Best bolts to use in OSRS in 2023

Old School Runescape, commonly known as OSRS, has special weapons known as bolts. They have required ammunition for cross-bows and are important if you want to focus on long-range weapons. They are made of two Smithing and Fletching skills, making them even deadlier than an arrow and a bow.

There are different types of bolts, and as a beginner in OSRS, you may find it difficult to know which one is the best. We shall get to highlight profitable bolts in OSRS, categorizing them from their raw power, design, and usage daily. 

What are the best bolts for a crossbow OSRS?

To get the bolts for your crossbow, you will require metal components from the smithing skill and feathers from the Fletching skill. Besides that, you can also obtain special bolts from monster drops or specialist shops.

Here is a list of the top ten best bolts for a crossbow in OSRS:

1. Enchanted emerald bolts

Enchanted emerald bolts OSRS

They are magical Mithril bolts with an emerald bolt attached at the tip. These enchanted emerald bolts are worth keeping because they contain a Magic Poison effect. It can cause some good poison damage at lower levels when utilized properly.

Considering they have a strong trigger likelihood, the emerald bolt is more poisonous than super poison. The bolt is necessary for a lower-level character’s armament and, most important, for an OSRS lower-level PK.

2. Enchanted Onyx bolts

Enchanted Onyx bolts

The enchanted Onyx bolt is an incredible weapon with a 10% chance of causing the Life Leech effect and an additional 20% damage on your opponent. To use them, you need to raise your magic level. They can also be obtained as monster drops from corporeal monsters. 

Its effect only works on living targets and doesn’t work on the undead like zombies and revenants. It is also worth noting that the Onyx bolts are very expensive to utilize regularly. You should save them for rare encounters that will cause significant damage.

3. Enchanted Dragonstone dragon bolts

Enchanted Dragonstone dragon bolts OSRS

These are the best bolts for a dragon crossbow, especially since their damage and trigger are based on defense. It will cause any enemy with poor defense to be eaten up alive.

The drawback of this bolt is that it is expensive, but all that is compensated by its usefulness in certain circumstances. 

4. Sapphire bolts

Sapphire bolts OSRS

Sapphire bolts are among the few that can be upgraded from mithril bolts. All that is required is a sapphire and level 7 magic. They have a Clear Mind effect which is the greatest effect in the game.

Not only does it reduce the victim’s prayer point, but it also siphons half of it to your Prayer stat. Similar to the Tophaz bolts, the Sapphire bolts are useful, especially in PvP scenarios.

5. Enchanted Opal Dragon bolts

Enchanted Opal Dragon bolts OSRS

They are the best bolts for slayers OSRS and an excellent option. This is because they are considered electric by most players. They have a Lucky Lightning proc with a 5% chance of activating and an additional 10% chance if you have completed Hard Kandarin Diary.

The Luck Lightning proc also summons a ferocious lightning bolt that causes visibly ranged and 10% damage. It is considered a must-have, especially for boss battles or PvP scenarios. 

6. Steel bolts

Steel bolts OSRS

Steel bolts are broad bolts in OSRS made by adding feathers on the unfinished steel bolts with level 46 fletching. It can be created with a steel bar and level 33 smithing. Besides manufacturing them, you can obtain these steel bolts from Zombie Pirates and Sorebones.

They are the best bolts for a steel crossbow or any other superior crossbow. Despite their simple look, they do quite a pretty good job.

7. Topaz bolts

Topaz bolts OSRS

Topaz bolts are upgrades from the steel bolts by enchanting them with Enchant Crossbow Bolt, also known as the Red Tophaz. The Red Tophaz is available when you reach level 29 magic. 

It also has the Down to Earth effect, which reduces your opponent’s magic by one level. You can utilize these Topaz bolts in PvP because its effect only works against other players.

8. Enchanted Ruby bolts

Enchanted Ruby bolts OSRS

These ruby bolts are firm bolts with ruby at their bolt tips and an Enchanted Crossbow Bolt enchantment which is ruby. They have a Blood Forfeit proc that makes them very potent, especially when used early in a fight with a boss and a high hitpoint. 

The enchanted ruby bolt is best used in the God Wars dungeon or when fighting dragons like Vorkath. Take note that it takes precedence over the bolt’s damage when the effect is initiated. You should only use this bolt on targets with higher hit points.

9. Enchanted Jade Dragon bolts

Enchanted Jade Dragon bolts OSRS

They are commonly used against enemies with low agility. It has an effect known as Earth’s Fury that buries your opponent in rocks and knocks them down when initiated. Its knockout effect is also splendid and important in your arsenal. 

The disadvantage is that you must use two rolls to hit your target, one to initiate the Earth’s Fury and the second to target your target’s agility. 

It will hit them instantly, especially if they don’t have superior agility. Ensure that you use this bolt carefully since it is very expensive to use it on everyone.

10. Diamond bolts

Diamond bolts in OSRS

Using the Enchant Crossbow Bolt, you can create the diamond bolts using the Dragonstone or dragon breath. As a result, you will obtain these great bolts that can be used to cause Dragon fire damage on the target. Building this bolt requires level 57 magic, a cosmic rune, ten earth runes, and 2 law runes.

It causes great damage to victims who have poor defense stats or are not protected by anti-dragon or anti-fire effects. It is worth noting that it is not wise to use these bolts to fight dragons or fire-breathing monsters because it will be a complete waste. I would recommend that you use them if you go hunting a lot.