Which God Book is Best for Magic in OSRS? Your Ultimate Guide
If you’re diving into the magical world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and looking to optimize your setup, choosing the right God Book can make a significant difference. These off-hand items, wielded in place of a shield, offer unique bonuses that can enhance your magic-based gameplay. With six God Books to choose from—Saradomin, Guthix, Zamorak, Armadyl, Bandos, and Zaros—the decision can feel overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll break down which God Book is best for magic in OSRS, focusing on their stats, costs, and practical uses. Whether you’re a PvM enthusiast, a PvP warrior, or a skiller, we’ve got you covered.
God Books are special items obtained after completing the “Horror from the Deep” quest. Initially, you receive a damaged book aligned with one of the three main gods (Saradomin, Guthix, or Zamorak). Later, you can purchase additional damaged books from Jossik for 5,000 coins each, including those for Armadyl, Bandos, and Zaros. To complete a God Book, you need to add four torn pages, which are typically obtained from Treasure Trails or the Grand Exchange. Once completed, these books provide combat bonuses and special abilities, making them a valuable addition to your magic gear.
How God Books Work
Each God Book occupies the shield slot and offers a mix of offensive and defensive bonuses. For magic users, the key stats to consider are Magic Attack and Magic Defence, though some books also provide Prayer bonuses or multi-style benefits. Completing a book unlocks the ability to preach and bless symbols (at 50 Prayer), but for this guide, we’re zeroing in on their combat utility—specifically for magic.
Why Choose a God Book for Magic?
Unlike high-end shields like the Arcane Spirit Shield or Mage’s Book, God Books are more accessible and affordable, making them ideal for mid-tier players or those on a budget. They also offer unique stat combinations that can complement specific magic setups, especially for pures or hybrid builds.
Comparing God Book Stats for Magic
To determine the best God Book for magic, let’s analyze their completed stats. Below is a breakdown of the bonuses each book provides, with a focus on Magic Attack and Magic Defence.
| God Book | Magic Attack | Magic Defence | Other Notable Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Book (Saradomin) | +0 | +8 | +8 to all Defence stats, +5 Prayer |
| Book of Balance (Guthix) | +4 | +4 | +4 to all Attack and Defence stats, +5 Prayer |
| Unholy Book (Zamorak) | +8 | +0 | +8 to all Attack stats, +5 Prayer |
| Book of Law (Armadyl) | +0 | +0 | +10 Ranged Attack, +5 Prayer |
| Book of War (Bandos) | +0 | +0 | +10 Melee Strength, +5 Prayer |
| Book of Darkness (Zaros) | +10 | +0 | +5 Prayer |
Top Contenders for Magic
From the table, two God Books stand out for magic users: the Book of Darkness (Zaros) and the Unholy Book (Zamorak). The Book of Darkness offers a +10 Magic Attack bonus, the highest among all God Books, while the Unholy Book provides a solid +8 Magic Attack with additional bonuses to other attack styles. Let’s dive deeper into these options.
The Book of Darkness: Best for Pure Magic Damage
The Book of Darkness, aligned with Zaros, is widely regarded as the top choice for magic-focused players in OSRS. Here’s why it shines:
Why Choose the Book of Darkness?
- Highest Magic Attack Bonus: With +10 Magic Attack, it maximizes your spell accuracy, crucial for landing hits against high-defence bosses like Zulrah or the Inferno’s JalTok-Jad.
- Prayer Boost: The +5 Prayer bonus helps sustain protection prayers during long fights, pairing well with magic setups that rely on Mystics or Ahrim’s robes.
- PvP and PvM Versatility: Its focus on Magic Attack makes it ideal for both player-versus-player combat and monster slaying, especially when using Ancient Magicks.
Cost and Accessibility
As of April 08, 2025, Zaros pages fluctuate in price, but a complete Book of Darkness typically costs between 1-2 million GP on the Grand Exchange, depending on page availability. This is pricier than some other books, but its superior magic stats justify the investment for serious mages.
Best Use Cases
The Book of Darkness excels in scenarios where magic accuracy is paramount. Use it for:
- Bossing: Tackling high-level PvM content like the Chambers of Xeric or Theatre of Blood.
- PvP: Boosting your magic hits in the Wilderness or Duel Arena.
- Ancient Magicks: Enhancing Ice Barrage or Blood spells for freezing and healing.
The Unholy Book: A Hybrid Magic Option
The Unholy Book, tied to Zamorak, is another strong contender for magic users, especially those who hybridize combat styles. Here’s what it brings to the table:
Why Choose the Unholy Book?
- Solid Magic Attack: A +8 Magic Attack bonus is just shy of the Book of Darkness but still highly effective.
- Multi-Style Bonuses: It also offers +8 to Melee and Ranged Attack, making it a great pick for hybriding or switching styles mid-fight.
- Affordability: Zamorak pages are often cheaper than Zaros pages, with a completed book costing around 500k-1M GP.
Cost and Accessibility
The Unholy Book is more budget-friendly than the Book of Darkness, making it a practical choice for players who want magic power without breaking the bank. Its pages are also more commonly dropped from Treasure Trails, increasing supply and lowering costs.
Best Use Cases
The Unholy Book shines in versatile setups:
- Hybrid PvP: Pair it with a Staff of the Dead and switch between magic and melee in the Wilderness.
- Slayer: Use it for tasks requiring multiple combat styles, like Greater Demons or Dust Devils.
- Mid-Tier PvM: Effective for Barrows runs or Dagannoth Kings with a mixed approach.
Other God Books for Magic: Worth Considering?
While the Book of Darkness and Unholy Book lead the pack, other God Books have niche uses for magic users. Let’s explore their potential.
Book of Balance (Guthix)
With +4 Magic Attack and +4 Magic Defence, the Book of Balance offers a balanced approach. It’s cheap (around 200-400k GP) and provides modest bonuses across all styles, but its low Magic Attack makes it less competitive for pure magic damage. Best for budget players or those needing defence alongside magic.
Holy Book (Saradomin)
The Holy Book focuses on defence (+8 Magic Defence, no Magic Attack bonus), making it a poor choice for offensive magic. However, it’s useful in God Wars Dungeon for Saradomin protection or when tanking magic damage in PvM.
Book of Law (Armadyl) and Book of War (Bandos)
These books cater to Ranged (+10 Ranged Attack) and Melee (+10 Strength) respectively, offering no Magic Attack bonuses. They’re not recommended for magic-focused builds unless you’re hybriding heavily in specific scenarios.
Final Verdict: Which God Book is Best for Magic in OSRS?
For pure magic damage and accuracy, the Book of Darkness (Zaros) is the undisputed champion. Its +10 Magic Attack bonus outperforms all other God Books, making it the go-to choice for serious mages in PvM and PvP. If you’re on a budget or prefer a hybrid playstyle, the Unholy Book (Zamorak) is a fantastic alternative with its +8 Magic Attack and multi-style versatility.
Recommendation: Invest in the Book of Darkness if you can afford it and prioritize magic above all else. Opt for the Unholy Book if you’re hybriding or saving GP for other gear upgrades.
Whichever you choose, pair your God Book with top magic gear like the Kodai Wand, Ancestral Robes, and an Imbued God Cape for maximum effectiveness. Happy maging, and may your spells always hit their mark in Gielinor!