OSRS P2P Melee Training Guide: Level 1-99 Fast Or AFK
OSRS P2P Melee Training Guide 1-99: the absolute fastest XP for Attack, Strength, Defence & AFK training Methods with NMZ Dharok.
Strength is one of the most rewarding combat skills to train in Old School RuneScape. While Attack determines how often you land hits, Strength determines how hard those hits are. It directly increases your maximum hit, improves your kills per hour, and speeds up Slayer tasks, boss fights, and nearly every melee activity in the game. Whether you're training at Sand Crabs, grinding the Nightmare Zone, completing Slayer tasks, or taking on end-game bosses, choosing the right weapon can significantly improve both your XP rates and overall efficiency.
After spending many hours playing OSRS and trying out different weapon setups alongside the OSRS Wiki DPS Calculator, I've found that the highest Strength bonus isn't necessarily the best option. Factors like attack speed, accuracy, passive effects, weapon type, and even the specific monster you're battling all play a big role in your real damage output. Sometimes, a weapon with a lower Strength bonus can even do better than one with a higher bonus, thanks to faster attack speeds or strong passive effects.
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Let’s get into it!
Unlike many guides that only compare Strength bonuses or Grand Exchange prices, I wanted this ranking to reflect how these weapons actually perform in-game.
To keep every comparison fair, I used the OSRS Wiki DPS Calculator with the same player stats, equipment, prayers, and combat boosts while testing each weapon against Sand Crabs. Sand Crabs are among the most popular Strength-training monsters in OSRS thanks to their low Defence and high Hitpoints, making them an excellent benchmark for comparing raw damage output.
That said, Sand Crab DPS isn't the only factor that determines a weapon's ranking. Some weapons are specifically designed for certain types of content and would appear much weaker if we only looked at training monsters.
For example:
Because of this, I've ranked each weapon based on its overall effectiveness, using Sand Crab DPS as a consistent benchmark while also considering passive effects, versatility, attack speed, accuracy, and how the weapon performs in the content it was designed for.
One mistake I see players make all the time is assuming that a weapon with the highest Strength bonus is automatically the best. That's simply not how melee combat works in Old School RuneScape.
For example, the Ghrazi Rapier frequently outperforms the Elder Maul during regular Strength training. Even though the Elder Maul has the highest Strength bonus in the game, its slow 6-tick attack speed can't keep up with the Rapier's fast 4-tick attacks. Over a long training session, those extra attacks quickly add up to significantly more damage and XP.
Likewise, weapons with unique passive effects can completely change the rankings depending on what you're fighting. Osmumten's Fang becomes one of the strongest melee weapons in the game against high-Defence bosses because of its double accuracy roll. At the same time, the Dragon Hunter Lance dominates dragon-related content thanks to its built-in damage and accuracy bonus.
That's why this guide doesn't rank weapons solely by their Strength bonus or Grand Exchange price. Instead, I've considered how each weapon performs in real gameplay, including attack speed, passive abilities, versatility, and practical damage output.
Another important consideration is whether a weapon is one-handed or two-handed.
One-handed weapons can be paired with defenders such as the Dragon Defender or Avernic Defender, providing additional Strength bonus, accuracy, and defensive stats. This combination often results in higher overall DPS than a comparable two-handed weapon.
Two-handed weapons, however, typically compensate by offering significantly higher base Strength bonuses or unique passive effects. Weapons like Soulreaper Axe and Elder Maul remain among the strongest melee weapons in the game despite sacrificing the defender slot.
Neither category is inherently superior, which is why I've included a One-Handed column in the comparison table to help you quickly identify which weapons can benefit from a defender.
To make every comparison fair, I tested each weapon using the OSRS Wiki DPS Calculator with the same player stats, gear, prayers, and combat boosts against a Sand Crab.
I chose Sand Crabs because they have low Defence, high Hitpoints, and are one of the most common Strength training monsters in the game. This provides a consistent benchmark that lets every weapon be compared under identical conditions.
Keep in mind that these DPS values are only intended as a standardised comparison. Actual performance will vary depending on the monster you're fighting. Weapons with unique mechanics such as the Dragon Hunter Lance or Osmumten's Fang may perform significantly better in the situations they were specifically designed for.
For that reason, I don't rely solely on Sand Crab DPS when ranking these weapons. I've also considered each weapon's versatility, passive abilities, attack speed, and overall effectiveness across Slayer, bossing, Nightmare Zone, and general Strength training.

