Top Melee Gear in OSRS: What Pros Use for Strength

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), mastering melee combat requires the right gear to maximize your strength and overall combat effectiveness. Here’s a detailed guide on the top melee gear that professionals use, focusing on strength bonuses and other critical stats.

Headgear: Maximizing Strength Bonuses

When it comes to headgear, several options stand out for their strength bonuses and overall melee performance.

Neitiznot Faceguard: This helmet provides a +6 melee strength bonus, making it one of the best choices for melee combat.
Serpentine Helm: Although degradable and expensive, this helm offers a +5 melee strength bonus. However, it requires careful management due to its degradable nature.
Inquisitor's Great Helm: Part of the Inquisitor's set, this helm gives a +4 melee strength bonus and an additional 0.5% strength bonus when using the crush style.

Amulets: Boosting Strength and Attack

Amulets play a crucial role in enhancing your melee capabilities, particularly when it comes to strength and attack bonuses.

Amulet of Torture: This amulet is highly sought after for its +10 melee strength bonus and additional attack bonuses. It requires 75 Hitpoints to wear.
Amulet of Strength: While it offers the same +10 melee strength bonus as the Amulet of Torture, it lacks the attack accuracy and defense bonuses, making the Amulet of Torture generally more desirable.
Amulet of Fury: Providing a +8 melee strength bonus, this amulet also offers good attack, defense, and prayer bonuses, making it a versatile choice.

Chestplates: Top Choices for Melee Strength

Chestplates are essential for both defense and strength bonuses in melee combat.

Bandos Chestplate: This chestplate offers a +4 melee strength bonus and is often compared to the Fighter Torso. Both are highly effective but have different requirements and additional bonuses.
Fighter Torso: Similar to the Bandos Chestplate, it provides a +4 melee strength bonus. The choice between these two often depends on the player's specific needs and playstyle.
Inquisitor's Cuirass: Part of the Inquisitor's set, this cuirass gives a +4 melee strength bonus and an additional 0.5% strength bonus when using the crush style.

Shields: Enhancing Strength and Defense

Shields are vital for both defensive capabilities and additional strength bonuses.

Avernic Defender: This shield offers a +30 stab bonus and is highly effective in combination with other gear. It requires a dragon defender and avernic defender hilt, along with Attack and Defence 70.
Vernick Defender: Providing a +8 melee strength bonus, this shield is a top choice for its balance of strength and defensive capabilities.
Dragon Defender: With a +6 melee strength bonus, this shield is another strong option, though it offers less strength bonus compared to the Vernick Defender.

Gloves: Maximizing Strength and Attack

Gloves can significantly enhance your melee performance by boosting strength and attack stats.

Ferocious Gloves: These gloves offer a +16 melee strength bonus, making them one of the best choices for melee combat. They require Attack and Strength 80 to wear.
Barrel Gloves: Providing a +12 melee strength bonus, these gloves are a good alternative if you cannot afford or equip the Ferocious Gloves.

Boots: Enhancing Strength and Defense

Boots can add significant strength and defensive bonuses to your overall gear setup.

Primordial Boots: These boots offer a +5 melee strength bonus, along with substantial defensive bonuses. They require 75 Strength and Defence to equip.
Dragon Boots: With a +4 melee strength bonus, these boots are a good option if you cannot afford the Primordial Boots.

Rings: Additional Strength Bonuses

Rings can provide additional strength bonuses to complement your other gear.

Berserker Ring (i): This ring offers a +8 melee strength bonus after being imbued, making it a top choice for melee players.
Brimestone Ring: Providing a +4 melee strength bonus, this ring also offers good attack and defense bonuses.

Capes: Enhancing Overall Combat Performance

Capes can add significant bonuses to both melee strength and overall defensive capabilities.

Infernal Cape: This cape provides a +8 melee strength bonus and is highly effective for its defensive bonuses across all combat styles. However, it requires completing the Inferno, which is a challenging task.
Fire Cape: A more accessible alternative, the Fire Cape offers a +4 melee strength bonus and is obtained from the Fight Caves.

Full Sets: Comprehensive Strength and Defense

Using full sets of armor can provide additional bonuses that enhance your overall melee performance.

Justiciar Armor Set: This set offers significant bonuses to stab, slash, and crush defense, along with a +10 prayer bonus. It requires 75 Defence to equip and is one of the best sets for melee combat.
Inquisitor's Set: This set provides a 0.5% strength bonus when using the crush style and additional bonuses when the full set is equipped.

By carefully selecting and combining these top melee gear pieces, you can significantly enhance your strength and overall combat effectiveness in OSRS.