Runescape 2 Help

Introduction

Ranged is a skill you can use to fight monsters and other people. It allows you to attack from a distance with a bow and arrow typically, although there are many different weapons you can use which are explained later in this guide. It is an easy skill to get into and can be used in many situations - especially in fights and wars in the wilderness.

If you are just starting out in Ranged, you may want to pay a visit to Nemarti the Ranged Tutor outside Lumbridge Castle to learn about the different kinds of bows and arrows and to receive free basic equipment.

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Basics

To start off, you can use the basic bow and arrow. You will need to wield your bow as your weapon by clicking on it in your inventory, and then click on your arrows to hold them in your quiver. You will see your character now ready for action. Just like normal fighting, to start attacking you simply select attack on the monster you want to start ranging. You will see your character start taking arrows from his/her quiver and shooting at the enemy.

You can either attack up close or you can use an obstacle to stop the monster from reaching you. This is a useful tactic to avoid damage and can be seen in the picture below. However, be aware that some monsters have their own ranged weapons and will attack you from a distance as well. An important point is that some of your arrows fall next to the monster and you can pick them up to use them again. However some are damaged and are not recoverable; approximately four fifths of arrows fired are recoverable. The better the metal of your arrow, the more you will recover as they are less easily damaged.

Experience points you receive towards your ranged skill depend on which of the three attacking styles you are using, shown below. With Accurate or Rapid styles, for each damage point you inflict you will receive four ranged xp and 1.33xp hit points xp. However for Longrange, you will receive two ranged xp, two defence xp points and 1.33 hit points xp. It is up to you the style you want to train with, however it is generally accepted that you get the fastest xp by using the Rapid style. A quick example is that if you hit a 12 on a Hill giant using the accurate style, you would receive 48 ranged xp and 16 hits xp.

It is worth noting that a short bow fires arrows faster than a long bow. How often you inflict damage depends on the value of your ranged attack (show in blue below) of your equipment and the ranged defence of your opponent. This also applies in the reverse situation; how much you get hit depends on the value of your ranged defence (shown in orange below).

Your ranged attack increases by wielding a better bow or wearing special leather armour as described below. Ranged Defence works in the same way. For example, scorpions naturally have good solid body armour which would be hard to hit. How hard you hit increases with a higher ranged level and better arrows, as described below. A higher ranged attack only affects how often you hit.

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Weapons

Bows and Arrows
Crossbows and Bolts
Hunter Weapons
Additional Weapons
Where to Shop
Special Weapons

Bows and Arrows

There are different types of bows which give different ranged attack boosts; you need to have a higher ranged level to wield the better ones. Free players can only wield up to Maple bows. The Magic Longbow and the Magic Shortbow also have the advantage of having special attacks. The special attack for the Magic Longbow has a 35% drain rate and shoots an arrow with a chance to hit higher than normal. The Magic Shortbow's special shoots two arrows extremely fast and has a 55% drain rate.

Bows
Pic	Name	Ranged Level to wield	Ranged att value
	Short Bow	Any	+8
	Long Bow	Any	+8
	Oak Short Bow	5	+14
	Oak Long Bow	5	+14
	Willow Short Bow	20	+20
	Willow Long Bow	20	+20
	Willow Composite Bow	20	+22
	Maple Short Bow	30	+29
	Maple Long Bow	30	+29
	Yew Short Bow	40	+47
	Yew Long Bow	40	+47
	Yew Composite Bow	40	+49
	Magic Short Bow (special attack)	50	+69
	Magic Long Bow (special attack)	50	+69
	Magic Composite Bow (special attack)	50	+71

You can use your bow with different types of arrows. The better the arrow - the higher you can hit, and the better the bow you need to be wielding so that you can fire it. Free players can use all normal arrows up to and including Adamant.