Below is my complete ranking of the best Strength weapons in Old School RuneScape. I've ordered these weapons based on their overall effectiveness rather than simply their Strength bonus or Attack requirement.
To keep the comparison fair, every weapon's DPS was calculated using the OSRS Wiki DPS Calculator against a Sand Crab with the same player stats, gear, prayers, and combat boosts. While these values provide an excellent baseline for comparing weapons, remember that some weapons perform significantly better in specific situations. For example, the Dragon Hunter Lance dominates dragon encounters, and Osmumten's Fang becomes exceptionally powerful against high-Defence enemies.
Use the table below to quickly compare each weapon's requirements, attack speed, Strength bonus, Sand Crab DPS, and ideal use cases.
Tip: If two weapons have similar DPS, I generally recommend choosing the faster weapon for Slayer and everyday training, while saving more specialised weapons for bosses where their passive effects can shine.
Weapon | Attack Style | Attack | Strength | Weapon Type | Price in GP | Tick Speed | Melee Strength Bonus | Sand Crab DPS | Primary Use |
Osmumten's Fang | Stab | 82 | - | One-Handed | 17M | 5 | +103 | 4.665 | High-Defence Bosses |
Soulreaper Axe | Slash | 80 | 80 | Two-Handed | 437M | 5 | +125* | 5.265 | High-end PvM, Slayer |
Ghrazi Rapier | Stab | 80 | - | One-Handed | 25M | 4 | +93 | 5.335 | General Strength Training |
Blade of Saeldor | Slash | 80 | - | One-Handed | 122M | 4 | +93 | 5.335 | Slash-based PvM & Training |
Inquisitor's Mace | Crush | 80 | - | One-Handed | 346M | 4 | +96 | 5.541 | Crush-weak Monsters |
Noxious Halberd | Slash | 80 | - | Two-Handed | 41M | 5 | +142 | 5.722 | High-end Slash PvM |
Elder Maul | Crush | 75 | 75 | Two-Handed | 98M | 6 | +147 | 4.797 | Crush Bossing, PvP |
Hallowfell | Slash | 75 | - | Two-Handed | 5M | 6 | +110 | 3.972 | Best for Training Melee |
Voidwaker | Slash | 75 | - | One-Handed | 40M | 4 | +80 | 4.915 | PvM & PvP |
Bandos Godsword | Slash | 75 | - | Two-Handed | 17M | 6 | +132 | 4.523 | Bossing |
Armadyl Godsword | Slash | 75 | - | Two-Handed | 7M | 6 | +132 | 4.523 | PvM & PvP |
Saradomin Godsword | Slash | 75 | - | Two-Handed | 23M | 6 | +132 | 4.523 | Sustain & Slayer |
Ancient Godsword | Slash | 75 | - | Two-Handed | 36M | 6 | +132 | 4.523 | PvP |
Zamorak Godsword | Slash | 75 | - | Two-Handed | 15M | 6 | +132 | 4.523 | Freezing & Utility |
Saradomin's Blessed Sword | Slash | 75 | - | Two-Handed | ~5M | 4 | +88 | 5.131 | Mid-game Training |
Dragon Hunter Lance | Stab | 70 | - | One-Handed | 48M | 4 | +70 | 4.713 | Dragons & Draconic Bosses |
Abyssal Bludgeon | Crush | 70 | 70 | Two-Handed | 17M | 4 | +85 | 5.343 | Crush Training |
Saradomin Sword | Slash | 70 | - | Two-Handed | 155K | 4 | +82 | 4.916 | Budget Training |
Dharok's Greataxe | Slash | 70 | 70 | Two-Handed | 1.8M | 7 | +105 | 3.283 | Nightmare Zone |
Zombie Axe | Crush | 65 | - | One-Handed | 1.6M | 5 | +107 | 4.761 | Budget Strength Training |
Leaf-bladed Battleaxe | Slash | 65 | - | Two-Handed | 75K | 5 | +92 | 4.252 | Slayer |
Dragon Warhammer | Crush | 60 | 60 | One-Handed | 16M | 6 | +85 | 3.419 | Defence Reduction |
Viggora's Chainmace | Crush | 60 | - | One-Handed | 5M | 4 | +66 | 4.499 | Wilderness PvM |
Toktz-xil-ak (Obsidian Sword) | Slash | 60 | - | One-Handed | 550K | 4 | +49 | 3.875 | Obsidian Builds |
Dragon Scimitar | Slash | 60 | - | One-Handed | 60K | 4 | +66 | 4.499 | Mid-game Training |
Dragon Sword | Stab | 60 | - | One-Handed | 108K | 4 | +63 | 4.295 | Alternative to Dragon Scimitar |
Dragon 2H Sword | Slash | 60 | - | Two-Handed | 140K | 7 | +93 | 3.046 | Budget Two-Handed Weapon |
Granite Hammer | Crush | 50 | 50 | One-Handed | 11M | 4 | +56 | 4.086 | Early-game Training |
Granite Maul | Crush | 50 | 50 | Two-Handed | 101K | 6 | +79 | 2.809 | PvP KO Weapon |
Leaf-bladed Sword | Stab | 50 | - | One-Handed | 40K | 4 | +50 | 3.891 | Kurasks & Turoths |
Rune Scimitar | Slash | 40 | - | One-Handed | 15K | 4 | +44 | 3.671 | Early-game Progression |
Brine Sabre | Slash | 40 | - | One-Handed | 400K | 4 | +46 | 3.673 | Early-game Members |
TzHaar-ket-om (Obsidian Maul) | Crush | - | 60 | Two-Handed | 195K | 6 | +85 | 2.925 | Obsidian Builds |
Rune Warhammer | Crush | - | 40 | Two-Handed | 25K | 6 | +62 | 2.856 | F2P Strength Pures |
Note: The Sand Crab DPS values in this table were calculated using the OSRS Wiki DPS Calculator against Sand Crabs with a standardised training setup. These values are intended as a consistent benchmark for comparing weapon performance during Strength training. Actual DPS will vary depending on your combat stats, equipment, prayers, potions, attack style, and the monster you're fighting. Some weapons, such as the Dragon Hunter Lance, Osmumten's Fang, and Dragon Warhammer, are included because of their outstanding performance in specific situations or unique special attacks, even if their Sand Crab DPS doesn't fully reflect their real-world effectiveness.

