This Old School RuneScape tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Builds Rankings
| Tier | Build | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Melee training | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Ranged training | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Magic training | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Pure and skiller builds | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Ironman and Group Ironman | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Melee training (A-Tier)
Melee training is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Abyssal whip. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Ranged training (A-Tier)
Ranged training is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Toxic blowpipe. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Magic training (A-Tier)
Magic training is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Twisted bow. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Pure and skiller builds (A-Tier)
Pure and skiller builds is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Scythe of Vitur. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Ironman and Group Ironman (A-Tier)
Ironman and Group Ironman is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Trident of the swamp. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abyssal whip | Slayer tasks and general melee training from 70 Attack onward | Requires 70 Attack and drops from abyssal demons. |
| Toxic blowpipe | High attack speed Ranged damage against low Ranged defence bosses | A rapid Ranged weapon fed with darts and Zulrah's scales. |
| Twisted bow | Bosses and raid encounters with very high Magic levels | The Chambers of Xeric prize bow whose damage scales with the target's Magic level. |
| Scythe of Vitur | Large multi-tile bosses where its multi-hit applies fully | The Theatre of Blood melee weapon that hits multiple times against large targets. |
| Trident of the swamp | Magic based Slayer tasks and mid game bossing where inventory space is tight | 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. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Abyssal whip: Requires 70 Attack and drops from abyssal demons. It has been the standard melee training weapon for most of the game's life because it is fast, cheap relative to its power, and always available on the Grand Exchange.
Toxic blowpipe: A rapid Ranged weapon fed with darts and Zulrah's scales. Its speed makes it dominant against low defence targets where many small hits beat one large one.
Twisted bow: The Chambers of Xeric prize bow whose damage scales with the target's Magic level. Against high Magic bosses it is the strongest Ranged weapon in the game; against low Magic targets it is unremarkable.
Scythe of Vitur: The Theatre of Blood melee weapon that hits multiple times against large targets. It needs charges to work, so running costs are a real consideration.
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.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Old School RuneScape centers on Twenty four skills, every one capped at 99 and Content polls needing 70 percent yes. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Melee training with Abyssal whip is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Tick based combat on a 0.6 second tick builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Magic training remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Ranged training is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Twisted bow offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Ironman and Group Ironman builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Melee training | Abyssal whip | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Ranged training | Toxic blowpipe | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Magic training | Twisted bow | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Pure and skiller builds | Scythe of Vitur | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Ironman and Group Ironman | Trident of the swamp | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More Old School RuneScape Guides
- Old School RuneScape Old School RuneScape Overview
- Old School RuneScape Best Builds
- 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
If you enjoy Old School RuneScape, check out these related guides:
- New World: Aeternum Tier List: mmo game with similar mechanics
- Lost Ark Tier List: mmo game with similar mechanics
- The Elder Scrolls Online Tier List: mmo game with similar mechanics
