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Reading the tiers
Each tier keeps the gear from the tier before unless a slot is replaced. Untradeables such as Ava's devices, Barrows gloves and Dizana's quiver are earned through quests and minigames, so they cost time rather than gold. They are also some of the best value upgrades on the list.
Weapon and ammo come first
Ranged damage depends on the weapon and the ammunition together, so a new bow with old arrows wastes most of the upgrade. A magic shortbow with rune or amethyst arrows is the early members standard. From 61 Ranged the rune crossbow with broad bolts becomes the Slayer workhorse, and at 75 the toxic blowpipe takes over for most tasks.
| Weapon | Ammo | Where it shines |
|---|---|---|
| Toxic blowpipe | Darts | Fast hits on low-defence targets, Slayer, healing special |
| Rune or dragon hunter crossbow | Bolts (e) | Slayer, dragons, high-health bosses |
| Bow of Faerdhinen | None | Inferno, Colosseum, raids; no ammo cost |
| Twisted bow | Arrows | Bosses with high Magic levels |
At the top end, the twisted bow grows stronger the higher the target's Magic level, which is why it dominates against raid bosses and does far less to low-Magic monsters. The Bow of Faerdhinen needs no ammo and is the steady choice almost everywhere else.
Armour: d'hide to Masori
Ranged armour mostly adds accuracy until Masori, which is the first set to add ranged strength in the body and legs. Black d'hide stays the budget body and chaps until then, and a Robin Hood hat from hard clues adds more accuracy than an archer helm. If you own a Bow of Faerdhinen, crystal armour boosts its damage and accuracy and is better with that bow than Masori. Fortified Masori adds defence, not damage, so it is the last piece to buy.
Void as a budget option
Elite void with the ranger helm gives 10% ranged accuracy and 12.5% ranged damage, which beats d'hide and holds its own against much more expensive armour. The trade is almost no defence. It costs Pest Control points, not gold, so it is a good early project for players who will be using the blowpipe for a long time.
Combat boosts and accessories
The top ranged boost needs 74 Prayer, 70 Defence and the dexterous scroll from Chambers of Xeric, and it is one of the largest ranged upgrades available. In the ring slot, an imbued archers ring holds until the Venator ring. Ava's assembler, made with Vorkath's head, replaces the accumulator once you have 70 Ranged.
Training while you upgrade
Chinchompas are the fast multi-target option for leveling, while Slayer with a crossbow or blowpipe pays its way. The Ranged training guide covers both, and the DPS calculator compares any two of your setups against a chosen monster.