For faster melee damage, unlock the weapon you want, then prioritise Strength; for a general account, balance Attack, Strength and Defence until you reach useful weapon and equipment requirements. There is no universally best order: quests, account restrictions, attention level and whether you want side progress such as Slayer all affect the route.
How do I level melee in OSRS?
Attack improves melee accuracy and unlocks weapons, while Strength raises your maximum hit. Defence improves defensive capability and is needed for some equipment. For a damage-focused route, meet the Attack requirement for an appropriate weapon, then favour Strength rather than continuing to raise Attack without a specific unlock in mind.
The OSRS Wiki melee-training overview recommends keeping melee stats relatively balanced until desired weapon and equipment requirements are met, then prioritising Strength, Attack and Defence—in that order—for a fastest max-melee progression. Treat that as an optimisation path, not a rule for every account: a player who values accuracy, a Defence requirement, or a particular build may choose differently.
Choose the attack style that matches the stat you are training
Use the combat-style option that awards experience in the skill you intend to raise. An aggressive style can favour Strength training; controlled options may split experience among melee stats, depending on the weapon. Check the style names and experience icons in the weapon’s combat interface rather than assuming every weapon offers the same choices.
#1 Best Overall
Style and equipment bonuses also affect damage. The OSRS Index free-to-play guide, based on OSRS Wiki content, describes the aggressive style as providing an invisible +3 Strength-level boost. Its damage comparisons concern F2P setups and should not be applied as a universal formula for members’ weapons or other combat configurations.
Should I level Attack or Strength first?
Raise Attack to the requirement for the next suitable weapon, then put more of your damage-focused training into Strength. A Strength level can improve your maximum hit even if you stay in the same training area; additional Attack is useful when you need accuracy or a weapon unlock, but it does not replace Strength’s role in increasing maximum damage.
Rank #2
- Featuring Original Artwork from OSRS Community Artists
- Machine Washable
- Smooth, Easy-Glide surface
- Printed at 300 Dots Per Inch
For a broader account, avoid treating that damage-first advice as mandatory. Keeping the three stats reasonably balanced while reaching key weapon and equipment requirements is a practical way to retain flexibility. Defence can also be worth prioritising when you want access to equipment or a sturdier setup rather than the fastest route to maximum melee damage.
Check quest rewards before grinding early levels
Quest experience can bypass a substantial amount of early combat training. The OSRS Wiki overview says Waterfall Quest can take a level-3-combat character to level 30 Attack and level 30 Strength. Check the quest requirements and consider whether the route suits your account before starting; restricted builds may need to avoid rewards or quests that affect their planned stats.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- Immerse yourself in a thrilling tabletop adventure filled with strategy, storytelling, and dynamic character interactions designed to challenge every decision.
- Experience high replayability through immersive roleplay, unpredictable encounters, and evolving tactical choices that keep every session intense and fresh.
- Master your destiny with customizable heroes, intricate quests, and deep world-building that fuel creative expression and competitive gameplay.
- Perfect for RPG enthusiasts seeking complex mechanics, cooperative missions, and richly detailed scenarios that spark imagination and rivalry.
- Premium components, atmospheric artwork, and narrative depth make this board game a must-have centerpiece for any tabletop gaming collection.
A June 27, 2026 guide from OSRS Legends calculates 65,275 Attack XP, 27,537.5 Strength XP and 15,300 Defence XP from the particular quest list it selects, reaching 45 Attack, 37 Strength and 31 Defence according to that guide. Those are its route-specific calculations, not an official total for all quests. Verify current prerequisites and rewards before relying on the route.
Choose gear for your account and opponent
Free-to-play equipment
The OSRS Index guide recommends using the best scimitar your account can equip, because scimitars’ attack speed and Strength bonus make them useful training weapons. Rune scimitar is a practical milestone at 40 Attack. For an amulet, use an Amulet of Strength when its bonus raises your maximum hit; if it does not, an Amulet of Power may offer a better mix of accuracy and defensive bonuses. Choose armour with the opponent’s attack style in mind rather than assuming one setup is best against every target.
Rank #4
- Grab your capes and party hats, because we’re going to Gielinor!
- Inspired by the record-breaking online universe that’s captured the imagination of millions worldwide, RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg is the official cooperative board game for 1-5 players.
Members’ equipment
Members have a wider range of weapons and training options. Check the current pay-to-play melee training guide for weapon choices, and weigh any recommendation against your stats, budget and account restrictions. Gear rankings and prices can change, so avoid planning around an old “best” item without checking its current requirements and cost.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Pick a training method by access, attention and purpose
Training locations trade off access, attention, setup cost, experience and side benefits. Crabs and Nightmare Zone illustrate that trade-off in the OSRS Legends guide: it presents crabs as a lower-attention early option and Nightmare Zone as a later AFK-oriented choice. The guide’s example rates are estimates for selected setups, not guaranteed outcomes or authoritative rates across all players.
Best Value
- Size: 5" - Engineered from premium, heavy-duty vinyl that is 100% waterproof and weatherproof—built to survive everything from coffee spills to the great outdoors.
- Perfectly sized for maximum visibility on PC cases, laptop lids, and tablets without crowding your hardware.
- Multi-Surface Compatibility: High-tack adhesive designed to stick to notebooks, water bottles, and any flat or slightly curved tech gear with zero peeling.
- Indoor & Outdoor Ready: UV-resistant ink ensures these stickers won’t fade, whether they’re on your rig in the office or the bumper of your car.
- American Craftsmanship: Proudly designed and manufactured in the USA, ensuring high-fidelity colors and precision-cut edges for a professional look. A must-have collection for gamers, coders, and science lovers looking to personalize their workspace with high-end decals.
- Access: Check whether your account can reach the area and meet the method’s requirements.
- Attention: Decide whether you can actively manage combat or need a method that tolerates periods of lower attention.
- Setup and supplies: Compare the gear and consumables you already own with what the method demands.
- Your likely XP rate: Levels, equipment and setup affect results; use an estimate as a planning aid, not a promise of a time to 99.
- Side progress: If Slayer or another account goal matters, a slightly slower method that advances it may be more useful than isolated combat training.
The F2P guide also describes the Blast Furnace pump as a way to train Strength without training Hitpoints, with a 30 Strength requirement. This is a niche option for accounts that specifically want to avoid Hitpoints experience, not the default route for ordinary melee training.
Quick Recap
A practical route by goal
For faster damage progression
- Check quests that award Attack or Strength experience and confirm they fit your account build.
- Train Attack until you can equip the next appropriate weapon.
- Use the style that awards Strength experience and focus on Strength while it contributes more to your damage progression.
- Return to Attack or Defence when a weapon, equipment requirement or account goal makes that level worthwhile.
For a flexible general account
- Use relevant quest rewards to reduce early grinding where practical.
- Keep Attack, Strength and Defence moving toward useful equipment and weapon requirements.
- Once those requirements are met, put more training into Strength if higher damage is your priority.
- Choose a training method that also fits your attention level and any side goals.
For a free-to-play account
- Use the best scimitar available to your Attack level, with Rune scimitar as a target at 40 Attack.
- Choose an amulet based on whether Strength raises your max hit or Power’s accuracy and defence are more useful.
- Match armour to the target’s attack style and select the combat style that awards the stat you want to train.
- Consider the Blast Furnace pump only if avoiding Hitpoints experience is part of your account plan and you meet its Strength requirement.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
