OSRS: The 10 Best Mage Armors (Ranked)

What is the best mage armor in OSRS?

Mage armor in OSRS differs from other types of armor as it serves mainly to boost the wearer’s magical abilities.

Most of these armors also cannot be made by players, meaning you’re going to have to come by them while exploring the world.

Having the best armor can definitely help make you a more powerful mage, which is why we’ve created this in-depth guide.

OSRS: The 10 Best Mage Armors

We’ve created this list by comparing all of the common and rare mage armors in Old School Runescape. 

This way, you can be sure you’re getting a set of armor that will actually benefit you the most in-game.

Here’s our list of the 10 best mage armors in OSRS:

10. Wizard Robes

Wizard robes are a common sight in OSRS, and they have no requirements to equip them.

The robes consist of a hat and a robe top that can be paired with skirts to match or the Zamorak monk bottoms for a +2 magic bonus.

While they aren’t very powerful overall, the wizard robes are perfect for mage characters that are just starting out.

Stats:

Wizard robes can provide a magic attack bonus and a magic defense bonus.

The hat will give wearers a +2 in magic attack and magic defence, while the robe will add an additional +3 magic attack and defence.

If you pair this armor set with the Zamorak monk bottoms, you can benefit from a +2 magic attack and +3 magic defence.

How To Get It:

The hat can be purchased from Betty’s Magic Emporium in Port Sarim or found as a drop from a wizard.

Wizard robes can be found as a drop from level 9 wizards found primarily at the Wizards’ Tower.

If you want to grab the Zamorak monk bottoms, these can be found on any Disciple of Iban and sometimes on the Monks of Zamorak.

9. Mystic Robes

Mystic robes are a popular medium-level armor that require level 40 magic and 20 defence to wear.

The set consists of a hat, top robe, bottom robe, gloves, and boots, all of which give solid bonuses to magic but nothing else.

These robes are popular for safespot maging and PVP combat due to their low cost.

Stats:

With the full set equipped, wearers can have their magic attack and defense bonuses increased by +45 each.

The robe top alone gives a +20 to magic attack and defence, while the bottoms provide a +15 to both stats.

While it isn’t the best mage armor in the game, it is a solid choice for mid-tier mages who need a boost.

How To Get It:

Mystic robes can be found by killing various monsters, particularly Slayer monsters.

The blue mystic robes can also be purchased from the Wizards’ Guild if you have the money.

Rarely will pieces be dropped by dragon implings or found inside the Brimstone chest.  

8. Splitbark Armour

This medium-level magic armor set won’t protect you much from the best-ranged weapons in OSRS, but it can help protect you from melee attacks while boosting your magic.

Splitbark armour requires 40 magic and 40 defence to wear, and while it raises magic less than mystic robes, it provides much more melee protection.

While it is rare to see players wearing this armor, it can be a solid choice if you’re willing to have it made.

Stats:

Splitbark armor has some impressive stats, and for mages, it will increase the magic attack bonus by +24 while lowering ranged attack by -21.

However, this armor will add +74 stab defence, +59 slash defence, +86 crush defence, and +32 magic defence.

So long as you’re not going up against a powerful ranged character, Splitbark armor can protect you very well overall.

How To Get It:

In order to get Splitbark armour, you will have to have it made by Wizard Jalarast in the Wizards’ Tower.

While Jalarast can craft each piece, you will have to bring her the raw materials and pay a fee.

Alternatively, players can craft this armor themselves with fine cloth and bark, though it does require a 60-62 crafting level.

7. Skeletal Armour

Skeletal armour is Fremennik armour that is designed to be used by mages, and it can provide some decent boosts to magic stats.

However, players must have 40 magic and 40 defence in order to equip it, and, like some of the best OSRS melee armor, you must complete the Fremennik Trials first as well.

This armor is comprised of the skeletal helm, skeletal top, skeletal bottoms, skeletal gloves, and skeletal boots, each of which provides solid bonuses.

Stats:

With the total set of skeletal armor equipped, players can receive a +16 magic attack bonus but take a hit of -19 to ranged attack bonuses.

For defence bonuses, a full set of skeletal armor will provide a +67 stab defence, +56 slash defence, +80 crush defence, and +28 magic defence.

Like the Splitbark Armour, this set will keep you pretty well protected from anything aside from archers.

How To Get It:

This OSRS mage armor can only be made by going to Waterbirth Island, after which some pieces may be dropped by wallasalkis and Dagannoth Prime.

When you gather all of the raw materials to make this armor, dagnnoth hides, and bone pieces, they can be brought to Peer the Seer in Rellekka, who can create the armor for a fee.

If you have a lot of money to spend, this armor can also sometimes be found on the Grand Exchange for a decent price.

6. Infinity Robes

Infinity robes are incredibly colorful and require 25 defence and 50 magic levels to equip.

While they don’t have melee or ranged protection, they are perfect for mages who want to go all in on magic use.

If the multi-colored robes aren’t quite your character’s style, they can be recolored using a light or dark infinity colour kit.

 Stats:

Wearing the full Infinity robe set will give players a +55 to both magic attack and magic defence.

While this means your character will end up being a bit of a glass cannon against melee and ranged attackers, it can be useful against other mages.

Just be careful if you’re going to enter a PVP area where powerful melee or ranged players could attack you.

How To Get It:

Each piece of the Infinity set can be obtained from the Reward Guardian at the top of the arena in exchange for pizazz points.

For a full set, you will need 1,495 telekinetic, 1,495 graveyard, 1,695 alchemist, and 14,700 enchantment points.

Since it takes so much to obtain these robes, they are very uncommon among players, despite being a solid set for powerful magic users.

