Osrs crossbows range from basic Hunter’s Knives to powerful Dragonbone bolts with various crossbows like the Rune Crossbow, Dragonfire Crossbow, and Armadyl Crossbow, each suited for different combat levels and needs. Choose based on your Ranged level, attack style, and target monster for optimal effectiveness.
Welcome, aspiring adventurers, to the world of Old School RuneScape! If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a sea of crossbows in the Grand Exchange or wondering which bolt to pair with your bow, you’re not alone. Choosing the right crossbow can feel like a puzzle, especially when you’re just starting. But don’t worry! I’m here to help you cut through the confusion.
We’ll break down the different crossbows, what makes them special, and which ones are perfect for your Ranged training journey. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident picking out exactly what you need to hit harder, faster, and smarter in Gielinor. Ready to level up your crossbow game?
Understanding the Basics: Crossbows in OSRS
In Old School RuneScape, crossbows are a fantastic weapon for players who want to attack enemies from a distance. They use bolts, which are paired with various types of crossbows to determine your attack power and speed. Think of it like this: the crossbow is your launcher, and the bolts are your ammunition!
What’s great about crossbows is that they offer a good balance between power and speed, and they are very beginner-friendly. You don’t need to worry about stringing them or complex reload mechanics. Just equip your crossbow, load your bolts, and start shooting!
The effectiveness of your crossbow attack in OSRS depends on a few things:
- Your Ranged level: Higher levels mean you can wield better crossbows and hit more accurately.
- The type of crossbow you use: Some are stronger than others.
- The type of bolts you use: These are crucial for boosting your damage and accuracy.
- Your target: Different monsters have different weaknesses.
The Evolution of Obsolete Arrows: Introducing Crossbows
Before we dive into specific crossbows, let’s talk about how they fit into the ranged combat system. In OSRS, ranged combat primarily involves bows and crossbows. While bows are generally faster (e.g., shortbows), crossbows often offer higher damage per hit, making them excellent for players who prioritize raw power or are training against tougher enemies. They also have a slower attack speed than many bows, but this can be mitigated with better bolt types and specific crossbow upgrades.
The progression of ranged equipment in OSRS is designed to reward players as they train their Ranged skill and complete quests. You start with very basic items and gradually unlock more powerful gear as your levels increase. This ensures that there’s always something new to strive for!
Ranged Gear Progression: A Sneak Peek
While this guide focuses on crossbows, it’s helpful to know where they fit in. Generally, the progression looks something like this:
- Level 1-20: Novice bows (shortbow, longbow), basic crossbows.
- Level 20-50: Better shortbows, longerbows, Rune Crossbow.
- Level 50+: Magic Bow, better crossbows, higher-tier bolts.
- Level 70-90+: Dragonfire Crossbow, Armadyl Crossbow, and advanced bolt types.
Beginner-Friendly Crossbows: Where to Start
For new players, the journey into ranged combat often begins with simpler weapons. These are accessible, affordable, and perfect for learning the ropes.
1. Bronze Crossbow (and onwards: Iron, Steel, Mithril, Adamant)
These are your absolute starting point. You can buy them easily from shops or craft them if you have the Smithing level. They require a Ranged level of 10 to wield.
- Pros: Very cheap, readily available, good for early Ranged training.
- Cons: Low accuracy and damage.
You’ll typically use these with bronze, iron, steel, mithril, or adamant bolts, depending on your Ranged level and what you can afford. As your Ranged level increases, you’ll move up the metal tiers.
2. Broad Bolts
While not a crossbow in itself, it’s important to mention Broad Bolts early on because they are a significant upgrade for low-level players. To use Broad Bolts, you first need to complete the “Slayer Masters” quest and have at least 55 Slayer. They can be bought from any Slayer master.
- Pros: Significantly better accuracy for their cost than adamant or rune bolts in this tier.
- Cons: Requires 55 Slayer to use.
These bolts can be used with any crossbow that can fire them, making them a popular choice for low to mid-level Ranged training, especially if you’re also training Slayer.
3. Rune Crossbow
This is a major milestone for most players. The Rune Crossbow requires a Ranged level of 40 and a Defence level of 44 to equip. It’s a significant upgrade from the lower-tier metal crossbows and is a staple for many players for a long time.
- Pros: Good accuracy and damage for its level requirement, widely available, and can use higher-tier bolts.
