Defence training methods, level 1 to 99
13 ways to train Defence in Old School RuneScape, from level 1 to 99, with the XP an hour the wiki gives for each, how much attention it takes and what it needs.
The fastest listed is Maniacal monkeys with Hallowfell at up to about 170k XP an hour, from level 75. The best AFK option is Sulphur naguas at up to about 110k XP an hour, from level 55.
Open the plannerType your name to see which of these your account has unlocked.
| Level | Method | XP | Attention | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Defensive bursting maniacal monkeysKruk's Dungeon: Monkey Madness II started is enough; bring a light source. Ice Burst on the defensive style gives 1 Defence XP a damage beside Magic XP. Max hit 25. Needs Desert Treasure I, Monkey Madness II, 70 Magic, 43 Prayer. | ≈ 89k an hour | Semi-AFK | Mains |
| 1 | Quest skip to level 31Holy Grail gives 15,300 Defence XP for level 31. Dragon Slayer I adds 18,650 Defence and 18,650 Strength XP. Olaf's Quest gives 12,000 Defence. | no hourly rate | Active | Everyone |
| 1 | Gemstone CrabTlati Rainforest. No defence, infinite HP, no food, two clicks every 10 minutes and gems. The wiki gives no rate, so this one is estimated from your Strength level. Needs Children of the Sun. | depends on your levels | AFK | Everyone |
| 1 | Ammonite or sand crabsSand crabs in Hosidius need nothing, ammonite crabs need Bone Voyage. Aggressive for 10 minutes, then reset. Estimated: near the Gemstone Crab rate, less at high levels. | depends on your levels | AFK | Everyone |
| 20 | BrutusCow boss in the Lumbridge cow field, free-to-play. Gives double combat XP and is back in 8 seconds once you ring the cowbell amulet. Dodge his charge and stomp. Needs The Ides of Milk. | ≈ 18k to 60k an hour | Active | Everyone |
| 50 | Vyrewatch SentinelsDarkmeyer with the blisterwood flail, praying melee. Guide says up to 54k and about 130k gp an hour in alchs. After The Blood Moon Rises carry a garlic cocktail. Needs Sins of the Father, 43 Prayer, 50 Attack. | ≈ 17k to 47k an hour | AFK | Ironmen |
| 55 | Sulphur naguasNeypotzli: Perilous Moons started is enough. Pray melee on moonlight potions made on site (38 Herblore). Glacial temotli or sulphur blades, dual macuahuitl from 75. Needs Perilous Moons, 48 Slayer, 43 Prayer, 38 Herblore, 55 Attack. | ≈ 75k to 110k an hour | AFK | Everyone |
| 55 | ScurriusVarrock Sewers rat boss. Solo the public-room version with a bone mace for 100k or more at base 70 stats. The mace needs a 1 in 33 spine drop. Takes focus. Needs 40 Prayer, 50 Attack. | ≈ 79k to 100k an hour | Active | Everyone |
| 70 | Nightmare ZoneNorth of Yanille. Normal rumble on absorption potions: one click every 20 minutes. Overloads add XP but need a sip every 5. Needs 5 eligible quests and a 22,000 coin fee. | ≈ 70k to 86k an hour | AFK | Everyone |
| 70 | Slayer tasks with meleeThe ironman guide's main source of melee XP, since the whip, dragon boots and other gear are locked behind Slayer. Slayer helm boosts damage on task. No rate given. | no hourly rate | Active | Everyone |
| 75 | Maniacal monkeys with HallowfellKruk's Dungeon: Monkey Madness II started is enough, and bring a light source. Hallowfell hits up to three stacked monkeys. Auto retaliate alone gives less. Needs Monkey Madness II, 43 Prayer, 75 Attack. | ≈ 170k an hour | Active | Mains |
| 75 | Maniacal monkeys with a Hallowfell dropKruk's Dungeon: Monkey Madness II started is enough, and bring a light source. Hallowfell is a rare drop from the Mad Angel, fought after Fallen From Grace. Needs Monkey Madness II, Fallen From Grace, 43 Prayer, 75 Attack. | ≈ 170k an hour | Active | Ironmen |
| 80 | GargoylesSlayer Tower with a rock hammer. Upwards of 700k gp an hour in alchable drops. Rate is for a whip or scimitar; a granite hammer at 230 kills an hour gives about 97k. Needs Priest in Peril, 75 Slayer. | ≈ 60k an hour | Semi-AFK | Everyone |
This list is not complete. Every method here was checked against the Old School RuneScape Wiki, and some good ones will be missing. If you know one, suggest it and it will be checked and added.
Adapted from the Old School RuneScape Wiki: Brutus, Ironman Guide/Melee, Maniacal monkey/Strategies, Money making guide/Killing gargoyles, Pay-to-play Melee training. Rates are the wiki’s and assume its listed setups. Licensed CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.