OSRS F2P Best Range Gear Ultimate Guide

OSRS F2P Best Range Gear Ultimate Guide

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the free-to-play (F2P) world offers exciting ranged combat opportunities, even with limited equipment compared to members’ worlds. Whether you’re training to level 99 Ranged, battling in PvP, or tackling tough monsters like Ogresses, having the best F2P ranged gear is crucial for maximizing damage and efficiency. This guide dives deep into the top ranged equipment available in F2P, detailing their stats, requirements, and how to get them. Let’s explore the best gear to make your ranger shine!

Ranged is one of the three core combat styles in OSRS, alongside Melee and Magic. In F2P, it stands out for its ability to deal damage from a distance, making it ideal for safespotting monsters like Moss Giants or engaging in PvP without getting too close. The right gear boosts your accuracy and damage, speeding up training and improving your combat effectiveness. Since F2P has fewer equipment options, choosing the best-in-slot (BiS) items is key to staying competitive.

Ranged Attack vs. Ranged Strength

Before diving into the gear, it’s worth understanding two key stats: Ranged Attack affects your accuracy (how often you hit), while Ranged Strength influences your max hit (how hard you hit). Most F2P ranged gear focuses on Ranged Attack, but your choice of arrows also impacts Ranged Strength. Balancing these stats is essential for optimal performance.

Best F2P Ranged Gear Setup

OSRS F2P 99 Range Guide with PROFIT  YouTube

The best F2P ranged gear prioritizes high Ranged Attack bonuses while maintaining decent defensive stats to survive multi-combat areas or PvP encounters. Below is the ultimate BiS setup for F2P rangers, followed by detailed breakdowns of each slot.

Head Slot: Coif

The Coif is the best headgear for F2P rangers, offering a +2 Ranged Attack bonus and moderate defensive stats (+4 to melee defenses, +2 to ranged and magic). It requires 20 Ranged to equip, making it accessible for early-game players.

  • How to Get: Craft with 38 Crafting using soft leather or buy from the Champions’ Guild for 200 coins.
  • Why It’s Great: Beats alternatives like the leather cowl (+1 Ranged Attack) and avoids negative bonuses from Stronghold boots or metal helmets.

Body Slot: Green Dragonhide Body

The Green Dragonhide Body is the top choice for the body slot, providing a +15 Ranged Attack bonus and +40 Ranged Defence. It requires 40 Ranged, 40 Defence, and completion of Dragon Slayer I to wear.

  • How to Get: Purchase from Oziach in Edgeville for ~7,800 coins (F2P players can’t craft it).
  • Why It’s Great: Offers unmatched ranged bonuses but has a -35 Magic Attack penalty, so avoid it when hybriding with magic.

Legs Slot: Green Dragonhide Chaps

Green Dragonhide Chaps are BiS for the legs slot, granting +8 Ranged Attack and +22 Ranged Defence. They require 40 Ranged to equip.

  • How to Get: Buy from the Champions’ Guild for ~3,900 coins.
  • Why It’s Great: High ranged bonuses with no quest requirements, making them easier to obtain than the body.

Hands Slot: Green Dragonhide Vambraces

Green Dragonhide Vambraces lead the hands slot with a +8 Ranged Attack bonus. They require 40 Ranged.

  • How to Get: Purchase from the Champions’ Guild for ~2,500 coins.
  • Why It’s Great: Outshines leather gloves (no ranged bonus) and provides solid ranged accuracy.

Feet Slot: Leather Boots

Leather Boots are the best footwear for F2P rangers, offering +2 Ranged Defence and no negative attack bonuses.

  • How to Get: Craft with 1 Crafting or buy from the Grand Exchange for ~100 coins.
  • Why It’s Great: Unlike Fancy/Fighting Boots from the Stronghold of Security, they don’t penalize Ranged Attack (-1).

Neck Slot: Amulet of Power

The Amulet of Power is the best all-around neck slot item, providing +6 Ranged Attack, +6 Ranged Defence, and +1 Prayer.

  • How to Get: Craft by enchanting a diamond amulet (57 Magic, 49 Crafting) or buy from the Grand Exchange for ~2,000 coins.
  • Why It’s Great: Balances offense and defense, outperforming the Amulet of Accuracy (+4 Ranged Attack) for most scenarios.

Cape Slot: Team Cape

Team Capes (e.g., Team-1, Team-2) are the only capes offering combat bonuses in F2P, with +2 to all defensive stats.

  • How to Get: Buy from various cape sellers in the Wilderness or the Grand Exchange (~500–1,000 coins).
  • Why It’s Great: Minimal bonuses, but better than no cape. Avoid in PvP if skulling to prevent loss.

