10 Best Melee Gear In OSRS

If you’re the kind of player who thrives on getting up close and personal with enemies, knowing the strongest melee gear in OSRS is essential for dominating in combat. With a vast array of items offering different bonuses, choosing the best melee equipment can be overwhelming, especially when you want to make sure your gold is well-spent.

From boosting your damage output to enhancing your defense, the right gear can make or break your Old School RuneScape adventures. To help you gear up like a pro, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 strongest melee gear sets that every aspiring warrior should aim for. Read on to find out which items are worth grinding for and which you can skip!

#10: Avernic Defender

The Avernic Defender is a must-have melee gear in OSRS, offering exceptional offensive and defensive bonuses in one compact item. As the upgraded version of the already powerful Dragon Defender, the Avernic Defender is the ultimate choice for players looking to excel in melee combat.

Defensively, it delivers impressive stats with +30 stab, +29 slash, and +27 crush defense. While not a shield, its defensive perks rival some of the game’s more protective items. But where the Avernic truly shines is in its offensive capabilities, boasting identical bonuses for attacking and an additional +8 Strength. This added Strength is crucial for maximizing damage output, especially when facing tough late-game bosses.

While the Dragon Defender grind can be tedious, upgrading it to the Avernic Defender is worth every effort. Its well-rounded stats and offensive boosts make it a cornerstone for any melee-focused player looking to dominate even the most challenging encounters.

#9: Justiciar Armor Set

The Justiciar Armor Set stands as the pinnacle of defensive melee gear in OSRS, combining top-tier protection with an undeniably striking appearance. It is unmatched when it comes to providing the best melee and ranged defense bonuses in the game.

Equipping the full set grants an impressive +287 stab defense, +285 slash defense, +265 crush defense, and a staggering +311 ranged defense. These massive stats make it ideal for tanking damage in high-pressure situations, ensuring your survival even when surrounded by enemies.

The benefits don’t stop there—this set also provides a handy +10 to prayer, making it even more valuable for prolonged encounters. Additionally, wearing the entire set unlocks a special passive effect: significant damage reduction, which can be a game-changer in both PvM and high-stakes PvP scenarios.

However, the Justiciar set isn’t cheap, costing several million gold and requiring 75 Defense to equip. Despite the price tag, its unparalleled defensive stats and damage reduction effect make it a must-have for anyone seeking the best melee armor in OSRS.

#8: Ferocious Gloves

When perfecting your melee setup in OSRS, don’t underestimate the importance of gloves. Ferocious Gloves are the go-to choice for players looking to maximize their melee potential, offering unmatched offensive bonuses for this gear slot.

These gloves provide an impressive +16 to stab, slash, and crush attack, making them a powerhouse option for melee combat. However, they do come with a trade-off, as they reduce both magic and ranged attack stats. On the upside, they also deliver a massive +16 to strength, outperforming many pricier melee items in terms of raw damage potential.

To equip the Ferocious Gloves, you’ll need to reach 80 Attack and Strength—no small feat, but well worth the effort. These gloves even outshine popular alternatives like Barrows gloves, solidifying their spot as a must-have for serious melee players. If you’re looking to dominate melee encounters, investing time to meet their requirements is a no-brainer.

#7: Elysian Spirit Shield

When it comes to high-end melee defense in OSRS, the Elysian Spirit Shield reigns supreme, offering unparalleled protection for players tackling challenging content. This shield is not only a defensive powerhouse for melee scenarios but also boasts versatility across other damage types.

For melee defense, the Elysian Spirit Shield provides an outstanding +63 stab, +65 slash, and +75 crush defense bonuses, ensuring you can mitigate close-range attacks effectively. Its benefits don’t stop there; it also grants +56 ranged defense and +2 magic defense, making it a reliable choice for multi-phase encounters or hybrid battles. Additionally, a +3 prayer bonus adds utility, supporting longer uptime for your prayer abilities.

To wield this exceptional shield, you’ll need 75 Defense and 75 Prayer, requirements befitting its status as an elite endgame item. If you’re looking for a defensive gear piece that excels in all combat situations while offering unmatched melee protection, the Elysian Spirit Shield is an investment worth making.

#6: Primordial Boots

Primordial Boots earn their place among the best melee gear in OSRS thanks to their exceptional bonuses and sleek design. These boots are a top-tier choice for players looking to enhance both offensive and defensive capabilities in melee combat.

Equipping Primordial Boots grants +2 to stab, slash, and crush attack, along with an impressive +22 to stab, slash, and crush defense. What truly sets them apart is their unmatched +5 strength bonus—the highest available for boots in the game—making them a must-have for maximizing damage output.

Obtaining these boots requires upgrading Dragon Boots using a Primordial Crystal, and they come with a 75 Strength and 75 Defense requirement. While the investment is significant, their blend of durability, power, and aesthetic appeal makes Primordial Boots an essential piece for any serious melee setup.