Arrows
Pic	Name	Minimum bow required	Price
	Bronze Arrows	Any	2-6 gp
	Iron Arrows	Any	3-18 gp
	Steel Arrows	Oak	12-72 gp
	Mithril Arrows	Willow	up to 32 gp
	Adamant Arrows	Maple	up to 80gp
	Rune Arrows	Yew	up to 400gp
	Dragon Arrows	Dark	up to 10000gp

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Crossbows and Bolts

An alternative to regular bows and arrows are crossbows and bolts. The advantage here is that you can also wield a shield. Free players can only use the normal and phoenix crossbow which both fire normal (bronze) bolts. Members can also use crossbows and bolts made from any metal up to rune. These may be made by using the Fletching and Smithing skills, or purchased from crossbow shops: Hirko in Keldagrim, Holoy under White Wolf Mountain, and Hura in the Dwarven Mines. A crossbow is less accurate than the equivalent bow, so it will hit more zeros. However, it can be used with a shield and when it hits, its bolts can hit higher than the corresponding arrows. Moreover, gem-tipped bolts can be enchanted for increased damage in the form of a special attack (see the Magic guide for more details). A final feature of crossbows is the Mithril grapple, which can be used for numerous Agility shortcuts. Read more about it in the Agility Guide.

The table below lists the various existing crossbows, their characteristics and the type of bolts that they can fire. For more details on bolts, and how to make members' crossbows, please check the Fletching guide.

Crossbows
Pic	Name	Ranged Level to Wield	Range Attack Bonus	Type of Bolts
	Crossbow	1	+6	Bronze
	Phoenix Crossbow	1	+6	Bronze
	Bronze Crossbow	1	+18	Bronze
	Blurite Crossbow*	16	+30	Up to Blurite
	Iron Crossbow	26	+42	Up to Iron
	Dorgeshuun Crossbow	28	+42	Bone, metal (up to Iron) without gem tips
	Steel Crossbow	31	+54	Up to Steel
	Mithril Crossbow	36	+66	Up to Mithril
	Adamantite Crossbow	46	+78	Up to Adamantite
	Runite Crossbow	61	+90	Up to Runite

*In order to use a Blurite crossbow (untradeable) you must have completed The Knight's Sword quest.

Worried that you will not have space to store all the bolts you plan to use? The Crossbow Bolt Pouch can be used to store up to 4 different types of bolts, in addition to the bolts you are currently using. Speak to Hirko the Crossbow salesman in the eastern market building in Keldagrim to purchase one for 1500 gp.

Dart Pouch

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Hunter Weapons

With the creation of the Hunter skill, a number of new ranged weapons were introduced into the game. Including the first grenades and flamethrowers, these new weapons are quite unique, and very powerful.

Chinchompas are volatile little creatures - should you kill them, they will explode. However, when captured by use of box traps, their explosive characteristics make them a perfect weapon. When attacking, you will have the choice of short, medium, or long fuse. Use a fuse length that matches the distance to your enemy: if he's very close, you'll want a short fuse so it will immediately blow, if he's far away, you don't want the chinchompa to blow up before it hits!

Chinchompas
Pic	Name	Ranged Level to Wield	Ranged Attack Value
	Chinchompa	45	+45
	Red Chinchompa	55	+70

An experienced hunter and inventor named Leon resides in the Hunter store in Yanille. He is willing to sell one of his newer creations, the Hunters' Crossbow, for 1,300 gp. This crossbow is limited to using bolts fashioned from the spikes of kebbits. Catching prickly kebbits with deadfall traps will give you Kebbit spikes, used to make Kebbit bolts, while tracking Razor-back kebbits give you Long kebbit spikes, which are used for Long kebbit bolts. These bolts must be fletched using a chisel - if you do not have a sufficient fletching level to do so, Leon will fletch them for a small fee.

Hunters' Crossbow
Pic	Name	Ranged Level to Wield	Range Attack Bonus	Type of Bolts
	Hunters Crossbow	50	+55	Kebbit bolts and Long kebbit bolts

Salamanders captured using net traps are currently the most versatile weapon in the game. They can be used for melee, range or magic. This small creature requires two hands as it packs quite a punch - feed it and it becomes a portable flamethrower. Each different kind of salamander will eat only a certain type of food, which must be equipped in your arrow slot for use. This food - herb tar - is produced through Herblore. Be warned that you must be standing next to something to attack it - you cannot attack from a long distance. However, low fences can still block opponents from meleeing you while you blast them with fire.

