Understanding Melee Combat
Melee combat in Old School RuneScape revolves around three core skills: Attack, Strength, and Defence.
- Attack: Determines your accuracy. A higher Attack level means you are more likely to hit your opponent.
- Strength: Dictates your maximum hit. A higher Strength level allows you to deal more damage per successful hit. This is often prioritized for faster experience rates.
- Defence: Governs your ability to resist an opponent's attacks. A higher Defence level reduces the likelihood of being hit and mitigates damage taken.
Your combat style selection (Accurate, Aggressive, Defensive, or Controlled) determines which of these skills receives experience from combat.
Early Level Melee Training (Levels 1-40)
At initial levels, questing provides substantial experience rewards, significantly speeding up early progression. Consider completing quests like Waterfall Quest, Fight Arena, Tree Gnome Village, and The Grand Tree.
For monster training:
- Levels 1-10: Chickens, Cows, Goblins. These have very low hitpoints and defence.
- Levels 10-20: Skeletons (Lumbridge Catacombs), Al-Kharid Warriors.
- Levels 20-40: Rock Crabs (Rellekka), Sand Crabs (Zeah). These are highly AFK-able due to their low aggression reset timer and high hitpoints.
Prioritize obtaining the best scimitar you can wield (Iron, Steel, Black, Mithril, Adamant) and basic armour for your level.
Mid Level Melee Training (Levels 40-70)
Slayer tasks become increasingly viable and recommended for variety and future benefits.
- Rock Crabs/Sand Crabs/Ammonite Crabs: Continue to be excellent AFK options. Ammonite Crabs (Fossil Island) are a popular choice.
- Experiments (Experiment Dungeon): Low defence, high hitpoints, making them good for consistent XP.
- Hill Giants (Edgeville Dungeon): Decent XP and drop Giant Keys for Obor boss.
- Moss Giants: Offer good XP and can be found in various locations.
Key gear upgrades include:
- Weapon: Rune Scimitar, Brine Sabre (at 40 Attack), Dragon Scimitar (after Monkey Madness I at 60 Attack).
- Armour: Helm of Neitiznot, Fighter Torso, Dragon Platelegs/Skirt, Dragon Boots.
- Accessories: Amulet of Glory/Strength, Combat Bracelet, Berserker Ring (imbued if possible).
High Level Melee Training (Levels 70+)
At these levels, efficiency and the choice between AFK and active methods become more prominent.
- Nightmare Zone (NMZ): Highly popular for AFK training using Overloads and Absorption Potions. Allows custom boss selections for optimal XP.
- Slayer Tasks: Essential for a well-rounded account. Monsters like Kurasks, Gargoyles, Nechryaels, and Abyssal Demons provide good melee XP and valuable drops.
- Ammonite/Sand/Rock Crabs: Remain viable for very AFK training.
- Catacombs of Kourend: Offers multi-combat training against various monsters, often with prayer sustain from Bonecrusher and Dragonbone Necklace.
- Bandits (Kharidian Desert): AFK training if wearing a Saradomin or Zamorak item to maintain aggression.
Advanced gear includes:
- Weapon: Abyssal Whip (shared or controlled training), Saradomin Sword, Abyssal Dagger, Ghrazi Rapier, Blade of Saeldor. For pure strength training, Abyssal Bludgeon or Dharok's Greataxe (at low HP).
- Armour: Bandos Armour (Chestplate, Tassets), Obsidian Armour (with Toktz-xil-ak for specific setups), Avernic Defender.
- Accessories: Amulet of Torture, Primordial Boots, Ferocious Gloves, Berserker Ring (i), Fire Cape/Infernal Cape.
Key Equipment Considerations
Weapon Speed and Strength Bonus: Scimitars are generally favored for training due to their fast attack speed (4 ticks) and good strength bonus. The Abyssal Whip is a staple for higher levels, often used on Controlled style to train Attack, Strength, and Defence simultaneously.
Maximizing Strength Bonus: Your primary goal for faster XP rates is to maximize your strength bonus. This directly increases your maximum hit. Prioritize items like the Fighter Torso, Fire Cape, Berserker Ring (i), Amulet of Torture, and specific weapon choices.
Defensive Gear: While strength bonus is crucial, adequate defensive bonuses are necessary to prolong trips, especially when undertaking Slayer tasks or fighting stronger monsters. Balance offensive power with survivability.
Maximizing XP Rates
- Potions: Always use Super Attack and Super Strength potions, or Super Combat Potions for a combined boost. Overload potions are extremely effective in NMZ.
- Prayers: Piety (requires 70 Prayer) provides a significant 20% Attack, 23% Strength, and 25% Defence boost. Protect from Melee can nullify damage from many melee-based monsters.
- Special Attack Weapons: Utilize weapons with powerful special attacks like the Dragon Dagger (p++), Crystal Halberd, or Dragon Claws to increase burst damage.
- Aggression Management: Keep monsters aggressive by resetting their timers (e.g., running away and back) or by using Aggression Potions in areas like NMZ. Multi-combat areas allow attacking multiple foes.
- Slayer: Integrating Slayer training offers varied combat, access to unique, high-XP monsters, and profitable drops, making it an efficient way to train melee in the long run.
