Combat Training Overview

Combat is the backbone of OSRS. Whether you want to boss, raid, or PK, you need high combat stats. This guide covers the fastest and most efficient ways to train Attack, Strength, Defence, and Ranged from 1-99 in 2026.

Melee Training (Attack, Strength, Defence)

Levels 1-30: Questing

Do Waterfall Quest first for instant level 30 Attack and Strength. Add Fight Arena and Tree Gnome Village for more free XP. Never train melee from level 1 manually.

Levels 30-60: Sand Crabs / Ammonite Crabs

XP Rate: 30-50K/hr
Location: Hosidius (Sand Crabs) or Fossil Island (Ammonite Crabs)

Crabs are AFK, have high HP, low defence, and do not hit hard. Set up a cannon spot and AFK for hours. Ammonite Crabs are better (higher HP) but require Bone Voyage quest.

Levels 60-70: Experiments or Nightmare Zone

XP Rate: 50-70K/hr

Experiments under the Fenkenstrain Castle are great AFK training. Nightmare Zone (NMZ) is even better with absorption potions for semi-AFK training with Dharoks or Obsidian.

Levels 70-99: Nightmare Zone (Dharoks)

XP Rate: 100-130K/hr

The meta for 99 melee stats. Use Dharoks set at 1 HP with absorption potions and Overloads from NMZ. Rock Cake down to 1 HP, drink absorptions, and AFK for 20 minutes at a time. This is the fastest and cheapest melee training method.

Alternative: Slayer Training

XP Rate: 40-80K/hr depending on task

Training combat through Slayer is slower but far more profitable and trains Slayer at the same time. Recommended if you want to be efficient overall rather than just rushing 99s.

Ranged Training

Levels 1-30: Questing

Do Shadow of the Storm for free Ranged XP. Use Iron/Steel knives on Sand Crabs for quick early levels.

Levels 30-55: Sand Crabs with MSB(i)

XP Rate: 40-55K/hr

Magic Shortbow (imbued) with Mithril arrows at Sand Crabs. Very cheap and efficient.

Levels 55-75: Chinning in MM1 Caves

XP Rate: 200-400K/hr

Red Chinchompas in the Monkey Madness 1 tunnels. Expensive but extremely fast. Stack monkeys and throw chins for massive AoE XP.

Levels 75-99: Chinning in MM2 Caves

XP Rate: 400-700K/hr

Black Chinchompas in the MM2 tunnels. The fastest Ranged XP in the game. Costs 15-25M for 99 but takes only 8-15 hours. Use Void Ranged or Armadyl with Rigour prayer.

Budget Alternative: Nightmare Zone

XP Rate: 70-100K/hr

MSB(i) with Rune arrows in NMZ with absorption potions. Much cheaper than chinning and still decent XP.

Defence Training

Most players train Defence last, after getting 99 Attack and Strength:

Option 1: Use Controlled style on a Whip for shared XP
Option 2: Chin to 99 Defence in MM2 tunnels (fastest)
Option 3: NMZ Dharoks with Defence selected
Option 4: Train through Slayer with Defensive casting

XP Rate Comparison Table

NMZ Dharoks (Melee): 100-130K/hr, very cheap, semi-AFK

Sand/Ammonite Crabs: 30-55K/hr, free, very AFK

Black Chins MM2: 400-700K/hr, expensive (15-25M to 99), fast

Red Chins MM1: 200-400K/hr, moderate cost

NMZ Ranged: 70-100K/hr, cheap, semi-AFK

Slayer: 40-80K/hr, profitable, trains Slayer

Training Order Recommendation

Get base 70s through questing and Sand Crabs
Rush 85+ Ranged via chinning for early bossing access
Train Strength to 99 first at NMZ (max hit = faster everything)
Train Attack to 99 at NMZ for accuracy
Train Defence last to 99 via any method
Ranged to 99 via chinning or Slayer

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