Magic DPS in OSRS: Trident vs Shadow vs Sang Staff Damage Output

Magic has always been one of the most versatile combat styles in Old School RuneScape, but not all staves are created equal. The Trident, Sanguinesti Staff, and Tumeken’s Shadow each bring different strengths to the table—whether it’s affordable consistency, self-sustain through healing, or raw damage output that crushes raid bosses.

Choosing the right weapon isn’t just about cost or gear upgrades; it’s about understanding how magic DPS math works and when each staff performs best.

In this guide, we’ll break down their max hits, accuracy, and unique mechanics to show which staff delivers the highest damage in different scenarios. Prayer setups can drastically affect combat, so use the OSRS Prayer Boost Calculator to find ideal bonuses.

Why Magic DPS Matters in OSRS

Magic combat has always been versatile in Old School RuneScape. From Slayer tasks to high-end raids, players rely on DPS (damage per second) to measure how effective their gear truly is. Today, three staves define the meta:

• Trident (of the Seas or Swamp) – the budget, reliable option.
• Sanguinesti Staff (Sang staff) – strong DPS with self-healing.
• Tumeken’s Shadow – the current powerhouse of magic combat.

Each staff has different mechanics, costs, and performance levels. Knowing when to use each one can save GP, improve consistency, and maximize your DPS.

How Magic DPS Is Calculated

Magic DPS depends on three core factors:

• Accuracy: Chance of your spell hitting, based on attack roll vs enemy magic defence.
• Average damage per cast: Roughly half your max hit (adjusted by accuracy).
• Attack speed: Most magic staves attack every 4 ticks (2.4 seconds).

Simplified formula:

With this in mind, let’s break down how each staff performs.

Trident of the Seas / Swamp

• Attack speed: 4 ticks.
• Max hit: Scales with Magic level (up to 23 for Seas, 31 for Swamp).
• Accuracy: Adequate but limited compared to newer staves.
• Strengths:
  • Cheap to use and easy to obtain.
  • Reliable for Slayer and mid-tier PvM.
  • Swamp version adds passive poison damage.
• Weaknesses:
  • Low ceiling for max hit.
  • Struggles in high-defence encounters.

Best use: Entry-level bossing (Kraken, Barrows, Zulrah phases).

• OSRS hit chance calculator – compare staff accuracy.

Sanguinesti Staff (Sang)

• Attack speed: 4 ticks.
• Max hit: Higher than trident (up to ~35).
• Unique effect: 1/6 chance to heal 50% of damage dealt.
• Accuracy: Good across mid- to high-level PvM.
• Strengths:
  • Healing effect reduces food use, excellent for raids.
  • Consistently stronger DPS than trident.
• Weaknesses:
  • Expensive upkeep due to blood rune charges.
  • Still weaker DPS than Shadow in high-def fights.

Best use: Chambers of Xeric, Theatre of Blood, long boss fights where sustain matters.

Tumeken’s Shadow

• Attack speed: 4 ticks.
• Unique effect: Doubles your magic damage bonus and magic accuracy from gear.
• Max hit: Easily surpasses 50+ with proper gear scaling.
• Accuracy: Extremely high, even against bosses with strong defence.
• Strengths:
  • Highest DPS magic weapon in OSRS.
  • Ideal for endgame raids (ToA, ToB, CoX).
  • Scales exceptionally well with gear.
• Weaknesses:
  • Very high cost per cast (rune drain).
  • Overkill for Slayer and mid-tier PvM.

Best use: Endgame bosses and raids where maximum DPS is required.

DPS Comparison Table

Staff	Max Hit (99 Magic)	Accuracy	Special Effect	Best For
Trident (Swamp)	~31	Medium	Poison damage	Mid-tier bossing, Slayer
Sanguinesti	~35	High	Heals 50% (1/6 chance)	Raids, sustained PvM
Tumeken’s Shadow	50+ (gear scaled)	Very High	Doubles magic bonus	Endgame raids, high-def bosses

• OSRS DPS calculator – test different setups.

Cost Efficiency Considerations

• Trident: Cheapest per cast; ideal for budget players.
• Sanguinesti Staff: Expensive due to blood rune charges but offsets cost by reducing food and supply use.
• Tumeken’s Shadow: Highest rune cost per hour; practical only if your goal is maximum DPS.

Practical Recommendations

• Use Trident for affordable, consistent DPS in mid-game PvM.
• Upgrade to Sang staff if you want stronger DPS with healing for long fights.
• Invest in Shadow only if you’re focused on endgame PvM and raids, where it significantly outclasses all alternatives.

FAQs

Which staff has the best DPS in OSRS?
Tumeken’s Shadow has the highest DPS thanks to its passive effect that doubles magic bonuses.

Is the Sanguinesti staff still worth it?
Yes. Its healing makes it one of the best sustained DPS options for raids and longer boss fights.

Does the trident still have a place in 2025?
Yes. It’s still the best budget option for Slayer and early bossing.

Is Tumeken’s Shadow cost-efficient?
No. It’s expensive to run, but unbeatable for DPS in raids and endgame PvM.