Monsters Weak to Crush in OSRS – Best Strategies and Weapons

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), understanding a monster‘s weakness can significantly boost your combat efficiency. Crush is one of the three melee attack styles, alongside stab and slash, and many monsters are particularly vulnerable to crush attacks. This guide dives into the monsters weak to crush in OSRS, the best weapons to use, and strategies to maximize your damage output. Whether you’re tackling Slayer tasks or bossing, knowing which foes to crush can make all the difference.

In OSRS, a monster‘s weakness indicates the combat style that will deal the most effective damage, increasing your hit chance due to higher affinity. Crush weaknesses are common among certain monsters, particularly those with lower crush defense or specific vulnerabilities. Using a crush weapon against these foes ensures higher accuracy and, in turn, faster kills. This section explores why crush is effective and how to identify these monsters.

How Weaknesses Work in OSRS

Weaknesses in OSRS are displayed in the combat interface next to a monster’s name. A crush weakness means the monster has a higher affinity for crush attacks, making them more likely to land hits compared to stab or slash. However, other melee styles may still be effective, though less so. The combat triangle also plays a role: monsters weak to crush (melee) often have moderate resistance to ranged and high resistance to magic.

Why Choose Crush Weapons?

Crush weapons, such as mauls, maces, and warhammers, are designed for high-impact hits. They excel against monsters with low crush defense, like Gargoyles or Cerberus. Additionally, crush weapons often come with unique special attacks or passive effects, making them versatile for both PvM and PvP scenarios. For example, the Dragon Warhammer’s special attack can lower a boss’s defense, amplifying your team’s damage output.

Top Monsters Weak to Crush in OSRS

Several iconic OSRS monsters are weak to crush, ranging from Slayer creatures to high-level bosses. Below is a list of some of the most notable ones, along with strategies to tackle them effectively.

Gargoyles

Gargoyles, found in the Slayer Tower, are a classic example of a monster weak to crush. Their crush defense is relatively low, making weapons like the Abyssal Bludgeon or Inquisitor’s Mace ideal. While slash weapons like the Abyssal Whip can work, crush weapons provide a noticeable edge, especially with the Inquisitor’s armor set boosting crush accuracy and damage by up to 7.5%.

• Strategy: Use a crush weapon with high strength bonuses. Bring a Rock Hammer to finish them off when their health is low.
• Recommended Level: 75 Slayer

Cerberus

Cerberus, a Slayer boss in the Taverley Dungeon, is notoriously weak to crush. Its high combat level (318) demands powerful crush weapons like the Inquisitor’s Mace or Abyssal Bludgeon. Cerberus’s mechanics, including ghost attacks, require careful prayer switching, but a crush-focused setup ensures maximum damage during safe attack windows.

• Strategy: Equip Inquisitor’s armor for the crush bonus. Use Protect from Magic and Piety to boost your damage.
• Recommended Level: 91 Slayer, 80+ Attack/Strength

Tekton

Tekton, a boss in the Chambers of Xeric, is another prime target for crush weapons. Its massive size and low crush defense make it vulnerable to weapons like the Elder Maul or Dragon Warhammer. Tekton’s mechanics involve moving to avoid his attacks, so fast-hitting crush weapons can maintain consistent DPS.

• Strategy: Use the Dragon Warhammer’s special attack to lower Tekton’s defense, then switch to a primary crush weapon.
• Recommended Level: 85+ Attack/Strength

The Nightmare

The Nightmare of Ashihama, a group boss, is weak to crush, particularly when using the Inquisitor’s Mace. Its high defense requires precise gear setups, and the Inquisitor’s armor set can significantly boost your damage. The Nightmare’s phases demand teamwork, but crush weapons shine in dealing consistent damage.

• Strategy: Coordinate with your team to maximize special attacks from the Dragon Warhammer. Use Piety and Protect prayers.
• Recommended Level: 90+ Attack/Strength, 85+ Prayer

Best Crush Weapons for Weak Monsters

Choosing the right crush weapon is crucial for exploiting monster weaknesses. Below is a table of the top crush weapons in OSRS, their stats, and where to obtain them.

Weapon	Crush Bonus	Strength Bonus	Requirements	How to Obtain
Inquisitor’s Mace	+95	+89	75 Attack	Nightmare of Ashihama drop
Abyssal Bludgeon	+102	+85	70 Attack, 70 Strength	Abyssal Sire drop
Elder Maul	+135	+147	75 Attack, 75 Strength	Chambers of Xeric drop.Illegal in PvP worlds
Dragon Warhammer	+95	+85	60 Strength	Lizardman Shaman drop
Zamorakian Hasta	+85	+75	70 Attack	Converted from Zamorakian Spear via Otto Godblessed

Inquisitor’s Mace

The Inquisitor’s Mace is the premier one-handed crush weapon, offering a +95 crush bonus and the ability to equip a defender for extra accuracy. Its high cost reflects its rarity, but it’s unmatched for bosses like Cerberus and The Nightmare.

Abyssal Bludgeon

The Abyssal Bludgeon’s unique passive effect increases damage based on remaining Prayer points, making it ideal for prolonged fights against crush-weak monsters like Tekton. Its fast attack speed rivals the Rune Scimitar, perfect for Slayer tasks.

Strategies for Exploiting Crush Weaknesses

To maximize your effectiveness against crush-weak monsters, consider the following strategies:

• Gear Optimization: Pair your crush weapon with the Inquisitor’s armor set for a 2.5% to 7.5% damage and accuracy boost. Alternatively, use Bandos armor for strength bonuses.
• Prayer Usage: Piety increases your attack and strength, enhancing crush damage. For bosses like Cerberus, switch between Protect prayers to mitigate damage.
• Special Attacks: Weapons like the Dragon Warhammer can lower a monster’s defense, making subsequent crush hits more effective. Save special attack energy for critical moments.
• Team Coordination: For group bosses like The Nightmare, coordinate special attacks to maximize defense reduction and crush damage output.

Tips for Low and Mid-Level Players

Not all players have access to high-end crush weapons, but there are still options for those with lower levels or budgets. Here are some tips for free-to-play (F2P) and mid-level players:

F2P Crush Options

The Hill Giant Club is the best F2P crush weapon, with a +65 crush bonus. It’s comparable to a Rune 2H Sword and excels against crush-weak monsters like Hill Giants or Moss Giants.

• Where to Use: Train on Hill Giants in the Edgeville Dungeon.
• Requirements: 40 Attack

Mid-Level Crush Weapons

For members, the Granite Hammer (+57 crush bonus) and Granite Maul (+81 crush bonus) are accessible crush weapons for mid-level players. They’re effective against Gargoyles and other Slayer monsters.

• Where to Use: Slayer tasks or low-level bosses like the Giant Mole.
• Requirements: 50 Attack/Strength for Granite Hammer, 50 Attack for Granite Maul

By targeting crush-weak monsters and using the right weapons, you can optimize your combat training and bossing in OSRS. From Gargoyles to The Nightmare, crush weapons offer a powerful way to dominate Gielinor’s toughest foes. Equip your maul, mace, or warhammer, and start crushing!