10 Best Rune Weapons in Old School RuneScape

Rune weapons sit right at the sweet spot in Old School RuneScape, especially for free-to-play players and early members accounts. They’re usually the first real power spike you feel once you move on from adamant gear, offering solid stats, reliable damage, and wide availability across the game. While many players see rune gear as “early game,” that’s a bit misleading, because several rune weapons still hold real value in P2P thanks to special mechanics, niche uses, and strong synergy with certain setups. Some rune weapons even remain viable far longer than you’d expect. In this article, we’re breaking down the 10 best rune weapons in OSRS, ranking the ones that are actually worth using, buying, or grinding for, whether you’re playing F2P or just getting started in members.

#10: Rune Javelin

Kicking off the list is the Rune Javelin, a surprisingly strong ranged option that often gets overlooked. These javelins can be thrown on their own, but where they really shine is when paired with a ballista. Using them with a heavy ballista in particular lets you hit much harder, making them far more dangerous than most early ranged weapons.

One of the biggest reasons Rune Javelins stand out is their massive ranged strength bonus. With such high damage potential, they’re great for bursting enemies down, especially in niche PvP setups or specific PvM situations where raw hits matter more than speed.

They’re also very accessible. Rune Javelins are the highest tier of javelins you can simply buy, which makes them a convenient option for Ironmen who want a solid ranged weapon without relying on rare drops or complicated crafting paths. Stocking up on them is straightforward and doesn’t require much progression.

Overall, Rune Javelins earn their spot thanks to their high damage potential, flexibility with ballistas, and ease of access. They may not be an everyday training weapon, but in the right setup, they hit extremely hard and do exactly what they’re meant to do.

How to get them: Rune Javelins can be purchased on Ape Atoll, at the Void Knight Outpost, and in the Ranging Guild. They also drop in large quantities from Brutal Dragons.

#9: Rune Halberd

The Rune Halberd earns its place on this list thanks to one unique trait: reach. Unlike most melee weapons, it can hit targets from two tiles away, which makes it useful for safe-spotting certain quest bosses or enemies that would otherwise be annoying to deal with up close. That extra range can be clutch in very specific situations, especially early on.

That said, this isn’t a weapon you’ll want to train with regularly. Its slow attack speed makes it inefficient for general combat and leveling, so it’s more of a situational tool than a daily driver. Where it really shines is utility rather than raw performance.

Another reason the Rune Halberd is worth owning is clue scrolls. You’ll need one for a hard clue emote step on Zeah, so keeping it in your bank saves you from having to hunt one down later.

To equip the Rune Halberd, you’ll need at least 40 Attack and 20 Strength, which is fairly easy to reach for most accounts. While it won’t replace faster weapons for training, it’s still a handy niche item with a clear purpose.

How to get it: The Rune Halberd is an elven weapon and can only be purchased from Tyras Camp or in Prifddinas.

#8: Rune 2h Sword

The Rune 2h Sword is one of the hardest-hitting weapons available in free-to-play, and that raw power is exactly why it’s so well known. With a massive +69 slash bonus and +70 strength bonus, it shares the highest strength bonus in F2P alongside the Hill Giant Club, making every hit feel heavy.

Because of its huge max hits, this sword is commonly used as a knockout weapon, especially in PvP. Many players pair it with a maple shortbow and adamant arrows, using ranged attacks to weaken opponents before switching to the Rune 2h for a finishing blow. When it connects, it really hurts.

The downside is speed. The Rune 2h Sword is extremely slow, which makes it a poor choice for regular training or long fights. You’ll hit big, but not often, so faster weapons are usually better for leveling combat skills.

Getting one in F2P also isn’t easy without trading. The only ways to obtain it are buying it from other players or smithing it yourself, which requires an extremely high Smithing level. To wield it, you’ll need at least 40 Attack.

How to get it: You can purchase the Rune 2h Sword on the Grand Exchange, or smith it yourself at level 99 Smithing using three rune bars.

