OSRS Sword vs Longsword: Which Weapon Reigns Supreme in 2025?

OSRS Sword vs Longsword: Which Weapon Reigns Supreme in 2025?

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right weapon is critical for optimizing combat performance, whether you’re training skills, battling bosses, or diving into PvP. Among the many weapon options, swords and longswords stand out as two popular choices for melee players. Each weapon type offers distinct advantages, catering to different playstyles and combat scenarios. This comprehensive guide dives into the differences between swords and longswords, their stats, best use cases, and community preferences to help you decide which weapon reigns supreme in 2025. Whether you’re a newbie wielding a Bronze Sword or a veteran eyeing a Dragon Longsword, this post will empower you to make informed decisions in Gielinor’s ever-evolving combat landscape.

Understanding Swords and Longswords in OSRS

Swords and longswords are one-handed melee weapons in OSRS, each with unique characteristics that influence their effectiveness. Here’s a breakdown of their core differences:

  • Swords:

    • Attack Speed: Fast (2.4 seconds per hit, same as daggers and scimitars).

    • Damage: Moderate, lower per hit compared to longswords.

    • Requirements: Low Attack levels, accessible to new players (e.g., Bronze Sword requires 1 Attack).

    • Playstyle: Ideal for rapid attacks, training combat skills, and situations where speed trumps raw damage.

  • Longswords:

    • Attack Speed: Moderate (3.0 seconds per hit, same as maces).

    • Damage: Higher per hit, making them suitable for high-damage scenarios.

    • Requirements: Higher Attack levels (e.g., Dragon Longsword requires 60 Attack).

    • Playstyle: Best for boss fights, PvP, and scenarios where maximizing damage per hit is key.

Both weapons are wielded in the main hand, allowing a shield or off-hand item (e.g., Defender, Dragonfire Shield) for added defense. Your choice depends on your combat goals, playstyle, and the enemies you face.

Weapon Stats Comparison

To understand the practical differences, let’s compare some common swords and longswords in OSRS as of 2025:

Weapon

Type

Attack Speed

Max Hit (Strength 99)

Attack Requirement

Stab Bonus

Slash Bonus

Price (GE, May 2025)

Bronze Sword

Sword

2.4s

 ~10

1 Attack

 +4 +3

~100 GP

Steel Sword

Sword

2.4s

 ~15

5 Attack

 +9 +8

~1,000 GP

Dragon Sword

Sword

2.4s

 ~30

60 Attack

 +65 +55

~40,000 GP

Bronze Longsword

Longsword

3.0s

 ~12

1 Attack

 +3 +6

~150 GP

Steel Longsword

Longsword

3.0s

 ~18

5 Attack

 +7 +10

~1,500 GP

Dragon Longsword

Longsword

3.0s

 ~35

60 Attack

 +58 +71

~60,000 GP

Key Takeaways:

  • Swords hit faster, allowing more attacks per minute (25 hits vs. 20 hits for longswords in 60 seconds).

  • Longswords deal higher damage per hit, especially at higher tiers (e.g., Dragon Longsword’s +71 Slash vs. Dragon Sword’s +55).

  • Cost: Swords are generally cheaper at lower tiers, but high-end longswords like the Dragon Longsword are slightly more expensive due to their popularity.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Swords

Advantages:

  • Faster Attacks: 2.4-second attack speed means more hits, ideal for training Attack, Strength, or Defence.

  • Low Requirements: Accessible to new players (e.g., Iron Sword at 1 Attack).

  • PvP Effectiveness: Rapid hits synergize with special attacks (e.g., Dragon Sword’s Puncture special deals two quick hits with +15% accuracy).

  • Versatility: Effective against low-HP monsters or in multi-combat areas.

Disadvantages:

  • Lower Damage per Hit: Less effective against high-defense enemies or bosses.

  • Limited High-Tier Options: Dragon Sword is the best sword for most players, but it’s outclassed by endgame weapons like the Abyssal Whip.

Longswords

Advantages:

  • Higher Damage per Hit: Excels against high-HP enemies or bosses (e.g., Dragon Longsword’s Cleave special deals high damage).