- Cons: Requires 44 Defence, which might be a barrier for some players.
Once you can wield it, the Rune Crossbow is excellent for training Ranged throughout the popular mid-level combat bracket. For bolts, you’ll want to pair it with Mithril, Adamant, Rune, or even Broad Bolts if you meet the Slayer requirement.
Mid-Game Crossbows: Stepping Up Your Game
As your Ranged and Defence levels climb, you’ll unlock access to more powerful and specialized crossbows. These weapons offer better stats and open up more combat opportunities.
1. Dragonfire Crossbow
This crossbow is a fantastic upgrade, requiring Ranged level 60 and Defence level 60 to equip. It’s known for its high accuracy and damage, making it a step up from the Rune Crossbow. It can be purchased from the Grand Exchange or crafted through the Hunter skill at level 70 (using Dragonbone and a crossbow string).
- Pros: High accuracy and damage, good for training and combat, can be used with many higher-tier bolts.
- Cons: Requires 60 Defence, can be expensive.
- Special Feature: If you bring an Anti-dragon shield or Dragonfire ward, the Dragonfire Crossbow can be imbued with dragonfire protection, making it useful for fighting dragons.
The Dragonfire Crossbow is a solid choice for fighting a wide variety of monsters, including dragons, as long as you have the relevant shield to imbue its power.
2. Armadyl Crossbow
The Armadyl Crossbow is a top-tier ranged weapon, requiring a Ranged level of 75 and a Defence level of 70 to equip. It’s obtained as a rare drop from the Armadyl Boss in the God Wars Dungeon. Its stats are superb, making it one of the best crossbows available in the game for its class.
- Pros: Excellent accuracy and damage, highly sought after, pairs extremely well with the best available bolts.
- Cons: Very expensive (due to rarity of drop), requires high Ranged and Defence levels, requires access to the God Wars Dungeon.
This crossbow is a significant investment and endgame weapon. When wielding the Armadyl Crossbow, players will want to pair it with the highest-tier bolts they can use to maximize their damage output.
The Importance of Bolts: Ammunition Matters!
A crossbow is only as good as the bolts it shoots! The type of bolts you use has a huge impact on your damage and accuracy. Just like crossbows, bolts have level requirements and are tiered by material and effectiveness.
Common Bolt Tiers and Their Uses
Here’s a look at a few key bolt types you’ll encounter:
| Bolt Type | Ranged Level Req. | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze Bolts | 1 | Cheap, widely available. | Very low accuracy and damage. |
| Iron Bolts | 10 | Slightly better than Bronze. | Still low effectiveness. |
| Steel Bolts | 20 | Decent for very early training. | Outclassed quickly. |
| Mithril Bolts | 30 | Good step up from Steel. | Moderate effectiveness. |
| Adamant Bolts | 40 | Solid mid-tier bolts. | Good for Rune Crossbow users. |
| Rune Bolts | 50 | Good damage, suitable for Rune Crossbow. | Can be pricey. |
| Broad Bolts | 55 Slayer | Excellent accuracy for their cost, good for training. (Can use with Rune Crossbow and higher) | Requires Slayer Master unlock. |
| Dragon Bolts (Unf) | 60 | High damage potential. (Requires a Smithing level of 68 to add dragon metal) | Expensive to make and very expensive to buy. |
| Dragon Bolts | 60 | High damage, best for high-level Ranged. | Extremely expensive. |
| Amethyst Bolts | 75 | High accuracy, good damage. | Can be costly. |
| Dragonfire Bolts | 75 | Very high damage, best for specific tasks. | Expensive, best for dragon-related combat. |
Special Bolts and Their Uses
Beyond the basic tiers, several special bolts offer unique benefits. These are often used in specific situations or by high-level players.
Rune Bolts: A Solid All-Rounder
Requiring level 50 Ranged, Rune Bolts are a popular choice once players can afford them. They offer a significant boost in accuracy and damage compared to Adamant Bolts and are a common pairing with the Rune Crossbow.
Broad Bolts: Slayer’s Best Friend
As mentioned, Broad Bolts are a game-changer for mid-level players, especially those training the Slayer skill. They offer superior accuracy for their price point, making them incredibly efficient for killing Slayer monsters. Remember, you need at least 55 Slayer to use them, and they can be purchased from any Slayer Master.
