OSRS P2P Melee Combat Guide: Fastest Way From 1-99

Melee in OSRS is built around three skills — Attack, Strength, and Defence — and the faster and harder you hit, the more XP you earn per hour. In P2P (members), you unlock a wide range of powerful monsters, gear, and training spots. This guide walks you through the most efficient route to 99 melee, from early quests to late-game grinding, balancing DPS, convenience, and long-term results.

Many people prefer to train Slayer while levelling up Combat, but this actually slows things down, and we'll explain why. While levelling Combat and Slayer simultaneously will never be the same as first raising Combat to 99 and then focusing solely on Slayer, Slayer will obviously progress faster due to higher stats. Therefore, this guide will focus on the fastest ways to reach 99 Strength/Attack/Defence before moving on to other aspects of the late-game.

Quests First (Levels 1–30 combat)

Starting with quests is the fastest way to boost your Attack and Strength early on, skipping hours — even days — of grinding. The first levels may seem easy, and they are, but they actually take longer than they appear, so it's highly recommended to do these quests, as they will help you speed up your combat training and also unlock certain features that you will use later and the fact that they are AFK doesn't mean they give less XP than other methods; in fact, they are much better, which makes it ideal.

A few key quests to aim for:

•   Waterfall Quest — huge Attack & Strength XP reward.
•   Death Plateau — 3000 Attack XP
•   Horror from the Deep — 4662 Strength XP
•   Scorpion Catcher — 6625 Strength XP
•   Tree Gnome Village — 11450 Attack XP
•   The Grand Tree — 18400 Attack XP
•   Fight Arena — 12175 Attack XP
•   Tree Gnome Village — 11450 Attack XP
•   Vampyre Slayer — 4825 Attack XP
•   Holy Grail — 15300 Defence XP
•   Tai Bwo Wannai Trio — 2500 Attack and Strength XP

Total EXP gained from those quests:

• Attack - 65,275 exp - LeveL 45
• Strength - 27,537 exp - Level 37
• Defence - 15,300 exp - Level 31
  
  

Step 1: Mid-Game (Combat ~30–50): Crabs & AFK Grinding

Crabs are the staple of P2P melee training because they have:

Low Defense
High Hitpoints
Aggressive respawn patterns
Minimal food required
AFK-friendly combat cycles

There are three main options, depending on your unlocks.

Sand Crabs

Best early option once you finish quests.

• Pros: Beginner-friendly, easy to kill, consistent XP
• Cons: Very popular — some worlds will be crowded

This is a solid place to stay until your gear and stats improve. For a more detailed guide on this method, we've got you covered, as we've created specialized blog posts on this specific topic. Just a click and you'll find complete information about the OSRS Sand Crabs Guide: XP Rates & Locations.

Ammonite Crabs

Upgraded version of Sand Crabs.

• Pros: Higher HP = better XP/hr, still semi-AFK
• Cons: Requires Bone Voyage quest.

If you can train here, it’s almost always better than standard sand crabs.

For more information about the OSRS Ammonite Crabs Guide: XP Rates & Aggroing, click here.

Gemstone Crabs

One of the best AFK melee training options in the game.

• Pros: Extremely high HP uptime, attacks stay aggressive longer, extremely low effort
• Cons: Requires unlocking the area. There aren't many cons since it's the best spot among the 3.

If you prefer low-maintenance levelling (studying, working, multitasking), this is a top-tier choice. After you have solid combat stats and want to AFK-level while doing other tasks, this is currently one of the best “set-it-and-forget-it” melee training methods in P2P.

Recommended mid-game strategy: Once you have basic combat skill and decent gear, rotate to Gemstone Crab (for AFK grinding), depending on how much attention you can give your account. As expected, we also have a much more detailed and complete guide on this if you want to take a look.

Step 3: Nightmare Zone (Level ~50–90+)

Nightmare Zone is one of the most popular and AFK-friendly melee training methods in OSRS. With the right setup (absorptions, overloads, and the correct boss lineup), you can achieve very competitive XP rates while barely touching your keyboard. It’s perfect for players who want efficiency without constant attention.

