OSRS Pay-to-Play Melee Training Guide

Training melee combat skills – Attack, Strength, and Defence – is fundamental to progressing your Old School RuneScape account. Higher melee stats unlock better weapons and armour, grant access to challenging content, and increase your overall effectiveness in combat. This guide covers efficient pay-to-play (P2P) methods for training these crucial skills.

General Notes:

  • Prioritize Strength: Higher Strength directly increases your max hit, leading to faster kills and XP rates. Often, it's efficient to get the minimum Attack level for a good weapon, then focus on Strength, followed by Attack, then Defence.
  • Attack Styles: Use the appropriate attack style (Accurate for Attack, Aggressive for Strength, Defensive for Defence, Controlled for balanced XP).
  • Slayer: Training via Slayer integrates combat XP with Slayer skill progression and potential profit, though it's generally slower pure combat XP than dedicated methods like Nightmare Zone. See our Slayer Training Guide.

Fastest Experience Methods

  1. Levels 1-30+: Questing
    • Completing quests like Waterfall Quest (instantly grants 1-30 Attack & Strength), Fight Arena, Tree Gnome Village, The Grand Tree, and Witch's House (for Hitpoints) provides massive starting XP, skipping the slowest early levels. Referencing the provided data, completing the recommended initial quests can reach ~45 Attack, ~37 Strength, and ~31 Defence without grinding.
  2. Levels 30-70+: Crabs (AFK Training)
    • Monsters: Sand Crabs (Hosidius, Crabclaw Isle/Caves, Avium Savannah), Ammonite Crabs (Fossil Island - requires Bone Voyage), Rock Crabs (Rellekka).
    • Why: These monsters have very high Hitpoints but low Defence and Attack. They are aggressive for ~10 minutes, allowing for highly AFK training. Simply stand near a multi-spawn spot and let Auto Retaliate work. Run away briefly and return to reset aggro.
    • Notes: Ammonite Crabs are generally best due to higher HP. Spots can be crowded. Minimal food/supplies needed, making it very cheap.
  3. Levels 70-99: Nightmare Zone (NMZ) (Fastest Solo / AFK)
    • Requires: Completion of at least 5 specific quests (see NMZ guide). Located north of Yanille.
    • Method 1 (Max XP): Use Dharok the Wretched's set effect at low HP (1 HP using Dwarven Rock Cake/Locator Orb) with Overload potions in a custom Hard Rumble dream. Requires high Hitpoints (92+) for maximum effectiveness. Extremely fast XP but requires active prayer flicking or high attention.
    • Method 2 (High XP / Obsidian): Use full Obsidian armour, Berserker Necklace, and Toktz-xil-ak (Obsidian Sword) with Overloads. Offers very high XP rates, second only to Dharok's at high HP levels.
    • Method 3 (AFK): Use Absorption potions and Overloads in a custom Normal Rumble dream with low-damage bosses. Allows for up to 20 minutes of AFK training. Lower XP than Hard mode but minimal input required.
    • Benefits: Safe deaths (except HCIM), points earned can buy Herb Boxes (profit) or imbues for rings/helms.

Other Viable Methods

  • Slayer (Levels 70-99+): As mentioned, integrates combat training with Slayer skill and profit. XP rates vary greatly depending on the task. Use a Slayer Helmet (i) for significant DPS boosts on task.
  • Scurrius (Levels 60/70+): The Rat King in Varrock Sewers offers very good XP rates, especially at mid-levels (70-85 combat), surpassing NMZ in some brackets. Teaches basic PvM mechanics. Requires Bone Mace for best rates. Can be done solo or group.
  • Pest Control (Levels 70/100+): Offers direct combat XP from fighting pests plus bonus XP purchased with Commendation points. Can be very fast XP at higher levels, especially with Combat Achievement point boosts, but requires active participation in the minigame. Intermediate (70+) and Veteran (100+) landers offer best points/XP.
  • Specific Monsters: Killing Ogres (Combat Training Camp/Castle Wars), Moss Giants (various locations), Gargoyles (Slayer Tower - 75 Slayer), Monkey Guards (Ape Atoll - pre-MM2), Sulphur Naguas (Varlamore - 48 Slayer) can be viable alternatives at different levels, often offering decent drops alongside XP.

Equipment Choices

  • Prioritize Strength Bonus: Always aim for gear that provides the highest Strength bonus possible for your level and budget.
  • Key Milestones: Dragon Scimitar (60 Attack, Monkey Madness I), Abyssal Whip (70 Attack), Osmumten's Fang (82 Attack), Ghrazi Rapier (80 Attack), Scythe of Vitur (90 Attack/Strength).
  • Armour Progression: Obsidian (for NMZ setup), Fighter Torso, Barrows gear (Dharok's for NMZ, Guthan's for sustain), Bandos Armour, Torva Armour.
  • Essential Slots: Berserker Ring (i), Amulet of Torture, Ferocious/Barrows Gloves, Avernic/Dragon Defender, Primordial/Dragon Boots, Fire/Infernal Cape.
  • Refer to the extensive gear tables in the provided data for detailed comparisons.

Conclusion

Training melee in OSRS involves choosing between AFK methods like crabs, high-intensity active methods like NMZ with Dharok's, or balanced approaches like Slayer. Prioritizing quests early on provides a massive head start. Always aim for gear upgrades that increase your Strength bonus for the fastest experience gains. Pick the method that best suits your budget, attention level, and overall account goals.

Need a boost to skip the early grind or acquire that high-level gear? Check out our OSRS Skilling Services or secure the necessary funds with OSRS Gold.