10 Best Spec Weapons in Old School RuneScape

Special attack weapons play a huge role in Old School RuneScape, whether you’re trying to hit harder, lower a boss’s defence, or simply speed things up. A well-timed spec can turn a slow kill into a smooth one, save supplies, or give you a big advantage in PvM, PvP, or even certain skilling situations. Many players overlook how powerful special attacks really are, but once you start using them properly, it’s hard to go back. In this article, we’re breaking down the 10 best spec weapons in OSRS and explaining why they’re so useful, so you know exactly which ones are worth having in your setup.

#10: Ancient Mace

The Ancient Mace sits firmly in the niche category, as it’s almost never used for regular combat and exists purely for its special attack. Its spec, Favour of the War God, consumes 100% special attack energy and has a very unique effect: it ignores Protect from Melee, drains the target’s Prayer by the amount of damage dealt, and then restores that same amount of Prayer to you. In PvP, this weapon is infamous in the Wilderness, where it’s often used to smite unsuspecting players for their +1 item, which is why spotting an Ancient Mace should always raise a red flag. Outside of PvP, its main use is in PvM utility, especially at player-owned houses, where players hit undead combat dummies to boost their Prayer points above their normal maximum before bossing or Slayer. While extremely situational, the Ancient Mace’s special attack is powerful in the right hands, earning it a spot on this list despite its limited use.

#9: Dragon Spear

The Dragon Spear is well known in OSRS, especially in PvP, and not in a good way. Its special attack, Shove, is mainly used for disruption rather than damage. When activated, it consumes 25% special attack energy and forcibly pushes your target in the direction you’re facing while stunning them for a few seconds. During this stun, the opponent can’t move, eat, teleport, or properly react, which makes it extremely dangerous in the Wilderness. This is why coordinated PK teams often chain Dragon Spear specials to push a single player into multi-combat zones, where they can be overwhelmed, smited, and killed quickly. Outside of PvP, the spear sees very little use, as its value comes almost entirely from its control effect rather than combat power. To obtain a Dragon Spear, you’ll need a rare drop table hit or a lucky drop from Brutal Black Dragons, making it uncommon but infamous once seen in action.

#8: Toxic Blowpipe

The Toxic Blowpipe easily earns its spot as one of the most useful ranged weapons in Old School RuneScape, and its special attack is a big reason why. The special, called Toxic Siphon, consumes 50% of your special attack energy and heals you for half of the damage you deal. If you hit a 20, you get 10 hitpoints back, which can make a huge difference during long fights or high-pressure situations. This effect is incredibly valuable because it helps you stay alive without stopping to eat, saving both food and valuable attack ticks. That’s why the blowpipe special is popular in PvM, Slayer, bossing, and even some PvP scenarios. Of course, it’s also infamous for those unlucky moments where you spec and hit back-to-back zeroes, leaving you in worse shape than before. To get a Toxic Blowpipe, you’ll need a Tanzanite Fang dropped by Zulrah, which can then be turned into the blowpipe with 53 Fletching, making it a must-have goal for many accounts.

#7: Dragon Axe

The Dragon Axe is a clear upgrade over rune, offering roughly a 10% boost to chopping speed, and it also comes with a useful skilling-focused special attack. Its special, Lumber Up, drains your entire special attack bar and temporarily increases your Woodcutting level by 3. To activate it, the axe must be equipped, and you’ll need at least 60 Attack to wield it in the first place. This special pairs perfectly with training inside the Woodcutting Guild, where you already receive an invisible Woodcutting boost that stacks with the axe’s effect, making each spec feel more impactful. While it’s not a combat weapon, the Dragon Axe is a must-have for efficient Woodcutting training and is especially valuable for players pushing higher levels or chasing faster XP rates. You can obtain one as a drop from the Dagannoth Kings, or by getting lucky at Wintertodt, where it has a very rare chance to appear.

#6: Armadyl Godsword

The Armadyl Godsword is one of the most feared knockout weapons in OSRS PvP, and for good reason. Even without its special attack, the stats are solid, but the real power comes from its spec, which has been a staple in risk fights and high-level PKing for years. Its special attack, Judgement, only uses 50% special energy while massively boosting your chances to hit and increasing damage by a large margin. This makes huge hits surprisingly common, and because the spec cost is so low, players can fire it twice in a row to finish fights instantly. The AGS sits in a sweet spot price-wise too, which is why it shows up so often in PvP setups where players want real KO potential without risking everything. To obtain one, players need to farm Kree’arra in the God Wars Dungeon for an Armadyl hilt, which is a rare drop. Once you have the hilt, combining it with a godsword blade completes the weapon and unlocks one of the most iconic special attacks in the game.

