RS3 gear progression

1. Get these first

   1. 1Work towards everything in Free Upgrade Order
   2. 2Tier 70 Weapons2.3M
   3. 3Tier 70 Deathwarden (Tank Armour)
   4. 4Craft the Deathwarden Nexus
   5. 5Conjurer's Raising Amulet107K
   6. 6Tier 80 Weapons2.8M
   7. 7Scripture of Jas2.6M
   8. 8Equilibrium 2
   9. 9Tier 90 Weapons3.8M
   10. 10Pick one ring to rule them all (you don't need both):

2. Then, as gold allows

   1. 11All other upgrades in Free Upgrade Order
   2. 12The First Necromancer set203.1M
   3. 13Omni Guard313M
   4. 14Soulbound Lantern563.5M
   5. 15Best-in-slot weapon perks
   6. 16Scripture of Ful110.7M
   7. 17Essence of Finality (with tier 70 Death Guard)
   8. 18Divert
   9. 19Tier 90 Flanking switch1.2M
   10. 20Equilibrium 4
   11. 21Shard of Genesis Essence (1 covers both and)1.46B

3. Last: small gains, big prices

   1. 22Ruination
   2. 23Vital Drain
   3. 24Invoke Lord of Bones
   4. 25Devourer's Nexus
   5. 26Misalionar's Death Mask and Cinderbane Gloves399.9M
   6. 27Deathtouch Bracelet
   7. 28Tier 100 Flanking switch563.5M
   8. 29Invoke Arisen Flesh

Questions

• What is the best combat style in RS3 in 2026?

  Necromancy is the easiest strong style to start: its gear is cheap and its upgrades are mostly untradeable unlocks. Magic and Ranged reach the highest damage at the top end, and Melee is strongest at a few bosses.

• What order should I buy gear upgrades in?

  Weapons first, then the cheap passive upgrades such as perks, prayers and pocket slot, then armour. The road above is in the order that adds the most damage for the gold.

• Is the gear progression different for ironmen?

  The order is the same, but an ironman earns each piece instead of buying it, so free and untradeable steps come earlier and boss drops gate the rest.

• What is best in slot gear in RS3?

  Each style's last stage on the road is its best in slot today. It changes when Jagex releases a new tier, and the road follows the guide that tracks it.