Salamanders
Pic	Food	Name	Levels Required	Attack Bonuses					Defence Bonuses					Other Bonuses
Pic	Food	Name	Levels Required	Stab	Slash	Crush	Magic	Range	Stab	Slash	Crush	Magic	Range	Strength	Prayer
	Guam Tar	Swamp Lizard	30 Magic, Ranged, Attack	0	+10	0	0	+20	0	0	0	0	0	+22	0
	Marrentill Tar	Orange Salamander	50 Magic, Ranged, Attack	0	+19	0	0	+29	0	0	0	0	0	+31	0
	Tarromin Tar	Red Salamander	60 Magic, Ranged, Attack	0	+37	0	0	+47	0	0	0	0	0	+49	0
	Harralander Tar	Black Salamander	70 Magic, Ranged, Attack	0	+59	0	0	+69	0	0	0	0	0	+71	0

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Additional Weapons

Below is a list of unusual ranged weapons that can be smithed easily - these are MEMBERS ONLY. Darts can be smithed after completing the Tourist Trap Quest. You smith 10 dart tips per bar and attach feathers. Darts are stackable. Throwing Knives are smithed 5 per bar and are also stackable. They cannot shoot as far as if you were using a bow. However, like crossbows, a shield can be wielded while using these weapons.

Darts			Throwing Knives
Pic	Name	Ranged Attack Value	Pic	Name	Ranged Attack Value
	Bronze Darts	+3		Bronze Throwing Knives	+4
	Iron Darts	+4		Iron Throwing Knives	+5
	Steel Darts	+5		Steel Throwing Knives	+8
	Black Darts	+7		Black Throwing Knives	+10
	Mithril Darts	+8		Mithril Throwing Knives	+11
	Adamant Darts	+11		Adamant Throwing Knives	+15
	Rune Darts	+15		Rune Throwing Knives	+25
	Dragon Darts	+18

There are even more unorthodox ranged weapons! A tribal man has set up an Authentic Throwing Weapons shop in the Ranged guild (members only), selling Javelins and Throwing Axes. They can both be wielded with shields and offer a versatile alternative to the norm.

Javelins
Pic	Name	Ranged Attack Value
	Bronze Javelins	+5
	Iron Javelins	+8
	Steel Javelins	+12
	Mithril Javelins	+17
	Adamant Javelins	+24
	Rune Javelins	+38

Throwing Axes
Pic	Name	Ranged Attack Value
	Bronze Throwing Axes	+4
	Iron Throwing Axes	+5
	Steel Throwing Axes	+8
	Mithril Throwing Axes	+12
	Adamant Throwing Axes	+17
	Rune Throwing Axes (Special attack)	+26

So there you have it, a wide selection of ranged weapons. Most people opt for the traditional bow and arrow as the bows give the highest bonus to your ranged attack. However Bolts, Darts and Javelins are also used but to a lesser extent. It is up to you to decide what to train with, but feel free to experiment.

Where to Shop

Free players can buy bows, arrows and bolts at Lowe's archery store in Varrock. There is also Brian's archery shop in Rimmington, just south of Falador.

Members can also buy from Hickton's archery emporium in Catherby, Gulluck and Sons weapons store in the Grand Tree. Members who've completed the Biohazard quest can make purchases at the Armoury in King Lathas' training camp. Members who've started Mourning's Ends part 1 quest can also buy from the Lletya Archery Shop. Level 40 rangers can shop at Dargaud's Bow and Arrows at the Ranged Guild southwest of Seers' Village.

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Special Weapons

There are a number of special weapons throughout the game, generally accessible only upon the completion of certain quests or the killing of high-level monsters. These weapons can either be utilized for certain circumstances, such as Chompy Hunting, or simply employed against enemies for their sheer power. They are listed below, with descriptions of their purpose and how to obtain them.

