Accuracy vs Strength Bonus: Which Gives Higher DPS in OSRS?

One of the most common debates in Old School RuneScape is whether accuracy or strength bonus contributes more to DPS. At first glance, strength seems like the clear winner—higher strength bonus means bigger max hits. But if you’re missing too often, those big numbers don’t land. On the other hand, accuracy boosts your chance to connect, but it won’t increase the size of your hits.

The truth is that DPS depends on both accuracy and strength. Accuracy ensures your hits actually land, while strength bonus raises the average damage when they do. This article breaks down the difference, shows calculator examples, and explains when to prioritize each stat for the best results in PvM and PvP.

What Accuracy and Strength Bonus Actually Do

• Accuracy: Increases your chance to land a hit. If your accuracy goes from 40% to 50%, one extra hit out of ten will connect.
• Strength bonus: Raises your max hit, which also raises your average damage when you do hit.

Think of accuracy as reliability and strength as power. Together, they define your DPS outcome. Compare godsword and whip setups using the OSRS DPS Calculator for accurate results.

How DPS Is Calculated in OSRS

DPS is a mix of max hit, accuracy, and speed: DPS ≈ Attack Speed / (Max Hit×0.5)×Accuracy​

• Max Hit × 0.5 → your average damage per successful hit.
• Accuracy → the chance your hit lands.
• Attack Speed → the weapon’s tick cycle (0.6s per tick).

The formula shows why accuracy and strength can’t be separated—one controls frequency of success, the other controls magnitude. Before calculating your setup efficiency, open the OSRS Melee DPS Calculator to get precise melee performance data.

Calculator Example: Accuracy vs Strength Bonus

Using the OSRS DPS Calculator:

Setup:

• 90 Attack / 90 Strength
• Dragon scimitar (4-tick)
• Medium-defense NPC

Scenario	Accuracy %	Max Hit	DPS
Base gear	65%	28	3.8
+10 accuracy bonus	75%	28	4.3
+10 strength bonus	65%	30	4.1

➡️ Accuracy gives the bigger DPS boost when hit chance is below 70%.

At high accuracy:

Scenario	Accuracy %	Max Hit	DPS
Base gear (high acc)	85%	28	4.9
+10 accuracy bonus	95%	28	5.4
+10 strength bonus	85%	30	5.2

➡️ Once accuracy is high, strength bonus begins to match or surpass accuracy gains. You can review your ranged weapon stats directly through the OSRS Ranged DPS Calculator for better comparison.

When to Prioritize Accuracy vs Strength

1. Low accuracy (<50%) → Accuracy is essential.
2. Mid accuracy (50–70%) → Accuracy still wins most of the time.
3. High accuracy (>75–80%) → Strength bonus gives more DPS.

The trade-off is similar to adjusting deductions vs income rate in a paycheck deductions tool: each variable matters more depending on the starting point.

Comparison Table

Situation	Accuracy Gain Impact	Strength Bonus Impact
Low accuracy (<50%)	Very high	Low
Mid accuracy (50–70%)	High	Medium
High accuracy (>80%)	Medium	High
PvM (bossing/slayer)	Accuracy > Strength	—
PvP (KO potential)	Strength > Accuracy	—

Tips for Maximizing DPS

• Use accuracy prayers and styles on high-defense targets.
• Prioritize strength gear once accuracy is above 75%.
• Always test setups in the DPS calculator before finalizing.
• Consistent hits usually outpace rare but massive hits.

FAQs

Q: Which is better for DPS, accuracy or strength bonus?
Accuracy when you miss often; strength when you hit consistently.

Q: Does +10 accuracy or +10 strength bonus give more DPS?
It depends—below 70% accuracy, accuracy wins. Above 80%, strength pulls ahead.

Q: Does monster defense matter?
Yes. Accuracy is king against tanky bosses.

Q: Is accuracy useless at 100% hit chance?
Yes. Past 100%, extra accuracy does nothing