For more on Slayer and its unique gear, check out the OSRS Wiki’s Slayer page. It’s a fantastic resource for understanding the skill and its associated rewards.
Dragon Bolts: For Serious Damage
Dragon Bolts require level 60 Ranged to wield and offer some of the highest damage in the game. They can be crafted by adding a dragon metal shard to Dragon bolts (unf.) with level 68 Smithing. These are expensive and best reserved for demanding content or when you need to end a fight quickly.
Amethyst Bolts: High Accuracy Power
At Ranged level 75, you can start using Amethyst Bolts. These bolts are known for their excellent accuracy and good damage, making them a reliable choice for challenging encounters.
Dragonfire Bolts: The Dragon Slayer’s Choice
These are the pinnacle of dragon-fighting ammunition. Requiring Ranged level 75, Dragonfire Bolts deal massive bonus damage against dragons. If you’re planning to tackle dragon bosses or high-level dragon tasks, these are your go-to, especially when paired with a Dragonfire Crossbow and an Anti-dragon shield.
Choosing Your Crossbow: Factors to Consider
With so many options, how do you pick the best one for you? Here are the key factors:
- Your Ranged Level: This is the primary gatekeeper. You can only equip crossbows and use bolts that match or are below your trained Ranged level.
- Your Defence Level: Many of the best crossbows require a significant defence level. If you’re a pure Ranged (Ranger) or low-defence player, you might have to stick to crossbows that don’t have high Defence requirements.
- Your Budget: Some crossbows and bolts are incredibly expensive. Start with what you can afford and work your way up. The Grand Exchange is your best friend for checking prices.
- Your Goal: Are you training Ranged efficiently? Fighting dragons? Doing Slayer tasks? Different crossbows and bolt combinations shine in different scenarios.
- Attack Style: Crossbows offer a distinct ranged attack style. This can be beneficial for certain slayer tasks or boss encounters where you want to maintain distance or utilize specific buffs.
The Best Crossbows for Different Stages
Let’s make it even simpler with recommendations for different player stages:
Early Game (Levels 1-40 Ranged)
- Crossbow: Bronze Crossbow -> Iron Crossbow -> Steel Crossbow -> Mithril Crossbow -> Adamant Crossbow.
- Bolts: Bronze, Iron, Steel, Mithril, Adamant Bolts.
- Tip: Focus on bulk training here. Don’t break the bank on expensive bolts.
Mid Game (Levels 40-70 Ranged)
- Crossbow: Rune Crossbow (Ranged 40, Defence 44).
- Bolts: Adamant Bolts, Rune Bolts (Ranged 50), Broad Bolts (55 Slayer).
- Tip: Rune Crossbow is king here. Broad Bolts are incredibly cost-effective for training.
Late Game (Levels 70+ Ranged)
- Crossbow: Dragonfire Crossbow (Ranged 60, Defence 60), Armadyl Crossbow (Ranged 75, Defence 70).
- Bolts: Dragon Bolts (Ranged 60), Amethyst Bolts (Ranged 75), Dragonfire Bolts (Ranged 75).
- Tip: Armadyl Crossbow is generally considered the best in slot for its tier, but the Dragonfire Crossbow is also excellent, especially against dragons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the absolute best crossbow in OSRS?
For general use, the Armadyl Crossbow is widely considered the best crossbow in Old School RuneScape due to its high stats and attack speed. However, the Dragonfire Crossbow is excellent for fighting dragons and can be more accessible depending on your combat level.
Q2: Do I need to use bolts with specific crossbows?
Yes, generally, higher-tier crossbows are designed to be used with higher-tier bolts. While you can sometimes use lower-tier bolts, you’ll significantly reduce your accuracy and damage. Always try to match your bolt tier to your crossbow and Ranged level for optimal performance.
Q3: How do I get a Rune Crossbow?
You need a Ranged level of 40 and a Defence level of 44 to wield a Rune Crossbow. You can buy one from the Grand Exchange, have a friend craft it for you if they have the Smithing level, or potentially get it as a rare drop from certain monsters.
Q4: Are Broad Bolts worth it?
Absolutely! If you meet the 55 Slayer requirement, Broad Bolts are one of the most cost-effective and accurate ammo types for mid-level Ranged training. They are often better than Rune Bolts for training purposes due to their accuracy, even if their raw damage is slightly lower.