OSRS Pure NMZ Guide: Maximize XP as a Pure in Nightmare Zone

OSRS Pure NMZ Guide: Maximize XP as a Pure in Nightmare Zone


For Old School RuneScape (OSRS) players building a pure account, the Nightmare Zone (NMZ) offers a fantastic opportunity to train combat skills efficiently while keeping your stats tailored to your pure build. Whether you’re focusing on Strength, Ranged, or even Magic, this OSRS Pure NMZ Guide will walk you through everything you need to know to optimize your experience rates, choose the right bosses, and set up your pure for success. Let’s dive into the details of how pures can conquer NMZ and level up fast!

Nightmare Zone is a combat-based minigame located just outside Yanille’s east entrance in OSRS. It allows players to fight bosses from completed quests in a dream-like arena, offering customizable modes and rewards like combat XP, NMZ points, and imbues for gear. For pures—accounts with restricted stats like 1 Defence—NMZ is a popular training spot because it’s safe, semi-AFK, and provides excellent XP rates when set up correctly.

Why Pures Love NMZ

Pures benefit from NMZ because it lets them train specific combat skills without gaining unwanted Defence XP, provided they avoid certain quests or mechanics. Plus, the minigame’s AFK potential makes it ideal for players who want to grind levels while multitasking.

Requirements to Start NMZ

To enter NMZ, you need to have completed at least five quests with bosses that can appear in the arena. For pures, you’ll want to pick quests that don’t grant Defence XP. Here are some safe options:

You’ll also need coins to start a rumble: 2,000 for normal mode or 6,000 for hard mode.

Best NMZ Setup for Pures

Setting up your pure for NMZ involves choosing the right gear, inventory, and strategy based on your combat style (Melee, Ranged, or Magic). Since pures typically have 1 Defence, you’ll rely on low-Defence gear and clever tactics to maximize XP.

Gear for a 1 Defence Pure

With 1 Defence, your gear options are limited, but you can still pack a punch. Here’s a recommended setup for Melee:

For Ranged, swap to:

  • Weapon: Toxic Blowpipe or Rune Crossbow
  • Ammo: Addy Darts (Blowpipe) or Broad Bolts (Crossbow)
  • Cape: Ava’s Accumulator (if 50 Ranged)

Inventory Setup

Your inventory depends on your training method—Prayer or Absorption. For the Absorption method (more AFK):

  • Absorption Potions (20-24 doses) – Reduces damage taken
  • Overloads (4-8 doses) – Boosts stats for higher XP
  • Dwarven Rock Cake – Lowers HP to 1 for Absorptions to work
  • 1-2 Super Combat Potions – Boosts if no Overloads yet

For Prayer method (cheaper initially):

  • Prayer Potions (20-26 doses) – Sustain Protect from Melee
  • Super Combat Potions (2-4 doses) – Boost Melee stats

Choosing Your Mode: Normal vs. Hard

For pures, Normal Mode is often better because hard mode bosses have higher Defence, reducing XP rates. Stick to normal unless you’re using Overloads and have high stats (80+ in your chosen skill).

Best Bosses for Pures in NMZ

Selecting the right bosses is critical for pures. You want low-Defence, Melee-only bosses to maximize XP and AFK time. Here are the top picks:

Recommended Bosses

Boss Quest Why It’s Good
Count Draynor Vampire Slayer Low HP, easy to kill
The Kendal Mountain Daughter Melee-only, decent XP
Khazard Warlord Tree Gnome Village Low Defence, fast kills
Bouncer Fight Arena Melee-only, consistent XP
Sand Snake The Depths of Despair High HP, great for AFK

Avoid bosses like Black Demon (high Defence) or those with multi-style attacks (e.g., Dagannoth Mother) unless you’re prepared to micro-manage.

Boss Selection Tips

  • Prioritize Melee-only bosses: Keeps damage predictable with Absorptions.
  • Mix HP levels: Combine low-HP bosses (e.g., Count Draynor) with tankier ones (e.g., Sand Snake) for balance.
  • Test your setup: Run a few rumbles to see which combo suits your stats.

Training Methods for Pures in NMZ

Pures can use two main methods in NMZ: Absorption or Prayer. Each has pros and cons depending on your goals and bankroll.

Absorption Method

The Absorption method is the go-to for AFK training. Here’s how it works:

  1. Use the Dwarven Rock Cake to lower your HP to 1.
  2. Drink Absorption Potions to stack 1,000 absorption points.
  3. Drink an Overload to boost your stats (optional but recommended).
  4. Flick Rapid Heal every 60 seconds to stay at 1 HP.
  5. AFK for up to 20 minutes while your pure auto-attacks.

XP Rates: 50-80k/hr (Melee), 60-90k/hr (Ranged) depending on stats and gear.

Pros: Super AFK, decent XP, profitable with herb boxes.

Cons: Requires NMZ points for Overloads/Absorptions, less XP than Prayer.

Prayer Method

The Prayer method uses Protect from Melee to tank hits while boosting with potions. Steps:

  1. Equip Prayer gear (e.g., Monk Robes).
  2. Turn on Protect from Melee.
  3. Drink Prayer Potions as needed (every few minutes).
  4. Boost with Super Combats for extra damage.

XP Rates: 60-90k/hr (Melee), 70-100k/hr (Ranged).

Pros: Higher XP, no NMZ points needed upfront.

Cons: More expensive, less AFK (check every 2-5 minutes).

Which Method Should You Choose?

If you’re new to NMZ or low on points, start with Prayer. Once you’ve earned enough points (50k-100k), switch to Absorption for better AFK efficiency and long-term gains.

Tips to Optimize Your Pure NMZ Experience

To get the most out of NMZ as a pure, follow these advanced tips:

Boosting XP Rates

  • Use Power Surge: Grab this power-up in-game to spam special attacks (e.g., Granite Maul) for a XP spike.
  • Overloads: Unlock these ASAP—they’re a game-changer for consistent high XP.
  • High Stats: Train to 70+ in your main skill before NMZ for better rates.

Managing Costs and Profits

  • Herb Boxes: Spend NMZ points on herb boxes (750 points each) to offset costs.
  • Potion Alternatives: Use Super Strengths/Attacks if Super Combats are too pricey.
  • Group Up: Join a friend’s rumble to split boss spawns and save coins.

Staying Pure

Double-check quests before starting. Avoid ones like Monkey Madness (Defence XP) unless you’re okay with a higher Defence pure (e.g., 20 or 45). Stick to the safe list above.

With this OSRS Pure NMZ Guide, you’re ready to dominate the Nightmare Zone while keeping your pure build intact. Whether you’re chasing 99 Strength, Ranged, or just want some AFK gains, NMZ is your ticket to success. Start small, experiment with setups, and watch those levels soar. Happy training, and see you in the dream arena!