OSRS Defence Pure Gear Builds Explained
This page is a streamlined collection of Old School RuneScape Defence Pure builds designed for players who want clear, practical gear setups without digging through long explanations.
Whether you’re training Defence on a free account, optimising AFK sessions as a member, pushing faster XP with active builds, or using a Defence Pure for real combat and PvM, each section below provides a focused loadout you can copy and use immediately.
Want full explanations, levelling routes, and progression advice?
Free-to-Play Defence Pure Builds
Free-to-play Defence Pures are built around patience and efficiency. Training Defence on a free account means spending hundreds of hours attacking on Defensive mode, where accuracy and attack speed matter far more than raw damage.
Because most Strength-boosting gear is locked behind membership, F2P builds focus on using the fastest available weapons, maximising accuracy where possible, and taking advantage of the few Strength bonuses that are accessible. This setup is simple, reliable, and proven, ideal for long grinds such as Monk training and other low-risk Defence training methods.
Why are slots marked as ‘Any’?
Some gear slots offer no meaningful benefit to Defence training on a free account. Where this is the case, the build leaves those slots open so you can equip whatever you already own.
If you want to optimise slightly, prioritise items with higher Defence bonuses, otherwise feel free to use cosmetic or convenience gear. Free accounts have very limited gear options, so this flexibility is intentional.
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Any | – |
| Cape | Any | – |
| Amulet | Amulet of power | +6 STR +6 Crush |
| Weapon | Goblin paint cannon | (Crush DMG) 3 ATT Speed |
| Body | Any | – |
| Shield | – | – |
| Legs | Any | – |
| Hands | Any | – |
| Feet | Decorative boots (gold) | +1 STR |
| Ring | N/A | – |
Best for: Long F2P grinds, Monk training, minimal gear investment
Member Defence Pure AFK Builds
These AFK builds are designed for members who want steady Defence experience with minimal attention. The focus is on maximising accuracy and maintaining a fast attack speed so you hit as often as possible while reducing the number of zero-damage hits.
As your Defence level increases, you unlock access to stronger gear with additional Strength bonuses, allowing your AFK efficiency to scale naturally over time. These setups represent the best-in-slot options for long AFK sessions where consistency matters more than peak XP rates.
Gear availability improves significantly at higher Defence levels. Select your current Defence level below to see the best-in-slot AFK setup available to you at that stage.
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Any | – |
| Cape | Any | – |
| Amulet | Amulet of fury | +8 STR +10 Crush |
| Weapon | Maple blackjack | +20 STR, Crush DMG, 4 ATT SPD |
| Body | Any | – |
| Shield | Any | – |
| Legs | Fremennik kilt | +1 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Crush, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Spiked manacles | +4 STR |
| Ring | Brimstone ring | +4 STR, +4 Crush |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Fighter hat | +5 Slash |
| Cape | Any | – |
| Amulet | Amulet of strength | +10 STR |
| Weapon | Red topaz machete | +10 STR, +16 Slash, 4 ATT SPD |
| Body | Fighter torso | +4 STR |
| Shield | Any | – |
| Legs | Fremennik kilt | +1 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Slash, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Spiked manacles | +4 STR |
| Ring | Berserker ring (i) | +8 STR |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Fighter hat | +5 Slash |
| Cape | Any | – |
| Amulet | Amulet of fury | +8 STR +10 Slash |
| Weapon | Red topaz machete | +10 STR, +16 Slash, 4 ATT SPD |
| Body | Fighter torso | +4 STR |
| Shield | Toktz-ket-xil | +5 STR |
| Legs | Obsidian platelegs | +1 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Slash, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Brimstone ring | +4 STR, +4 Slash |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Obsidian helmet | +3 STR |
