OSRS Full Helm Shop Guide Everything You Need to Know
In the vast world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), gearing up is a core part of the adventure. Among the essential pieces of armor, full helms stand out for their defensive stats and accessibility. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) warrior or a member exploring Gielinor’s depths, knowing where to buy full helms can save you time and gold. This guide dives into the OSRS full helm shop scene, covering key locations, stock details, and tips to optimize your shopping experience. Let’s explore how to equip your character with the best headgear available from NPC shops!
Full helms are a staple for melee combat, offering balanced defensive bonuses against slash, stab, and crush attacks. Unlike medium helms, they cover the entire face, providing slightly better protection at the cost of no ranged or magic bonuses. They’re ideal for tanking in F2P worlds or as budget gear in members’ content. Shops selling full helms are crucial for players who want quick access without grinding monster drops or smithing.
Benefits of Buying from Shops
Purchasing full helms from NPC shops has distinct advantages:
- Convenience: No need to smelt bars or hunt monsters.
- Cost-Effective: Shops often sell at fixed prices, avoiding Grand Exchange fluctuations.
- Accessibility: Available to low-level players in F2P and P2P areas.
Full Helms vs. Other Headgear
Compared to medium helms, full helms offer superior defense but lack offensive bonuses. For members, helms like the Berserker Helm provide strength bonuses, but full helms remain a reliable choice for pure defense. In F2P, the rune full helm is the best non-cosmetic headgear, making shop access vital for PvP and PvE.
Key Full Helm Shops in OSRS
OSRS features several shops stocking full helms, each with unique offerings. Below, we detail the primary locations where you can stock up on these helmets, focusing on their inventory and requirements.
Helmet Shop in Barbarian Village
Run by Peksa, the Helmet Shop in central Barbarian Village is the go-to for F2P players. It’s the only shop in the village and includes a permanent fire for training or chilling.
| Item | Price (GP) | Stock | Defence Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze Full Helm | 44 | 10 | 1 |
| Iron Full Helm | 154 | 10 | 1 |
| Steel Full Helm | 550 | 10 | 5 |
| Mithril Full Helm | 1,430 | 10 | 20 |
| Adamant Full Helm | 3,520 | 10 | 30 |
Note: Black full helms are not sold here, but you can find them at Valaine’s Shop of Champions in the Champions’ Guild for 1,372 GP (requires 32 quest points).
Thurid’s Brain Buckets in Sunset Coast
Introduced with the Children of the Sun quest, Thurid’s Brain Buckets in Sunset Coast caters to members. It mirrors the Barbarian Village shop’s stock, selling full helms from bronze to adamant, excluding black variants. You’ll need to complete the quest to access this shop, making it a bit exclusive but worth the effort for Varlamore explorers.
Other Shops with Full Helms
Besides dedicated helmet shops, several armor stores stock full helms:
- Valaine’s Shop of Champions (Champions’ Guild): Sells black full helms. Requires 32 quest points.
- Aneirin’s Armour (Prifddinas): Stocks mithril, adamant, and rune full helms. Requires Song of the Elves.
- Armour Store (Blast Furnace, Keldagrim): Offers mithril to rune full helms. No quest requirements, but Keldagrim access is needed.
- White Knight Armoury (Falador): Sells white full helms for players who’ve killed 800 black knights and completed Wanted! quest.
How to Access Full Helm Shops Efficiently
Getting to these shops quickly can make a difference, especially for Ironmen or players on a budget. Here’s how to optimize your trips.
Travel Tips for Barbarian Village
Barbarian Village is centrally located, making it easy to reach:
- Teleport: Use a Skull Sceptre (from Stronghold of Security) or Varrock Teleport, then walk west.
- Minigame Teleport: The Barbarian Assault teleport brings you close.
- Walking: From Falador or Varrock, it’s a short trek, ideal for F2P players.
The shop’s proximity to a bank in Edgeville (via canoe) makes restocking a breeze.
Navigating to Sunset Coast
Thurid’s shop requires more effort due to its Varlamore location:
- Quest Completion: Finish Children of the Sun for access.
- Teleport: Use a Varlamore teleport (e.g., Quetzal Whistle) or Rimmington Teleport, then travel to Civitas Illa Fortis.
- Route: From Port Piscarilius, take a boat to Sunset Coast if available post-quest.
Accessing Members-Only Shops
For shops like Aneirin’s or the White Knight Armoury, plan ahead:
- Prifddinas: Complete Song of the Elves for Aneirin’s Armour. Use a Crystal Teleport Seed for quick access.
- Falador: White Knight Armoury requires grinding black knight kills. Teleport to Falador and climb to the White Knights’ Castle.
- Keldagrim: Start The Giant Dwarf for Blast Furnace access. Use a minecart from Grand Exchange or a Keldagrim Teleport.
Best Full Helms for Your Playstyle
Not all full helms are equal, and your choice depends on your goals, whether it’s PvP, PvE, or skilling. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide.
Free-to-Play Favorites
For F2P players, the rune full helm is king:
- Stats: +30 stab, +32 slash, +27 crush defense; requires 40 Defence.
- Source: Aneirin’s Armour (members) or Grand Exchange for F2P, as no F2P shop sells it directly.
- Use: Ideal for tanking in Wilderness or Castle Wars.
Adamant full helms from Peksa’s shop are a solid runner-up for level 30 Defence users.
Members-Only Picks
Members have more options, but full helms still shine in specific scenarios:
- White Full Helm: +1 Prayer bonus, great for hybrid setups. Requires Wanted! and black knight kills.
- Black Full Helm: Budget-friendly for mid-level players, available at Champions’ Guild.
- Rune Full Helm: Best non-quest-locked option for high defense without breaking the bank.
When to Skip Full Helms
Full helms aren’t always the best choice:
- Combat Pures: Opt for Berserker or Neitiznot helms for strength bonuses.
- Magic/Ranged: Full helms offer no bonuses here, so choose coifs or mystic hats.
- Endgame: Torva or Justiciar helms outclass full helms for maxed accounts.
Tips for Maximizing Your Full Helm Purchases
To get the most out of OSRS full helm shops, consider these strategies to save time, gold, and effort.
Stock Management
Shops have limited stock (usually 10 per item), which restocks slowly. If you’re buying in bulk:
- World Hop: Switch worlds to find full stock, especially for adamant or mithril helms.
- Timing: Shop restocks are faster in low-population worlds.
- Ironmen: Plan purchases around shop runs to avoid waiting for restocks.
Cost-Saving Tricks
Shops can be pricey compared to drops or smithing, but you can optimize costs:
- Compare Prices: Check Grand Exchange prices before buying. For example, adamant full helms at 3,520 GP might be cheaper via drops.
- Quest Rewards: Quests like The Fremennik Trials unlock better headgear, reducing reliance on shops.
- Bar Smithing: If you have high Smithing, craft helms to save gold long-term.
Trading and Reselling
Full helms can be a niche market for profit:
- Buy Low, Sell High: Purchase from shops during low demand and sell on GE during price spikes.
- Alching: Mithril and adamant helms have decent high-alchemy values (858 and 2,112 GP, respectively).
- F2P Trading: Black full helms from Champions’ Guild can fetch a premium in F2P worlds.
With this guide, you’re ready to navigate the OSRS full helm shop landscape like a pro. From Peksa’s humble stall in Barbarian Village to the exclusive Thurid’s Brain Buckets, you know where to find the best headgear for your needs. Equip your full helm, grab your sword, and conquer Gielinor in style!