Complete 1-99 Ranged Guide for Old School RuneScape
Ranged is one of the three main combat styles in Old School RuneScape, alongside Melee and Magic. What makes it unique is the ability to deal consistent damage from a distance, often before enemies can even get close. This advantage makes it one of the most valuable skills across all types of content, from questing and Slayer to high-level PvM encounters and PvP battles.
Training Ranged unlocks more than just raw damage. It provides access to powerful weapons like the Toxic Blowpipe and Twisted Bow, armor sets like Karil’s and Armadyl, and utility gear such as Ava’s devices that save ammunition. High-Ranged levels also open the door to efficient bossing strategies, faster Slayer assignments, and competitive setups for PvP.
Because of its mix of offensive power, accuracy, and versatility, Ranged is considered one of the most rewarding skills to level to 99 in OSRS. This article covers everything you need to know about training Ranged effectively, from early levels to endgame setups.
How Ranged Works in OSRS?
Understanding how Ranged functions will help you get more out of your training. Unlike Melee, where accuracy and max hit are tied to Strength and Attack, Ranged relies on your Ranged level, weapon stats, and the type of ammunition used.
There are three main combat styles for Ranged weapons: Accurate, Rapid, and Longrange. Accurate increases accuracy and grants a small invisible Ranged level boost, Rapid increases attack speed at the cost of accuracy, and Longrange offers extra Defence experience while slightly reducing DPS. Most players train using Accurate for consistency or Rapid when using high-accuracy weapons like crossbows.
Ammo plays a big role in Ranged damage. Bows and crossbows require arrows or bolts, while thrown weapons like knives and chinchompas are consumed on use. Each type of ammo has its own balance of cost, power, and speed. For example, knives are fast and cheap for early training, while chinchompas are expensive but provide explosive multi-target damage at higher levels.
Defensive bonuses also matter when training. Many monsters have different weaknesses, with some more vulnerable to Ranged than others. Understanding these mechanics helps maximize XP rates and reduces wasted resources.
Why Train Ranged in OSRS?
Training Ranged has long-term benefits that affect nearly every part of gameplay in OSRS. One of the biggest advantages is the ability to safespot monsters, dealing damage from a distance while avoiding incoming attacks. This makes many Slayer tasks and boss fights much safer compared to Melee training.
In PvM, high Ranged levels are essential for some of the most profitable and iconic bosses in the game. For example, Zulrah is nearly always fought with Ranged setups like the Toxic Blowpipe or Twisted Bow. At higher levels, Ranged also plays a major role in raids such as Chambers of Xeric and Theatre of Blood, where bosses are often weak to Ranged damage.
In PvP, Ranged is just as important. Weapons like the Dark Bow or Armadyl crossbow provide devastating special attacks, while the Blowpipe and magic shortbow deliver fast, accurate DPS. Having strong Ranged stats is often the difference between outlasting your opponent or being quickly KO’d.
Beyond combat, training Ranged unlocks equipment progression that makes the rest of the game smoother. From using Ava’s device to save ammunition, to wearing Armadyl armour for its unmatched Ranged bonuses, to firing the most powerful bolts in the game with the Armadyl crossbow, everything hinges on your Ranged level. Reaching 99 is a long-term investment in combat efficiency, money-making, and PvP competitiveness.
Also Read: OSRS Zulrah Boss Guide
Useful Unlocks for OSRS Ranged Training
Several quests, items, and diary rewards make Ranged training significantly easier and more efficient. Securing these unlocks early on is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success. The most important quest is Animal Magnetism, which grants access to Ava’s devices. Starting with the Attractor and later upgrading to the Accumulator and Assembler, these items save a large portion of your ammunition and boost Ranged accuracy. For anyone training Ranged seriously, this is considered a must-have upgrade.
Another valuable quest is Death to the Dorgeshuun, which unlocks the Dorgeshuun crossbow. This weapon is incredibly cheap to use with bone bolts and offers excellent accuracy for early training. Similarly, Temple of Ikov provides Ranged experience and access to the Temple of Ikov dungeon, which is later important for quests and combat.
