OSRS Fighter Torso vs Bandos Chestplate Comparison Guide

OSRS Fighter Torso vs Bandos Chestplate Comparison Guide

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right armor can make or break your melee build. Two standout options for the chest slot are the Fighter Torso and the Bandos Chestplate. Both are prized for their strength bonuses, but they differ significantly in acquisition, stats, and use cases. This guide dives deep into comparing these iconic pieces to help you decide which is best for your playstyle, whether you’re slaying monsters, training combat, or diving into PvP.

The Fighter Torso and Bandos Chestplate are among the most sought-after melee armors in OSRS, each offering a +4 strength bonus—the highest for the body slot. However, their accessibility, defensive stats, and overall utility vary, making them suited for different players and scenarios.

What Is the Fighter Torso?

The Fighter Torso, also known as the Penance Torso, is a reward from the Barbarian Assault minigame. It requires 40 Defence to equip and is earned through gameplay rather than gold, making it a favorite for mid-level players and those on a budget.

What Is the Bandos Chestplate?

The Bandos Chestplate is part of the Bandos armor set, dropped by General Graardor and his minions in the God Wars Dungeon. Requiring 65 Defence, it’s a high-end item with a hefty price tag, often costing around 20-30 million GP depending on the market.

How to Obtain Each Armor

Bandos armor stats and price YouTube

Getting your hands on these items involves very different processes, which can heavily influence your choice based on time, skill, and budget.

Acquiring the Fighter Torso

To earn the Fighter Torso, you’ll need to play Barbarian Assault and accumulate 375 Honour Points in each of the four roles (Attacker, Defender, Collector, Healer), plus defeat the Penance Queen. Here’s what’s involved:

  • Time Investment: With a good team and experience, it takes about 4-6 hours. Inexperienced players or those with less coordinated teams might need 8-10 hours.
  • Cost: Free, aside from time and potential supplies (e.g., food or teleports).
  • Requirements: 40 Defence and basic combat skills to handle the minigame’s challenges.
  • Teamwork: Requires coordination with others, which can be a hurdle if you’re new to Barbarian Assault.

Pro tip: Joining a clan like Leech BA can speed things up, though it may cost a small fee for “leeching” services.

Acquiring the Bandos Chestplate

The Bandos Chestplate is obtained through combat or purchase:

  • Drop Source: Kill General Graardor in the God Wars Dungeon. The drop rate is roughly 1/381, so expect many trips unless you’re lucky.
  • Cost: Buying from the Grand Exchange costs 20-30 million GP, a steep price for most players.
  • Requirements: 65 Defence, plus high combat stats and gear to survive God Wars Dungeon (recommended 80+ Attack/Strength/Defence).
  • Accessibility: Soloing or teaming up requires significant preparation, including God Wars alignment (e.g., Bandos or Zamorak kill count).

For most, buying the Bandos Chestplate is faster than farming it, but it demands a hefty bankroll.

Stat Comparison

Both items share the same strength bonus, but their defensive stats and other attributes differ. Let’s break it down.

Key Stats Table

Attribute Fighter Torso Bandos Chestplate
Strength Bonus +4 +4
Stab Defence +62 +98
Slash Defence +85 +93
Crush Defence +62 +105
Ranged Defence +67 +90
Magic Defence -40 +58
Prayer Bonus 0 +1
Weight 4 kg 12 kg

Analysis of Stats

Strength Bonus: Both offer +4, tying them with other high-end armors like the Inquisitor’s Hauberk and Blood Moon Chestplate. This makes either ideal for maximizing melee damage.

Defensive Bonuses: The Bandos Chestplate outshines the Fighter Torso across the board, with significantly higher stab, crush, and ranged defence. Its magic defence is positive (+58) compared to the Torso’s massive penalty (-40), making Bandos safer against magic-based enemies.

Prayer Bonus: Bandos provides a modest +1, which slightly extends prayer point duration—useful for long slayer tasks or bossing. The Torso offers none.

Weight: The Fighter Torso is lighter (4 kg vs. 12 kg), which is a minor advantage for run-heavy activities like quests or clue scrolls.

Use Cases and Playstyle Fit

Your choice depends on what you’re doing in Gielinor. Here’s how each armor fits various scenarios.

Fighter Torso: Best Scenarios

The Fighter Torso shines for players who prioritize damage over defence or can’t afford Bandos. It’s ideal for:

  • Mid-Level Training: With only 40 Defence required, it’s accessible early and boosts DPS for Slayer or combat training (e.g., Nightmare Zone, Sand Crabs).
  • Splashing: Its -40 magic attack bonus makes it the best body armor for splashing spells, perfect for cheap Magic training.
  • Budget Builds: Free to obtain, it’s a no-brainer for ironmen, new players, or anyone saving GP for other upgrades like Bandos Tassets or Primordial Boots.
  • Diary Requirements: The Western Provinces Diary requires Barbarian Assault progress, so you’ll likely earn the Torso anyway.

Bandos Chestplate: Best Scenarios

The Bandos Chestplate is a premium choice for endgame content and situations where survivability matters. It excels in:

  • Bossing: Higher defensive stats make it safer against tough bosses like Cerberus, Vorkath, or even General Graardor himself.
  • PvP: In player-versus-player scenarios, Bandos’ superior defence (especially against ranged and magic) gives you an edge over Torso users.
  • High-Level Slayer: Tasks like Abyssal Demons or Gargoyles are easier with Bandos’ tankiness, reducing food usage.
  • Flex Factor: Let’s be honest—Bandos looks iconic and signals wealth, which matters to some players.

Which Should You Choose?

Deciding between the Fighter Torso and Bandos Chestplate boils down to your goals, budget, and progress in OSRS.

When to Choose the Fighter Torso

Go for the Torso if:

  • You have 40-64 Defence and can’t equip Bandos yet.
  • You’re low on GP or playing an ironman account.
  • Your focus is melee training or splashing, where defence is secondary.
  • You want a free, high-strength item and don’t mind grinding Barbarian Assault.

For most mid-game players, the Torso is a must-have. It’s often paired with budget legs like Obsidian Platelegs or Verac’s Skirt until you can afford Bandos Tassets.

When to Choose the Bandos Chestplate

Go for Bandos if

  • You have 65+ Defence and the combat stats to tackle high-level content.
  • You can afford the 20-30M GP price tag or are willing to farm General Graardor.
  • You’re doing bossing, PvP, or high-level Slayer where defensive bonuses matter.
  • You want a long-term investment—Bandos never degrades and retains value.

Bandos is typically a late-game upgrade after you’ve secured other strength-boosting items like an Amulet of Torture or Primordial Boots.

Upgrade Path Recommendation

For optimal progression:

  1. Get the Fighter Torso as soon as you hit 40 Defence. It’s free and boosts DPS massively.
  2. Prioritize other strength upgrades like Bandos Tassets (+2 strength) or Amulet of Torture (+10 strength) before the Bandos Chestplate.
  3. Save for the Bandos Chestplate when you’re ready for endgame content and have the Defence level and GP.

This path maximizes your strength bonuses early while delaying the expensive Bandos Chestplate until its defensive stats are truly needed.

Final Verdict: The Fighter Torso is the best choice for mid-game players, budget builds, and ironmen due to its accessibility and identical strength bonus. The Bandos Chestplate is superior for late-game players who need defence and can afford it. Most players should get the Torso first, then upgrade to Bandos later when their bank and stats support it.