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.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abyssal whip | S | Slayer tasks and general melee training from 70 Attack onward | Requires 70 Attack and drops from abyssal demons. |
| Toxic blowpipe | A | High attack speed Ranged damage against low Ranged defence bosses | A rapid Ranged weapon fed with darts and Zulrah's scales. |
| Twisted bow | A | 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 | B | 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 | B | 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. |
S-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Slayer tasks and general melee training from 70 Attack onward |
| Key Mechanic | Twenty four skills, every one capped at 99 |
| Recommended Build | Melee training |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Abyssal whip: Pairs naturally with Melee training thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | High attack speed Ranged damage against low Ranged defence bosses |
| Key Mechanic | Content polls needing 70 percent yes |
| Recommended Build | Ranged training |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Toxic blowpipe: Pairs naturally with Ranged training thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Bosses and raid encounters with very high Magic levels |
| Key Mechanic | Tick based combat on a 0.6 second tick |
| Recommended Build | Magic training |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Twisted bow: Pairs naturally with Magic training thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Large multi-tile bosses where its multi-hit applies fully |
| Key Mechanic | Grand Exchange trading and bonds |
| Recommended Build | Pure and skiller builds |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Scythe of Vitur: Pairs naturally with Pure and skiller builds thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Magic based Slayer tasks and mid game bossing where inventory space is tight |
| Key Mechanic | Account modes including Ironman and Group Ironman |
| Recommended Build | Ironman and Group Ironman |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Trident of the swamp: Pairs naturally with Ironman and Group Ironman thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Lumbridge
- Toxic blowpipe → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Twisted bow → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Abyssal whip → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- 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.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Old School RuneScape Guides
- Old School RuneScape Old School RuneScape Overview
- Old School RuneScape Best Builds
- Old School RuneScape Tier List
- Old School RuneScape Walkthrough
- Old School RuneScape Beginner's Guide
- Old School RuneScape Tips & Tricks
- 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 Weapons Guide: mmo game with similar mechanics
- Lost Ark Weapons Guide: mmo game with similar mechanics
- The Elder Scrolls Online Weapons Guide: mmo game with similar mechanics