  • Balanced Stats: Decent stab and slash bonuses make them versatile for various monsters.

  • PvP Utility: Higher max hits are valuable in PvP, where burst damage can secure kills.

  • Bossing: Preferred for mid-tier bosses like King Black Dragon or Giant Mole due to higher damage output.

Disadvantages:

  • Slower Attack Speed: Fewer hits per minute reduce XP rates for training.

  • Higher Requirements: Dragon Longsword requires 60 Attack, limiting access for newer players.

  • Cost: Slightly more expensive than equivalent-tier swords.

Best Use Cases for Swords

Swords shine in scenarios where speed and accessibility are key. Here are the top use cases for swords in 2025:

  1. Combat Training (F2P and P2P):

    • Swords like the Steel Sword (F2P) or Dragon Sword (P2P) are ideal for grinding low–mid level monsters (e.g., Hill Giants, Moss Giants).

    • Why: Faster attack speed means more hits, boosting XP rates (e.g., 20,000–30,000 Strength XP/hour at level 50).

  2. Low-Level Slayer Tasks:

    • Tasks like Banshees or Trolls benefit from swords’ rapid attacks, especially with a Slayer Helmet for accuracy boosts.

    • Example: Use a Mithril Sword for F2P Slayer tasks with Vannaka.

  3. PvP (F2P and Low-Level P2P):

    • Swords’ fast attack speed pairs well with special attacks like the Dragon Sword’s Puncture (two quick hits, +15% accuracy).

    • Why: Rapid hits disrupt opponents’ eating or prayer switches in PvP.

  4. Free-to-Play Players:

    • Swords like the Rune Sword are top-tier F2P weapons, offering a balance of speed and damage for training or PvP.

    • Price: ~12,000 GP (Rune Sword) vs. ~14,000 GP (Rune Longsword).

  5. Multi-Combat Areas:

    • Swords excel when fighting multiple low-HP enemies (e.g., Catacombs of Kourend), as their speed allows quick clears.

Tip: Pair swords with a Defender (e.g., Dragon Defender) for extra accuracy and strength bonuses.

Best Use Cases for Longswords

Longswords are the go-to choice for scenarios requiring higher damage per hit. Here are the best use cases in 2025:

  1. Mid-Level Bossing:

    • Longswords like the Dragon Longsword are effective against bosses like King Black Dragon, Giant Mole, or Barrows Brothers.

    • Why: Higher max hits (e.g., ~35 with Dragon Longsword at 99 Strength) deal consistent damage to high-HP targets.

    • Special Attack: Cleave (Dragon Longsword) deals up to 25% extra damage, ideal for burst damage.

  2. Slayer Tasks (Mid–High Level):

    • Tasks like Fire Giants, Bloodvelds, or Kurasks benefit from longswords’ higher damage, especially when paired with a Slayer Helmet.

    • Example: Use a Dragon Longsword for Greater Demons in multi-combat areas with a Dwarf Cannon.

  3. PvP (Mid–High Level):

    • Longswords’ higher max hits make them deadly in P2P PvP, especially for knockout combos with weapons like the Granite Maul or Dragon Claws.

    • Why: A well-timed Cleave special can catch opponents off guard.

  4. Wilderness Activities:

    • Longswords are versatile for Wilderness PvE (e.g., Green Dragons) and PvP, balancing damage and defensive capabilities with a shield.

    • Tip: Bring an emergency teleport (e.g., Royal Seed Pod) to escape PKers.

  5. High-Defense Monsters:

    • Longswords’ higher slash bonuses (e.g., +71 for Dragon Longsword) are effective against monsters with moderate–high defense (e.g., Iron Dragons).

Tip: Use a Dragonfire Shield or Defender to complement longswords’ damage output in bossing or Slayer.

Community Preferences: Sword vs Longsword

The OSRS community has varied opinions on swords vs. longswords, shaped by playstyle and goals. Here’s a snapshot based on discussions from r/2007scape and OSRS Discord in 2025:

Player Type

Preferred Weapon

Reasoning

Casual Players

Longsword

Versatile for training, Slayer, and casual PvE; less need to switch weapons.

