Melee Shields are a super important slot for your melee gear. Particularly if you are using one-handed weapons such as the Ghrazi Rapier, Abyssal Whip and more. Melee off-hands make up a significant part of any players melee gear progression. So, knowing how to optimise for the best possible melee shield will be important to create the best melee setup for your OSRS account.
What are the Best Melee Shields in OSRS?
- Avernic Defender
- Dragon Defender
- Dragonfire Shield
- Toktz-ket-xil
- Rune Defender
1. Avernic Defender
The Avernic Defender is the best in slot melee off-hand in OSRS right now. it can be equipped if you have a minimum of level 70 attack and defence. It has the highest strength bonus of any shield (+8) and the highest melee attack bonuses of any shield. Although, it does have relatively weak defensive bonuses, comparable to an adamant kiteshield.
How to get the Avernic Defender?
An Avernic Defender Hilt can be obtained from the Theatre of Blood. Players can then attach the hilt to a Dragon Defender to create the upgraded Avernic version.
Combat Stats
2. Dragon Defender
The Dragon Defender is a weaker variant of the Avernic. But, still the second best melee shield in osrs. It also only requires 60 defence to equip, so can be accessed earlier in your accounts progression. Additionally, it can be obtained for free and is an untradeable item.
How to get the Dragon Defender?
The Dragon Defender can be obtained from the level 106 Cyclopes in the basement of the Warrior Guild. Learn more about how to get a Dragon Defender here.
Combat Stats
3. Dragonfire Shield
The Dragonfire Shield actually has a higher strength bonus than the Avernic Defender (+7 as opposed to +6). However, its overall damage output is slightly lower due to the fact it does not have any accuracy based attack bonuses. The shield can be worn at level 75 defence and offers protection against dragonfire and icy breath.
How to get the Dragonfire Shield?
The Dragonfire Shield can be obtained by combining a Draconic Visage with an Anti-dragon shield. This requires 90 smithing or players can pay Oziach 1,250,000 coins to combine the items.
The Draconic Visage can be obtained from various types of chromatic and metalic dragons around OSRS. Additionally, draconic bosses such as the King Black Dragon and Vorkath drop the visage.
Combat Stats
4. Toktz-ket-xil
The Toktz-ket-xil is an obsidian shield that has a strength bonus of +5. Along with some moderate levels of defensive stats, comparable to that of the Granite Shield. It is a good entry level shield for those with 60 defence or higher. Although, since it does not have any attack bonuses its recommended to get some form of defender at rune tier or higher.
How to get the Toktz-ket-xil?
The Toktz-ket-xil can be obtained from the TzHaar monsters. It can either be bought from their shops in exchange for Tokkul or obtained by killing the TzHaar-Ket.
Combat Stats
5. Rune Defender
The Rune Defender is slightly better than the Toktz-ket-xil. As it shares the same strength bonus (+5) but has additional attack bonus stats. Furthermore, the rune defender can be equipped at just 40 defence and can be obtained for free, unlike the Toktz-ket-xil. This item is also the best melee shield for zerker builds.
How to get a Rune Defender?
The Rune Defender can be obtained exclusively from the level 56 and 76 Cyclops on the top floor of the Warriors’ Guild. The drop rate is 1/50, providing you have already obtained all of the previous tiers up to the adamant defender.
Combat Stats
