Bossing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most exciting and rewarding activities for players looking to test their skills, earn rare drops, and maximize in-game wealth. Unlike regular monster slaying, bossing requires strategy, preparation, and understanding of mechanics. For beginners, stepping into the world of OSRS bossing can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, anyone can get started and succeed. This guide will walk you through the essentials of how to start bossing, from preparation to execution, while maximizing rewards.

Why Bossing Is Worth It

Bossing in OSRS offers several benefits beyond the thrill of combat:

High-Value Drops: Bosses often drop rare items such as unique weapons, armor, or materials that sell for millions of GP.

Experience Gains: Some bosses provide excellent combat experience, helping you level multiple stats simultaneously.

PvM Skills Development: Bossing hones your mechanics, positioning, and reaction time.

Group Play Opportunities: Many bosses are best tackled with a team, allowing for social interaction and shared strategies.

Whether your goal is wealth, experience, or fun, bossing is a key part of the OSRS endgame.

Step 1: Preparing Your Account

Before jumping into a boss fight, preparation is critical. Here are the key areas to focus on:

1. Combat Levels

Different bosses require different combat levels and skill stats. At a minimum, beginners should aim for:

Attack / Strength / Defence: 70+ for most mid-tier bosses.

Ranged / Magic: 70+ for flexibility in combat style.

Hitpoints: 70+ to survive high-damage mechanics.

Higher combat stats increase your survivability and reduce the time spent on each kill.

2. Gear Selection

Beginner-friendly bosses do not require maxed gear. However, investing in affordable, effective equipment will make a huge difference. Recommended starting gear setups:

Melee: Rune or Dragon scimitar, Dragon defender, Barrows armor.

Ranged: Blowpipe with high-tier darts, Karil’s armor, Ava’s device.

Magic: Trident of the seas/swamp, Ahrim’s armor, Ancient staff if using Ancients spellbook.

Focus on a setup that balances damage output with survivability.

3. Inventory and Supplies

Stocking the right supplies can make or break your first boss attempts. Essentials include:

Food: Sharks or Saradomin brews for high-healing capacity.

Potions: Super combat, Ranging, or Magic potions depending on your style.

Teleportation: Teleport tabs or runes for quick escapes.

Prayer Supplies: Prayer potions to maintain protective prayers like Protect from Melee or Magic.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Bosses

Not all bosses are suitable for beginners. Starting with approachable bosses helps you learn mechanics without excessive risk. Recommended starting bosses include:

Giant Mole – A straightforward boss with predictable mechanics and good drops for early profits.

King Black Dragon (KBD) – Provides decent experience and valuable drops like the dragon pickaxe and unique dragonhide.

Chaos Elemental – Low requirements and great for practicing kiting mechanics.

Barrows Brothers – A classic PvM experience that teaches strategy, prayer management, and loot rotation.

Avoid high-level bosses like Zulrah or Vorkath until you’re confident in mechanics and have stronger gear.

Step 3: Learning Boss Mechanics

Each boss in OSRS has unique mechanics that you must understand to succeed. This includes:

Attack Patterns – Learn which attacks cause the most damage and when to pray.

Special Abilities – Recognize when the boss uses special attacks that require movement or item use.

Minions or Phases – Some bosses spawn minions or have multi-phase fights that require different strategies.

The best way to learn mechanics is to watch guides or practice with low-risk setups. Trial and error is part of the process.

Step 4: Start Small and Scale Up

Begin with solo or duo attempts on easier bosses to gain confidence. Track your performance and identify areas to improve. As you gain experience:

Increase combat efficiency with better gear.

Progress to higher-tier bosses for better rewards.

Experiment with different combat styles to find what suits you best.

Scaling gradually helps reduce losses and enhances your understanding of PvM mechanics.

Step 5: Maximizing Rewards

To maximize profit and efficiency:

Kill Count Optimization: Learn optimal rotations and timings to increase kills per hour.

Loot Management: Sell rare drops immediately or store them for market trends.

Team Play: Join PvM clans or groups for harder bosses to split kills and share loot.

Resource Management: Use the cheapest viable supplies to reduce costs per kill.

Step 6: Continuous Improvement

Bossing in OSRS is a skill that improves over time. To become a successful PvMer:

Watch tutorial videos and high-level guides.

Track your stats, gear, and kill efficiency.

Experiment with alternative combat styles and prayers.

Gradually invest in better gear and supplies as profits grow.

The more you practice, the higher your kill efficiency, and the more lucrative your bossing sessions will become.

Final Thoughts

Starting bossing in OSRS can seem daunting, but with proper preparation, a focus on beginner-friendly bosses, and strategic resource management, it becomes an exciting and profitable activity. Begin with the right gear, learn mechanics gradually, and optimize your rewards for long-term success.

By following this beginner’s guide to PvM success, you’ll build the skills and confidence needed to tackle mid-to-high-level bosses, grow your OSRS GP, and become a formidable force in the world of Gielinor. Bossing isn’t just about loot—it’s about mastering the art of combat and strategy in OSRS.