Slash weapons are among the strongest and most versatile melee options in Old School RuneScape. They combine high accuracy bonuses with some of the fastest attack speeds in the game, making them a dominant choice for both PvM and PvP scenarios. This category includes scimitars, whips, claws, daggers, scythes, and axes, giving players a wide range of options across early-, mid-, and endgame content.

In this guide, we rank the best slash weapons in OSRS based on their DPS against Hespori, a boss that is notably weak to slash attacks. The rankings also take into account whether the weapon is one-handed, as this allows the use of a defender (particularly the Avernic defender), which significantly boosts overall damage output.

Note: All prices listed were accurate at the time of writing. Due to frequent fluctuations in the Grand Exchange, always double-check prices before making a purchase.

Ranking Criteria

Weapons are ranked using the following factors:

• DPS versus Hespori

• Slash attack bonus

• Attack speed

• One-handed vs two-handed utility

• Special attacks and passive effects

• Practical use in PvM and PvP

10. Bandos Godsword

• Requirement: 75 Attack

• Price: ~12.9M

• Slash Bonus: +132

• DPS: 3.438

• Attack Styles: Chop, Slash, Block

The Bandos godsword is a staple weapon for high-level players due to its devastating special attack, Warstrike. This special doubles accuracy, increases damage by 21%, and drains the opponent’s combat stats while consuming 50% special attack energy. It is commonly used to weaken bosses at the start of encounters, making difficult PvM content more manageable. Like all godswords, it shares identical base stats with its Saradomin, Zamorak, Armadyl, and Ancient counterparts.

9. Saradomin’s Blessed Sword

• Requirement: 75 Attack

• Price: Not sold (untradeable)

• Slash Bonus: +100

• DPS: 3.655

• Attack Styles: Chop, Slash, Block

Saradomin’s blessed sword is the upgraded, two-handed version of the Saradomin sword. It is created by combining Saradomin’s tear with the base weapon. Its special attack, Saradomin’s Lightning, delivers a magic-based hit and boosts the player’s max hit by 25%, consuming 65% special attack energy. While powerful, the weapon is degradable and fully breaks after 10,000 hits, reverting into Saradomin’s tear.

8. Zombie Axe

• Requirement: 65 Attack

• Price: ~1.4M

• Slash Bonus: +105

• DPS: 3.432 (3.7 with Avernic defender)

• Attack Styles: Chop, Hack, Block

The Zombie axe is an excellent mid-game slash weapon with a surprisingly high slash bonus. It is repaired using a broken zombie axe dropped by armoured zombies and requires 70 Smithing. With a 5-tick attack speed, it performs particularly well against monsters with low slash defence, making it a cost-effective option for Slayer and general PvM.

7. Voidwaker

• Requirement: 75 Attack

• Price: ~71.9M

• Slash Bonus: +80

• DPS: 3.301 (3.737 with Avernic defender)

• Attack Styles: Chop, Slash, Block

The Voidwaker’s biggest drawback is its high price, but it more than compensates with its unique special attack, Disrupt. This attack consumes 50% special energy and guarantees magic damage equal to 50–150% of the player’s maximum melee hit. Capable of hitting over 70 damage, it is one of the most feared PvP weapons in OSRS while remaining viable in PvM situations.

6. Soulreaper Axe

• Requirement: 80 Attack, 80 Strength

• Price: ~457M

• Slash Bonus: +134

• DPS: 3.889

• Attack Style: Slash

The Soulreaper axe is a powerful two-handed weapon with a unique risk-versus-reward mechanic. Each attack damages the wielder by 8 hitpoints but grants a soul stack, increasing Strength by 6% per stack, up to a maximum of 30%. Soul stacks are generated on every attack attempt, hit or miss. Once fully stacked, the weapon delivers extremely serious damage, making it deadly in extended fights.

5. Abyssal Whip

• Requirement: 70 Attack

• Price: ~1.65M

• Slash Bonus: +82

• DPS: 3.324 (3.903 with Avernic defender)

• Attack Styles: Flick, Lash, Deflect

The Abyssal whip is one of the most iconic melee weapons in OSRS. It is non-degradable, affordable, and features a fast 2.4-second attack speed. Despite being a mid-level weapon, it remains highly effective for Slayer tasks and general PvM, making it one of the most widely used melee weapons in the game.

4. Abyssal Tentacle

• Requirement: 75 Attack

• Price: Not sold (untradeable)

• Slash Bonus: +90

• DPS: 3.553 (3.970 with Avernic defender)

• Attack Styles: Flick, Lash, Deflect

The Abyssal tentacle is an upgraded whip created by combining a whip with a kraken tentacle. It excels in high-level Slayer and boss encounters such as Cerberus, Kraken, and Vorkath. Its fast attack speed and a 25% chance to poison targets make it a strong, consistent damage dealer, although it is degradable over time.

3. Osmumten’s Fang

• Requirement: 82 Attack

• Price: ~10.6M

• Slash Bonus: +75

• DPS: 3.515 (3.973 with Avernic defender)

• Attack Style: Slash

Osmumten’s fang stands out due to its unique passive effects that significantly improve accuracy, especially against high-defence targets. While its raw slash bonus is lower than many competitors, its consistency makes it one of the strongest all-around melee weapons in OSRS and a popular choice for bossing and raid content.

2. Blade of Saeldor

• Requirement: 80 Attack

• Creation Requirement: 82 Smithing and Crafting

• Price: Not sold (untradeable)

• Slash Bonus: +94

• DPS: 3.738 (4.1 with Avernic defender)

• Attack Styles: Chop, Slash, Block

The Blade of Saeldor offers the highest strength and slash bonus of any one-handed weapon in the game. It is tied with the Ghrazi rapier and Inquisitor’s mace for top-tier one-handed melee damage. Initially degradable, it can be made permanent using 1,000 crystal shards, making it a long-term endgame investment.

1. Scythe of Vitur

• Requirement: 80 Attack, 90 Strength

• Price: ~1.8B

• Slash Bonus: +75

• DPS: 4.88

• Attack Styles: Reap, Chop, Block

The Scythe of Vitur is widely regarded as the strongest slash weapon in Old School RuneScape. While it has a slower 5-tick attack speed, its passive effect allows it to hit large enemies multiple times per swing, resulting in unmatched DPS. This makes it invaluable for high-level content such as the Theatre of Blood, Chambers of Xeric, Nightmare of Ashihama, and Phantom Muspah. The weapon is degradable but can be charged to significantly boost its effectiveness.

Final Thoughts

Slash weapons dominate many areas of OSRS due to their speed, accuracy, and adaptability. Whether you are progressing through mid-game Slayer, engaging in PvP, or tackling endgame raids, there is a slash weapon suited to your needs and OSRS gold budget. From affordable staples like the Abyssal whip to prestige items like the Scythe of Vitur, understanding each weapon’s strengths and limitations will help you maximize your combat efficiency.

RSorder Team