The Dwarf Cannon quest unlocks the ability to build and use the Dwarf multicannon. While it requires a high budget to maintain, the cannon drastically increases kill speed and experience rates when used in multi-combat areas, especially during Slayer tasks.
For players working toward high-level training, completing Monkey Madness II is essential. This quest grants access to Kruk’s Dungeon, home to Maniacal Monkeys, the best chinchompa training spot in the game.
Diary rewards can also help. For example, the Wilderness Hard Diary gives a 50% chance to save ammunition when using the Wilderness bosses’ crossbow, while the Kandarin Diary provides increased accuracy with the magic shortbow (i). These may not be mandatory, but they make long-term Ranged training more rewarding.
Also Read: Understanding RS3 to OSRS Gold Swap Rates
OSRS Ranged Weapons and Armour Progression
Choosing the right weapons and armour is just as important as picking the best training spot. Progression in Ranged is tied closely to your level, quest completions, and budget, so knowing when to upgrade will save both time and money.
Early Weapons (Levels 1–40)
For free-to-play players, the training starts with shortbows, longbows, and basic arrows. The shortbow is preferred for its faster attack speed, while iron or steel arrows provide a good balance of accuracy and cost. Knives are another option in members worlds, offering quick hits at low cost, making them excellent for fast early training.
One of the best early upgrades for members is the Dorgeshuun crossbow, unlocked after Death to the Dorgeshuun. It uses bone bolts, which are extremely cheap and accurate, making it one of the most efficient training weapons up to level 60 Ranged.
Midgame Weapons (Levels 40–70)
Once you reach 40 Ranged, the Magic Shortbow (MSB) becomes one of the strongest and most versatile weapons. The imbued version, Magic Shortbow (i), obtained through the Nightmare Zone or Soul Wars, increases accuracy and damage, and remains relevant even at higher levels thanks to its special attack.
The Rune Crossbow is another key weapon around this stage. It can fire a wide range of bolts, from affordable broad bolts to expensive but powerful ruby and diamond bolts (e). This weapon combines accuracy with flexibility and is commonly used for Slayer tasks and PvM.
At 50 Ranged, you can also start using Ava’s Accumulator, which not only improves your Ranged stats but also retrieves ammunition. Combined with rune crossbow setups or broad bolts, this makes for very efficient training.
High-Level Weapons (70+)
This is when the most iconic Ranged weapons come into play. The Toxic Blowpipe, crafted from Zulrah’s Tanzanite Fang, is the most widely used ranged weapon for Slayer and mid-to-high-level PvM. Its high attack speed, poison effect, and dart compatibility make it incredibly strong, though expensive to maintain with scales and darts.
The Armadyl Crossbow (ACB) is another major upgrade, offering high accuracy and the ability to use powerful bolts. While it is often considered more of a bossing weapon than a training tool, it becomes invaluable for endgame PvM.
The Twisted Bow (Tbow), obtained from Chambers of Xeric, is the most powerful Ranged weapon in the game against high-magic enemies. While prohibitively expensive for many players, it is unmatched in raids and certain boss encounters.
For multi-target training, red and black chinchompas are essential weapons for chinning at Maniacal Monkeys or Skeletal Monkeys. While costly, they provide the fastest Ranged experience in the game when used with the right setup.
Also Read: New OSRS Ranged Gear Progression Guide (2025)
OSRS Armour Progression for Ranged Training
Armour progression is equally important for maximizing XP and survivability. Early on, leather and studded leather are standard for free-to-play. Members quickly move into green, blue, and red dragonhide, which offer strong defensive bonuses against Magic and are affordable at each tier.
At 70 Ranged, black dragonhide becomes the standard, and from there, higher-level options like Karil’s set from Barrows and Armoury pieces from Armadyl are used for endgame PvM.
For the most advanced setups, Crystal Armour combined with the Bow of Faerdhinen offers some of the best ranged DPS in the game, particularly in PvM. Crystal armour provides set bonuses that significantly increase the bow’s power, making it a top-tier endgame option.