Want the best setups, inventories, and boss lists? Click here to read the OSRS Nightmare Zone Strategy Guide: Best XP & Imbue Points

This method shines because it's:

In a safe instance
Extremely AFK-friendly
Supports powerpots + absorption combo
Scales with better gear

Players often combine rock cake/healing item + overloads + absorptions to create near-zero resource downtime.

XP rates here scale with gear heavily — better strength bonus → better damage → better XP.

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
  
  

Step 4: Slayer Training (Optional but Recommended)

Slayer isn’t just incredible for variety — it’s also one of the most rewarding long-term ways to train melee. While the XP/hour is usually slower than dedicated methods, you gain money, boss unlocks, unique drops, and late-game combat tools along the way. If you prefer progress that feels meaningful, Slayer is the way to go.

Check out our full OSRS Slayer Training Guide Levelling 1-99 Fastest here.

• Profit from drops
• Boss path unlocking
• Account progression
• Keeps gameplay interesting

If you want 99 as fast as possible, Slayer isn't required.
If you want a more well-rounded combat account, it's worth mixing in.

A good balance is:

➡ AFK training when busy
➡ Slayer when you want active gameplay

  XP Rate: Variates a lot.

Step 5: Sulphur Naguas (Level ~75–99)

Sulphur Nagas are currently one of the fastest melee XP methods in the game for players with solid stats and gear.

• Pros: Extremely high XP/hr potential, semi-AFK, high monster HP
• Cons: Requires supplies, gear, and attention to avoid mistakes

This is where players committed to efficiency finish their grind.

If you're serious about completing melee quickly, this should be your endgame training zone.

Why it’s good:

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

Optimal Inventory

The weapons for special attack can be different; here I show the most optimal ones, but if you lack GP, you can buy directly in our LiveChat or bring a dragon dagger or dragon halberd.

  XP Rate: 80k–110k/hr

Step 6: Pest Control

Using a minigame like Pest Control is the best (solo) method for levelling up Combat XP. While playing, you earn points, kill NPCs (which passively grant XP), and exchange those points for Combat XP. This method becomes much more effective as you complete Combat Achievements, which award more points per game. This translates to more points per hour, resulting in more Combat XP per hour. 

Want a full strategy and point-spending tips? Click here to read the full Pest Control guide.

Pest Control is a hybrid training method:

Melee combat XP
Points to spend on Strength or Attack/Defence XP

  XP Rate: 80k–200k/hr (when using points on XP)

Training Defence Through Chinning in OSRS (Fast Method Overview)

If you want fast Defence training without the slow grind of traditional melee combat, chinning at Maniacal Monkeys is one of the most efficient methods available in OSRS. While commonly used for Range XP, many players forget that you can also gain Defence XP at an incredible rate by switching combat style to “Longrange.”

This method is expensive, but if you set up your inventory correctly, it becomes both fast and sustainable — especially when paired with the Bonecrusher Necklace setup, which nearly removes your need for prayer potions.

Preparation Requirements

Before beginning, you should collect the following:

How the Method Works

Once you’re inside the Maniacal Monkey chamber:

1. Activate Protect from Melee and Rigour/Eagle Eye.
2. Use the Bonecrusher Necklace + Bonecrusher combo.
   Every monkey killed grants Prayer points passively.
3. Set attack style to Longrange.
   This splits XP into both Range and Defence, making it perfect for maxing multiple combat skills.
4. Enjoy solid Defence XP/hr

XP Rates

Black chins are significantly more expensive but provide noticeably higher XP.

You’ll generally throw:

• ~1,400–1,500 Red/Black Chins per hour

Expect a cost of 3M–6M+ GP per hour, depending on chin prices.

Training Melee Using the Special Attack Transfer Method

One of the fastest modern ways to train melee combat in OSRS is by using weapons like Dinh's bulwark or Dragon Halberd that have strong special attacks combined with automated special attack regeneration, typically done through alt accounts using the Lunar spell "Energy Transfer." This method is extremely efficient and can reach some of the highest XP rates in the entire game when done correctly.

How the Method Works

The idea behind this method is simple:

1. You use a special attack weapon that has bonus accuracy and powerful burst damage.
2. Your alt accounts repeatedly cast Energy Transfer, instantly restoring your special attack bar.
3. Your main character continuously uses the special attack while fighting multiple enemies.
4. This results in nearly constant boosted hits, dramatically speeding up XP rates.
   