The Osmumten's Fang excels against high-Defence monsters thanks to its unique passive, which dramatically improves accuracy. Although its Sand Crab DPS may appear lower than that of some faster weapons, that's simply because low-Defence targets don't showcase its true strengths. Against bosses such as those found in Tombs of Amascut and other high-level encounters, the Fang becomes one of the most reliable melee weapons in the game and remains a popular choice for end-game PvM.

The Soulreaper Axe rewards aggressive play by building Soul Stacks, which increase your Strength and maximum hit as combat progresses. During long Slayer tasks and boss fights, it delivers some of the highest sustained melee DPS in the game. However, frequent target switching or quick fights prevent the weapon from reaching its full potential. If you enjoy extended PvM encounters and don't mind managing its passive effect, the Soulreaper Axe is one of the strongest Strength weapons available.

The Ghrazi Rapier is among the best all-round melee weapons in OSRS, thanks to its fast 4-tick attack speed, excellent accuracy, and a strong Strength bonus. Unlike many high-tier weapons, it doesn't require charges or degrade over time, making it a reliable option for everyday Slayer, training, and bossing. Although it lacks a unique passive effect, its consistent damage output makes it one of the safest and most versatile investments for players seeking to maximise melee performance.

The Blade of Saeldor offers performance nearly identical to the Ghrazi Rapier but specialises in Slash attacks rather than Stab. Its fast attack speed and impressive offensive stats make it one of the strongest one-handed melee weapons in the game. It's particularly effective against monsters weak to Slash and performs exceptionally well in Slayer and general PvM. Players with access to Prifddinas and Crystal equipment will find it an outstanding long-term upgrade.