Throughout all stages, combining your armour with Ava’s devices is essential for maximum efficiency. The Assembler, unlocked after Vorkath, is the best-in-slot back item for Ranged training and PvM.
Ranged Training Methods by OSRS Level Bracket
Levels 1–50
F2P Training
Free-to-play players start with a shortbow or longbow and bronze or iron arrows. The most common targets are chickens, cows, and goblins around Lumbridge, which have low Defence and respawn quickly. A great alternative for players who want sustainable ammo is training on minotaurs in the Stronghold of Security, as they frequently drop iron arrows, reducing supply costs.
At level 30, Ogress Warriors in the Corsair Cove Dungeon become one of the best F2P training spots. They have high hitpoints and drop both nature runes and rune helms, making them highly profitable. Safe-spotting them with a bow or crossbow provides solid XP rates with money on the side.
P2P Training
Members have many more efficient options at this stage. Questing is one of the best early strategies, with Death to the Dorgeshuun unlocking the Dorgeshuun crossbow and cheap bone bolts, and Animal Magnetism granting Ava’s device for ammo retrieval. Together, these make early Ranged training much cheaper and smoother.
From level 1–20, players often use chickens, cows, or monks (which heal themselves and can be attacked endlessly). From level 20 onward, Dorgeshuun crossbow with bone bolts becomes the most cost-efficient weapon, easily carrying players into the 50s. For faster XP, iron knives at crabs or caged ogres in the Combat Training Camp are strong alternatives.
Levels 50–70
F2P Training
At this stage, Ogress Warriors remain the best XP and money-making option in F2P, providing both consistent kills and valuable drops. Players who prefer a more AFK approach can use moss giants or hill giants, safe-spotting them in their dungeons for steady XP and Big Bones to sell.
P2P Training
Members have a variety of efficient paths. The Magic Shortbow (i) and Rune Crossbow become the main training weapons. Hill Giants in Edgeville Dungeon are popular for safe-spotting and making some profit. Sand Crabs in Zeah or Ammonite Crabs on Fossil Island are the go-to AFK options, offering high hitpoints, aggressive spawns, and little damage taken, which allows for long training sessions.
For players who have completed the Dwarf Cannon quest, incorporating the multicannon into Slayer tasks or multi-combat areas like Rock Crabs speeds up XP considerably. From level 60 onward, broad bolts with a rune crossbow or the blowpipe with steel/mithril darts are excellent ways to push higher experience rates.
Levels 70–99
F2P Training
Free-to-play players face limited options at high levels. The most consistent method is continuing at Ogress Warriors, which remain profitable and provide decent XP. Alternatively, lesser demons or greater demons can be safe-spotted for experience, though without drops as rewarding as ogresses.
P2P Training
Members unlock the most powerful training methods in this bracket. The standout method is chinning with red or black chinchompas in Kruk’s Dungeon after completing Monkey Madness II. Training on Maniacal Monkeys can yield up to 250k–300k XP per hour with the right setup, making it the fastest Ranged training in the game. For players who have only completed Monkey Madness I, skeletal monkeys in Ape Atoll tunnels are an alternative, though less efficient and more resource-heavy due to prayer use.
For a cheaper or AFK route, Nightmare Zone (NMZ) offers excellent training with the blowpipe or magic shortbow (i). While slower than chinning, NMZ provides semi-AFK gameplay, imbuing points for items like the MSB (i), and is affordable for players with lower budgets.
High-level Slayer tasks also integrate well with Ranged training. Using a blowpipe or crossbow on monsters like dust devils, aberrant spectres, and abyssal demons allows you to train Ranged while making money. Many tasks become much faster with a cannon, especially Kalphites and Dagannoths.
While bossing with Ranged (such as Zulrah or Vorkath) is profitable, it should be considered money-making rather than a primary training method. For pure XP, chinning, NMZ, and Slayer are the most effective choices through 70–99.
Also Read: OSRS Fishing: Complete 1-99 Leveling Guide
Ranged Training Spots in OSRS
Ranged training efficiency depends heavily on where you train. Some spots are designed for high XP rates at a high cost, while others are slower but profitable or more AFK-friendly. Below are the most notable training locations in both free-to-play and members worlds.