Special Ranged Weapons
Pic	Name	Information
	Dark Bow	This requires level 60 ranged to wield, providing a +95 ranged bonus. It is dropped only by Dark Beasts. Though it is very slow, it shoots two arrows each time. It is the only bow capable of shooting dragon arrows. Its special attack varies based on whether dragon arrows are used or not, becoming more powerful when they are.
	Crystal Bow	This requires level 70 ranged to wield and initially provides +100 ranged bonus when wielded. Roving Elves quest is required. The properties of this bow are thoroughly detailed in the Crystal Bow section.
	Seercull	This bow can be obtained from killing King Dagannoths in the Waterbirth Island dungeon. It gives a range bonus of +69, like the magic short and long bows, but it fires about the same speed as the crystal bow. Furthermore, its special attack reduces the magic level of the victim by the damage inflicted. (If 7 damage is done, the Magic level of the attacked temporarily drops 7).
	Dorgeshuun Crossbow	This crossbow can be bought from the Cave Goblin weapon shop, Nardok's Bone Weapons. It requires a ranged level of 28 to use, and gives a +42 bonus to ranged attacks. Its special attack can only be used after completing the Death to the Dorgeshuun quest. It uses bone bolts and bare metal bolts (barbed tips allowed, gem tips not allowed) up to iron.
	Ogre Bow	This can be obtained from Rantz in Ogre country, far south of Yanille. It will cost you 500-600gp and is primarily used to kill Chompy Birds. It provides a +38 ranged attack bonus when wielded, which is better than a Maple bow but less than a Yew bow. See our Chompy hunting guide for more information.
	Ogre Arrows	Arrows used with the Ogre bow to kill chompys. Fletched using logs from an Achey Tree. See our Chompy hunting guide for more information.
	Composite Ogre Bow	Obtainable after completing the Zogre Flesh Eater quest and only works with Ogre and Brutal Arrows. See our Chompy hunting guide for more information.
	Brutal Arrows	Arrows shot from Composite Ogre bow. See our Chompy hunting guide for more information.
	TokTz-Xi-Lul	A ranged weapon from the land of the TzHaar. Throw it at your enemies to let its +69 ranged attack bonus shred your opponents.

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Armour

Just like there are different types of armour for fighters, there is also a good selection of leather armour for rangers. Refer to the crafting guide for details on how to make them. They are presented below with details of their stats. Armour for rangers has to be made from leather as it allows the greatest flexibility of movement and is light enough not to weigh the ranger down. It also provides a good defence against mages especially, as well as other rangers, but makes you slightly vulnerable to regular warriors. Free players can wear all these types of armour (made from cow hide).

In addition to these leather armour pieces, players can wear amulets that give a range attack bonus. These amulets are the amulet of accuracy (+4 range attack) and other various amulets made using the Crafting skill. The regular leather items have no range or defence requirement to wear them but the other items have the following requirements:

Hard Leather Body requires 10 Defence
Coif and the Studded Chaps require 20 Range
Studded Leather Body requires 20 Range and 20 Defence

Leather Armour
Pic	Name	Attack Values					Defence values
Pic	Name	Stab	Slash	Crush	Magic	Range	Stab	Slash	Crush	Magic	Range
	Cowl	0	0	0	0	+1	+2	+3	+4	+2	+3
	Coif	0	0	0	-1	+2	+4	+6	+8	+4	+4
	Leather Body	0	0	0	-2	+2	+8	+9	+10	+4	+9
	Studded Leather Body	0	0	0	-4	+8	+18	+25	+22	+8	+25
	Hard Leather Body	0	0	0	-4	+8	+12	+15	+18	+6	+15
	Leather Chaps	0	0	0	0	+4	+2	+3	+1	0	0
	Studded Leather Chaps	0	0	0	-5	+6	+15	+16	+17	+6	+16
	Vambraces	0	0	0	0	+4	+2	+2	+1	0	0

Yak-hide armour can be made by collecting hides from yaks on the Fremennik Isles. These then need to be taken to Thakkrad Sigmundson in Neitiznot to be cured, and then crafted with a needle and thread. Although the top provides no range attack bonus, the legs provide a significant range attack bonus considering this armour requires only level 20 defence and has no range requirement to wear. Making the legs a good choice for rangers up to level 50. The only downside to this armour is it provides no magic defence.

