Free-to-play melee training

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This article is about the free-to-play guide. For the members' guide, see Pay-to-play melee training.

This article or section is incomplete and could do with improvement. Reason: Needs to be updated considerably due to changes to combat XP in 2023 You can discuss this issue on the talk page or edit this page to improve it.

This article will provide non-members with information for training Attack, Strength, Defence, and Constitution effectively. It will explain which monsters are the best to kill at a certain level, providing the pros and cons of training on each monster. It will also provide tips and suggests suitable monsters to kill at a wide range of levels. This article assumes players are training attack, strength, and defence equally, or close to equal.

General training notes

• It is highly recommended that players use the best equipment available to them at their level. For example, if whilst training you reach an Attack level of 40, it is worth going to buy an Adamant weapon immediately.
• It is recommended to train against monsters that are weak to melee attacks. This is generally more effective than fighting monsters that are weak to ranged or weak to magic. Try to match your attack style to the monster's weakness for maximum damage, and therefore exp/hour; a player attacking a slash-weak monster with a crushing weapon will train slower than a player who attacks with a slashing weapon.
• Use of the Revolution combat mode is strongly recommended.
• Depending on the monster's combat level and stats, food may be necessary.
• Try to fight monsters with low defence, which means the monster is easier to hit, therefore providing faster experience.
• It is advised that you carry a teleportation item or teleport runes (if your Magic level is high enough) just in case. (The lodestone network can be used instead for less dangerous cases.)
• When fighting monsters that are aggressive, turn on Auto Retaliate for an easier training experience.
• Using attack, strength and defence potions when training will both increase exp/hour and extend the duration of trips. It is possible to obtain 100 percent hit accuracy without a potion, and if so, attack potions do not help anymore (unless enemies can drain attack).
• Two ultimate abilities can be chosen. Rejuvenate lessens the need for food somewhat, but requires constant monitoring in game and the player must have a shield equipped. Overpower deals an accurate blow with high damage.
  • Some players have developed a method which equips between two-handed sword and a shield, they are benefited from heightened attack power and not losing the rejuvenation ability. Those players finish a fight with full adrenaline, change to a shield and immediately queue Rejuvenate. The downside is they cannot attack during the 10 seconds in rejuvenation, which is of little concern as most monsters are not aggressive.

Common equipment, accessories, and setups

Weaponry

Damage output over time is roughly the same for any weapon for the same tier. The accuracy greatly depends on the properties of the targeted monsters. Monsters with high defence need weapons with high accuracy and suitable attack style, while weak ones are quite free on the choices. One can consult hit-chance calculators online. Each weapon only has one of three attack methods: stab, slash or crush. The player can choose which skill to train as mentioned before.

Two-handed weapons or dual-wielded weapons are recommended for their 50% damage boost over using a weapon and a shield.

The basics

Weapons and armour

Remember to keep your equipment up to par. As you train, you will start to be able to use stronger combat items. Once you can use a better combat weapon, try to save up the money for it. The ideal path to take for your choice of equipment is as follows: bronze, iron, steel, black, Mithril, Adamant, and rune. The armour sets from bronze to steel are actually fairly lackluster and unnecessary, provided that you only train on the weak monsters such as adolescent white wolves. It is strongly recommended that you wield the best weapon and armour available to you, but weapon is far more important than armour in training.

A better weapon means more damage and increased accuracy, which results in more experience gained in a shorter period of time. Better armour reduces the likelihood of enemies damaging you, which allows you to stay at a training spot for a longer time with less food. It is also advised to wear an amulet of strength, as it gives a Strength bonus of 18, compared to the 15 of an Amulet of power. The amulet of defence provides a Strength bonus of 8, while also providing a small armour bonus, but also inferior to an amulet of strength.

Inventory and drops

For players with at least 52 Defence, the Rejuvenate ability makes food less critical for training, though some will still be useful against enemies to deal enough damage to outpace it, or to avoid wasting adrenaline.

Finding a good balance of food to bring is a necessity for any player. Filling up with food may sound good for training, but inventory space may be needed for potential drops, especially if you are against low-level monsters where food is rarely consumed. If you are looking to make money while training, remember to consider the cost of the food you bring.

