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OSRS Quest Defense XP Guide Boost Your Defense Level Fast
Leveling up Defense in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can be a grind, but quests offer a fast and engaging way to gain experience without endless combat sessions. This guide dives into all the quests that reward Defense XP, helping you plan your journey to higher levels efficiently. Whether you’re building a main account, a pure, or just aiming for specific milestones like Barrows gloves, we’ve got you covered with detailed breakdowns, requirements, and strategies to maximize your gains.
Quests in OSRS provide substantial XP rewards, often propelling you through early levels in a fraction of the time it takes to train manually. For Defense, quests can deliver a total of 116,937 XP, enough to take you from level 1 to 51 without lifting a sword. This is especially valuable for players who want to unlock high-tier armor or complete achievement diaries without excessive grinding. Plus, quests unlock new areas, items, and teleports, making them a win-win for progression.
Benefits of Questing for Defense
- Time Efficiency: Gain thousands of XP in one go, skipping hours of combat training.
- Story Engagement: Enjoy OSRS’s rich lore while leveling up.
- Additional Rewards: Unlock gear, areas, or other skills alongside Defense.
- Low Risk: No need to risk dying in dangerous training spots.
Complete List of OSRS Quests That Give Defense XP

Below is a comprehensive table of all OSRS quests that directly reward Defense XP upon completion. The table includes the XP rewarded, skill requirements, and quest points needed, making it easy to plan your questing order.
| Quest | Defense XP Reward | Skill Requirements | Quest Points Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Blood Pact | 100 | None | 0 |
| A Soul’s Bane | 500 | None | 0 |
| In Search of the Myreque | 600 | 25 Agility | 0 |
| In Aid of the Myreque | 2,000 | 25 Crafting, 15 Mining, 7 Magic | 0 |
| Nature Spirit | 2,000 | 18 Crafting | 0 |
| What Lies Below | 2,000 | 35 Runecrafting | 0 |
| The Fremennik Trials | 2,812 | 40 Woodcutting, 40 Crafting, 25 Fletching | 0 |
| Heroes’ Quest | 3,075 | 55 Quest Points, 53 Cooking, 53 Fishing, 25 Herblore, 50 Mining | 55 |
| Elemental Workshop III | 8,500 | 33 Smithing, 33 Defence, 33 Thieving, 20 Mining | 0 |
| Defender of Varrock | 10,000 | 51 Agility, 51 Hunter, 54 Smithing, 59 Mining | 0 |
| Olaf’s Quest | 12,000 | 50 Woodcutting, 40 Firemaking | 0 |
| Holy Grail | 15,300 | 20 Attack | 0 |
| Dragon Slayer | 18,650 | 32 Quest Points | 32 |
| A Clockwork Syringe | 19,000 | 50 Dungeoneering, 61 Slayer, 62 Construction, 65 Summoning, 74 Smithing, 74 Thieving, 76 Defence | 0 |
| Camelot Training Room (post-King’s Ransom) | 20,000 | 65 Defence | 0 |
Total Defense XP: 116,937 (enough for level 51 from level 1)
Top Quests for Early Defense Levels
If you’re starting fresh or have low stats, focus on these beginner-friendly quests with minimal requirements:
- The Blood Pact (100 XP): A free-to-play quest with no requirements, perfect for new accounts.
- A Soul’s Bane (500 XP): No skill requirements, just a bit of combat against low-level enemies.
- Nature Spirit (2,000 XP): Requires 18 Crafting and completion of Priest in Peril, but it’s manageable early on.
High-XP Quests for Advanced Players
For players with higher skills and quest points, these quests offer massive Defense XP rewards:
- Dragon Slayer (18,650 XP): A free-to-play classic that also grants Strength XP and access to Rune Platebody.
- Holy Grail (15,300 XP): Requires 20 Attack and completion of Merlin’s Crystal, but the XP is worth it.
- Camelot Training Room (20,000 XP): Post-King’s Ransom, this requires 65 Defence but gives a huge boost.
Quests with Optional Defense XP Rewards
Some quests allow you to choose which skill receives XP, often via lamps or books. These are ideal for players who want flexibility or need to boost other skills alongside Defense. However, for skills like Herblore or Prayer, which are harder to train, you might want to save these rewards for those instead.
Notable Optional Defense XP Quests
- Monkey Madness I: Choose between 35,000 XP in Attack/Defense or Strength/Constitution, with 20,000 XP in the other pair. Crucial for pures to avoid Defense XP by speaking to Daero carefully.
- Fairy Tale II – Cure a Queen: Grants a 2,500 XP lamp for any skill.
- Recipe for Disaster: A 20,000 XP lamp for any skill above level 50.
- One Small Favour: Two 10,000 XP lamps for any skill above level 30.
- Legends’ Quest: 7,650 XP in four skills, including Defense, Attack, Strength, or others.
Strategic Use of Lamps
When deciding where to allocate lamp XP, consider your account goals. For main accounts, Defense is a solid choice since it unlocks better armor. For pures, avoid Defense unless you’re building a specific hybrid. Always check the skill level requirements for lamps to ensure you can use them effectively.
Special Considerations for 1 Defense Pures
1 Defense pures aim to keep Defense at level 1 for low combat levels and high offensive output in PvP. Completing quests that reward Defense XP can ruin this build, so careful planning is essential. Here’s how to navigate quests as a pure.
Quests to Avoid for 1 Defense Pures
Steer clear of these quests to maintain 1 Defense:
- Dragon Slayer: Mandatory 18,650 Defense XP.
- Holy Grail: 15,300 Defense XP.
- Monkey Madness I: Optional Defense XP; avoid choosing Attack/Defense rewards.
- Nature Spirit: 2,000 Defense XP.
For a full list of pure-friendly quests, check guides like those on LuckyCharmGold.
Safe Quests for Pures
Focus on quests that reward Attack, Ranged, or Magic XP without touching Defense, such as:
- Vampire Slayer: 4,825 Attack XP.
- Waterfall Quest: 13,750 Attack and Strength XP.
- The Grand Tree: 18,400 Attack XP.
Tips for Efficient Questing
To maximize your Defense XP gains and streamline your questing experience, follow these tips:
Plan Your Quest Order
Use the OSRS Optimal Quest Guide to complete quests in an order that minimizes skill training and unlocks key content early.
Prepare for Combat
Many Defense XP quests involve combat, so stock up on food (like trout or lobsters), potions, and decent gear. For low-level players, the Iron Scimitar or Steel Longsword works well.
Combine with Other Goals
Pair Defense XP quests with those that unlock teleports (e.g., Gnome Gliders from The Grand Tree) or gear (e.g., Barrows Gloves from Recipe for Disaster) to save time.
Use Community Resources
Join OSRS clans or check forums like Reddit’s r/2007scape for tips and updates on quest strategies.
Conclusion
Questing for Defense XP in OSRS is a smart way to level up quickly while enjoying the game’s rich storytelling and rewards. With a total of 116,937 XP available, you can hit level 51 from scratch, unlocking powerful armor and boosting your combat prowess. Whether you’re a main account player or a pure, this guide helps you navigate the best quests, avoid pitfalls, and plan efficiently. Start with beginner-friendly quests like The Blood Pact, progress to heavy-hitters like Dragon Slayer, and use optional XP lamps strategically. Happy questing, and may your Defense level soar!