#5: Bandos Godsword

The Bandos Godsword is one of the most useful special attack weapons in OSRS when it comes to PvM. Its main purpose is breaking down a boss’s defenses, which can massively speed up kills for both solo players and teams. The special attack, Warstrike, costs 50% special energy and comes with a big accuracy boost, extra damage, and a powerful stat drain that prioritizes Defence first, followed by Strength, Prayer, Attack, Magic, and Ranged. What makes this weapon so strong is that the stat reduction stacks, meaning you can spec multiple times in a row and heavily weaken even the tankiest bosses. This makes the BGS a popular choice at places like Corporeal Beast, especially for players who don’t have max gear or noted food strategies. Compared to other defence-lowering weapons, it’s also fairly affordable, which is why it shows up in so many PvM loadouts. To obtain one, you’ll need to defeat General Graardor in the God Wars Dungeon for a Bandos hilt, then combine it with a godsword blade to create the full weapon.

#4: Dragon Pickaxe

The Dragon Pickaxe fits perfectly into the group of skilling tools with powerful special attacks, just like the Dragon Axe and Dragon Harpoon. Its special attack, Rock Knocker, consumes your entire special attack bar and gives a temporary +3 boost to your Mining level, making it ideal for squeezing out extra efficiency during long mining sessions. To activate the special, the pickaxe must be equipped, and you’ll also need at least 60 Attack to wield it in the first place. While the boost might sound small, it adds up over time, especially when mining higher-level ores or training in places where every extra level helps. Because of this, the Dragon Pickaxe is considered a must-have for serious Mining training. You can obtain it as a drop from Wilderness bosses, excluding demi-bosses, with many players favoring Callisto since he’s relatively easy to lure and fight compared to other options.

#3: Dragon Claws

Dragon Claws are one of those weapons that exist almost entirely for their special attack, and for good reason. Their special, Slice and Dice, uses just 50% special energy and unleashes four rapid hits in a single activation, which can snowball into massive damage when used back-to-back. This is why Dragon Claws are feared in PvP, where they can instantly chunk opponents for huge numbers, especially against lower defence builds. In PvM, they shine just as much, particularly against bosses that are weak to slash or stab. Encounters like Vasa and Bloat in the Chambers of Xeric are prime examples where Dragon Claws drastically speed up kill times. Thanks to their burst damage and consistency, they’re widely considered one of the strongest melee DPS weapons in Old School RuneScape and a staple in high-level content. Dragon Claws can only be obtained as a rare drop from the Chambers of Xeric, making them both powerful and prestigious to own.

#2: Crystal Halberd (i)

The Crystal Halberd (i) is one of the best low-cost special attack weapons in OSRS, especially for players who don’t want to invest millions into high-end gear. Unlocking it does require effort, since you must complete the Western Provinces Hard Diary, but once you do, you gain access to a surprisingly strong and reliable spec weapon. Its special attack, Sweep, only consumes 30% special energy, making it very efficient. Against regular-sized targets it deals slightly increased damage, while larger enemies can be hit twice, giving it strong burst potential even though the second hit is less accurate. Because of this, the Crystal Halberd (i) is often used as a budget alternative to Dragon Claws, especially in PvM situations where quick damage matters. It’s completely free to obtain after the diary grind, hits hard for its cost, and remains useful well into late game, which easily earns it a top spot on this list. To get it, take a Crystal Weapon Seed to Ilfeen after completing the Western Provinces Hard Diary, and she’ll create the halberd for you.

#1: Dragon Warhammer

Taking the top spot on this list is the Dragon Warhammer, and it’s hard to argue against it. If there’s one special attack that completely changes how PvM works in OSRS, this is it. The Dragon Warhammer is brought to almost every high-defence boss in the game because its special attack, Smash, is insanely powerful and always relevant. Using 50% special attack energy, a successful hit lowers the target’s Defence by 30%, and the best part is that this effect stacks. In group content, multiple players landing specs can shred a boss’s Defence down to almost nothing, massively boosting team DPS and speeding up kills. That’s why many PvM teams won’t even consider players who don’t own one. While the Dragon Warhammer is expensive, sitting around 40 million coins, it earns its price through pure utility and long-term value. It’s not flashy damage, but it’s one of the most important weapons in the entire game. You can get it as a rare drop from Lizardman Shamans at a 1/5000 rate, or simply buy it outright if you’ve got the gold, though either way, it’s a grind most players agree is more than worth it.

Conclusion

Special attack weapons are a huge part of what makes combat in Old School RuneScape feel deep and rewarding, and the weapons on this list prove just how impactful a good spec can be. Whether it’s lowering a boss’s defence with a Dragon Warhammer, finishing fights with Dragon Claws, healing through damage with a Toxic Blowpipe, or boosting skilling efficiency with tools like the Dragon Axe and Pickaxe, each of these weapons brings something unique to the table. Some shine in PvP, others are essential for PvM, and a few even make skilling faster and easier, but all of them earn their place through pure usefulness. No matter your playstyle or account type, having access to the right special attack weapon can make a massive difference, turning difficult encounters into manageable ones and saving you time, supplies, and effort across your OSRS journey.