| Cape | Ardougne cloak 1 | +2 Stab |
| Amulet | Amulet of strength | +10 STR |
| Weapon | Swift blade | (Stab DMG) 3 ATT Speed |
| Body | Fighter torso | +4 STR |
| Shield | Toktz-ket-xil | +5 STR |
| Legs | Bandos tassets | +2 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Stab, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Berserker ring (i) | +8 STR |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Obsidian helmet | +3 STR |
| Cape | Ardougne cloak 1 | +2 Stab |
| Amulet | Amulet of fury | +8 STR +10 Stab |
| Weapon | Swift blade | (Stab DMG) 3 ATT Speed |
| Body | Fighter torso | +4 STR |
| Shield | Dragonfire shield | +7 STR |
| Legs | Bandos tassets | +2 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Stab, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Berserker ring (i) | +8 STR |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Fighter hat | +5 Stab |
| Cape | Ardougne cloak 1 | +2 Stab |
| Amulet | Amulet of rancour | +12 STR, +25 Stab |
| Weapon | Swift blade | (Stab DMG) 3 ATT Speed |
| Body | Torva platebody | +6 STR |
| Shield | Dragonfire shield | +7 STR |
| Legs | Torva platelegs | +4 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Stab, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Brimstone ring | +4 STR, +4 Stab |
Best for: Low-effort training sessions while multitasking or playing semi-idle
Member Defence Pure Active Builds
Active Defence Pure builds are for players who want to push faster XP rates by actively playing and using potions. These setups assume regular use of combat potions to boost accuracy and damage, which can noticeably increase hourly Defence experience.
While significantly more expensive than AFK training, combining these builds with potion usage can shave thousands of XP per hour off the grind to 99 Defence. These are best-in-slot setups for players willing to trade gold for time.
Gear availability improves significantly at higher Defence levels. Select your current Defence level to view the best-in-slot active training setup for that bracket.
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Potions | Divine super combat | +5~ ATT & STR |
| Head | Any | – |
| Cape | Any | – |
| Amulet | Amulet of fury | +8 STR +10 Stab |
| Weapon | Swift blade | (Stab DMG) 3 ATT Speed |
| Body | Any | – |
| Shield | Any | – |
| Legs | Fremennik kilt | +1 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Stab, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Spiked manacles | +4 STR |
| Ring | Treasonous ring (i) | +8 Stab |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Potions | Divine super combat | +11~ ATT & STR |
| Head | Fighter hat | +5 Slash |
| Cape | Any | – |
| Amulet | Amulet of fury | +8 STR +10 Stab |
| Weapon | Maple blackjack | (Crush DMG) +10 STR, 4 ATT Speed |
| Body | Fighter torso | +4 STR |
| Shield | Any | – |
| Legs | Fremennik kilt | +1 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Slash, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Spiked manacles | +4 STR |
| Ring | Berserker ring (i) | +8 STR |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Potions | Divine super combat | +14~ ATT & STR |
| Head | Fighter hat | +5 Crush |
| Cape | Any | – |
| Amulet | Amulet of fury | +8 STR +10 Crush |
| Weapon | Maple blackjack | (Crush DMG) +10 STR, 4 ATT Speed |
| Body | Fighter torso | +4 STR |
| Shield | Toktz-ket-xil | +5 STR |
| Legs | Obsidian platelegs | +1 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Crush, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Brimstone ring | +4 STR, +4 Crush |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Potions | Divine super combat | +14~ ATT & STR |
| Head | Obsidian helmet | +3 STR |
| Cape | Any | – |
| Amulet | Amulet of fury | +8 STR +10 Slash |
| Weapon | Red topaz machete | (Slash DMG) +10 STR, +16 Slash, 4 ATT Speed |
| Body | Fighter torso | +4 STR |
| Shield | Toktz-ket-xil | +5 STR |
| Legs | Bandos tassets | +2 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Slash, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Berserker ring (i) | +8 STR |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Potions | Divine super combat | +16~ ATT & STR |
