OSRS Dragon Sword vs Longsword Which Weapon Wins
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right weapon can make or break your combat experience. Two popular choices for players with 60 Attack are the Dragon Sword and the Dragon Longsword. Both are iconic dragon-tier weapons, but they cater to different playstyles and scenarios. This guide dives deep into the Dragon Sword vs. Longsword debate, comparing stats, special attacks, accessibility, and practical uses to help you decide which is best for your adventures in Gielinor.
Before we compare these weapons, let’s understand their basics. Both require 60 Attack to wield and are members-only items, but their acquisition, combat styles, and roles differ significantly.
Dragon Sword Basics
The Dragon Sword is a one-handed stab weapon introduced as a rare drop from wyrms or as a reward from the Chambers of Xeric. It’s known for its high stab bonus, making it a go-to for monsters weak to stab attacks.
Dragon Longsword Basics
The Dragon Longsword, a classic OSRS weapon, is a slash-based weapon requiring completion of the Lost City quest. It’s purchasable from Jukat in Zanaris for 100,000 coins or obtainable via elite Treasure Trails. Historically, it was a top-tier weapon before the introduction of the Dragon Scimitar and Abyssal Whip.
Stats and Combat Performance
Stats are the backbone of any weapon comparison. Let’s break down how the Dragon Sword and Longsword stack up in terms of attack bonuses, strength, and speed.
Attack and Strength Bonuses
The Dragon Sword excels in stab attacks, while the Longsword leans toward slash. Here’s a detailed comparison:
| Weapon | Stab Bonus | Slash Bonus | Crush Bonus | Strength Bonus | Attack Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Sword | +65 | +55 | -2 | +63 | 4 ticks |
| Dragon Longsword | +58 | +71 | +0 | +69 | 5 ticks |
Key Observations:
- The Dragon Sword’s +65 stab bonus is higher than the Longsword’s +58, making it superior for stab-weak monsters like dragons or metal dragons.
- The Longsword’s +71 slash bonus outshines the Sword’s +55, ideal for enemies vulnerable to slash, such as those in cloth or leather armor.
- The Longsword has a slightly higher strength bonus (+69 vs. +63), potentially leading to marginally higher max hits.
- The Dragon Sword attacks faster (4 ticks vs. 5 ticks), resulting in higher damage per second (DPS) in most scenarios.
Attack Speed and DPS
Attack speed is critical in OSRS combat. The Dragon Sword’s 4-tick speed (2.4 seconds per attack) gives it a 20% faster attack rate than the Longsword’s 5-tick speed (3.0 seconds). This makes the Sword generally better for consistent DPS, especially against low-defense monsters. However, the Longsword’s higher strength bonus can lead to slightly higher single hits, which may matter in specific situations like PvP or high-defense targets.
Special Attacks and Utility
Special attacks can turn the tide in combat. Both weapons have unique specials that cater to different strategies.
Dragon Sword Special Attack: Wild Stab
The Dragon Sword’s Wild Stab consumes 40% special attack energy and offers:
- 25% increased accuracy and damage for one hit.
- Ignores Protect from Melee prayer for that attack, making it potent in PvP.
- Rolls against the opponent’s stab defense, regardless of their combat stance.
This special is versatile for both PvM and PvP, particularly against players or monsters relying on melee protection prayers.
Dragon Longsword Special Attack: Cleave
The Dragon Longsword’s Cleave uses 25% special attack energy and provides:
Cleave is straightforward and effective for burst damage but lacks the prayer-ignoring utility of Wild Stab. It’s less costly in terms of special energy, allowing more frequent use.
Special Attack Comparison
Wild Stab is more situational, shining in PvP or against prayer-using NPCs. Cleave is simpler, offering reliable extra damage with lower energy cost, making it better for prolonged PvM fights where special attacks are used sparingly. The choice depends on whether you prioritize versatility (Sword) or efficiency (Longsword).
Acquisition and Accessibility
How you obtain these weapons affects their practicality, especially for ironmen or players on a budget.
Getting the Dragon Sword
The Dragon Sword is harder to acquire:
- Drop from Wyrms: Wyrms in the Karuulm Slayer Dungeon drop it at a rare rate (1/10,000 on-task, 1/25,000 off-task).
- Chambers of Xeric: A possible reward, but requires raiding experience and luck.
- Grand Exchange: Typically costs around 1-2 million GP, depending on market trends.
Its rarity makes it less accessible for newer players or those without high Slayer levels or raid access.
Getting the Dragon Longsword
The Longsword is far easier to obtain:
- Purchase from Jukat: 100,000 coins in Zanaris (requires Lost City quest and a diamond for entry).
- Elite Treasure Trails: A possible reward, though uncommon.
- Grand Exchange: Priced around 60,000-70,000 GP, making it budget-friendly.
The Longsword’s low cost and quest-based availability make it a go-to for players just hitting 60 Attack.
Accessibility Verdict
The Longsword wins for accessibility. Its low price and straightforward acquisition via a relatively easy quest make it ideal for most players. The Dragon Sword, while powerful, demands significant effort or wealth, better suiting advanced players or those with Slayer goals.
Practical Uses and Recommendations
Now that we’ve covered stats, specials, and acquisition, let’s explore where each weapon shines in OSRS.
PvM Scenarios
- Best for stab-weak monsters like dragons, metal dragons, or wyrms.
- High DPS due to faster attack speed makes it efficient for Slayer tasks or training.
- Wild Stab is great against NPCs with prayer mechanics, like certain bosses.
Dragon Longsword:
- Suits slash-weak enemies, such as those in cloth or leather armor (e.g., mages or low-defense mobs).
- Higher strength bonus helps against high-defense targets where max hits matter.
- Cleave’s low energy cost is useful for extended fights, like training at bandits or crabs.
PvP Scenarios
- Wild Stab’s ability to ignore Protect from Melee gives it an edge in player-killing scenarios.
- Faster attack speed allows more hits, increasing pressure on opponents.
Dragon Longsword:
- Cleave’s burst damage can surprise opponents, especially when paired with other weapons like a Dragon Dagger for combo specials.
- Slower speed limits its DPS, making it less ideal for prolonged fights.
Training and Cost Efficiency
For melee training (Attack, Strength, or Defense), the Dragon Sword generally outperforms due to its faster attack speed, leading to higher XP per hour. However, its high cost makes it less practical for budget-conscious players. The Longsword, being dirt cheap, is a solid choice for training until you can afford better weapons like the Dragon Scimitar or Abyssal Whip.
Recommendation Summary
Choose the Dragon Sword if:
- You’re fighting stab-weak monsters or need a high-DPS weapon.
- You’re engaging in PvP and want the prayer-ignoring special.
- You have the GP or Slayer/raiding access to obtain it.
Choose the Dragon Longsword if:
- You’re on a budget or just hit 60 Attack.
- You’re fighting slash-weak enemies or need a reliable, low-cost weapon.
- You prefer a simpler special attack for PvM grinding.
Final Tip: If you can, aim for the Dragon Scimitar after completing Monkey Madness I. It outperforms both in most scenarios due to its speed and slash bonuses, making it the ultimate melee training weapon at this level.
In the Dragon Sword vs. Longsword debate, there’s no universal winner—it depends on your goals, budget, and combat needs. The Sword offers speed and PvP utility, while the Longsword provides affordability and simplicity. Whichever you choose, both are solid stepping stones in your OSRS journey.