The Inquisitor's Mace is the Crush equivalent of the Ghrazi Rapier and the Blade of Saeldor, with identical attack speed and exceptional Crush accuracy. It's particularly effective against monsters and bosses weak to Crush damage, and pairing it with the Inquisitor's Armour set further enhances its effectiveness. While it isn't essential for every account, players focusing on Crush-based PvM will find the mace among the strongest one-handed weapons.

The Noxious Halberd is one of the strongest two-handed Slash weapons currently available, combining exceptional offensive bonuses with excellent sustained damage. Its high Strength bonus enables impressive maximum hits, while its attack speed keeps its DPS competitive across a variety of PvM activities. Although it lacks a niche passive like the Scythe or Fang, it's an incredibly powerful option for players seeking consistent melee performance in end-game content.

The Elder Maul has the highest Strength bonus of any melee weapon in OSRS, enabling enormous individual hits. Despite its slow 6-tick attack speed, recent updates have significantly improved its PvM utility, making it much more than a PvP weapon. While faster weapons usually provide better sustained DPS during Strength training, the Elder Maul remains an outstanding choice for Crush-based encounters and for players seeking the highest possible maximum hits.

Introduced with the Wyrmscraig update on 29 July 2026, Hallowfell is a powerful two-handed melee weapon requiring 75 Attack. With a +110 Strength bonus, 6-tick attack speed, and a Sand Crabs DPS of 3.972, it is designed around delivering heavy hits rather than fast attacks. Its high Strength bonus makes it particularly effective for maximising individual hit potential, while its unique combat mechanics give it strong potential in multi-target PvM encounters. Although its slow attack speed can limit sustained single-target DPS compared with faster weapons, Hallowfell offers a powerful option for Slayer, multi-combat training, and PvM situations where hitting multiple targets can significantly increase its overall effectiveness.

The Voidwaker is one of the most versatile melee weapons in OSRS, offering reliable DPS and one of the game's strongest special attacks. While its regular attacks are solid for Strength training, its true value lies in its powerful guaranteed-damage special attack, making it popular in both PvM and PvP. Unlike many expensive weapons, it doesn't degrade and remains useful across a wide range of content, making it a worthwhile investment for players seeking flexibility.

The Bandos Godsword (BGS) is one of the most widely used special-attack weapons in Old School RuneScape. Its special attack reduces an enemy's Defence in proportion to the damage dealt, allowing both you and your teammates to hit more consistently. While its normal attacks are respectable, players primarily bring it for bossing rather than everyday Strength training. It's especially valuable at bosses where lowering Defence significantly improves kill times.

The Saradomin's Blessed Sword is an upgraded version of the Saradomin Sword, offering higher offensive bonuses while retaining a fast 4-tick attack speed. It performs exceptionally well against low- and medium-Defence monsters, making it an excellent option for Slayer and general Strength training. The weapon gradually degrades with use, but even with this drawback, it remains one of the strongest mid-game two-handed weapons available.

The Dragon Hunter Lance is purpose-built for fighting dragons, providing substantial bonuses to accuracy and damage against draconic enemies. This makes it the best melee weapon for encounters such as Vorkath, Rune Dragons, King Black Dragon, and many Slayer tasks. Outside dragon-related content, its performance is closer to that of a standard stab weapon, so it's not the ideal choice for general Strength training. If you regularly farm dragons, however, it's well worth the investment.

The abyssal Bludgeon remains one of the strongest Crush weapons for mid- and high-level players. Its fast 4-tick attack speed, excellent Crush accuracy, and solid Strength bonus make it a strong choice for Slayer and general melee training. While newer weapons such as the Inquisitor's Mace and Elder Maul have surpassed it in specialised situations, the Bludgeon still offers excellent value and dependable performance, particularly against monsters weak to Crush attacks.

