Old School RuneScape is the 2013 fork of a 2007 backup of RuneScape, and it is not a mode inside RuneScape 3. Separate servers, separate accounts, separate membership, separate high scores. Steam app 1343370 is Jagex's official client for it rather than a distinct game, and the client is free while membership is not. Jagex polls new content to paying members and needs 70 percent yes to pass, a bar lowered from 75 percent at the end of 2022, which is why the game still plays like 2007 with two decades of member approved additions layered on.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee training | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Ranged training | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Magic training | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Pure and skiller builds | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Ironman and Group Ironman | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Old School RuneScape tier list.
A-Tier: Melee training
Melee training is a top-performing option in Old School RuneScape.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Abyssal whip | Requires 70 Attack and drops from abyssal demons. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Twenty four skills, every one capped at 99 | There is no level 120 and no Invention here. |
How to Play Melee training
Melee training focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Abyssal whip does the damage and Twenty four skills, every one capped at 99 keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Ranged training
Ranged training is a strong option in Old School RuneScape.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Toxic blowpipe | A rapid Ranged weapon fed with darts and Zulrah's scales. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Content polls needing 70 percent yes | Members vote on proposed content and a proposal needs 70 percent approval to enter the game. |
How to Play Ranged training
Ranged training focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Toxic blowpipe with Content polls needing 70 percent yes and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Magic training
Magic training is a strong option in Old School RuneScape.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Twisted bow | The Chambers of Xeric prize bow whose damage scales with the target's Magic level. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Tick based combat on a 0.6 second tick | The game runs on a fixed 0. |
How to Play Magic training
Magic training focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Tick based combat on a 0.6 second tick covers the gap Twisted bow leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Pure and skiller builds
Pure and skiller builds is a specialized option in Old School RuneScape.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Scythe of Vitur | The Theatre of Blood melee weapon that hits multiple times against large targets. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Grand Exchange trading and bonds | The Grand Exchange is the central market for nearly every tradeable item. |
How to Play Pure and skiller builds
Pure and skiller builds focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Grand Exchange trading and bonds rather than raw numbers, and Scythe of Vitur is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Ironman and Group Ironman
Ironman and Group Ironman is a specialized option in Old School RuneScape.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Trident of the swamp | A charged Magic staff that provides a reliable attack without requiring runes in your inventory, upgraded from the trident of the seas with a magic fang. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Account modes including Ironman and Group Ironman | Standard accounts trade freely. |
How to Play Ironman and Group Ironman
Ironman and Group Ironman focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Trident of the swamp and Account modes including Ironman and Group Ironman pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Ranged training: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Melee training once you understand core mechanics and have access to Abyssal whip
- Keep a Magic training setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Ironman and Group Ironman for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Do not follow RuneScape 3 guides. Old School has no Evolution of Combat, no Invention, no Necromancy and no level 120 skills. RS3 gear names, ability bars and training methods do not exist here, and applying them will waste days.
- Quests unlock more than experience does. Several bosses, teleports and skill methods are locked behind quests, so a mid level account that has ignored questing will hit walls a lower level account with the same quests never notices.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Old School RuneScape Guides
- Old School RuneScape Old School RuneScape Overview
- Old School RuneScape Tier List
- Old School RuneScape Walkthrough
- Old School RuneScape Beginner's Guide
- Old School RuneScape Tips & Tricks
- Old School RuneScape Weapons Guide
- Old School RuneScape Combat Guide
- Old School RuneScape Boss Guide
- Old School RuneScape Maps & Locations
- Old School RuneScape Crafting Guide
- Old School RuneScape Classes & Characters
Similar Games
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- Lost Ark Builds: mmo game with similar mechanics
- The Elder Scrolls Online Builds: mmo game with similar mechanics
