The Ultimate OSRS Guide to Crush Weapons
What Are Crush Weapons?
Crush weapons specialize in the crush attack style, one of the three melee attack styles in OSRS. Crush attacks deal damage differently than slash or stab, often bypassing a portion of an enemy's defensive bonuses. While slash is usually best against lightly armored enemies and stab is effective against heavily armored or dragon-type foes, crush attacks shine against high-defense monsters, demons, and certain bosses. This makes crush weapons essential for situations where other attack styles may underperform.
Typical crush weapons include maces, warhammers, mauls, and bludgeons, each with varying attack speeds, strength bonuses, and special effects. Crush weapons often have slower attack speeds than slash weapons but compensate with higher damage per hit and access to powerful special attacks, making them invaluable for strategic combat scenarios.
Why Use Crush Weapons?
Crush weapons serve several purposes in OSRS combat. First, they excel at bypassing enemies with strong slash or stab defenses. Many bosses and high-level monsters have low crush defense, meaning a well-timed crush attack deals more accurate damage than a sword or spear. Second, crush weapons often have high strength bonuses, making them ideal for training Strength and dealing heavy melee damage. Third, many crush weapons feature special attacks that temporarily reduce enemy defense, double damage, or cause other tactical effects. These abilities are particularly useful in boss fights where maximizing damage output is crucial.
Furthermore, crush weapons can be combined with offensive prayers such as Piety or Chivalry to increase damage further. This combination of high base damage, defense penetration, and strategic special attacks makes crush weapons a versatile and powerful tool in any player's arsenal.
Best Crush Weapons in OSRS
OSRS offers a wide variety of crush weapons, ranging from early-game options to endgame equipment. Understanding which weapons are best suited for specific tasks is essential for maximizing their potential.
Maces
Maces are among the most accessible crush weapons and are typically used for mid-level combat or training. They generally offer a balance between attack speed and crush damage. Popular options include the Dragon mace, which is widely regarded as one of the best mid-to-high-level crush weapons. Its special attack, Puncture, doubles the next hit's damage, making it highly effective for both bossing and PvP encounters. Lower-tier maces, such as the Rune mace, provide solid options for players training Strength or completing Slayer tasks, while early-game weapons like the Iron or Steel mace offer entry-level crush capabilities for lower-level monsters.
Warhammers
Warhammers provide higher crush bonuses than maces but often have slower attack speeds. They are ideal for dealing heavy damage against high-defense opponents and bosses. The Dragon warhammer is the premier choice for many players. Its special attack reduces an enemy's Defence by 30%, a game-changing effect in boss fights. This makes it particularly useful against high-defense bosses such as Dagannoth Kings, Vorkath, and Kril Tsutsaroth, allowing follow-up attacks to hit more effectively. Other options include the Bandos warhammer and Rune warhammer, which serve as alternatives for players seeking strong crush weapons without investing in dragon-tier gear.
Bludgeons and Mauls
Bludgeons, such as the Abyssal bludgeon, and mauls, like the Granite maul, combine high crush bonuses with unique properties that enhance PvM and PvP performance. The Abyssal bludgeon has fast attack speed and high strength bonuses, making it ideal for bosses with moderate defenses. The Granite maul is renowned for its rapid special attack, which delivers high burst damage. While slower for long-term Strength training, it is particularly effective in PvP situations or during timed boss encounters where a one-hit kill or burst strategy is advantageous.
Hybrid Weapons
Some weapons, such as the Saradomin sword, feature hybrid capabilities. While primarily a slash weapon, it also has a high crush strength bonus. This allows players to use it against enemies weak to crush while retaining versatility for other attack types. Hybrid weapons are particularly useful for Slayer tasks or monsters with mixed defenses, providing players with flexibility without constant weapon switching.
When to Use Crush Weapons
Crush weapons are most effective in scenarios where enemies have high slash or stab defenses or are inherently vulnerable to blunt attacks. They are essential against certain bosses, demon-type monsters, and high-defense Slayer targets. Examples include Dagannoth Kings, Gargoyles, Abyssal demons, and the Giant Mole.
Crush weapons are also valuable for training Strength. Weapons with high crush strength bonuses, such as the Abyssal bludgeon or Granite maul, allow players to maximize experience per hour, particularly when combined with Strength-boosting prayers, potions, and Slayer tasks that require heavy melee damage.
Another critical use is in PvP or boss fights where special attacks can turn the tide of combat. For instance, using a Dragon warhammer's special attack at the start of a fight against a high-defense boss dramatically increases overall damage and shortens kill times. Timing and strategy are essential when incorporating these weapons into complex encounters.
Combat Strategies with Crush Weapons
To maximize crush weapon efficiency, players must combine knowledge of enemy weaknesses with tactical combat strategies. Switching weapons mid-fight can optimize damage for bosses with varying defensive strengths. For example, starting with a Dragon warhammer to reduce defense, followed by a faster high-damage weapon like a Dragon mace or Abyssal bludgeon, allows for continuous high damage without downtime.
Special attacks should be used strategically. Crush weapons with defense-reducing or double-damage specials are most effective at the beginning of a fight or during critical phases when boss mechanics make damage output more important.
Prayer management and potion use further enhance crush weapon effectiveness. Using prayers such as Piety or Chivalry increases melee damage and defense, while potions like Super combat or Overload can provide temporary boosts that make each crush hit more impactful. You can buy OSRS gold to get them.
Finally, positioning and movement are critical. Some bosses require careful movement to avoid high-damage attacks, while maintaining a consistent distance to land maximum crush hits. Learning the enemy's attack patterns ensures that players can maximize damage while minimizing health loss.
Training Strength with Crush Weapons
Crush weapons are excellent for Strength training. Their high crush bonuses make them efficient for both general melee experience and Slayer tasks. The Abyssal bludgeon and Granite maul are particularly effective for high-level training, offering strong damage per hit and reliable Strength experience. Mid-level options like the Rune warhammer or Dragon mace provide efficient training while still allowing players to engage in profitable PvM activities.
Combining crush weapons with Strength-boosting prayers and potions ensures that players gain maximum experience and OSRS gold per hour. For optimal results, players should choose Slayer or training locations with enemies weak to crush attacks, further increasing efficiency.
Conclusion
Crush weapons in OSRS are a versatile and powerful tool for players seeking to optimize melee combat. By bypassing enemy defenses, delivering heavy damage, and utilizing strategic special attacks, crush weapons allow players to handle high-defense monsters, train Strength efficiently, and maximize PvM performance. From early-game maces to high-end warhammers and bludgeons, there is a crush weapon for every level and scenario.
Effective use of these weapons requires understanding enemy weaknesses, managing prayers and potions, timing special attacks, and maintaining proper positioning. Whether engaging in Slayer tasks, bossing, or PvP encounters, mastering crush weapons ensures that players have the tactical advantage needed to succeed in OSRS's most challenging combat situations. By incorporating crush weapons into your melee toolkit, you gain versatility, efficiency, and a significant edge against some of the game's toughest foes.