| Head | Serpentine helm | +5 STR |
| Cape | Ardougne cloak 1/Fire cape | +2 Stab/+4 STR, +1 Stab |
| Amulet | Amulet of strength | +10 STR |
| Weapon | Swift blade | (Stab DMG) 3 ATT Speed |
| Body | Bandos chestplate | +4 STR |
| Shield | Dragonfire shield | +7 STR |
| Legs | Bandos tassets | +2 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Stab, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Berserker ring (i) | +8 STR |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Potions | Divine super combat | +17~ ATT & STR |
| Head | Torva full helm | +8 STR |
| Cape | Ardougne cloak 1/Fire cape | +2 Stab/+4 STR, +1 Stab |
| Amulet | Amulet of fury | +8 STR +10 Stab |
| Weapon | Swift blade | (Stab DMG) 3 ATT Speed |
| Body | Torva platebody | +6 STR |
| Shield | Dragonfire shield | +7 STR |
| Legs | Torva platelegs | +4 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Stab, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Brimstone ring | +4 STR, +4 Stab |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Potions | Divine super combat | +17~ ATT & STR |
| Head | Torva full helm | +8 STR |
| Cape | Ardougne cloak 1/Fire cape | +2 Stab/+4 STR, +1 Stab |
| Amulet | Amulet of torture | +10 STR, +15 Stab |
| Weapon | Swift blade | (Stab DMG) 3 ATT Speed |
| Body | Torva platebody | +6 STR |
| Shield | Dragonfire shield | +7 STR |
| Legs | Torva platelegs | +4 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Stab, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Brimstone ring | +4 STR, +4 Stab |
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Potions | Divine super combat | +17~ ATT & STR |
| Head | Torva full helm | +8 STR |
| Cape | Fire cape | +4 STR, +1 Crush |
| Amulet | Amulet of rancour | +12 STR, +25 Crush |
| Weapon | Ham joint | (Crush DMG) 3 ATT Speed |
| Body | Torva platebody | +6 STR |
| Shield | Dragonfire shield | +7 STR |
| Legs | Torva platelegs | +4 STR |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Crush, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Dragon boots | +4 STR |
| Ring | Berserker ring (i) | +8 STR |
Best for: Faster XP using potions and active gameplay
Combat / PvM Defence Build
Once your Defence Pure reaches higher levels, you may want to actually use the account for combat, bossing, quests, or specialised PvP scenarios. Doing this safely means maintaining a fully defensive attack style to avoid ruining your account.
Fortunately, Old School RuneScape offers several gear options that rely on recoil damage, venom, and damage reflection. These mechanics allow a Defence Pure to deal meaningful damage and secure kills without relying on traditional Strength or Attack scaling.
This build is not designed for speed kills, but for safely completing content without risking non-Defence experience.
| Slot | Set | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Serpentine helm | Inflicts venom on enemies |
| Cape | Ardougne cloak | +2 Stab |
| Amulet | Amulet of fury | +8 STR +10 Stab |
| Weapon | Bone dagger (Poisoned) | Stab DMG & Increased chance to activate Serp helm |
| Body | Highest available Defence bonus | |
| Shield | Dragonfire shield | Activate to unleash dragonfire attack |
| Legs | Highest available Defence bonus | |
| Hands | Regen bracelet | +7 STR, +8 Stab, x2 HP Regen |
| Feet | Echo boots | Deal 1 recoil damage to attackers |
| Ring | Ring of recoil | 10%+1 of damage received return to attacker |
Best for: Questing and PvM situations where recoil, venom, and reflected damage are effective
How to Use These Builds
These builds assume that you are:
- Training Defence only
- Avoiding Attack, Strength, Ranged, Magic, and Prayer experience
Each section provides a practical gear setup tailored to a specific situation, whether you’re training on a free account, optimising AFK sessions as a member, actively grinding with potions, or using your Defence Pure in real combat content.
Defence Pure Builds vs Full Guide
This builds page is intended as a fast, no-nonsense reference for Defence Pure gear setups.
If you want deeper explanations, levelling routes, training methods, and long-term progression advice, you should read the full OSRS Defence Pure Guide.