Swordfish is one of the best foods for training as a free player, as they are the highest-healing foods in f2p and only cost 157 coins. An emergency teleportation item, such as War's Retreat Teleport, an explorer's ring, or a ring of kinship, is recommended for training in areas with aggressive and/or high-level monsters. If a monster gets a lucky streak and manages to hit you hard, you may find yourself with a small number of life points, and a method of quick escape may be necessary. Since combat experience increases with kill rate, attack and strength potions are strongly recommended for all players, although they are not necessary. Defence potions are also recommended as they effectively extend the duration of trips.

Some players choose to also collect bones, but this is not recommended for players with Prayer levels of 45 or higher as it decreases exp/hour. While collecting bones is often tedious and can be boring at times, it can be helpful since burying bones can lead to more powerful Prayers. Bones can be buried for 4.5 Prayer experience each or sold for 103 coins on the Grand Exchange, for a total of 2,884 coins per inventory. Big bones can be buried for 15 Prayer experience each, or sold for 152 coins on the Grand Exchange, for a total of 4,256 coins per inventory.

Using Area loot will often help with collecting drops.

Attack styles

Train Attack, Strength, and Defence as you see fit – this preference is different for every player. Generally, high Attack will be vital against opponents with high Defence as it increases accuracy; high Strength will be best if you want to do more damage, albeit inferior to the damage bonus from a superior weapon; and high Defence will alleviate the need for food, as you will be hit less often. If you're not sure what to raise, raise them equally. This method works extremely well in the long run. For most training methods, raising Attack, Strength, and then Defence will provide the fastest experience. You will want to train Attack to a decent level first to equip a powerful weapon to both increase your chances of hitting the monster, and increase your damage before you raise your Strength level to increase damage further.

Most melee weapons require an Attack level to wield, with the exception of mauls in Daemonheim and members only weapons such as the Barrelchest anchor. Each increased tier of weapon increases max hit by 14.4 whereas each Strength level increases your max hit by only 3.75. For example, upgrading from an Iron 2h sword at level 10 Attack to a Steel 2h sword at level 20 Attack will increase max hit by 144, while raising Strength by a similar 10 levels would result in only a 37.5 increase.

A very successful method is to train Attack until you can use the next tier weapon. That new weapon has higher stats and allows one to get bigger hits and train much faster. Then train Strength to the level of Attack. Finally, train Defence to the level of Attack and Strength. Now purchase the armour of the newly-unlocked tier and repeat.

Equipment

Level 1	Typical weapons
	Bronze scimitar Bronze longsword Bronze battleaxe Bronze 2h sword
Bronze armour
Levels required
None

Level 10	Typical weapons
	Iron scimitar Iron longsword Iron battleaxe Iron 2h sword 10 Attack
Iron armour
Levels required
10 Defence

Level 20	Typical weapons
	Steel scimitar Steel longsword Steel battleaxe Steel 2h sword 20 Attack
Steel armour
Levels required
20 Defence

Level 25	Typical weapons
	Black scimitar Black longsword Black battleaxe Black 2h sword 25 Attack
Black armour
Levels required
25 Defence

Level 30	Typical weapons
	Mithril scimitar Mithril longsword Mithril battleaxe Mithril 2h sword 30 Attack
Mithril armour
Levels required
30 Defence

Level 40	Typical weapons
	Adamant scimitar Adamant longsword Adamant battleaxe Adamant 2h sword 40 Attack
Adamant armour
Levels required
40 Defence

Level 50	Typical weapons
	Rune scimitar Rune longsword Rune battleaxe Rune 2h sword 50 Attack Gravite rapier Gravite longsword Gravite 2h sword 55 Attack
Rune armour
Levels required
50 Defence

Suggested monsters to train on

The levels below refer to individual combat stat levels, not your overall combat level (so a player with level 15 Strength would refer to the section titled "Level 1 to 20").

Level 1 to 20

As your Attack and Defence levels progress, upgrade your equipment from bronze to iron to steel etc.

One of the most efficient areas to train is the Burthorpe Troll Cave (north of Burthorpe) yielding a vast number of level-2 Troll Chuckers, Troll Brutes and Troll Shamans. Upon death these NPCs earn you 40 experience per kill and are normally one-shot kills, making this an extremely efficient area for rapid combat training. This will allow you to get up to 20 in all combat skills effectively. Along with their high numbers they also have an extremely fast respawn rate (between 20-30 seconds). You will never run out.