#5: Dragonfire Shield

The Dragonfire Shield is not only one of the most iconic shields in OSRS but also one of the most effective for melee setups. This upgraded version of the Anti-Dragon Shield offers excellent protection against a range of effects, including the devastating icy breath of wyverns, making it a versatile and essential piece of equipment.

The shield features two modes: uncharged and charged, each providing robust defensive stats. In its uncharged state, it offers solid bonuses of +20 stab, +25 slash, +22 crush, +10 magic, and +22 ranged defense. When charged, the stats become even more impressive, boasting +70 stab, +75 slash, +72 crush, +10 magic, and +72 ranged defense.

While it lacks attack bonuses, the shield compensates with a +7 strength boost, which adds noticeable value to your melee output. Though not quite as formidable as the Elysian Spirit Shield, the Dragonfire Shield remains a reliable and more accessible option, making it an excellent choice for players seeking both style and substance in their melee gear.

#4: Infernal Cape

The Infernal Cape is a top-tier choice for players aiming to maximize their melee setup in OSRS. Renowned for its exceptional stats, this cape provides both offensive and defensive bonuses, making it a highly versatile piece of gear.

Defensively, the Infernal Cape excels with a solid +12 bonus to all defense types, offering excellent protection against melee, magic, and ranged attacks. Offensively, it enhances your melee attack and strength, ensuring you can dish out significant damage while staying protected.

Acquiring the Infernal Cape, however, is no easy feat. It requires conquering the challenging Inferno and defeating TzKal-Zuk, a task that tests even the most seasoned players. For those unable to secure this prized cape, the Fire Cape serves as a viable alternative, though it sacrifices a significant portion of the Infernal Cape’s impressive bonuses. Regardless, the Infernal Cape remains a must-have for anyone looking to achieve peak performance in melee combat.

#3: Neitiznot Faceguard

The Neitiznot Faceguard is the superior evolution of the classic Helm of Neitiznot, offering even greater benefits for melee-focused players. This upgraded helmet is a powerhouse, providing substantial bonuses to both offense and defense, making it an essential pick for those serious about melee combat.

Defensively, it shines with +36 to stab, +34 to slash, +38 to crush, +3 to magic, and +34 to ranged defense. These stats make it invaluable for holding your ground against melee and ranged threats alike, ensuring a well-rounded layer of protection. Offensively, the Faceguard provides a notable +6 to strength, amplifying your damage output, and a +3 to prayer, giving it added utility for prolonged battles.

Obtaining the Neitiznot Faceguard requires 70 defense and completing a few quests, but the effort is well-rewarded. Its impressive stats and versatility make it one of the best helmets for any player looking to dominate in melee combat.

#2: Amulet of Torture

The Amulet of Torture is more than just decorative neckwear—it’s a powerhouse accessory for melee-focused players in OSRS. This amulet offers unmatched offensive stats, making it the best choice for the neck slot when it comes to maximizing damage output.

Its standout bonuses include a +15 to stab, slash, and crush attack, along with a +10 boost to strength. These stats ensure that your melee attacks hit harder and more consistently. Additionally, the amulet provides a +10 to prayer, adding extra utility for sustaining fights with prayer-heavy strategies.

To equip the Amulet of Torture, you’ll need a minimum of 75 hitpoints, making it an item aimed at more seasoned players. Despite this requirement, its unparalleled offensive capabilities make it a must-have for anyone seeking top-tier melee gear. Whether you’re taking on challenging bosses or competing in high-stakes PvP, this amulet is a game-changer.

#1: Berserker Ring (i)

The Berserker Ring (i) is a timeless classic and an essential addition to any melee-focused player’s gear in OSRS. While the standard Berserker Ring is already a solid choice, the imbued version significantly elevates its value, making it a top-tier option for boosting your combat prowess.

This ring grants a modest +8 to crush defense, which, while helpful, isn’t its standout feature. The true power lies in its impressive +8 strength bonus, making it one of the few rings in the game that directly enhances your damage output. This strength bonus sets it apart, cementing its position as the ultimate melee ring.

Acquiring the Berserker Ring (i) requires a grind in the Nightmare Zone to imbue it, but the effort is well worth it for those aiming to optimize their melee gear. If you’re not ready for the grind, the base Berserker Ring still offers a respectable +4 strength bonus, making it a solid alternative until you’re ready to upgrade. Either way, this ring is a must-have for maximizing your damage in both PvM and PvP encounters.

Conclusion

Choosing the strongest melee gear in OSRS can significantly enhance your performance, whether you’re battling through bosses, taking on endgame challenges, or simply grinding for experience and loot. From powerful items like the Berserker Ring (i) and Amulet of Torture to versatile options such as the Infernal Cape and Avernic Defender, each piece plays a vital role in maximizing your offensive and defensive capabilities. While some of this gear requires significant grinding, high stats, or hefty gold investments, the payoff is undeniable for players looking to dominate the battlefield. Whether you’re gearing up for PvM or PvP, equipping the right melee items ensures you’re ready for any challenge Gielinor throws your way. Happy adventuring!