RuneScape 3 has come a long way from how RuneScape used to be. Years back, RuneScape had a simple point-and-click combat style. Apart from being able to use a Special Attack with certain weapons, combat was a fairly static experience for players. The Evolution of Combat update changed all of that, adding lots of abilities to players' arsenals.
Abilities can be set up on an action bar, with players able to use keyboard shortcuts to unleash different and deadly combat abilities that heavily influence how a fight goes. While the player base has been split on this update, those that like to play with the Revolution combat need to know the best melee abilities around. RuneScape 3 is a very well-done game, and despite its age, even competes with the MMOs released in 2021.
7 Berserk
Berserk is the ultimate strength ability and one of the most powerful available in RuneScape 3. When activated, all damage from the player is doubled for 20.4 seconds, leading to massive damage-per-second (DPS) that can mean a huge difference when caught in a difficult boss fight.
Players should use this ability when beginning a boss encounter and watch as even RuneScape's hardest bosses are killed. Note that while the ability is active, the user will sustain 1.5x extra damage for the entire duration. Chaining this ability with Greater Flurry will lead to Berserk having a reduced cool down, so it is advisable for players to get Greater Flurry if they plan on using Berserk regularly.
6 Dismember
Dismember is a Strength-based bleed skill that is highly useful to players who like using the melee style of combat. When activated, Dismember creates a bleed effect on the opponent which can deal up to 188% weapon damage to an opponent over 6 seconds.
This is a high-DP ability that doesn't take any work to obtain, so players should definitely be running this in their action bar as soon as their levels and set-up allow them to. Players should beware that it has quite a long cooldown of 15 seconds, so they should back up their arsenal with other strong melee abilities.
5 Greater Fury
Greater Fury requires 24 Strength to use, so it becomes unlockable very early into the player's journey. It is the upgraded version of the Fury ability, and is useful to anyone who prefers using the melee style of combat. The ability is unlocked by reading the Greater Fury ability codex, which can be found in the Dragonkin Laboratory.
Greater Fury delivers a single hit of up to 157 % ability damage, and is a members-only skill. When players log into a free-to-play world, the ability will revert to Fury until they log back in to a member's world. Players should get this as early as possible in their journey to the completionist cape.
4 Greater Flurry
Flurry is updated to Greater Flurry when the player reads the Greater Flurry ability codex from the Dragonkin Laboratory. Greater Flurry is great for players seeking a strong damage output who like to chain abilities. While RuneScape gets better after a few hours, it's abilities like this that quickly start to increase the fun players have on the game.
Greater Flurry deals 18.8% to 94% (RNG-based) weapon damage, just like the original Flurry ability. However, using Greater Flurry allows the player to use Berserk more quickly, as it reduces the cooldown of that ability by 1.2 seconds.
3 Greater Barge
The Greater Barge ability can be gained when the player reads the Greater Barge ability codex. When unlocked, it will replace the original Barge ability. This ability requires 30 Attack to wield, so players can unlock this pretty soon into the free-to-play MMO.
This ability makes the player charge to their target, dealing from 25% to 125% (RNG-based) weapon damage and also binding the target for 6.6 seconds. What's more, activating this ability frees a player of any binds they're currently locked in.
2 Bladed Dive
Bladed Dive requires 65 Attack and dual-wielded melee weapons. It can be obtained from the Shattered Worlds shop for 63,000,000 shattered anima. When activated, players can use their cursor to choose a destination, dealing anywhere between 25% and 125% ability damage to any opponent close enough. Shattered Worlds is one of the subscription-based MMO's best minigames, so it's worth players going through this anyway.
This ability is one of the best melee abilities players can get on RuneScape 3, though it does take a bit of grinding to get there. Due to its distinct activation and features, it is not well-suited to beginner players and is better for those who feel experienced with the Revolution combat system.
1 Blood Tendrils
Blood Tendrils is the best melee combat ability available in RuneScape 3 and is not unlocked until a player is deep into the mid-game. The ability requires 75 Attack to use, and is one of only five bleed abilities available to melee. It leads to the best sword fights available on the game.
Targets of this ability will sustain anywhere from 36% to 180% ability damage and a further bleed effect. However, the caster will also receive bleed damage. Therefore, it is very important that players do not use this when their HP is too low, as the ability can kill them.
RuneScape 3 is available on PC, iOS, and Android.