RS3 has been around for over two decades, and in that time, countless weapons have been introduced. With so many choices, it can be challenging to determine which weapons are the best. This guide breaks down the top melee weapons in RS3, focusing on different scenarios and their respective perks and abilities.

Best 2-Handed Melee Weapons

Ek-ZekKil

Considered by many as the best melee weapon in RuneScape 3, Ek-ZekKil requires level 99 Strength to wield and is obtained by combining three items dropped by TzKal-Zuk. This weapon is incredibly expensive, costing approximately 1 billion RuneScape 3 gold.

Stats & Upgrades:

• Tier: 95 (can be upgraded to tier 100)

• Accuracy: 2765

• Damage: 2123.3 (increased to T100 with Shard of Genesis)

• Charges: 60,000 (repair cost: 4.8M GP)

• Synergy: Works with Berserker Necklace for a 5% damage bonus

Special Attack: Bleed Mastery

Ek-ZekKil's special attack is one of the most powerful in the game, dealing 110%-140% ability damage and applying a bleed effect that increases over time. This attack can be extended using abilities like:

• Dismember

• Massacre

• Blood Tendrils

• Roar of Awakening

By combining this with the Masterwork Spear of Annihilation, you can extend the bleed duration to deal devastating damage.

Masterwork 2H Sword

For those looking for raw power, the Masterwork 2H Sword is the strongest weapon stat-wise, boasting tier 100 stats.

Stats & Perks:

• Accuracy: 3100

• Damage: 2235

• Augmentable: Yes

• Charges: 100,000 (repair cost: 800K GP)

• Craftable: Requires level 110 Smithing

• Price: 106M GP

Due to its relatively low cost and accessibility, this weapon is ideal for new players venturing into high-level PvM content.

Zaros Godsword

A classic weapon that still holds up, the Zaros Godsword is tier 92 and costs around 200M GP.

Stats & Repair:

• Accuracy: 2577

• Damage: 2056

• Augmentable: Yes

• Charges: 60,000 (repair cost: 4.8M GP)

Special Attack: Black Hole

• Creates a 7x7 area of effect

• Grants 25% increased melee damage

• Deals 35%-45% ability damage every 1.8 seconds

• Lasts 21 seconds

• Has a 60-second cooldown

Ideal as a special attack switch for boss fights.

Masterwork Spear of Annihilation

The best weapon for bleed builds, the Masterwork Spear of Annihilation is tier 92 and costs around 313M GP.

Passive Effect:

• Extends melee bleed effects by 50%

• Pairs well with Ek-ZekKil and Gloves of Passage

This makes it the best weapon for prolonged fights where stacking bleeds is optimal.

Noxious Scythe

For AOE combat, the Noxious Scythe is one of the best choices.

Stats:

• Tier: 90

• Accuracy: 2537

• Damage: 2255

• Range: 2 tiles (affects a 5x5 grid)

• Price: 361M GP

• Augmentable: Yes

• Special Attack: Summons a mirrorback spider (absorbs 50% of damage and reflects it)

Perfect for Slayer and multi-target PvM scenarios.

Terrasaur Maul

The best weapon for fighting ranged enemies, the Terrasaur Maul is tier 80 and costs 257M GP.

Passive Effect:

• +12.5% damage against ranged enemies

• +10% hit chance

• +5 affinity towards crush-weak enemies

• Can be enhanced with Enchantment of Savagery (+5% damage boost)

This makes it effectively a tier 94-97 weapon in certain fights.

Best Dual-Wield Melee Weapons

Dark Shard of Leng & Dark Sliver of Leng

These tier 95 weapons are the best dual-wield melee options, costing around 1 billion GP each.

Passive Effects:

• Primordial Ice Stacks:

  • Increases special attack damage by 18%-22% per stack

  • Reduces adrenaline cost by 12% per stack

  • If both weapons are equipped, melee abilities deal +24% damage

Special Attack:

• Cost: 30% adrenaline

• Cooldown: 15 seconds

• Deals 100%-120% ability damage to the main target

• Deals 150%-180% ability damage to up to 9 nearby enemies

Abyssal Scourge

A tier 92 upgraded version of the Abyssal Whip, the Abyssal Scourge is an excellent alternative for dual-wield builds.

Passive Effect:

• Each attack applies a bleed effect

• The bleed stacks and refreshes duration, making it highly effective for damage-over-time builds

Conclusion

Choosing the right melee weapon in RuneScape 3 depends on your combat style and budget:

• Ek-ZekKil: Best overall melee weapon for bleed builds

• Masterwork 2H Sword: Highest raw power and best for general combat

• Zaros Godsword: Best special attack switch

• Masterwork Spear of Annihilation: Best bleed extender

• Noxious Scythe: Best for AOE damage

• Terrasaur Maul: Best against ranged enemies

• Dark Shard & Dark Sliver of Leng: Best dual-wield weapons

• Abyssal Scourge: Best damage-over-time dual-wield weapon

By selecting the right weapon for your playstyle and understanding how to optimize perks and abilities, you can maximize your damage output in RuneScape 3. For more details on the best melee perks and abilities, be sure to check out our RS3 Melee Perk & Ability Guide!

RSorder Team