90,000 coins or via the Grand Exchange.
- Best For: Early-game melee training or tanking low-level content.
While it lacks offensive bonuses, its +9 defense across all styles provides decent protection. It’s a stopgap until you’re ready for the Fire Cape, but some players jokingly call it the “no-Fire-Cape shame cape” in community circles.
Ardougne Cloak (3 or 4)
The Ardougne Cloak 3 and 4 are sleeper hits for melee players, blending combat stats with skilling perks.
- Stats (Ardougne Cloak 4): +6 Stab attack, +6 to all defense bonuses, +6 Prayer.
- How to Get: Complete the Hard (Cloak 3) or Elite (Cloak 4) Ardougne Diary.
- Best For: Prayer-heavy melee setups or hybrid skilling-combat playstyles.
The +6 Prayer bonus on Cloak 4 is one of the highest for capes, extending prayer duration in fights like God Wars Dungeon. Its stab bonus also helps with weapons like the Zamorakian Hasta. Plus, the teleport to Ardougne Monastery is a nice touch for quick prayer restores.
Comparing Melee Capes A Quick Glance
To help you decide, here’s a table comparing the top melee capes based on key stats and requirements.
| Cape | Strength Bonus | Attack Bonuses | Defense Bonuses | Prayer Bonus | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infernal Cape | +8 | +4 (all, except +1 Magic/Ranged) | +12 (all) | +4 | Complete the Inferno |
| Fire Cape | +4 | +1 (all) | +11 (all) | +2 | Complete TzHaar Fight Caves |
| Mythical Cape | +1 | +6 Crush | +6 (all) | 0 | Buy after Dragon Slayer II |
| Obsidian Cape | 0 | 0 | +9 (all) | 0 | Buy from TzHaar store |
| Ardougne Cloak 4 | 0 | +6 Stab | +6 (all) | +6 | Complete Elite Ardougne Diary |
Tips for Choosing Your Melee Cape
With so many capes, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Here are some practical tips to guide your decision:
- Match Your Content: For endgame PvM, aim for the Infernal Cape. For Slayer or mid-tier bosses, the Fire Cape is plenty.
- Consider Your Weapon: If you’re using crush weapons (e.g., Dragon Warhammer), the Mythical Cape’s +6 Crush bonus is a game-changer.
- Budget Matters: Can’t afford the Inferno grind yet? The Obsidian Cape or a skill cape (if you’re 99 in a skill) can tide you over.
- Prayer Needs: For prayer-intensive fights, the Ardougne Cloak 4’s +6 Prayer bonus can save you sips of potion.
Should You Skip to the Infernal Cape?
While the Infernal Cape is the best, it’s not realistic for everyone. The Inferno requires near-perfect mechanics and high-end gear (think Rigour, Anguish, and max melee stats). Most players should aim for the Fire Cape first—it’s achievable with 70+ combat stats and offers 80% of the Infernal’s benefits for a fraction of the effort.
Final Thoughts on OSRS Melee Capes
Choosing the best melee cape in OSRS comes down to your goals and progress. The Infernal Cape is the ultimate prize for dedicated PvMers, but the Fire Cape remains a versatile, iconic choice for most players. Niche options like the Mythical Cape or Ardougne Cloak 4 shine in specific scenarios, while the Obsidian Cape holds down the fort for beginners. Whatever your level, there’s a cape to boost your melee game.
Ready to grab your cape? Hit the Fight Caves, tackle the Inferno, or knock out those diary tasks. Your perfect melee setup is waiting.