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Troll brute, Troll shaman, Troll chucker	Burthorpe Troll Cave, north of Burthorpe	1	250	12.5 (and 4.1 )	None	Use a bronze/iron 2h sword or a weapon with high attack speed
Advantages				Disadvantages
Very low defence, often one-shot kills. Around 40,000 xp/h, assuming 990 kills. Fast spawn rates				Often crowded

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Warped cockroach, Corpse spider	Lumbridge Catacombs	1, 4	500, 600	25 ,30 (and 8.2,9,9 ), 25.5 (and 8.4 )	None	Use a bronze/iron 2h sword or a weapon with high attack speed, e.g. Mace
Advantages				Disadvantages
Very low defence, often one-shot kills. Around 20,000 exp/h. Extremely fast spawn rates				Often crowded, but is largely compensated by spawn rates

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Chicken	Farm across from cow field, north-east of Lumbridge Fred's farm, south cabbage field north of Lumbridge	2	250	25 (and 4.1 )	None	Use a bronze/iron 2h sword or a weapon with high attack speed
Advantages				Disadvantages
Maximum hit of 4				None

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Cow calf, Cow	Cow pen on east side of River Lum	4/6	1100	55 (and 18.1 ), 25.5 (and 8.4 )	None	Use the best possible two-handed sword available
Advantages				Disadvantages
Good experience given the ease of killing them Drop cowhides for selling or tanning.				Often crowded

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Goblin	Stronghold of Security	{{{combat}}}	50, 100, 200, (Unknown), 150, 200, 225, 250, 400	65 (and 21 )	None	Use the best possible two-handed sword available at your Attack level
Advantages				Disadvantages
Weak and relatively easy to kill Common				Occasionally crowded

Level 20- 30

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Giant rat	Stronghold of Security	9	1650	82.5(and 27.2)	None	Use the best possible two-handed sword available
Advantages				Disadvantages
Not crowded				None

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Minotaur	Stronghold of Security	14	2000	100 (and ?)	None	Use the best possible two-handed sword available
Advantages				Disadvantages
Not crowded				None

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Crawling hand	Burthorpe Slayer Cave	11	1750	87.5 (and 28.8 )	level 5 slayer	Use the best possible two-handed sword available
Advantages				Disadvantages
Not crowded				None

Level 30 - 40

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Hobgoblin	Hobgoblin Peninsula	30, 35	3750	165, 187.5(and 14.6,17.8 )	None	Use the best possible two-handed sword available
Advantages				Disadvantages
Not crowded				None

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Corpse archer	Lumbridge Catacombs	18	2350	117.5 (and 38.7 )	The Blood Pact	Use a weapon such as a Mithril mace/warhammer
Advantages				Disadvantages
				Sometimes crowded

Level 40 - 50

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Hill giant	• Edgeville Dungeon • Edgeville Dungeon hill giant resource dungeon	44	4,850	242.5 (and 80 )	20 to access the resource dungeon (optional)	Bring food such as swordfish, and also a brass key for easier access to the dungeon.
Advantages				Disadvantages
Always drops big bones Low Defence				Aggressive until at higher levels Relatively high maximum hit (192)

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Flesh Crawler	Stronghold of Security (Second level)	40	4650	232.5 (and 76.7 )	Access to Stronghold of Security	Use dual Adamant daggers/swords
Advantages				Disadvantages
Weak to stab Decent drops if looking for money				Often crowded

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Giant spider	Stronghold of Security (Third level)	39	4500	225 (and 74.2 )	Access to Stronghold of Security	Use dual Adamant maces/warhammers
Advantages				Disadvantages
Weak to crush				Does not drop anything

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Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Moss giants	• Varrock Sewers (4) • Crandor (3)	47	6800	340 (and 112.2 )	Partial completion of Dragon Slayer (for access to Crandor)	Use a Rune/Gravite 2h sword
Advantages				Disadvantages
Drops big bones

Level 50 - 70

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Hill giant	• Edgeville Dungeon • Edgeville Dungeon hill giant resource dungeon	44	4,850	242.5 (and 80 )	20 to access the resource dungeon (optional)	Bring food such as swordfish, and also a brass key for easier access to the dungeon.
Advantages				Disadvantages
Always drops big bones Low Defence				Aggressive until at higher levels Relatively high maximum hit (192)

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Moss giants	• Varrock Sewers (4) • Crandor (3)	47	6800	340 (and 112.2 )	Partial completion of Dragon Slayer (for access to Crandor)	Use a Rune/Gravite 2h sword
Advantages				Disadvantages
Drops big bones