The Saradomin Sword has long been a top budget weapon for Strength training, thanks to its fast attack speed, respectable Slash bonuses, and affordable price. Although it's eventually outclassed by premium options such as the Ghrazi Rapier and Blessed Sword, it remains an excellent choice for players progressing through the mid-game. If you're seeking reliable performance without spending millions of GP, the Saradomin Sword continues to offer fantastic value.

The Dharok's Greataxe remains one of the most iconic melee weapons in Old School RuneScape, thanks to its powerful set effect. When wearing the full Dharok's armour set, your damage increases as your Hitpoints decrease, making it highly effective for Nightmare Zone and certain AFK training methods. Although its slow 7-tick attack speed limits its usefulness in regular PvM, it can deal enormous hits in the right setup. If you enjoy Nightmare Zone training, Dharok's Greataxe remains one of the strongest options available.

The Zombie Axe is one of the best value-for-money melee weapons in OSRS. Despite its relatively low cost, it delivers an outstanding +107 Strength bonus, making it one of the strongest one-handed Strength weapons. Its slower 5-tick attack speed is offset by excellent Crush accuracy and serious damage per hit, enabling it to perform exceptionally well against medium- and high-Defence monsters. If you're looking for an affordable upgrade before investing in premium weapons, the Zombie Axe is one of the smartest purchases you can make.

The Leaf-bladed Battleaxe is an underrated Strength weapon that delivers excellent damage for its relatively low cost. Its high Strength bonus enables powerful hits, making it particularly effective against Slayer monsters weak to Slash attacks. Although its slower attack speed prevents it from matching premium weapons, it remains a dependable option for players seeking strong melee performance without spending millions of GP.

Belle's Folly is a newer melee weapon in OSRS and stands out for its impressive +107 Strength bonus, placing it among the strongest one-handed Strength weapons. Its strong offensive stats and competitive DPS make it an attractive option for players seeking to maximise melee damage without using a two-handed weapon. Depending on your setup and the content you're tackling, Belle's Folly can compete with many high-tier melee weapons, making it a worthwhile consideration for experienced players.

The Dragon Warhammer is renowned for its devastating special attack, which reduces an enemy's Defence by 30% on a successful hit. This single ability makes it one of the most valuable support weapons for high-level PvM and raids. Although its regular DPS is limited by its slow 6-tick attack speed, its utility is unmatched in many boss encounters. If you frequently participate in team PvM, the Dragon Warhammer deserves a permanent place in your inventory.

Viggora's Chainmace is purpose-built for Wilderness content. When charged with Revenant Ether, it receives a substantial boost to accuracy and damage against Wilderness monsters, making it one of the best weapons for Revenant Caves and Wilderness Slayer. Outside the Wilderness, however, it performs as a fairly average Crush weapon. If you regularly complete Wilderness activities, the Chainmace offers exceptional value and remains one of the strongest niche melee weapons in the game.

The Toktz-xil-ak, commonly known as the Obsidian Sword, performs far better than its stats suggest. When paired with the Obsidian Armour set and the Berserker Necklace, it receives powerful damage and accuracy bonuses that significantly boost its overall DPS. This combination makes it an excellent choice for Strength training and Slayer in the mid-game. Outside dedicated Obsidian builds, however, there are generally stronger alternatives available at similar prices.

The Dragon Scimitar has long been the gold standard for mid-level melee training. Its fast 4-tick attack speed, affordability, and solid offensive bonuses make it one of the best upgrades after completing Monkey Madness I. Although newer weapons, such as the Zombie Axe, deal more damage in some situations, the Dragon Scimitar remains an excellent all-round weapon for Slayer, quests, and everyday Strength training. Almost every melee account will use one at some point.

The Dragon Sword is a solid alternative to the Dragon Scimitar for players who haven't completed Monkey Madness I. It offers respectable Stab accuracy, a fast attack speed, and reliable damage in the early and mid-game. Although it's less popular than the Dragon Scimitar, it performs well in Slayer tasks and questing. If unlocking Ape Atoll isn't a current priority, the Dragon Sword is an effective and affordable alternative.

