The Ultimate OSRS Melee Weapon Guide: Best in Slot and Beyond

So, you’re chasing that peak melee performance in Old School RuneScape, eh? You want to know the best in slot (BiS) melee weapon? Let’s cut right to the chase: As of late 2024, for overall versatility across a wide range of content, the Osmumten’s fang is the king. It’s a unique drop from the Tombs of Amascut raid and requires 82 Attack to wield. While other weapons might be situationally better for specific bosses or tasks, the Fang’s accuracy and consistent damage output make it a top-tier choice in most scenarios.

Diving Deeper: Why the Osmumten’s Fang Reigns Supreme

The Osmumten’s fang’s power lies in its ability to deliver consistent and impactful damage. Boasting +105 stab attack and +103 strength bonus, it’s already a formidable weapon on paper. However, its true strength resides in its passive effect. The Fang reduces your opponent’s defense by 30% if their current defence is higher than your accuracy roll, making it exceptionally effective against high-defense targets. In other words, the higher the defence of the monster, the more valuable the Osmumten’s fang will be. Its superior accuracy combined with the defensive reduction allows to hit consistently high damage outputs. For players that are looking to min-max their experience, the Osmumten’s fang is an ideal weapon for the journey.

Situational Awareness: When Other Weapons Might Shine

While the Fang is generally the top pick, Old School RuneScape is a game of nuances. Let’s explore some scenarios where other melee weapons might be more suitable.

• Ghrazi Rapier: For pure DPS against lower-defense targets, the Ghrazi Rapier remains a strong contender. It offers high accuracy and speed, making it excellent for tasks like Slayer where you’re facing weaker monsters or when your max hit can surpass what is capable with the Fang.
• Inquisitor’s Mace: Another great choice for pure damage is the Inquisitor’s Mace. Its damage is most prevalent against monsters that are weak to crush attacks.
• Dragon Hunter Lance: When facing dragons, nothing beats the Dragon Hunter Lance. Its bonus damage against dragons makes it unparalleled for content like Vorkath and certain Slayer tasks.
• Scythe of Vitur: For multi-combat scenarios, the Scythe of Vitur is in a league of its own. It can hit up to three targets simultaneously, making it ideal for places like the Chambers of Xeric raid or certain Slayer areas.

Beyond Weapons: The Importance of Gear and Stats

Choosing the best weapon is only one piece of the puzzle. Your overall melee setup, including armor, accessories, and stats, plays a crucial role in maximizing your damage output. Aim for equipment that provides the highest strength bonus and accuracy, such as:

• Helmet: Neitiznot Faceguard, Serpentine Helm (situationally), Torva Full Helm
• Amulet: Amulet of Torture
• Body: Torva Platebody
• Legs: Torva Platelegs
• Boots: Primordial Boots
• Gloves: Ferocious Gloves
• Ring: Berserker Ring (i)
• Cape: Infernal Cape

Remember to always prioritize your Attack, Strength, and Defence levels. Leveling up these skills will significantly boost your overall combat effectiveness.

OSRS Melee Weapon FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions related to melee combat in Old School RuneScape:

1. What is the best budget melee weapon? The Dragon Scimitar remains an excellent choice for players on a budget. It’s relatively inexpensive and provides a good balance of accuracy and damage.
2. What is the best melee weapon for Slayer? This depends on the task. However, the Osmumten’s fang is a solid general choice. The Dragon Hunter Lance, Ghrazi Rapier and Inquisitor’s Mace can all be suitable choices depending on the monster.
3. What is the best melee gear for Slayer? Optimize for strength bonus and accuracy. Bandos armor, ferocious gloves, and a torture amulet are all excellent choices. Proselyte is an alternative, if you need to conserve your prayer bonus.
4. Is the Abyssal Whip still a good weapon? The Abyssal Whip is primarily used as a training weapon to get your attack and defense levels up. There are better choices in modern OSRS.
5. What is the best two-handed melee weapon? The Scythe of Vitur is unparalleled for multi-target combat. The Dragon Hunter Lance is best for slaying dragons.
6. What is the best melee weapon for the Fight Caves? The Ghrazi Rapier is a great option for fast kill times against the early waves, while the Osmumten’s Fang excels against Jad due to its accuracy.
7. What is the best way to train melee stats? Train based on your level and budget. Sand crabs, rock crabs, and experiments are good early options. Slayer is also an excellent way to train melee while making money.
8. How important is prayer in melee combat? Prayer is crucial. Protect from Melee reduces incoming damage, while offensive prayers like Piety significantly boost your attack, strength, and defense.
9. What is the best potion for melee combat? The Super Strength, Super Attack, and Super Defence potions are a must. The Stamina potion will make your runs last significantly longer. The Divine Potions are a step above and are useful when you want the effect to last longer.
10. What are the Ferocious Gloves used for? The Ferocious Gloves are the best-in-slot offensive gloves for melee users, surpassing Barrows gloves. They are often combined with the other best-in-slot melee gear to min-max damage output.
11. How does the Dragon Warhammer special attack work? The Dragon Warhammer’s special attack lowers the target’s Defence level, making them easier to hit. It’s incredibly valuable against bosses with high defense stats.
12. What is the max hit in OSRS with melee? The max possible hit through normal gameplay means is 195. This requires specific gear, potions, and prayers.
13. What is the best Godsword in OSRS? The Saradomin Godsword (SGS) is the best for general use, as it restores both health and prayer points with its special attack.
14. How do I get the Imbued Slayer Helmet? You need to combine various pieces of Slayer equipment (Black Mask, Nose peg, Spiny helmet, Earmuffs, Face Mask) and imbue it via Nightmare Zone or Soul Wars.
15. Where can I learn more about game design and educational principles in gaming? For further exploration on the educational aspects and design principles of games, I highly recommend visiting the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. You can also check out GamesLearningSociety.org.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best in slot melee weapon in OSRS is a complex decision that depends on your individual goals, budget, and the content you’re engaging with. While the Osmumten’s fang offers unparalleled versatility, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of other weapons will allow you to optimize your melee setup for any situation. Remember to prioritize your stats, gear, and prayer to maximize your damage output and dominate Gielinor!