5. Farseer Helm

The Farseer helm isn’t a full set of armor, but it is the third-best helmet for the highest magic attack bonus.

This helm is popular among players because it is easier to obtain than most other magic gear, and it doesn’t degrade as Ahrim’s hood does.

Used often in PVP due to its solid defence, the Farseer helm is definitely a powerful piece of kit, especially if paired with one of the best amulets in OSRS, like the 3rd Age Amulet.

 Stats:

The Farseer helm provides a magic attack bonus of +6 but a -5 in all other attack types.

In defence, it offers +8 stab damage, +10 slash defence, +12 crush defence, and +6 magic defence.

When combined with other armor pieces, this helm has the potential to be incredibly useful to magic users.

How To Get It:

Since the Farseer helm is a piece of Fremennik armour, you will have to complete The Fremennik Trials and have a 45 defence before grabbing this helm.

Once you meet the requirements, you can buy this helm for Skulgrimen in Rellekka for 78,000 coins.

You can also find this helm as a drop from Dagnnoth or through gambling points in the Barbarian Assault minigame.

4. Lunar Equipment

Lunar equipment looks awesome, and it requires a level 65 in magic and a level 40 in defence to equip.

The full set, including the ring, amulet, and staff, provides slightly less magic attack than the mystic robes but greater defence bonuses that are similar to the Splitbark armor.

This armor is a good balance between melee and magic, making it a good choice for mages who want more protection.

 Stats:

With the full set equipped, Lunar equipment provides attack bonuses of +3 stab, +2 slash, +16 crush, +42 magic, and -21 ranged.

For defence bonuses, players can expect +67 stab, +55 slash, +79 crush, +43 magic, and +3 ranged.

It also comes with a +15 melee strength bonus and a +3 prayer bonus.

How To Get It:

Lunar equipment is the biggest set in the game, with 9 pieces in total, and to get them all, you have to complete the Lunar Diplomacy quest.

After finishing the quest, pieces may be bought from Oneiromancer on Lunar Isle.

Keep in mind that every piece of the set will be lost upon death, so you won’t want to be reckless while wearing this armor.

3. 3rd Age Mage Equipment

This is a high-level magic armour set, and it is incredibly rare and expensive to come by.

3rd Age Mage equipment provides higher magical attack and defence bonuses than the Infinity robes but a smaller overall bonus than Ahrim’s robes.

All armor pieces require level 65 magic to use, as well as a level 30 defence.

Stats:

A full set of 3rd Age mage armor will provide a boost of +51 to both magic attack and defence.

If you wear the 3rd Age amulet and use the 3rd Age wand, this total jumps to +86 magic attack and +81 magic defence.

For a straight magic user, this armor set is incredibly powerful if you’re able to find it all.

How To Get It:

This armor set may not be as hard to get as some of the rarest drops in OSRS, but it will still require a lot of work.

To find the 3rd Age Mage Equipment, players have to complete hard, elite, and master tier Treasure Trails.

The 3rd Age mage armor is a possible reward for finishing these tiers, but you will have to be a bit lucky.

2. Ahrim the Blighted’s Robes

Ahrim the Blighted’s equipment consists of a robe top, robe skirt, hood, and staff, and you must have 70 magic and defence to equip it.

These robes provide more melee defence bonuses than magic armor usually does, making it popular for PVP areas.

This set also offers some of the best magic bonuses in the game, making it useful for fighting high-level monsters.

 Stats:

A full set, including Ahrim’s staff, will provide +12 stab, -1 slash, +65 crush, +73 magic, and -19 attack bonuses.

For defence, it offers +103 stab, +85 slash, +117 crush, and +73 magic.

It also comes with a +68 melee strength and +5% magic damage, which is extremely useful for intense combat.

How To Get It:

This OSRS mage armor set is obtainable from the Barrows minigame, which tasks players with robbing valuable items from the Barrow Brothers’ crypts.

However, there are numerous wights guarding these valuables, which forces you to have to fight your way through the area.

While most people take on this minigame for the barrows gloves, one of the best gloves in OSRS, it is also the only way to get this great mage gear.

1. Ancestral Robes

The Ancestral robes are the best in slot mage gear you can find, and they require 75 magic and 65 defence to equip.

While they do lack some of the defensive stats that Ahrim’s robes can provide, they make up for this with magic accuracy and damage.

They also won’t degrade and can be recolored using a twisted ancestral colour kit!

Stats:

While wearing the Ancestral hat, robe top, and robe bottom, players can benefit from a +69 to their magic attack bonus.

This set also provides +81 stab, +66 slash, +94 crush, and a +53 magical defence bonus.

It also comes with a +6 magic damage bonus, making it the best choice for mages who want to get the most power out of their spells.

How To Get It:

As the best OSRS mage armor, Ancestral robes can be found as a rare drop from the Chambers of Xeric.

The Chambers of Xeric are located in a sprawling cave system and filled with tough bosses, with the Great Olm being the final boss of the area.

Rewards here are based on participation points with your team, and these points allow players a chance to obtain a unique reward, including these Ancestral robes.

Summary

Playing as a mage in OSRS is incredibly rewarding, but it can be tougher than playing as a heavy-hitting melee damage dealer.

However, these robes can make dealing damage and staying alive a lot easier, provided you’re able to grab them for yourself.

Make sure to check out our other Old School Runescape lists and guides to learn more about how to set up your character!

Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best mage armors in OSRS:

1. Ancestral Robes
2. Ahrim the Blighted’s Robes
3. 3rd Age Mage Equipment
4. Lunar Equipment
5. Farseer Hel
6. Infinity Robes
7. Skeletal Armour
8. Splitbark Armour
9. Mystic Robes
10. Wizard Robes

What’s your favorite type of mage armor in OSRS? Leave a comment below.