Weapon Slot: Maple Shortbow

The Maple Shortbow is the best F2P ranged weapon, offering high accuracy and speed. It requires 30 Ranged and can fire up to Adamant Arrows.

  • How to Get: Buy from Lowe’s Archery Emporium in Varrock for 400 coins or the Grand Exchange (~1,000 coins).
  • Why It’s Great: Faster attack speed (3 ticks on Rapid) than longbows or crossbows, maximizing DPS.

Ammunition Slot: Adamant Arrows

Adamant Arrows provide the highest Ranged Strength bonus in F2P (+31), boosting your max hit.

  • How to Get: Craft with 75 Fletching or buy from the Grand Exchange (~80 coins each).
  • Why It’s Great: Essential for high damage, though Mithril Arrows (+22) are a cheaper alternative for training.

Budget Alternatives for Early-Game Rangers

Not everyone can afford or meet the requirements for BiS gear right away. Here are budget-friendly options for low-level or new F2P players looking to train Ranged effectively.

Leather Armor Set

The Leather Armor Set (cowl, body, chaps) is perfect for players under 20 Ranged. It offers modest bonuses: +1 Ranged Attack for the cowl, +4 for the body, and +2 for the chaps.

  • How to Get: Craft with 14–18 Crafting or buy from the Grand Exchange (~100–300 coins each).
  • Best Use: Early training on chickens, cows, or goblins.

Studded Leather Armor

Studded Leather Armor (body, chaps) is a step up, requiring 20 Ranged. The body gives +8 Ranged Attack, and chaps give +6.

  • How to Get: Craft with 36–38 Crafting or buy from the Grand Exchange (~1,000–2,000 coins).
  • Best Use: Mid-level training on Hill Giants or Barbarians.

Shortbows (Oak, Willow)

Before the Maple Shortbow, Oak (5 Ranged) and Willow Shortbows (20 Ranged) are solid choices.

  • How to Get: Buy from Lowe’s for 100–200 coins or fletch yourself.
  • Best Use: Pair with Iron or Steel Arrows for cost-effective training.

Comparing F2P Ranged Gear

To help you choose, here’s a table comparing the BiS gear and budget alternatives for key slots, focusing on Ranged Attack bonuses and requirements.

Slot BiS Gear Ranged Attack Requirements Budget Alternative Ranged Attack (Alt) Cost (GE, Approx.)
Head Coif +2 20 Ranged Leather Cowl +1 200 coins
Body Green D’hide Body +15 40 Ranged, 40 Defence, Dragon Slayer I Studded Body +8 7,800 coins
Legs Green D’hide Chaps +8 40 Ranged Studded Chaps +6 3,900 coins
Hands Green D’hide Vambraces +8 40 Ranged Leather Gloves 0 2,500 coins
Weapon Maple Shortbow +29 30 Ranged Willow Shortbow +20 1,000 coins

Note: Prices fluctuate on the Grand Exchange, so check before buying!

Tips for Using Ranged Gear Effectively

Equipping the best gear is only half the battle. Here are practical tips to get the most out of your F2P ranged setup:

  • Use Rapid Attack Style: Set your shortbow to “Rapid” for faster attacks, boosting XP rates over “Accurate” after level 30.
  • Safespot When Possible: Train on monsters like Moss Giants in Varrock Sewers, using obstacles to avoid damage.
  • Stock Up on Arrows: Adamant Arrows are expensive, so use Mithril or Steel for low-level training to save GP.
  • Combine with Food: Bring jugs of wine or lobsters for tough areas like the Stronghold of Security, where Giant Spiders hit hard.
  • PvP Switching: In PvP, combo the Maple Shortbow with a Rune 2h Sword for high-damage knockouts.

Training Locations for F2P Rangers

Your gear shines brightest in the right spots. Try these:

  • Chickens/Cows (1–20): Lumbridge farms for safe, low-level training.
  • Hill Giants (20–40): Edgeville Dungeon for decent XP and big bones.
  • Moss Giants (40–99): Varrock Sewers with safespots for high XP (up to 60k/hr at high levels).
  • Ogress Shamans (50+): Corsair Cove for profit (up to 200k GP/hr) and XP, requiring Corsair Curse.

PvP Considerations

In F2P PvP, the Green Dragonhide set is standard, but consider gilded versions in safe minigames like Clan Wars for +1 defensive bonuses. The Maple Shortbow’s speed makes it ideal for stacking damage, but watch for melee switchers. The Amulet of Power’s balanced stats help in hybrid fights.

With this gear and knowledge, you’re ready to dominate as an F2P ranger in OSRS. Whether you’re aiming for 99 Ranged or just want to snipe foes in the Wilderness, the Coif, Green Dragonhide set, and Maple Shortbow will carry you far. Happy ranging!