The Dragon 2H Sword is a classic two-handed weapon that delivers heavy hits thanks to its high Strength bonus. While its slow attack speed limits sustained DPS, it remains a fun and effective choice for casual PvM and multi-combat areas. Its special attack can damage multiple nearby enemies, giving it niche utility. Although it isn't the most efficient Strength training weapon, it's an inexpensive option for players who enjoy two-handed combat.

The Granite Hammer is one of the strongest early-game Crush weapons. Its fast 4-tick attack speed, combined with a respectable Strength bonus, makes it an excellent choice for players progressing towards higher-level melee equipment. Despite its relatively low requirements, it delivers impressive performance against many Slayer monsters and training targets. Players seeking an affordable upgrade before reaching Dragon-tier weapons will find the Granite Hammer a worthwhile investment.

The Granite Maul, commonly known as the G Maul, is one of the most recognisable PvP weapons in OSRS. Its instant special attack lets players land multiple heavy hits in quick succession, making it a deadly finisher in player-versus-player combat. Outside PvP, however, its slow attack speed and average sustained damage make it less appealing for everyday Strength training. It's still a fun weapon to own, but there are better choices for maximising XP per hour.

The Leaf-bladed Sword is a niche weapon designed primarily for Slayer. It's among the best weapons for defeating Kurasks and Turoths, as these monsters require leaf-bladed weaponry or broad ammunition to be damaged effectively. Beyond those tasks, its performance is respectable but overshadowed by stronger alternatives such as the Dragon Scimitar and the Zombie Axe. If you regularly complete Slayer tasks involving Kurasks or Turoths, the Leaf-bladed Sword is well worth carrying.

The Rune Scimitar has long been a staple melee weapon in Old School RuneScape and remains one of the best early-game Strength training options. Its fast 4-tick attack speed and low cost make it an excellent upgrade once you reach 40 Attack. Although the Dragon Scimitar quickly replaces it at level 60, it performs exceptionally well in quests, Slayer, and general combat. If you're progressing through the early game, the Rune Scimitar offers excellent performance for very little GP.

The Brine Sabre is a worthwhile upgrade over the Rune Scimitar for members. It offers slightly higher offensive bonuses while retaining the same fast 4-tick attack speed, making it a solid weapon for early Slayer, quests, and Strength training. Although most players quickly move on to Dragon-tier weapons, the Brine Sabre fills the gap well for those looking to maximise damage before reaching level 60 Attack.

The TzHaar-ket-om, better known as the Obsidian Maul, delivers extremely powerful individual hits despite its slow attack speed. It becomes significantly stronger when combined with the Obsidian Armour set and the Berserker Necklace, both of which increase its overall damage output. This setup has long been popular among Obsidian pures and players who enjoy high maximum hits. Outside dedicated Obsidian builds, faster weapons generally provide better sustained Strength training.

The Rune Warhammer is one of the strongest free-to-play Strength weapons because it requires 40 Strength rather than an Attack level. This makes it extremely popular among F2P Strength pures seeking to maximise damage while keeping their Combat level low. Although its slow attack speed limits sustained DPS compared with faster weapons, its impressive Strength bonus allows for a high maximum number of hits. Outside F2P or pure builds, players will generally upgrade to faster weapons once they gain Attack levels.
Choosing the best Strength weapon ultimately depends on your budget, Attack level, and the content you enjoy most. Expensive end-game weapons such as the Scythe of Vitur, Soulreaper Axe, and Ghrazi Rapier dominate high-level PvM. At the same time, budget-friendly options like the Zombie Axe, Dragon Scimitar, and Saradomin Sword continue to offer excellent value for everyday training.
Rather than chasing the highest Strength bonus alone, consider a weapon's attack speed, accuracy, passive effects, and the enemies you'll fight most often. A well-chosen weapon can significantly improve your XP rates and overall combat efficiency. Use the comparison tables above to find the option that best suits your current account progression and budget.
OSRS P2P Melee Training Guide 1-99: the absolute fastest XP for Attack, Strength, Defence & AFK training Methods with NMZ Dharok.
You'll learn how to level up from 1 to 99 melee in F2P. From the best places to train to the best armor and weapons to use while you're training
In this OSRS Melee Weapon Progression Guide, we have discussed the best melee weapons for different attack levels, including the price and bonus they offer