Combat classes

Combat classes in RuneScape are different types of combat, each involving their own weapons, armour, and abilities. There are three classes: the Warrior, Ranger, and Mage. Each class is strongest against another class and weakest to the other, forming the combat triangle. In addition, each combat class has a small number of subclasses that are specific forms of attack relating to their style (for example stab, arrows, and water).

Unlike many other role-playing games, a player character is not limited to one combat class upon character creation; their active class is determined by their wielded equipment.

The vast majority of monsters in RuneScape use attacks from one or more combat classes and have a weakness against one particular class and subclass. Other monsters have no weakness and may be fought effectively with any class.

Warrior
A warrior uses the Melee combat class. Warriors are strong defensively and offensively against rangers, while the inverse is true against mages. A warrior's weapons can only be used in close combat and their armour is typically heavy and metallic.

The subclasses for a warrior are stab, slash, and crush. Example weapons of these subclasses are daggers, scimitars, and maces, respectively.

Ranger
A ranger uses the Ranged combat class. Rangers are strong defensively and offensively against mages, while the inverse is true against warriors. A ranger can attack from a distance and their armour consists of worked animal hides. Ranged weaponry usually requires ammunition, some of which can be enchanted for various effects.

The subclasses for a ranger are arrows, bolts, and thrown. Examples weapons of these subclasses are the Crystal bow, Royal crossbow, and Sagaie. Some weapons have farther attack ranges than others, such as shieldbows compared to darts.

Mage
A mage uses the Magic combat class. Mages are strong defensively and offensively against warriors, while the inverse is true against rangers. A mage wields a staff or wand and uses combat spells to cast damage. Their armour consists of knitted robes.

When fighting, a mage casts spells from either the Standard spellbook or the Ancient spellbook. The use of spells requires runes, and a mage thus requires runes in the inventory when fighting. These spells may either be direct damaging spells or spells that apply buffs to the target, such as a lowered Defence.

Mages also unlock access to various non-combative magical activities, such as the Lunar spellbook or teleports to various locations. It is worth noting that these unlocks are also useful to players who do not wish to fight as a mage.

The subclasses for a mage are air, water, earth, and fire. The type used is unaffected by the weapon and is instead based off the spell autocasted, such as Fire Surge.

Trivia

 * In the early days of Runescape Classic, Magic was divided into Good and Evil Magic.
 * In Runescape Classic, you could become a Necromancer instead of a Mage.