#7: Rune Sword

The Rune Sword is one of the strongest and most underrated weapons available to free-to-play players in Old School RuneScape. With a required Attack level of just 40, it stands out as the best stab weapon in F2P, making it especially useful against monsters that are weak to stab damage. Its stab accuracy is higher than many other rune-tier weapons, which gives it a real edge in specific combat situations.

If you don’t want to spend coins, the Rune Sword can also be obtained as a drop from Bryophyta, the Moss Giant boss, making it a solid option for ironmen and F2P players who enjoy bossing. While it’s not the fastest weapon for training, its strong stab bonus makes it worth having in your bank, especially for quests or niche combat scenarios.

How to get it: You can purchase the Rune Sword from the Champions’ Guild, receive it as a drop from Bryophyta, or smith it yourself with a high Smithing level and rune bars.

#6: Rune Arrows

Rune arrows are one of the strongest and most reliable arrow types available, offering a solid +49 Ranged Strength that makes a noticeable difference in damage. They pair perfectly with a yew shortbow or anything stronger, but really shine when used with a Magic Shortbow, where fast attack speed and accuracy let you hit hard and consistently.

For ironmen, rune arrows are a go-to choice before unlocking higher-tier options like the Toxic Blowpipe. The fact that they’re easy to buy in bulk makes them incredibly practical for both training and bossing. They’re also a classic PvP staple, especially with the Magic Shortbow special attack, which can drop opponents quickly if timed right.

Overall, rune arrows are extremely versatile and see use across PvM, PvP, and general training. If your Ranged level allows it, these are absolutely worth using and stocking up on.

How to get them: Rune arrows can be purchased from various ranged shops around OSRS, or crafted with 75 Fletching if you prefer to make your own.

#5: Rune Battleaxe

The Rune Battleaxe is one of the strongest melee options available in free-to-play and a popular alternative to the Rune Scimitar. While the scimitar focuses on slash damage, the battleaxe leans into crush, making it a better pick against enemies weak to that style. It comes with a +43 crush bonus and a hefty +64 Strength bonus, which lets it hit hard for its tier.

What really makes the Rune Battleaxe stand out is that it shares the same attack speed as the Rune Scimitar. That means you’re not sacrificing DPS by switching to it, making it a very reliable substitute when crush damage is more effective. It also only requires 40 Attack to equip, keeping it accessible for mid-level F2P players.

Overall, the Rune Battleaxe is a solid, hard-hitting weapon that fits nicely into both training and combat situations where slash isn’t ideal.

How to get it: In F2P, the Rune Battleaxe can be bought from the Grand Exchange, or created with 95 Smithing using three rune bars.

#4: Runite Bolts

Runite Bolts sit right near the top when it comes to ranged power in OSRS, especially for players using crossbows. What makes them stand out is how flexible they are. You’re not locked into one version — these bolts can be upgraded, enchanted, and tailored for different combat situations, which is why they stay relevant well into late game.

They can only be fired from higher-tier crossbows like the Rune, Dragon, Dragon Hunter, and Armadyl crossbows, but once you have access to those, Runite Bolts become incredibly strong. On their own, they already pack a massive +115 Ranged Strength bonus. Tip them with dragonstone or onyx, and that power jumps even higher, with enchanted versions offering deadly special effects that can completely swing a fight.

Because of their damage potential and upgrade options, Runite Bolts are heavily used in both PvM and PvP. In PvP especially, they’re known for delivering brutal hits, though their cost means they’re usually reserved for serious fights rather than casual training.

How to get them: Runite Bolts can be obtained as drops from several high-level PvM activities, with places like Demonic Gorillas and the Hallowed Sepulchre dropping them in large amounts. You can also make them yourself with 69 Fletching if you prefer crafting your own ammo.

#3: Rune Scimitar

When it comes to free-to-play melee weapons, nothing really competes with the Rune Scimitar. It’s widely considered the go-to choice for F2P combat thanks to its fast attack speed and strong slash damage, which makes training both efficient and consistent. Even outside of F2P, it still holds up as one of the better early-game melee weapons in OSRS.

