Introduction
In the world of Runescape, gear progression is not a straightforward path like in other games. Your play style, wealth, and the enemies you face all influence the gear you should use. However, there is a general path that you can follow to guide your progress. This article aims to provide you with that direction. If you’re interested, we also have a guide on RS3 gear progression.
If you’re looking for affordable gear, check out our OSRS Items page. Alternatively, if you need some extra funds, you can buy OSRS Gold to get gear on the Grand Exchange.
Understanding OSRS Gear
As you level up, more gear options become available based on your combat stats and unlocked quests. One unique aspect of RuneScape is that you can achieve maximum combat stats using inexpensive, low-level gear, albeit at the cost of slower experience rates. If you can’t afford certain upgrades, especially those obtained from raids or treasure trail drops, you have the flexibility to mix and match pieces of gear at any level.
Melee Gear Progression
Melee combat includes three essential skills: Attack, Strength, and Defense. These skills can be trained in any order, but prioritizing Strength will optimize your end-game efficiency. Training all three melee stats may take longer compared to range or magic, but it is crucial for tackling end-game content.
Here is a general progression path for upgrading your melee training gear:
1-20 Str/Att/Def:
- Full iron set (excluding kite shield)
- Amulet of Strength
- Event RPG (the fastest melee weapon with superior DPS until reaching level 20 stats)
- Iron boots
- Combat Bracelet
20+ Str/Att/Def:
- Full mithril set with kite shield
- Mithril Scimitar
- Amulet of Strength or Fury
- Mithril boots
30+ Str/Att/Def:
- Full Adamantite set with kite shield
- Adamantite Scimitar
- Amulet of Strength or Fury
- Adamantite Boots
40+ Str/Att/Def:
- Berserker helmet (at level 45 Defense)
- Fighter Torso or Rune Platebody
- Rune platelegs or Fremennik kilt
- Brine Saber or Granite Hammer (at 50+ Attack and Strength)
- Rune Boots or Climbing Boots
- Rune Defender
- Rune gloves or Regen Bracelet
- Amulet of Fury or Strength
60+ Str/Att/Def:
- Full Obsidian armor set: helmet, legs, and chest plate
- Obsidian Sword
- Dragon Defender
- Berserker Necklace
- Imbued Berserkers’ Ring
- Barrows Gloves
- Dragon Boots
- Fire Cape
Note: The full Obsidian set can be used until Level 99 if training at Nightmare Zone.
75+ Str/Att/Def (End Game):
- Serpentine Helm
- Bandos Chestplate and Tassets
- Avernic Defender or Dragonfire Shield
- Inferno Cape
- Primordial Boots
- Amulet of Torture
- Imbued Berserker Ring
- Possible weapons include: Ghrazi Rapier (stab), Abyssal Tentacle (slash), Abyssal Bludgeon, or Zamorakian Hasta
Range Gear Progression
Range combat has a more linear progression, as accuracy and max hits increase within a single skill. Most high-level range equipment requires a minimum defense level, which can be trained using long-range or melee, the latter being more efficient. However, pures can remain at one defense level and still access most equipment, with only a few exceptions.
Here is a general path for upgrading your range training gear:
1 Range:
- Leather Armor set: cowl, body, chaps
- Combat Bracelet
- Iron knives
- Amulet of Fury or Glory
- Ranger Boots (if within budget)
20+ Range:
- Studded Leather Armor set: body (with 20 Defense) and chaps
- Coif
- Amulet of Fury or Glory
- Mithril Gloves (with partially completed Recipe for Disaster quest)
- Frog Leather Boots (with 25 Range and Defense)
- Mithril knives
30+ Range:
- Maple Shortbow with steel arrows or higher
- Full Snakeskin armor set (with 30 Defense): coif, body, chaps, boots, and vambraces
- Amulet of Fury or Glory
40-70 Range:
- Chromatic Dragonhide Armor set: body (with 40 Defense), chaps, and vambraces
- Rune Crossbow with broad bolts (requires 55 Slayer) or enchanted bolts
- Ranger Boots or Snakeskin Boots
70 Range:
- Black or Blessed Dragonhide Armor set: body (with 40 Defense), chaps, coif, and boots
- Armadyl Crossbow with enchanted bolts
- Armadyl God Book
- Rune, Dragon, or Barrows Gauntlets
- Ava’s Accumulator
75-99 Range (End Game):
- Armadyl Armor set (with 70 Defense): coif, body, and chaps
- Pegasian Boots (with 75 Defense)
- Twisted Buckler (with 75 Defense)
- Necklace of Anguish
- Toxic Blowpipe or Twisted Bow (depends on the type of damage required)
- Imbued Archer’s Ring
- Barrows Gloves
- Ava’s Assembler
Magic Gear Progression
When it comes to magic, most gear focuses on accuracy rather than maximum damage. As a result, players often hybridize defensive gear and neglect magic bonus in most PvM or PvP setups unless the target enemy has significant defense.
Here is a general path for upgrading your magic training gear:
1 Magic:
- Zamorak Robe top & bottom
- Gnome Hat
- Elemental Staff (according to your spell needs)
- Amulet of Magic
- Seers Ring
20+ Magic:
- Xerician Robes (with 10 Defense): hat, top, and bottom
- Ancient Book or Broodoo Shield (with 25 Defense)
40+ Magic:
- Mystic Robes set: Hat, top, bottom, boots, and gloves
- Mystic Elemental Staves
- Tome of Fire (requires 50 Magic)
- Iban’s Staff (requires 50 Magic)
60+ Magic:
- Infinity Robes (with 25 Defense)
- Any God Cape (after completing The Mage Arena)
- Mage’s Book, Tome of Fire, or Malediction Ward (with 60 Defense)
- Mystic Elemental Staff, Ancient Staff, or Slayer’s Staff
75+ Magic (End Game):
- Ancestral Armor (with 65 Defense)
- Arcane Spirit Shield (with 75 Defense and 70 Prayer)
- Any Imbued God Cape
- Occult Necklace
- Imbued Seers Ring
- Tormented Bracelet
- Eternal Boots (with 75 Defense)
- Weapons include: Mystic Smoke Staff, Kodai Wand, Staff of the Dead, or a Toxic Trident
Void Knight Equipment
Void Knight Equipment is considered end-game gear, but its usage depends on specific circumstances. It allows you to tribrid between magic, range, and melee, depending on the hood you wear. For ironmen or players who cannot obtain rare drops with low-level gear, this can serve as an economical alternative.
The requirements for Void Knight gear are 42 Attack, Strength, Defense, Range, Magic, and 22 Prayer. Each combat style has a corresponding hood—melee (10% damage increase), ranged (10% damage increase), and magic (45% accuracy increase). Upgrading to Elite void provides additional prayer bonus and a 2.5% increase in magic and ranged damage.
Conclusion
Whether you aim for maximum combat or unlocking high-level content, this OSRS Gear guide will help you progress. Keep in mind that certain Slayer tasks may require special gear, such as the Slayer Helmet (I). However, with the recommended gear setups outlined in this article, you should be well-equipped for PvM encounters or training sessions.