The method becomes extremely strong because you never wait for natural special attack recovery, meaning every few seconds, you’re landing boosted damage with increased accuracy.

Best Locations for this method

Catacombs of Kourend — Nechryaels

A popular choice thanks to multi-combat aggro, fast respawns, and easy access. When combined with the Special Attack transfer method, you can maintain constant boosted damage and walk away with incredibly competitive XP rates.

  XP Rate: 350k–420k XP/hr with the right setup and rotation of alt accounts.

Monkey Madness II Dungeon — Maniacal Monkeys

This is one of the strongest and craziest melee XP setups in the game when using the special attack regeneration loop. Players normally chin ranged here, but with melee and a hard-hitting special attack weapon — like the Dragon Halberd — the numbers become wild.

Because the monkeys are aggressive, respawn instantly, and stack together in multi-combat, you can repeatedly land huge multi-target special attack sweeps. With consistent special attack transfers, players have reported achievable XP rates of:

  XP Rate: 600,000 to 800,000 melee XP per hour

This makes it one of the highest raw melee XP rates possible in the game, rivalling or surpassing nearly every other method — though it requires multiple accounts, solid gear, and active attention.

If you’re chasing max melee stats as fast as possible and don’t mind the setup, this location is insane.

Is This Method Worth It?

If you're someone who:

• Wants the fastest XP in the game
• Has multiple accounts available
• Don’t mind spending some money
• Has access to end-game gear

Then yes — this method may be the single best shortcut to 99 Attack, Strength, and Defence.

For most players, it’s excessive — but for serious grinders chasing efficiency, there’s nothing quite like it.

The Alt Account Setup

To sustain the method, you’ll need:

• Lunar Spellbook on the alt account(s)
• The spell Energy Transfer
• Fast access to the POH pool or the Ornate Rejuvenation Pool

The alt(s) follow this loop:

1. Cast Energy Transfer on your main account
2. Teleport to house → restore special attack
3. Return to Catacombs
4. Repeat on cooldown

This creates an almost infinite special attack chain.

How Many Alts Do You Need?

With three alts rotating casts, you can chain special attacks with almost no downtime.

XP Rates

With proper execution, the XP rates are among the highest for melee training in OSRS:

This makes it one of the fastest practical methods in the entire game, especially for Strength, Attack, and Defence training.

Cost & Requirements

While this method is incredibly fast, keep in mind:

• Requires Lunar spellbook
• Requires multiple accounts (or pay someone)
• Using weapons with strong special attacks (D Halberd or Dinh's bulwark)
• Works best with high levels and decent DPS gear

It’s not a beginner-friendly approach — but for players pushing for maxed melee stats asap, it’s exceptional.

Recommended Roadmap to 99

If you're not worried about spending money and prioritize time, it's best to go for the Chinchompas and Special Attack weapons option. If you need help getting alt accounts to assist you in the process, don't hesitate to contact our Livechat and we'll have you covered.
The gear for each method is usually different, although they are almost always similar. For a detailed guide to the best armor you can use as you level up, see: OSRS Melee Gear Armour Progression Guide

Gear Tips for Best XP

• Prioritise strength bonus first, then accuracy.
• Faster attack speed weapons (scimitar → whip → rapier/blade) always win in XP/hour.
• Use prayer gear if training with protection or boosting prayers.
  
  

Why This Guide Works

• Quest XP boosts jump-start your combat levels fast, cutting early grinding drastically.
• Low defence monsters at start — high HP, aggressive or auto-retaliate — give excellent XP/hr with little food/attention needed.
• Mini-games and late-game content (like AFK-friendly bosses or high-HP monsters) maximise XP per hour as you get stronger and improve your gear.
• Flexible routes let you choose between AFK grinding, active training, or a mix, depending on playstyle and time availability, always prioritising the highest amount of XP per hour, as the title of this article states.
  
  

Conclution

If your goal is speed, the formula is simple:

➡ Quest ASAP → Crabs → NMZ → Sulphur Naguas → 99.

If you want a more enjoyable experience:

➡ Mix Slayer + Pest Control + NMZ when needed.

Either way, with membership and the right method, 99 melee is achievable in a reasonable timeframe.