Training melee in OSRS doesn’t always have to be a super focus grind. While the absolute fastest methods involve really high attention or Slayer, many players prefer AFK combat training so they can do an IRL thing or train multiple accounts at once while still progressing.

This guide covers the best AFK melee training methods in OSRS for both F2P and P2P, recommended gear setups, XP rates, and when each method becomes optimal.

Requirements & Preparation

Before training, make sure you have:

• Auto-Retaliate enabled
  
• Food ( Sharks > Tuna for lower-levels)
•   Prayer potions (if using offensive prayers)
•   Best weapon available
• Strength or Super Combat potions (P2P)
•   A Prayer flick plugin or Runelite “Aggression Timer.”
  
  

Training Styles

Use the following training styles depending on your goals:

Note: These combat styles can vary depending on the weapon you use, as each one has a different one.

P2P AFK Melee Training Methods (Fastest → Slowest)

Sand / Rock / Ammonite Crabs (Levels 1–70+)

This is the easiest option, especially after completing the Waterfall quest, or for beginners, due to its low attack level and perfect spots to AFK for several minutes before the crabs' aggro resets. We have detailed guides for each type of crab: Rock Crabs, Sand Crabs, Ammonite Crabs, and Gemstone Crabs. To view the guides, simply click on the name of the one you want to see.

Why it’s good: No damage, no deaths, low gear requirement.

Pro Tips:

• Use Runelite NPC Aggression Timer
  
•   Bring Divine/Super Combats for max AFK uptime.
•   Use Dragon Scimitar → Whip → Best weapon slot as upgrades
  
  

Nightmare Zone (NMZ) — Best Semi-AFK Method (40–99)

Once you unlock the required quests, Nightmare Zone becomes one of the most efficient AFK training methods in OSRS. This method is a favorite among many players, since the same points obtained by killing enemies can be used upon exiting to buy potions that provide more boost than any potion purchased in the Grand Exchange, such as Overload and Absorption.

Always remember to choose the NPCs that are most suitable for the combat style you are going to train; here is an example of the most common ones to use with melee.

Profit potential:

•   Imbue items
•   Herbs/point rewards
•   Absorption/Overload benefits
  

  XP Rates

Best Setup:

• Dharok’s set (full HP → rock cake/locator orb to 1 HP)
• Absorptions + Overloads
• Prayer with Piety for maximum DPS

To see the OSRS Nightmare Zone Strategy Guide, please click here. You can find gear, inventory, best XP, and Imbue points systems.

AFK Time Per Click: 2–5 minutes

Monkey Guards (Ape Atoll) (45–99)

These gorillas are great for AFK training because they're close to the altar, allowing you to use Protect from Melee indefinitely as long as you click the altar occasionally. Many players use Dharok to kill them because they regenerate health on their own, as if they were eating, making them even more effective AFK players.

AFK prayer + melee combo training.
Altar = infinite Prayer. 

  XP rate: 40k–90k XP/hr, depending on gear.

Giants’ Den (40–99)

To enter the cave of these monsters, you must first go through the main entrance, reach this location, and exit for the first time. This will unlock the ability to enter whenever you want via any route you choose, this being the closest one.

This method would be optimized for players who already have a fairly high defense, although other players prefer to always use Protect from Melee and armor that increases prayer bonuses for longer durability. Restoring prayer points when bones are buried also applies in this location, so it is highly recommended.

A dwarf multicannon can be used in the den; however, it is only for one-way combat.

  XP/hr: 50k–100k

• AFK Time: 2-5 minutes.
  

Drops include:

• Totems (Skotizo)
• Alchs
• Runes
  
  

Sulphur Naguas (40–99)

If you’ve completed the requirements, this spot is one of the best AFK hybrid XP + profit training locations.

As we all know, in the town of Neypotzli, you can fish for our own food and make our own potions. Since these NPCs are located there, we can take advantage of the food and potions we make for free, which undoubtedly makes this method interesting for some with different preferences.

Why it’s good:

✔ Free supply restocking
✔ Hits harder due to negative armour value
✔ Semi-AFK

Optimal Inventory

  XP Rate: 80k–110k/hr

• AFK Time: 3+ minutes.
  
  

Vyrewatch Sentinels (70–99)

This method is one of the most AFK in the game; the only relatively difficult part is completing the quest required to access these NPCs. They're perfect because they have a bank and an altar just 5 tiles away, literally a step away, which means many players with Protect From Melee use this spot and go AFK until they need prayer. They click on the altar and can go AFK again.

