Melee makes up one of the three primary combat styles used to kill various monsters around OSRS and train the attack, strength and defence skill. Investing in strong melee armours is great for overall melee gear progression and boosting your damage output.
What is the Best Melee Gear in OSRS?
- Torva Armour
- Bandos
- Inquisitor
- Fighter Torso
- Neitiznot Faceguard
- Avernic Defender
- Serpentine Helm
- Ferocious Gloves
1. Torva Armour Set
The Torva Armour set provides the best in slot melee gear for OSRS. The set grants the highest offensive strength bonuses of any set currently in the game. It is no degradable and requires a minimum of level 80 defence to equip.
How to get Torva?
Individual pieces of the Torva set can be obtained as a unique reward from killing Nex. The set can also be bought on the Grand Exchange but is extremely expensive. Due to its rareness and difficulty to obtain.
Combat Stats
2. Bandos Armour Set
The bandos armour set provides the second highest strength bonus for items in the chest and leg slot. It requires a minimum of level 65 defence to equip and unlike most sets does not have a helm. Therefore, it is recommended to pair the set with a Neitiznot Faceguard or Serpentine Helm.
How to get Bandos?
Individual pieces of the Bandos set can be obtained as a unique reward from killing General Graardor. You will need to have collected the required follower kill count to enter the bandos arena, located in the God Wars Dungeon.
Combat Stats
3. Inquisitor’s Armour
The Inquisitor’s set is unique, as it functions as a crush bonus boosting armour. The set requires a minimum of level 70 strength and 30 defence to equip. It provides the same strength bonus as bandos, but its helm is 2 strength bonus lower than the Neitiznot Faceguard, or 4 lower than the Torva helm.
This set is particularly useful in situations where you need crush bonus. For example, killing the Kalphite Queen or boosting your accuracy for DWH special attacks.
How to get the Inquisitor Armour?
Individual pieces of the Inquisitor armour set can be obtained by killing the Nightmare or Phosani’s Nightmare.
Combat Stats
4. Fighter Torso
The Fighter Torso is a reward from Barbarian Assault that requires level 40 Defence to equip. It has an identical strength bonus to the Bandos Chestplate, but, has lower defensive stats. However, the fact it is free to obtain makes it a viable option for players on a budget.
How to get the Fighter Torso?
The Fighter Torso is an untradeable reward that can only be obtained via the Barbarian Assault minigame. Players will need to obtain 375 points in all roles and have at least one queen kill to purchase the torso.
Combat Stats
5. Neitiznot Faceguard
The Neitiznot Faceguard is the second best melee helmet in the game, behind the Torva full helm. It requires level 70 defence and completion of Fremennik Exiles. The helm is a good option for players looking for affordability, as it is far cheaper than the Torva helm. It is also versatile and can be used in hybrid situations as it offers no negative stats.
How to get the Neitiznot Faceguard?
Players will need to have first completed the Fremennik Exiles quest. After this they can take a regular Neitiznot helm and a Basilisk Jaw to Olaf the Bard and have him combine the two to form the faceguard.
Combat Stats
6. Avernic Defender
The Avernic Defender is the best melee shield slot item. It offers a strength bonus higher than the Dragonfire Shield and a large amount of additional melee accuracy. It does not have very high defensive stats but this is not as important. As most situations in OSRS you can negate damage by avoiding attacks or praying against the monster.
How to get an Avernic Defender?
The Avernic Defender is a direct upgrade from the Dragon Defender. To upgrade it, players must obtain an avernic defender hilt from the Theatre of Blood and attach the hilt to the dragon defender.
Combat Stats
7. Serpentine Helm
The Serpentine Helm is the third best in slot melee helmet in OSRS. Players with a minimum of 75 defence can equip the helm and use it in combat. The serp helm has far superior defensive stats than the Faceguard, making it good for long trips at places like the Dagannoth Kings.
The helm is very cheap to purchase on the Grand Exchange. However, it is degradable and must be recharged with Zulrah Scales. This means it is not the best for everyday combat and should mainly be used for bossing or high-level PVM scenarios.
How to get the Serp Helm?
The Serp helm can only be obtained by killing Zulrah to obtain a serpentine visage. Players with 52 crafting can then craft the visage into a helmet and charge the helm with scales ready for use.
Combat Stats
8. Ferocious Gloves
The Ferocious Gloves are the best in slot gloves for melee. They have high requirements, with 80 attack and defence needed to equip them. You will also have to have completed the Dragon Slayer II quest to make them. The gloves have significantly better offensive bonuses for melee than the Barrows Gloves.
How to get the Ferocious Gloves?
After completion of the Dragon Slayer II quest, players can take their barrows gloves, a hammer and a Hydra Leather to the vault in lithkrin. Use the leather on the strange machinery to craft the ferocious gloves.
The Hydra Leather can only be obtained by killing the Alchemical Hydra or by purchasing it from the Grand Exchange.
Combat Stats
