OSRS DPS Explained: Ticks, Accuracy, and Max Hit Made Simple

DPS, or damage per second, is one of the most important concepts in Old School RuneScape combat. Whether you’re bossing, grinding Slayer, or fighting in PvP, understanding how ticks, accuracy, and max hit interact will help you choose the right weapon and maximize efficiency.

The challenge is that OSRS doesn’t use real-time seconds like most games—it runs on a tick system. Add in the randomness of accuracy rolls and the uniform damage range, and DPS can feel confusing. This guide breaks it all down into plain language, showing you how each part works, why it matters, and how to calculate DPS with simple examples.

What this guide covers

• What DPS means in Old School RuneScape
• How ticks control attack speed
• Why accuracy determines consistency
• How max hit is calculated
• A simple formula for DPS you can actually use

What Is DPS in OSRS?

In Old School RuneScape, DPS means damage per second. It tells you how much damage, on average, your character deals over time. Unlike most games, OSRS combat runs on a tick system instead of real-time seconds.

The short answer:

• Ticks decide how often you swing.
• Accuracy decides how often you land a hit.
• Max hit decides how much each hit can deal.

Combine all three, and you get your DPS.

If you’re curious about how DPS compares to real-world income, you can check out this take-home pay calculator to see how frequency, deductions, and “accuracy” of taxes impact your net results—very similar to DPS math.

Understanding Ticks in OSRS Combat

• 1 tick = 0.6 seconds.
• Each weapon has an attack speed in ticks.

Examples:

• Abyssal whip → 4 ticks (2.4 seconds)
• Blowpipe → 2 ticks (1.2 seconds)
• Godsword → 6 ticks (3.6 seconds)

Faster weapons strike more often, but usually with smaller max hits.

For comparison, just like in payroll, faster pay periods with smaller checks can sometimes feel different than slower, larger ones. Tools like the salary paycheck calculator work on the same principle—frequency changes your average outcome.

Accuracy: The Hidden DPS Factor

Accuracy is the chance your attack connects.

• Your attack roll (stats + gear + style) is compared to the enemy’s defense roll.
• A higher roll increases your chance to hit.
• Example: 70% accuracy → 7 out of 10 hits land.

This mirrors how deductions reduce certainty in income—you don’t always “land” your full gross pay. A similar breakdown is shown in the paycheck deductions calculator.

Max Hit: How Hard You Can Hit

Your max hit is the top damage number you can roll. OSRS picks randomly between 0 and your max.

Factors:

• Strength or ranged/magic level
• Gear strength bonus
• Boosts from prayers or potions

Because the roll is uniform, your average hit = half your max hit.

Putting It All Together: Simple DPS Formula

DPS≈(Max Hit×0.5)×AccuracyAttack Speed (ticks)×0.6\text{DPS} \approx \frac{(\text{Max Hit} \times 0.5) \times \text{Accuracy}}{\text{Attack Speed (ticks)} \times 0.6}

Example

• Abyssal whip: 4 ticks (2.4s)
• Max hit: 30
• Accuracy: 70%

DPS=30×0.5×0.72.4=4.37DPS = \frac{30 \times 0.5 \times 0.7}{2.4} = 4.37

Average output: 4.37 damage per second.

Comparing Weapons: A Quick Example Table

Weapon	Speed (ticks)	Max Hit	Accuracy	Example DPS
Abyssal whip	4 (2.4s)	30	70%	~4.4
Dragon scimitar	4 (2.4s)	28	68%	~4.0
Blowpipe (darts)	2 (1.2s)	15	85%	~5.3
Godsword	6 (3.6s)	50	65%	~4.5

How to Improve Your DPS in OSRS

• Use faster weapons when possible.
• Boost accuracy with gear, potions, and attack styles.
• Increase max hit with strength gear and prayers.
• Practice tick manipulation for advanced gains.

FAQs

Q: What does DPS mean in OSRS?
Your average damage per second, based on ticks, accuracy, and max hit.

Q: How many seconds is a tick in OSRS?
One tick equals 0.6 seconds.

Q: Is a higher max hit always better?
Not always. Faster and more accurate weapons may out-DPS slower heavy hitters.

Q: Do prayers and potions affect DPS?
Yes, they boost both accuracy and max hit.

Q: Why do players talk about “tick manipulation”?
It lets you act more often inside the tick cycle, increasing DPS efficiency.