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OSRS Best NMZ Gear for Maximum XP and Points

The Nightmare Zone (NMZ) in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a combat minigame where players battle quest bosses in a dream state to earn experience and points. Whether you’re aiming for max XP per hour, Nightmare Zone points, or AFK training, choosing the right gear is crucial. This guide covers the best NMZ gear setups for melee, ranged, and magic, optimized for different player levels and goals. We’ll break down equipment, inventory, and strategies to help you dominate NMZ efficiently.
Your gear in NMZ directly impacts your damage output, survivability, and ability to AFK. The right setup maximizes XP rates, extends session length, and boosts points for rewards like imbued rings or herb boxes. Key factors include:
- Damage Bonuses: Higher strength or attack bonuses increase kill speed.
- Defensive Stats: Better defense reduces damage taken, preserving absorption potions.
- Prayer Bonuses: Essential for prayer-based setups to sustain protection prayers.
- Special Attacks: Weapons with strong special attacks synergize with NMZ power-ups.
Melee Gear Setups for NMZ
Melee is the most popular NMZ combat style due to its high XP rates and accessibility. Below are the best melee gear setups, tailored for different scenarios.
Dharok’s Setup for High Hitpoints (92+ HP)
Dharok the Wretched’s equipment shines for players with 92+ Hitpoints, leveraging its passive effect to deal massive damage at 1 HP. This setup requires precise management with overloads and absorption potions.
- Helm: Dharok’s Helm
- Body: Dharok’s Platebody
- Legs: Dharok’s Platelegs
- Weapon: Dharok’s Greataxe
- Shield: None (two-handed weapon)
- Amulet: Amulet of Torture or Salve Amulet (e) (for undead bosses)
- Cape: Fire Cape or Infernal Cape
- Gloves: Ferocious Gloves
- Boots: Primordial Boots
- Ring: Berserker Ring (i)
Strategy: Use a dwarven rock cake or locator orb to stay at 1 HP, drink overloads, and consume 1000 absorption points. Flick Rapid Heal every 50-60 seconds to maintain 1 HP. Select bosses like Count Draynor or Black Demon for high points. Expect up to 100,000 XP/hour and 400,000 points/hour.
Obsidian Armor for Mid-Level Players
For players under 92 Hitpoints or those seeking a budget-friendly option, Obsidian armor paired with a Berserker Necklace offers excellent strength bonuses.
- Helm: Obsidian Helmet
- Body: Obsidian Platebody
- Legs: Obsidian Platelegs
- Weapon: Toktz-xil-ak (Obsidian Sword)
- Shield: Toktz-ket-xil (Obsidian Shield) or Dragon Defender
- Amulet: Berserker Necklace
- Cape: Fire Cape
- Gloves: Barrows Gloves or Rune Gloves
- Boots: Dragon Boots
- Ring: Warrior Ring (i)
Strategy: Similar to Dharok’s, maintain 1 HP with a rock cake and use absorption potions. Choose customizable hard rumble with melee-only bosses like The Kendal or King Roald. This setup yields around 85,000 XP/hour and is more AFK-friendly.
Prayer-Based AFK Setup
For low-effort AFK training, a prayer bonus setup with Proselyte armor allows up to 10 minutes of AFK time using protection prayers.
- Helm: Proselyte Sallet
- Body: Proselyte Hauberk
- Legs: Proselyte Cuisse
- Weapon: Abyssal Whip or Saradomin Sword
- Shield: Dragon Defender
- Amulet: Amulet of Fury
- Cape: God Cloak
- Gloves: Barrows Gloves
- Boots: Dragon Boots
- Ring: Ring of the Gods (i)
Strategy: Use Protect from Melee and fill your inventory with prayer potions. Select melee-only bosses to minimize damage. This setup is ideal for players with 70+ combat stats and yields around 75,000 XP/hour.
Ranged Gear Setups for NMZ
Ranged training in NMZ is effective for safe, high XP rates, especially with a Toxic Blowpipe. It’s less AFK than melee but offers flexibility.
High-End Ranged Setup
This setup maximizes ranged damage and is ideal for players with high ranged levels (80+).
- Helm: Armadyl Helmet
- Body: Armadyl Chestplate
- Legs: Armadyl Chainskirt
- Weapon: Toxic Blowpipe (with Dragon Darts)
- Shield: None (two-handed weapon)
- Amulet: Necklace of Anguish
- Cape: Ava’s Assembler
- Gloves: Barrows Gloves
- Boots: Pegasian Boots
- Ring: Archers Ring (i)
Strategy: Use absorption potions and stay at 1 HP. Avoid bosses like Ice Troll King, as they’re resistant to ranged attacks. Expect up to 380,000 XP/hour with Power Surge power-ups and a special attack weapon like Dragon Claws.
Budget Ranged Setup
For players with limited funds, Void Knight equipment is a cost-effective alternative.
- Helm: Void Ranger Helm
- Body: Elite Void Top
- Legs: Elite Void Robe
- Weapon: Rune Crossbow (with Broad Bolts)
- Shield: None
- Amulet: Amulet of Glory
- Cape: Ava’s Accumulator
- Gloves: Void Knight Gloves
- Boots: Ranger Boots
- Ring: Ring of Wealth
Strategy: Select low-defense bosses like Count Draynor. Use absorption potions and sip super ranging potions for boosts. This yields around 300,000 XP/hour.
Magic Gear Setups for NMZ
Magic is less common in NMZ but viable for players with high magic levels and funds for runes.
High-End Magic Setup
This setup uses Ancestral armor for maximum magic damage.
- Helm: Ancestral Hat
- Body: Ancestral Robe Top
- Legs: Ancestral Robe Bottom
- Weapon: Kodai Wand
- Shield: Arcane Spirit Shield
- Amulet: Occult Necklace
- Cape: Imbued God Cape
- Gloves: Tormented Bracelet
- Boots: Eternal Boots
- Ring: Seers Ring (i)
Strategy: Cast high-damage spells like Fire Surge with a rune pouch. Use absorption potions and super magic potions. Select bosses like Sand Snake or The Kendal. Expect up to 400,000 XP/hour.
Inventory and Consumables
Your inventory setup is as important as your gear. Here’s a standard inventory for most NMZ sessions:
Item | Purpose | Quantity |
---|---|---|
Overload Potion | Boosts combat stats, reduces HP to 1 | 4 |
Absorption Potion | Grants 1000 extra hitpoints | 16-20 |
Prayer Potion | Restores prayer points | 4-8 |
Dwarven Rock Cake | Lowers HP to 1 | 1 |
Special Attack Weapon | Uses Power Surge power-up | 1 |
Tip: Purchase potions from the NMZ reward chest using points (1000 points/dose for absorptions, 1500 points/dose for overloads).
Tips for Optimizing NMZ Performance
Maximize your NMZ sessions with these strategies:
Boss Selection
Choose melee-only bosses with low defense for melee and ranged setups, such as:
For magic, prioritize bosses with low magic defense like Sand Snake.
Power-Up Management
Use Power Surge for special attacks and Zapper/Recurrent Damage for faster kills. Avoid Ultimate Force, as it clears bosses without points.
AFK Techniques
For AFK melee, use super combat potions instead of overloads to extend sessions up to 20 minutes. Guthan’s armor allows up to 20 minutes of AFK without potions but is less efficient.
With the right gear and strategy, NMZ can be a game-changer for combat training and point farming. Whether you’re rocking Dharok’s, Obsidian, or a ranged/magic setup, tailor your approach to your combat level and goals. Start with a customizable hard rumble, optimize your boss selection, and watch those XP rates soar!