Stab

Slash

Crush

Magic

Range

Stab

Slash

Crush

Magic

Range

Strength

Prayer

Yak-hide Legs

-5

+10

+25

+20

+15

-2

+10

Yak-hide Top

-5

+25

+20

+15

-2

+25

Snakeskin Armour is obtained by collecting hides from the snakes killed during the Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup mini game, or from the Temple Trekking mini game, or on the island of Mos Le'Harmless. These then need to be taken to Al Kharid to be tanned and then crafted with a needle and thread. The downside for this armour is that it requires a massive amount of hides to create a full set. The boots in this set provide a much cheaper alternative to the rangers boots, and the bandana is a cheap subsitute for an Archers Helm/Robin Hood Hat. Snakeskin requires 30 Range to use it.

Snakeskin Armour (members only)
Pic	Name	Hides needed	Crafting Lvl	Attack stats					Defence stats					Other stats
Pic	Name	Hides needed	Crafting Lvl	Stab	Slash	Crush	Magic	Range	Stab	Slash	Crush	Magic	Range	Strength	Prayer
	Boots	6	45	0	0	0	-10	+3	+1	+1	+2	+1	0	0	0
	Vambraces	8	47	0	0	0	-5	+6	+2	+2	+2	+1	0	0	0
	Bandana	5	48	0	0	0	-5	+4	+2	+4	+4	+2	+2	0	0
	Chaps	12	51	0	0	0	-5	+6	+8	+8	+10	+4	+10	0	0
	Body	15	53	0	0	0	-5	+12	+25	+28	+32	+15	+35	0	0

If you have access to the Dorgeshuun city of Dorgesh-Kaan, you can purchase this armour from Reldak's Leather Armour in the marketplace. This armour requires 25 Ranged and 25 Defence to wear.

Frog-Leather Body

-5

+10

+23

+26

+30

+15

+10

Frog-Leather Chaps

-5

Frog-Leather Boots

-8

Another type of armour you can utilize is Spined Armour. This armour is constructed from the hides of Dagannoths by Sigli the Hunter near the entrance to Relleka for a fee. It offers good protection and bonuses.

Spined Armour
Pic	Name	Attack Values					Defence values					Other Stats
Pic	Name	Stab	Slash	Crush	Magic	Range	Stab	Slash	Crush	Magic	Range	Strength	Prayer
	Spined Helm	0	-6	-6	-6	+6	+6	+6	+6	+6	0	0	0
	Spined Body	0	0	0	-15	+15	+40	+32	+45	+20	+40	0	0
	Spined Chaps	0	0	0	-10	+8	+22	+16	+24	+8	+22	0	0
	Spined Gloves	0	0	0	0	0	+1	+2	0	0	0	0	0
	Spined Boots	0	0	0	0	0	+1	+1	0	0	0	0	0

However, there is a better type of leather you can get by killing Dragons - Dragon hide. This can be crafted to make even more useful Dragon Leather Armour as shown below. Different dragons give different hides which in turn can be crafted into different leathers. Only the green variety is available for F2P players from Oziach and the Champions Guild, after they complete the Dragon Slayer quest. You can wear the chaps and vambraces even if you haven't completed the Dragon Slayer quest, though.

The requirement of 40 defence only applies to the body, you can wear the chaps and vambraces at 1 defence. The range requirement applies to all armour pieces.

Green Leather Armour requires 40 ranged
Blue Leather Armour requires 50 ranged (members only)
Red Leather Armour requires 60 ranged (members only)
Black Leather Armour requires 70 ranged (members only)

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