The real strength of the Rune Scimitar comes from how quickly it attacks. With a 4-tick speed, it outperforms most other rune weapons for general training, letting you deal steady damage without long gaps between hits. On top of that, its +45 slash bonus paired with a solid +44 strength bonus gives it excellent DPS for its tier. This is why so many F2P players rely on it all the way to max combat stats.

If you care about looks as much as performance, the Rune Scimitar can also be fitted with an ornamental kit, giving it a clean cosmetic upgrade without changing its stats. To equip it, you’ll need at least 40 Attack, which is easily achievable for most accounts.

How to get it: In F2P, the Rune Scimitar is mainly obtained through the Grand Exchange or by smithing it yourself with 90 Smithing and two rune bars. Members have more options, as it’s a fairly common drop from Fire Giants and can also be purchased directly in Prifddinas.

#2: Rune Darts

Rune Darts sit right below Dragon Darts in power, but in practice they’re the most commonly used darts in all of OSRS. Dragon Darts hit harder, sure, but their price and rarity make them unrealistic for everyday use. Rune Darts, on the other hand, strike the perfect balance between cost and damage, which is why so many players rely on them.

With solid ranged accuracy and strength bonuses, Rune Darts really shine when paired with the Toxic Blowpipe. This combo is a staple for high-level PvM, especially in places like raids, bossing, and God Wars Dungeon minions, where fast attack speed and consistent DPS matter more than raw max hits. They can also be used on their own once you hit 40 Ranged, though most players unlock their true potential at 75 Ranged when using the Blowpipe.

The main downside is the cost. Rune Darts aren’t cheap, and burning through them over long PvM sessions can get expensive. Still, the damage output they provide makes them worth it for players focused on efficiency and faster kills. If you’re trying to push higher DPS without jumping to Dragon Darts, Rune Darts are the clear upgrade.

How to get them: Rune Darts are most commonly obtained in bulk from Crystal and Ninja Implings. You can also make them yourself with 81 Fletching if you prefer crafting over buying.

#1: Rune Crossbow

Taking the top spot on this list is the Rune Crossbow, and honestly, it’s hard to argue against it. This weapon is one of the most reliable and well-rounded ranged options in Old School RuneScape, especially for early to mid-game players. With a strong ranged accuracy bonus, it hits far harder than most weapons you’ll have access to at this stage, while still being cheap and easy to replace.

One of the biggest advantages of the Rune Crossbow is that it’s one-handed. That means you can use a shield or defensive off-hand, which makes a massive difference in places like Slayer, bossing, or the Fight Caves. It’s also incredibly flexible. You’ll see it used everywhere from budget PvM setups to PvP builds where players want solid damage without risking expensive gear.

A lot of players pair it with Broad Bolts because they’re affordable and effective, making this crossbow perfect for Slayer training or early boss attempts. For Ironmen, the Rune Crossbow is often a huge milestone, since it becomes their best ranged weapon for a long stretch of the game. Many Ironmen specifically hunt the Crazy Archaeologist early on because of how valuable this upgrade is.

Overall, the Rune Crossbow earns its number one spot because it’s powerful, practical, and accessible. Whether you’re free-to-play moving into members, an Ironman progressing your account, or a main looking for a low-risk ranged weapon, this crossbow delivers value at every stage.

How to get it: You can obtain the Rune Crossbow as a drop from the Crazy Archaeologist or Kree’arra, craft it yourself with 69 Fletching, or get lucky from an elite clue scroll.

Conclusion

Rune weapons remain some of the most important gear choices in Old School RuneScape, especially for free-to-play players and early members accounts looking to build strength without huge costs. From fast, reliable options like the Rune Scimitar to hard-hitting knockout weapons such as the Rune 2h Sword and versatile ranged picks like Rune Arrows and the Rune Crossbow, each weapon on this list fills a specific role. Choosing the right rune weapon depends on how you play, whether that’s training efficiently, PvPing, or progressing through early PvM content. Even as you move into higher tiers of gear, many rune weapons stay useful longer than expected, proving that rune gear is far more than just a stepping stone on your journey through Gielinor.