OSRS: Dragon Scimitar vs Saradomin Sword – Which Should You Use?
Image Credit: Jagex, Old School RuneScape (OSRS)
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS) players often debate whether the Dragon Scimitar (aka d scim) or the Saradomin Sword (aka sara sword) is better. Both weapons are popular for training Strength and Slayer, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. To make the choice even trickier, the Dragon Scimitar gets a major boost when paired with something like the Dragon Defender, which adds extra damage and accuracy. Let’s compare…
The Dragon Scimitar (d scim)
The Dragon Scimitar is a cheap, reliable weapon you can get after completing Monkey Madness I. It costs about 100k and is a great option for players who are still building their bank.
Strength Bonus: +66
Attack Speed: Fast (hits every 4 ticks)
Special Attack: Disables protection prayers in PvP for 5 seconds (useful for pking but not much else)
Requirements: 60 Attack and Monkey Madness I
The scimitar is fast and does good damage. It’s a great choice for training Strength or doing Slayer tasks, especially when paired with the Dragon Defender.
Dragon Defender with D Scim
The Dragon Defender is an off-hand item you can get at the Warriors’ Guild. It adds:
+6 Strength bonus (bringing the total to +72 with the scimitar)
Extra accuracy bonuses whcih makes it easier to hit enemies
When used with the Dragon Scimitar the defender makes this setup pretty dang respectable. It’s especially good against monsters with high defense where accuracy matters most.
The Saradomin Sword (sara sword)
The Saradomin Sword is a two-handed weapon, so it doesn’t use an off-hand item. It costs just over 100k and is stronger than the Dragon Scimitar on its own.
Strength Bonus: +82
Attack Speed: Fast (hits every 4 ticks)
Special Attack: Heals HP and Prayer equal to half the damage dealt (useful for Slayer tasks or long fights)
Requirements: 70 Attack
The Saradomin Sword is better for pure damage. It’s a popular choice for players training Strength as it gives slightly faster XP rates than the Dragon Scimitar. Its healing special attack can also save you food and Prayer points during long Slayer tasks.
Which Is Better?
Here’s how they compare:
Strength Training
The Saradomin Sword is better for XP because it has a higher Strength bonus (+82 vs. +72 with the Dragon Defender). This means you hit harder and train faster.
The Dragon Scimitar + Defender combo is still very good and much cheaper, so it’s great if you’re on a budget.
Slayer Tasks
The Dragon Scimitar + Defender is better for tasks with high-defense monsters, as the defender’s accuracy bonuses help you hit more consistently.
The Saradomin Sword is stronger against weaker monsters and can save supplies with its healing special attack.
PvP (Player-Killing)
The Dragon Scimitar wins here. Its special attack disables protection prayers, making it a powerful tool in PvP. The Saradomin Sword’s special attack isn’t useful in player-versus-player combat.
Cost
Honestly… They’re about the same. Cost shouldn’t be a major consideration at this point.
So… Which One Should You Choose?
Choose the Dragon Scimitar (with Dragon Defender) if you’re fighting high-defense monsters/need more accuracy or want some more defensive stats (e.g. need an off-hand).
Choose the Saradomin Sword if you’re focused on training Strength and want the fastest XP rates (although its not that much faster). It’s also great for Slayer tasks where healing is helpful.
Both setups are strong, and whatever you choose, both weapons will help you climb the ranks n’ level up in OSRS. Happy scaping!
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