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Melee
Skill Overview
Melee combat involves swords, daggers, and other weapons. There are three melee skills: Attack, Strength, and Defence. Attack determines how often you hit, strength determines how much damage you can deal, and defence determines how often you get hit.
Useful Items
When training melee combat in free-to-play you should use the best scimitar that you can equip at your current attack level, and the best armour you can equip at your current defence level.
You should also equip an amulet of power, some gloves, and a cape for some extra bonuses. If you haven't already, you should visit the Stronghold of Security to get either the fighting boots or rainbow boots. Green d'hide vambraces are the best glove slot item in free-to-play.
Using strength potions is always a good idea, as it will give you more experience per hour.
Skill Locations
- Lumbridge
- Barbarian Village
- Edgeville Dungeon
- Varrock sewers
- Stronghold of Security
- Corsair Cove Dungeon
Low Level Methods
Starting out (Levels 1-20)
To select the melee skill you want to train (either attack, strength, or defence), you can change your attack style in the combat menu. You will gain hitpoints experience no matter which style you use.
From 1-10 you will kill chickens at Lumbridge, it is recommended to pick up the feathers, as they are stackable and only take up one inventory space. Then from 10-20 you will kill cows, also at Lumbridge, if you wish you can pick up the cowhides for a bit of profit.
Fast Training Methods
Fastest Training Methods (20-99)
From level 20-30 you will kill barbarians at Barbarian Village. This is a useful location to train because you can get free food from players fishing at the nearby fishing spot, there is also cooked meat in the north hall.
From 30-40 you will kill hill giants in the Edgeville Dungeon, you will need to buy a brass key to enter. Optionally you can make some money by picking up their runes and big bones.
From 40-70 you will kill Moss Giants in the Varrock sewers. It is recommended that you bring a staff of fire and nature runes for high alchemy, and some food.
And finally, from 70-99 you will kill giant spiders in the Stronghold of Security. This is a semi-afk method with auto-retaliate on, however you should always keep an eye on your hitpoints. Bring strength potions and food. When they stop being aggressive, run to a different area and run back. Giant spiders are the fastest melee combat xp/h in free-to-play.
Profitable Methods
Ogress Warriors (80+)
Ogress warriors have the best drops in free-to-play, they can be found in the Corsair Cove Dungeon. They are quite strong, so it is recommended that you bring food. A staff of fire and nature runes are also recommended for high alching their drops.
Their best drops are rune med helm, rune full helm, rune battleaxe, and the shaman mask.
Alternative Methods
Clan Wars
If you happen to have an alt with low defence and high hitpoints, you can train on it in the clan wars free for all portal. This provides high xp/h.
Vampire Slayer (4,825 attack xp)
Dragon Slayer (18,650 strength xp, 18,650 defence xp)
Quests for XP
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