Hardcore PvPers

Sword

Faster attack speed synergizes with special attacks and combo weapons in PvP.

Skill Trainers

Sword

Rapid hits maximize XP rates for Attack, Strength, and Defence training.

Boss Fighters

Longsword

Higher damage per hit is ideal for mid-tier bosses like KBD or Barrows.

F2P Players

Sword

Rune Sword’s speed and lower cost make it preferred over Rune Longsword.

Community Insights:

  • Reddit Polls (r/2007scape): ~60% of mid-level players prefer longswords for their balance, while ~70% of F2P players choose swords for affordability and speed.

  • PvP Clans: Swords are favored in low-level PvP (e.g., Edgeville 1v1s) due to their synergy with special attacks.

  • Endgame Players: Most transition to weapons like the Abyssal Whip or Scythe of Vitur, making swords and longswords less relevant at 99 combat stats.

Swords vs Longswords: Which Is Better?

The sword vs. longsword debate hinges on your goals and playstyle:

  • Choose Swords If:

    • You’re training combat skills for fast XP (e.g., 30,000–40,000 Strength XP/hour with a Dragon Sword).

    • You’re a low-level or F2P player with limited Attack levels or GP.

    • You’re engaging in PvP, where rapid hits and special attacks shine.

    • You’re clearing low-HP monsters in multi-combat areas.

  • Choose Longswords If:

    • You’re fighting high-HP bosses or monsters (e.g., KBD, Fire Giants).

    • You’re in PvP scenarios requiring burst damage for knockouts.

    • You have the Attack level (e.g., 60 for Dragon Longsword) and GP to invest.

    • You want a balanced weapon for Slayer or Wilderness activities.

Example Scenario:

  • Training at Hill Giants (F2P): Use a Rune Sword for faster XP (~25,000 Strength XP/hour) and lower cost (~12,000 GP).

  • Fighting King Black Dragon (P2P): Use a Dragon Longsword for higher max hits (~35) and the Cleave special to maximize DPS.

Advanced Tips for Maximizing Performance

  1. Gear Synergy:

    • Pair swords with a Dragon Defender for extra accuracy and strength.

    • Use longswords with a Dragonfire Shield for bossing to boost defense and use the Firebreath special.

  2. Special Attacks:

    • Dragon Sword: Puncture (50% special bar, two quick hits with +15% accuracy) is great for PvP or high-defense monsters.

    • Dragon Longsword: Cleave (50% special bar, up to 25% extra damage) excels in bossing or PvP knockouts.

  3. GE Price Monitoring:

    • Use OSRS GE Tracker to buy swords or longswords during price dips (e.g., Dragon Longsword at ~55,000 GP).

    • Sell loot from Slayer or bossing at peak prices for maximum profit.

  4. Combine with Potions:

    • Use Super Strength Potions or Super Combat Potions to boost max hits (e.g., +15% Strength for Dragon Longsword).

    • Bring Prayer Potions for protection prayers against bosses like KBD.

  5. Quest Unlocks:

    • Complete Lost City for the Dragon Longsword and Dragon Dagger (alternative fast weapon).

    • Unlock Barrows Gloves (from Recipe for Disaster) for a +12 Strength bonus with either weapon.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Playstyle

In 2025, the choice between swords and longswords in OSRS boils down to your combat goals and playstyle. Swords are the go-to for training, low-level PvP, and F2P players due to their fast attack speed and accessibility. Longswords, with their higher damage per hit, shine in bossing, high-level Slayer, and P2P PvP scenarios where burst damage is critical. Both weapons have a place in Gielinor, and experimenting with each will help you find what suits you best.

For new players, start with a Rune Sword for its speed and affordability. For mid–high level players, invest in a Dragon Longsword for its versatility and power. Monitor OSRS GE Tracker for price trends, join r/2007scape for community tips, and optimize your gear with Defenders or Dragonfire Shields to maximize performance. With the right approach, either weapon can reign supreme depending on the battle at hand.