This method gives:

• Super AFK melee XP
• Chance at Blood Shard (4M+)
• Decent combat exp/hr

  XP/hr: 60k–100k

• AFK Time: 5+ minutes.
  
  

Dark Beasts (80–99)

This method is highly recommended to use with the Guthans' armor, which heals your hitpoints casually, meaning you never need food, just have the aggressive monsters on you, and when they stop being aggressive, reset by running and coming back. Another popular method to use against these NPCs is the prayer method, which consists of using armor with the highest prayer bonuses to be able to use Protect from Melee for as long as possible before needing to take another sip of prayer potion.

Using Guthan’s healing passive, players can safely AFK with:

• High Defence
• AFK healing
• Semi-consistent drops
  

  XP/hr: 40k–90k

• AFK Time: 15+ minutes.
  
  

Bandits (Desert) (40–99)

The interesting thing about these old, classic NPCs is that they never lose their aggression towards you as long as you have a god item, which means you don't have to reset your aggro every 20 minutes; you just need to focus on eating/prayer. This method is relative and can be used with many different armor sets, from Guthan armor and prayer armor to standard armor/food.

Bandits stay permanently aggressive if you're wearing either deity item.

  XP/hr: 60k–90k
AFK Time: 3-5 minutes per food/prayer check.

F2P AFK Training Methods

Training AFK melee in F2P is significantly limited—but still possible.

Flesh Crawlers (Stronghold of Security)

This method is free, but these NPCs drop very good items that can be banked for profit using the teleport to Varrock, going to the bank, and quickly returning to the location. When they become less aggressive towards you, simply run far enough away and return; they will attack you again, and you can continue your AFK journey.

✔ Auto-aggression
✔ Best F2P AFK method
✔ Semi-profit (herbs, runes)

  XP/hr: 20k–50k

Giant Spiders

Simple, very similar to the Fresh Crawlers method, but these don't leave drops, but they have more hitpoints, which makes it better in terms of XP.

Completely AFK until they become non-aggressive, and when that happens, just run south and come back. 

  XP/hr: 15k–30k

Hill Giants

They drop big bones, which this method does. Apart from AFK for combat, you can also level up prayer as you kill the hill giants, although it is not highly recommended due to its high demand, and many people go there.

Drops limpwort roots, prayer exp, decent XP, but less AFK.

  XP/hr: 10k–22k

Recommended Melee Gear Progression (AFK Focused)

Your armor/weapon choice depends heavily on the NPC you choose, your budget, your preferences, and many other factors. We've compiled a table here with the best items to equip in each armor slot.

Torva Full Helm | Oathplate Helm | Neitiznot Faceguard | Serpentine Helm | Helm of Neitiznot | Berserker Helm | Obsidian Helmet

Amulet of Rancour | Amulet of Torture | Amulet of Fury | Amulet of Glory | Amulet of Power | Amulet of Strength

Infernal Cape | Fire Cape | Mythical Cape | Obsidian Cape | Mixed Hide Cape

Torva Platebody | Oathplate Chest | Bandos Chestplate | Blood Moon Chestplate | Inquisitor’s Hauberk | Fighter Torso | Obsidian Platebody

Torva Platelegs | Oathplate Legs | Bandos Tassets | Blood Moon Tassets | Inquisitor’s Plateskirt | Obsidian Platelegs | Fremennik Kilt

Avernic defender | Dragon defender | Rune defender | Antler guard | Adamant defender | Dragonfire shield | Toktz-ket-xil | Book of war

 Avernic Treads | Primordial Boots | Dragon Boots | Spiked Manacles | Guardian Boots | Rune Boots | Climbing Boots

Ferocious Gloves | Barrows Gloves | Dragon Gloves | Rune Gloves | Regen Bracelet | Mithril Gloves

Ultor Ring | Berserker Ring (i) | Bellator Ring | Brimstone Ring | Berserker Ring | Ring of Shadows | Ring of Wealth

Barrows gear alternatives:

Full Dharoks

Full Guthans

Feel free to choose the one that best suits your needs, and good luck grinding!

XP Rates Summary (P2P)

Conclusion

Whether you're a returning player, an Ironman, or someone who wants to train melee while multitasking, AFK combat training in OSRS is now easier than ever before.

For maximum efficiency, follow this path:

Waterfall Quest → Crabs → Slayer + AFK methods → NMZ → Sulphur Naguas / Vyres → Finish with NMZ or AFK NPCs, being NMZ the fastest.