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Minotaurs	• Stronghold of Security (40)	52	3700	307 (and 101 )	None, however having a Skull sceptre can save time when banking/accessing the place.	Use a Rune/Gravite 2h sword
Advantages				Disadvantages
High hit chance despite being weak to water spells Very crowded area, useful for training with area-of-effect abilities Experience rates up to 90k/h

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Ankou	Stronghold of Security (Level Four)	61	7250	362.5 (and 119.6 )	Partial completion of the Stronghold of Security	Use a Rune/Gravite 2h sword
Advantages				Disadvantages
Decent drops				Not weak to melee

Level 70+

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Clan Wars free-for-all (white portal) on world 3	Gamers' Grotto	N/A	N/A	N/A	None (high combat stats strongly recommended)	Use full rune equipment
Advantages				Disadvantages
Up to 160,000 exp/hour All items are kept upon death, respawn is instant Experience is awarded even if you die in a fight The lower section is single-way combat, which prevents multiple players from attacking you simultaneously				No drops Weaker players may find that they do not receive as much experience as stronger players Requires rapid Prayer switching for optimal exp/hour

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Giant spider	Stronghold of Security (Third level)	39	4500	225 (and 74.2 )	Access to Stronghold of Security	Use a Rune/Gravite 2h sword
Advantages				Disadvantages
Experience rates up to 150k/h

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Ice giant, Ice warrior	Asgarnian Ice Dungeon	54, 56	6300,8,150	315, 407.5 (and 103.9,134.4 )	None
Advantages				Disadvantages
Experience rates up to 120k/h Aggressive, therefore semi-afk

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Ankou, Ghost	Stronghold of Security (Level Four)	61, 46	7250, 5300	362.5, 291 (and 119.6, 87.4 )	Partial completion of the Stronghold of Security	Use a Rune/Gravite 2h sword/ Ghost hunter equipment
Advantages				Disadvantages
Decent drops Experience rates up to 200k/h				Not weak to melee A lot of food will be needed. The most effective ones are Swordfish or Lobster Hits hard and fast

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Deadly red spider	• Varrock Sewers (9) • Karamja Dungeon (5)	95	6,150	307.5 (and 101.4 )	None	Use a Rune mace/warhammer with a Off-hand gravite longsword/rapier
Advantages				Disadvantages
Up to 123,000 , or exp/hour (assumes 400 kills/hour) Weak to crush; players can reach 100 percent accuracy with 89 attack and a level 53 crush weapon See the in-depth strategy guide to maximise experience				No profitable drops A lot of food will be needed. The most effective ones are Swordfish or Lobster Can be difficult to hit if not using a crush weapon

Monster name	Location(s)	Combat level	Life points	Experience	Requirements	Recommendations
Hellhound	• Forinthry dungeon • Wilderness Crater	92	3300	165 (and 154.4 )	None	Use a Rune/Gravite 2h sword and the Protect Item prayer (strongly recommended); bring food (such as swordfish)
Advantages				Disadvantages
Up to 107,000 , or exp/hour (assumes 650 kills/hour) Weak to slash; players can reach 100 percent accuracy with either (1) 82 attack and a level 55 slash weapon or (2) 84 attack and a level 53 slash weapon Fast respawn rate Aggressive, therefore semi-afk Drops bones, so using a Twisted bird skull necklace, one may keep multiple prayers activated without consuming prayer potions See the in-depth strategy guide to maximise experience				Hits hard and fast No profitable drops Can be difficult to hit Located in the Wilderness

Quests for Melee training

Quests for Attack experience

Quest	Members	Experience reward	Attack requirement	Other requirements
The Blood Pact		100	N/A	N/A
A Shadow over Ashdale		300	N/A	N/A
Total		400

Quests for Strength experience

Quest	Members	Experience reward	Strength requirement	Other requirements
The Blood Pact		100	-
The Death of Chivalry		250	-
A Shadow over Ashdale		300	-
Dragon Slayer		18,650	-
Total		19,300

Quests for Defence experience

Quest	Members	Experience reward	Defence requirement	Other requirements
The Blood Pact		100	N/A	N/A
A Shadow over Ashdale		300	N/A	N/A
A Soul's Bane		500	N/A	N/A
Dragon Slayer		18,650	N/A	N/A
Total		19,550

Quests for Constitution experience

Quest	Members	Experience reward	Constitution requirement	Other requirements
Stolen Hearts		250	-
A Shadow over Ashdale		300	-
A Soul's Bane		500	-
Song from the Depths		700	-
Witch's House		6,325	-
Total		8,075