OSRS F2P Gear Progression Guide

Choosing the right equipment is crucial for success in Old School RuneScape, even in Free-to-Play (F2P). While options are more limited than in P2P, understanding the progression path for Melee, Ranged, and Magic gear helps you maximize your effectiveness in combat and training. This guide outlines the typical F2P gear progression.

(Note: Defence levels are required to wear metal armour and d'hide bodies. Attack/Ranged/Magic levels are required to wield weapons/staves.)

Melee Gear Progression

Melee gear focuses on Strength bonus for damage and defensive stats, primarily Stab, Slash, Crush, and Ranged defence.

  • Weapons:
    • Early (1-30 Attack): Bronze -> Iron -> Steel -> Mithril -> Adamant Scimitar/Sword/Longsword. Scimitars generally offer the best DPS.
    • Mid/Late (40 Attack): Rune Scimitar (Best DPS 4-tick weapon). Rune Sword (Slightly weaker Stab alternative). Barronite Mace (Good Crush alternative).
    • Knockout Weapons: Rune 2h Sword (Highest max hit, 7-tick speed). Hill Giant Club (Crush equivalent of Rune 2h). Rune Battleaxe (6-tick speed, decent max hit, 1-handed). Rune Warhammer (6-tick, good for Strength pures).
    • Fast Weapons (3-tick): Ham Joint, Swift Blade, Goblin Paint Cannon (No Str bonus, niche uses).
  • Armour (Requires Defence):
    • Levels 1-30 Defence: Bronze -> Iron -> Steel -> Mithril Armour (Full Helm, Platebody, Platelegs/Skirt, Kiteshield). Prioritize Platebody/Legs for defence.
    • Level 40 Defence: Rune Armour (Full Helm, Platebody, Platelegs/Skirt, Kiteshield). This is the best F2P Melee defensive gear. God-trimmed Rune armour (Saradomin, Guthix, Zamorak) offers identical stats plus a +1 Prayer bonus but is much more expensive.
  • Other Slots:
    • Amulet: Amulet of Strength (Best Strength bonus), Amulet of Power (Balanced stats + Prayer), Amulet of Defence.
    • Cape: Any coloured Cape or Team Cape (minimal defence).
    • Boots: Leather Boots (no penalties). Fighting/Fancy Boots (slightly better defence, minor negative attack stats). Decorative Boots (Gold) from Castle Wars provide +1 Strength but are expensive/hard to get.
    • Gloves: Leather Gloves/Vambraces.

Ranged Gear Progression

Ranged gear prioritizes Ranged Attack bonus and Ranged Strength bonus.

  • Weapons:
    • Levels 1-20 Ranged: Shortbow -> Oak Shortbow -> Willow Shortbow. Use highest tier arrows available (Iron -> Steel -> Mithril).
    • Level 30 Ranged: Maple Shortbow. Standard F2P Ranged weapon. Best used with Adamant Arrows (+31 Ranged Strength).
    • Niche: Willow Comp Bow (longer range, slower), Crossbows (Bronze/Iron, slow, weak bolts), Phoenix Crossbow (cosmetic).
  • Armour:
    • Levels 1-20 Ranged: Leather Armour (Cowl, Body, Chaps, Vambraces). Provides minimal Ranged Attack bonus.
    • Level 20 Ranged: Studded Leather Armour (Body, Chaps). Requires 20 Defence for body. Decent Ranged Attack bonus, better defence than Leather.
    • Level 40 Ranged: Green D'hide Armour (Vambraces, Chaps, Body). Requires 40 Defence for body. Best F2P Ranged Attack bonus. Good Magic Defence. Note: Blue, Red, and Black D'hide are P2P only. Gilded D'hide offers better defence but is extremely expensive.
  • Other Slots:
    • Amulet: Amulet of Power (Best Ranged Attack bonus from F2P amulets).
    • Cape: Any coloured Cape or Team Cape.
    • Boots: Leather Boots.
    • Gloves: Leather Vambraces -> Green D'hide Vambraces.
    • Head: Leather Cowl -> Coif (Requires 20 Ranged).

Magic Gear Progression

Magic gear focuses solely on Magic Attack bonus to increase spell accuracy. There is no Magic Damage % bonus available in F2P gear. Defence is usually sacrificed for Magic Attack.

  • Weapons (Staves):
    • Elemental Staves: Staff of Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Essential for saving runes. Provide Magic Attack and some Melee stats if used physically.
    • Bryophyta's Staff: Requires 30 Attack/Magic. Best F2P Magic Attack bonus (+15), good Magic Defence. Obtained by combining Bryophyta's essence (from Bryophyta boss) with a Battlestaff. Expensive.
    • Other: Wizard/Imp Catcher staff (beginner), Splitbark/Mystic/Ancient staves are P2P.
  • Armour:
    • Head: Wizard Hat (Blue or Black). Best F2P Magic Attack bonus (+2).
    • Body: Wizard Robe Top (Blue or Black). Best F2P Magic Attack bonus (+3). Zamorak Monk Top offers slightly less Magic Attack (+2) but adds Prayer bonus (+3).
    • Legs: No dedicated F2P Magic legs. Zamorak Monk Bottom offers Magic Attack (+2) and Prayer (+3). Monk Robe bottoms offer Prayer (+5). Black/Blue skirts are cosmetic only. Often players wear Rune Platelegs/Skirt for defence if not praying.
    • Shield: Anti-dragon Shield (Requires starting Dragon Slayer I). Offers best balance of defence with no Magic Attack penalty. Wooden Shield is a very basic alternative. Elemental shields are P2P.
  • Other Slots:
    • Amulet: Amulet of Magic (Best Magic Attack bonus +10).
    • Cape: Any coloured Cape or God Cape (from Mage Arena - P2P only content accessible by F2P).
    • Boots: Leather Boots / Wizard Boots (P2P).
    • Gloves: Leather Vambraces (no Magic penalty).

Conclusion

While F2P gear options are limited, understanding the progression allows you to make informed choices for your combat style. Prioritize Rune armour for Melee defence, Green D'hide for Ranged offence, and Wizard Robes/Hat for Magic accuracy. Always aim to use the best weapon available for your level and combat style. Proper gear makes a significant difference in training efficiency and success against F2P challenges like Obor, Bryophyta, or PvP encounters.

Ready to move beyond F2P limits? A membership unlocks vastly superior gear and training methods. Consider buying a Bond with your F2P earnings or check out secure OSRS Gold options to fast-track your P2P journey.