OSRS Defence Calculator
Calculate Defence XP, levels, and armour requirements in Old School RuneScape. Plan your Defence training efficiently.
Defence XP Calculator
XP: 0
XP: 13,034,431
XP Needed
13,034,431
Levels to Gain
98
Combat Contribution
Defence × 0.25
Armour Level Requirements
Level 1
Bronze / Iron
Level 10
Black
Level 20
Mithril
Level 30
Adamant
Level 40
Rune
Level 60
Dragon
Level 65
Bandos
Level 70
Barrows
Defence XP Table
| Level | Total XP | XP to Next Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | +1,154 |
| 10 | 1,154 | +3,316 |
| 20 | 4,470 | +8,893 |
| 30 | 13,363 | +23,861 |
| 40 | 37,224 | +64,109 |
| 50 | 101,333 | +172,409 |
| 60 | 273,742 | +463,885 |
| 70 | 737,627 | +1,248,441 |
| 80 | 1,986,068 | +3,360,264 |
| 90 | 5,346,332 | +7,688,099 |
| 99 | 13,034,431 | — |
How Defence Affects Combat Level
Defence contributes to the base portion of your combat level:
Base = 0.25 × (Defence + Hitpoints + ⌊Prayer / 2⌋)
Every 4 Defence levels adds approximately 1 combat level.
💡 Pure Account Note
Many PvP "pure" accounts keep Defence at 1 to minimize combat level while maximizing offensive stats. This lets them hit harder than opponents at the same combat level. Common variants include 1 Def pures, 13 Def (Adamant gloves), 20 Def (Mystic), 42/45 Def (Void/Zerker).
Try our Pure Calculator to optimize your 1 Defence build, or calculate your combat level now.
Best Defence Training Methods
Defensive Casting (Magic)
UniqueUse defensive casting to gain Defence XP while training Magic. Good for accounts that want to level both.
Longrange (Ranged)
XP SplitUse Longrange attack style with Ranged to split XP between Ranged and Defence.
Melee (Defensive Style)
StandardUse defensive attack styles on melee weapons. Good at Sand Crabs, Nightmare Zone, or through Slayer.
What is the Defence Skill?
Defence is the combat skill that determines your ability to **avoid taking damage** from enemies. It does not reduce the damage you take (that's what Damage Reduction does), but rather increases the chance that an enemy will miss their attack entirely.
In OSRS, a high Defence level combined with powerful armour is the difference between surviving a boss encounter and a quick trip back to Lumbridge.
Uses and Armour Unlocks
Defence levels are primarily used to unlock better tiers of armour with higher defensive bonuses:
- **Level 40**: Rune Armour (the F2P gold standard).
- **Level 60**: Dragon Armour and obsidian equipment.
- **Level 70**: Barrows Armour and the Crystal Shield.
- **Level 75**: Justiciar armour and the Elysian Spirit Shield.
- **Level 80**: Masori and Torva armour sets.
How Defence Mechanics Work
When an enemy attacks you, the game calculates their *Attack Roll* and your *Defence Roll*. Your roll is based on your Defence level and your armour's specific bonuses (Stab, Slash, Crush, Magic, Ranged).
If your Defence Roll is higher, the enemy hits a 0. This is why "Tanking" gear is so effective—it maximizes your roll for specific attack types, making you nearly invincible against certain foes.
The Evolution of Defence
Defence has always been a controversial skill in the PvP community. The "1 Defence" meta was created to maximize offensive power at low combat levels. However, as bosses have become more complex, high Defence has become a necessity for PvM.
Old School RuneScape has introduced various milestones like 13 (Adamant Gloves), 42 (Void), and 45 (Berserker Helm) that define different account builds and playstyles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Defence affect my damage output? ▼
What level for Barrows armour? ▼
What's the best Defence bonus? ▼
Calculate Your Combat Level
Use our main combat calculator to see how Defence affects your combat level.