OSRS Ranged DPS Math: Blowpipe, Crossbows, and Bowfa Comparisons

Ranged combat in Old School RuneScape isn’t just about picking the most expensive weapon—it’s about understanding the DPS math that decides how much damage you actually deal. The Toxic Blowpipe, crossbows, and the Bow of Faerdhinen (Bowfa) are three of the most popular ranged weapons, but each shines in different situations.

The blowpipe’s unmatched speed, the crossbow’s deadly accuracy and bolt effects, and the Bowfa’s synergy with crystal armour all change how they perform. In this guide, we’ll break down the numbers, compare their strengths, and show when each weapon delivers the best ranged DPS.

Why DPS Math Matters for Ranged Weapons

Choosing between the Toxic Blowpipe, crossbows, and the Bowfa is one of the most common debates in OSRS. Each weapon has its niche: the blowpipe’s speed, the crossbow’s accuracy and bolt effects, and the Bowfa’s crystal armour synergy.

Understanding the math behind ranged DPS is the only way to know which is optimal for your setup and the boss you’re facing. Compare godsword and whip setups using the OSRS DPS Calculator for accurate results.

How OSRS Ranged DPS Is Calculated

The game uses three main factors to measure DPS:

• Accuracy (hit chance): Based on your attack roll versus the enemy’s defence roll.
• Average damage per hit: Roughly half of your max hit, adjusted for accuracy.
• Attack speed: Measured in ticks (a tick = 0.6 seconds).

Formula (simplified):

DPS = Accuracy × Average Hit × (1 / Attack Speed)

This explains why a fast weapon with low accuracy can still outperform a slow but powerful one, depending on the target.

Toxic Blowpipe DPS Breakdown

• Attack speed: 2 ticks (fastest in the game).
• Max hit scaling: Depends on dart tier and ranged strength bonus.
• Accuracy: Lower than Bowfa or crossbows against tanky bosses.
• Strengths:
  • Highest DPS against low-defence monsters.
  • Excellent for Slayer, Zulrah, and mid-level PvM.
  • Built-in healing via special attack.
• Weaknesses:
  • Struggles against high-defence enemies.
  • Ammo (darts + scales) can be expensive long-term.

Use case: For Slayer and general PvM, blowpipe usually dominates.

Combat simulations feel more accurate when tested through PVP Scenarios built for OSRS.

Crossbows DPS Breakdown

(Covers Dragon, Armadyl, and Zaryte Crossbows)

• Attack speed: 5 ticks (slower).
• Max hit scaling: Very high, especially with enchanted bolts.
• Accuracy: Among the best ranged weapons, shines against high-defence monsters.
• Strengths:
  • Ruby bolts (e) deliver massive burst damage on high-HP bosses.
  • Dragon Hunter Crossbow is best-in-slot for dragons.
• Weaknesses:
  • Slower attack cycle means lower DPS on weak mobs.
  • Ammo costs add up.

Use case: Best for Vorkath, Corporeal Beast, and other high-defence bosses

OSRS hit chance calculator – compare accuracy across weapons.

Bow of Faerdhinen (Bowfa) DPS Breakdown

• Attack speed: 4 ticks (middle ground).
• Accuracy: Extremely high, especially with full crystal armour set effect.
• Max hit scaling: Strong ranged strength bonus from crystal gear.
• Strengths:
  • Balanced mix of accuracy and speed.
  • No ammo cost with crystal shards.
  • Consistent DPS in raids and long fights.
• Weaknesses:
  • Requires crystal armour investment.
  • Slightly slower than blowpipe for low-defence mobs.

Use case: Raids, ToA, ToB, and bosses where consistency beats speed.

Weapon Comparison Table

Weapon	Attack Speed	Accuracy	Max Hit Potential	Best Use Cases
Blowpipe	2 ticks	Medium	High with darts	Slayer, Zulrah, mid-tier PvM
Crossbows	5 ticks	Very high	Very high (with bolts)	Vorkath, Corp, dragon bosses
Bowfa	4 ticks	High	High with crystal armour	Raids, ToA, tanky bosse

For deeper build testing, the Last Epoch DPS Calculator gives a clear view of every skill’s potential.

Boss Scenarios and Practical Advice

• Zulrah: Blowpipe is unmatched for speed and sustain.
• Vorkath: Crossbows with ruby bolts (e) provide unmatched burst.
• Raids (CoX, ToA, ToB): Bowfa with crystal armour offers the most consistent DPS.
• Slayer tasks: Blowpipe clears mobs fastest, especially at high Slayer counts.

Accuracy vs Speed Trade-Off

• Blowpipe wins against low-defence mobs because accuracy isn’t an issue.
• Crossbows win when accuracy is critical, even if they attack slower.
• Bowfa provides a strong middle ground, especially when crystal armour boosts both accuracy and strength.

FAQs

Is blowpipe still the best ranged weapon in OSRS?
Not always. It’s best for low-defence PvM but loses ground in high-defence fights.

When should I use Bowfa over blowpipe?
Use Bowfa with crystal armour for raids and bosses where accuracy is key.

Why are crossbows still meta in 2025?
Because of ruby bolt (e) procs and high accuracy, making them ideal for bosses like Vorkath.

Does Bowfa cost less to use?
Yes. Crystal shards are cheaper long-term than blowpipe darts and scales.