OSRS Combat Guide for F2P Players

 Old School RuneScape (OSRS) remains one of the most beloved MMORPGs of all time, thanks to its unique blend of nostalgia and deep gameplay mechanics. For Free-to-Play (F2P) players, mastering combat is key to progressing, earning money, and eventually stepping into the wider world of membership. While members have access to many more features, F2P players can still enjoy a rich and rewarding combat experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about F2P combat in OSRS gold—from training methods and weapons to tips for efficient leveling and PvP basics.

Understanding Combat in OSRS

The Three Combat Styles

OSRS combat revolves around the Combat Triangle, which consists of:

Melee – Includes Attack, Strength, and Defence skills. Best for close combat.

Ranged – Attacking from a distance using bows and arrows.

Magic – Using spells to deal damage, teleport, or bind enemies.

These styles work in a rock-paper-scissors fashion:

Melee beats Ranged,

Ranged beats Magic,

Magic beats Melee.

Combat Level

Your Combat Level reflects your overall fighting ability. It's calculated using your levels in Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Magic, Ranged, and Prayer. In F2P, the max combat level you can reach is 100 (unless using Magic or Ranged exclusively).

Best F2P Combat Training Areas

Training efficiently in F2P requires optimizing your gear, choosing the right monsters, and selecting good spots with minimal competition.

Melee Training Spots

Cows (Lumbridge) – Great for beginners. Drops cowhide (decent early money-maker).

Al-Kharid Warriors – Level 9 warriors, decent drops and XP. Accessible after paying 10 coins at the gate.

Stronghold of Security (Barbarian Village) – Multiple levels with aggressive monsters. Zombies, Minotaurs, Flesh Crawlers, and more. Flesh Crawlers (Level 28) are ideal for mid-levels due to low Defence and consistent aggression.

Hill Giants (Edgeville Dungeon) – Good XP and drop Big Bones, which are useful for Prayer training or selling for profit. Requires a Brass Key to access.

Moss Giants (Crandor or Varrock Sewers) – Higher levels (Level 42) for late F2P training. Decent drops including Big Bones and nature runes.

Ranged Training Spots

Cows (Lumbridge) – Safe-spotting while looting hides/arrows is effective.

Minotaurs (Stronghold of Security, Level 1) – Drop iron arrows and easy to safespot. Efficient low-mid level Ranged training.

Hill Giants (Edgeville Dungeon) – Excellent for Ranged safespotting from behind bones or rocks.

Lesser Demons (Karamja Volcano) – For high-level F2P Ranged training. Bring lots of arrows and food.

Magic Training Spots

Low-level Teleports & Combat Spells – Begin with Wind Strike on chickens, then move to goblins and wizards.

Varrock Sewers (Skeletons) – Fire Strike for decent Magic XP.

Curse Method (Lumbridge Zamorak Monk) – Use Curse on the monk in Lumbridge Castle for splash training. Requires proper gear to lower Magic attack bonus (ensuring splash).

Fire Bolt with Staff of Fire & Chaos Runes – Good for higher-level enemies like Hill Giants or Moss Giants.

Lesser Demons (Karamja Volcano) – For late-game F2P magic training with Fire Bolt.

Best Gear for F2P Combat

Your gear has a huge impact on your combat performance, especially in F2P where options are limited.

Best Melee Gear

For Strength Training (Max Hit Focus):

Weapon: Rune Scimitar

Amulet: Amulet of Strength

Armor: Full Iron -> Steel -> Mithril -> Adamant -> Rune

Shield: Rune Kiteshield

Helmet: Rune Full Helm

Cape: Team Cape or Obsidian Cape (via trading)

Boots: None in F2P

Gloves: Fighting Gloves (from Stronghold of Security)

For Defence Training (Tanky Build):

Weapon: Rune Longsword or Rune Sword

Amulet: Amulet of Defence

Armor: Rune Full Helm, Rune Platebody, Rune Platelegs

Shield: Rune Kiteshield

Best Ranged Gear

Weapon: Maple Shortbow (F2P max), training with Iron/Steel arrows

Armor: Full Green d'hide (except body, only available to members)

Body: Leather Body (best available F2P)

Amulet: Amulet of Power

Gloves: Green d’hide vambraces

Cape: Team Cape

Boots: None

Shield: None (use bow with two hands)

Best Magic Gear

Weapon: Staff of Fire (reduces rune cost)

Robes: Wizard Robe Top and Bottom

Amulet: Amulet of Magic

Cape: Team Cape

Gloves: None

Shield: None (staff is two-handed)

Efficient Combat Training Tips

Focus on Strength First – Strength affects max hit, which speeds up kills. Training Strength early makes future training more efficient.

Use Aggressive Style – Increases Strength XP; Controlled gives balanced XP to all melee stats.

Prioritize Rune Scimitar – Best F2P melee weapon for speed and damage.

Train Prayer on the Side – Bury all bones or collect Big Bones for later use or profit.

Use Teleports to Save Time – Varrock, Lumbridge, and Falador teleports cut down walking time.

Use Attack Styles Correctly:

Slash (Aggressive) for Strength

Stab (Accurate) for Attack

Block (Defensive) for Defence

F2P PvP & Combat Builds

While PvP is more limited in F2P, it’s still active—especially in PvP Worlds and Clan Wars. Knowing your build is critical.

Common F2P PvP Builds

1 Defence Pure:

40 Attack

99 Strength

1 Defence

Maxed Hitpoints/Prayer/Magic optional

Fast kills, but very vulnerable

Range/2H Hybrid:

High Ranged (70+)

Strength (60+)

Low Defence

Use Ranged to weaken, then KO with Rune 2H

Magic Hybrid:

High Magic (59+ for Fire Bolt)

Ranged or Melee combo

Use bind spells to hold enemies

PvP Tips

Switch Fast – The best PvPers can switch from Ranged to 2H within one tick.

Stack Damage – Ranged into 2H KOs are classic F2P combos.

Use Pizza/Anchovy Pizzas – Best F2P food (2-bite healing).

Avoid Skulls if Risking – Dying while skulled means losing all items unless protected.

Money-Making While Training Combat

Cowhides – Kill cows, collect hides, and bank.

Big Bones – Hill Giants drop them, valuable on GE.

Iron Ore from Hobgoblins – Useful if banking at nearby ports.

Rune Drops (Rare) – Lesser Demons drop rune meds rarely.

Collect Arrows from Minotaurs – They drop lots of iron arrows.

Road to Max Combat in F2P

Maxing out combat in F2P is possible but grind-heavy. Here's a general plan:

1–30 Melee – Cows → Goblins → Al-Kharid Warriors

30–60 – Stronghold of Security (Flesh Crawlers)

60–99 – Hill Giants or Flesh Crawlers (AFK) or Giant Spiders (faster but less profitable)

Ranged:

1–40 – Cows or Minotaurs

40–70 – Hill Giants

70–99 – Lesser Demons (long grind)

Magic:

1–35 – Curse Training

35–59 – Fire Bolt training on Hill Giants

59–99 – Fire Bolt or Fire Blast (expensive, optional)

Conclusion

F2P combat in Old School RuneScape may be limited compared to buy RS gold, but it still offers plenty of depth, efficiency challenges, and fun. Whether you’re aiming to become a PvP menace, max out your stats, or simply enjoy slaying monsters for profit, there's a clear path for you. The key lies in choosing the right methods, using the best gear available, and being consistent.

So sharpen that Rune Scimitar, stock up on arrows, and prepare your best spells—your F2P combat adventure awaits!