Free-to-Play Ranged Training Spots
Chickens, Cows, and Goblins (1–20) | These early-level monsters are excellent for beginners. They die quickly, provide a steady supply of food and cowhides, and respawn instantly. XP rates are modest at around 10–15k per hour, but they allow for smooth progression into the 20s. |
Minotaurs in the Stronghold of Security (10–30) | Minotaurs drop iron arrows frequently, making them a sustainable training option. Players can recycle dropped ammo to minimize costs, while gaining slightly higher XP rates of 15–20k per hour. |
Hill Giants (30–50) | Safe-spotting Hill Giants in the Edgeville Dungeon provides a good balance of XP and profit. With Big Bones fetching decent value, this method often nets both 20–25k XP per hour and some cash along the way. |
Ogress Warriors (40+) | Found in the Corsair Cove Dungeon, Ogress Warriors are widely considered the best F2P training spot. With over 80 hitpoints and weak defenses, they provide strong XP rates of 40–60k per hour while dropping valuable items such as nature runes and rune helms. For free players, this is the optimal long-term Ranged training method all the way to 99. |
Members Ranged Training Spots
Caged Ogres (30–50) | Unlocked after the Biohazard quest, the Combat Training Camp houses caged ogres that can be ranged safely from outside their cages. They have high hitpoints for their level, making them a classic training method. XP rates are around 20–30k per hour, with low risk and cheap ammo costs. |
Sand Crabs and Ammonite Crabs (30–70) | Both crabs are staple AFK training spots. Sand Crabs in Zeah and Ammonite Crabs on Fossil Island are aggressive, high-hitpoint monsters that require little attention. With knives, crossbows, or a blowpipe, players can achieve 40–60k XP per hour, making them a reliable and relaxed option. |
Dragons (Blue and Red, 50–70) | Safe-spotting dragons not only provides decent XP but also excellent profit from dragon bones and hides. While XP rates are slower at 30–40k per hour, the money-making potential makes them a worthwhile midgame option for budget-conscious players. |
Nightmare Zone (NMZ, 70+) | With the blowpipe or magic shortbow (i), NMZ becomes a strong semi-AFK training location. XP rates range from 70–90k per hour, and the reward points can imbue items like the MSB (i). This is less intensive than chinning but still efficient for players who want steady progress. |
Chinning at Maniacal Monkeys (70–99) | This is the fastest Ranged XP method in the game. Inside Kruk’s Dungeon, groups of Maniacal Monkeys allow chinchompas to hit multiple targets at once. Red chinchompas yield around 200–250k XP per hour, while black chinchompas can push rates to 300k+ XP per hour with optimal setup. While costly, this method is unmatched for speed. |
Skeletal Monkeys (70–99) | Unlocked after Monkey Madness I, these are an alternative to Maniacal Monkeys. XP rates are lower at 150–200k per hour, and players need to sustain prayer against damage, but it provides a powerful training method before MM2 completion. |
Slayer Tasks | Using Ranged during Slayer training is one of the best ways to combine progress. Tasks such as Dust Devils, Aberrant Spectres, and Dagannoths can be done with a blowpipe, rune crossbow, or cannon for efficient XP. Rates vary, but with a cannon, Slayer tasks can reach 80–120k XP per hour depending on the monster and setup. |
Final Words
Ranged is one of the most impactful skills in Old School RuneScape, shaping both PvM and PvP gameplay. From early safe-spotting and crab training to high-speed chinning and profitable Slayer tasks, the skill offers a path for every type of player, whether you value efficiency, low effort, or income. Along the way, you unlock gear and upgrades that transform your combat potential, from Ava’s devices and the blowpipe to the Twisted Bow itself.
Maxing out Ranged is a milestone that pays dividends throughout the game. It makes Slayer faster, bosses more manageable, and PvP more competitive. While the grind to 99 can be long, the variety of methods and training spots ensures you can always find an approach that fits your goals and playstyle.
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