runescape best prayer bonus per slot
Excellent question. In RuneScape, maximizing your Prayer bonus per equipment slot is a key strategy for bossing, slayer, and long trips. The “best” item can depend on your budget, stats, and whether you’re playing Old School RuneScape (OSRS) or RuneScape 3 (RS3).
Here is a breakdown of the **best Prayer bonus per slot** for both games, focusing on **OSRS** first (as the concept is more critical there), then RS3.
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### **Old School RuneScape (OSRS)**
The goal is to maximize the **+Prayer** stat while often balancing defence and other bonuses.
| Slot | Item | Prayer Bonus | Notes |
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| **Head** | **Mitre** | +8 | **Best-in-slot (BiS) pure Prayer.** No combat stats. |
| | **Justiciar Faceguard** | +6 | Best for melee (high Def, Str, Pray). Very expensive. |
| | **Proselyte Sallet** | +5 | Best budget melee option (from Proselyte set). |
| **Cape** | **Ardougne Cloak 4** | +6 | **BiS Prayer.** Requires elite Achievement Diary. |
| | **God Cloak** (e.g., Saradomin) | +5 | Easy from Mage Arena I. |
| **Neck** | **Amulet of Fury** (or) | +10 | **BiS overall** (with good combat stats). |
| | **Amulet of the Damned** | +10 | Same Prayer, cheaper, no combat stats. |
| | **Holy Symbol** | +8 | Ultra-budget option. |
| **Ammo** | **Broad Bolts/Arrows** | 0 | No Prayer bonus here. Use **Blessed Dragonhide** for Ranged Pray bonus. |
| **Body** | **Monk’s Robe top** | +8 | **BiS pure Prayer.** |
| | **Justiciar Chestguard** | +7 | Best for melee (high Def, Str, Pray). |
| | **Proselyte Hauberk** | +6 | Best budget melee option. |
| **Legs** | **Monk’s Robe bottom** | +7 | **BiS pure Prayer.** |
| | **Justiciar Legguards** | +6 | Best for melee. |
| | **Proselyte Cuisse** | +5 | Best budget melee option. |
| **Weapon** | **Viggora’s Chainmace** (u) | +8 | **BiS Prayer for weapon.** Also has great stats. |
| | **Ancient Mace** | +5 | Special attack restores Prayer. Budget BiS. |
| | **Holy Wrench** | +4 | Not a weapon, but held in shield slot. Increases prayer restore amount. |
| **Shield** | **Falador Shield 4** | +8 | **BiS Prayer for shield slot.** Requires elite Diary. |
| | **Prayer Book** (Unholy/Book of Law) | +5 | Easy, cheap, and no negative attack bonuses. |
| **Hands** | **Barrows Gloves** | +6 | **BiS overall** (with great combat stats). |
| | **Holy Wraps** | +6 | **BiS pure Prayer** (from Shades of Mort’ton). |
| **Feet** | **Devout Boots** | +5 | **BiS Prayer.** Requires killing Demonic Gorillas. |
| | **Holy Sandals** | +5 | Slightly cheaper alternative to Devout. |
| **Ring** | **Ring of the Gods (i)** | +8 | **BiS Prayer.** Imbued version. Dramatically increases chance to save prayer points. |
| | **Explorer’s Ring 4** | +2 | Has useful daily prayer restore and other perks. |
**Key OSRS Sets:**
* **Max Prayer Bonus (Melee):** Justiciar set (+19 from 3 pieces) with other BiS items.
* **Budget Prayer Bonus (Melee):** Full Proselyte (+16 from 3 pieces) is the go-to.
* **Pure Prayer (No Combat):** Mitre, Monk’s robes, Holy Sandals, Holy Wraps, etc.
—
### **RuneScape 3 (RS3)**
Prayer bonus is less critical due to the prevalence of **Prayer-renewing potions** and **Powder of Penance**, but it’s still useful for afk training or hard content.
| Slot | Item | Prayer Bonus | Notes |
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| **Head** | **Cowl of the First Necromancer** | +11 | **Necromancy BiS** (T95). |
| | **Masterwork Helm of Zaros** | +10 | High-level melee prayer set. |
| **Cape** | **Max Cape / Completionist Cape** | +12 | **BiS overall.** |
| | **Ardougne Cloak 4** | +11 | Excellent free alternative. |
| **Neck** | **Amulet of Souls (or)** | +14 | **BiS overall** (with massive combat/defence perks). |
| | **Dragon Rider Amulet** | +14 | Same prayer, cheaper, fewer combat stats. |
| **Body** | **Robe Top of the First Necromancer** | +17 | **Necromancy BiS.** |
| | **Masterwork Platebody of Zaros** | +15 | High-level melee prayer set. |
| **Legs** | **Robe Bottom of the First Necromancer** | +16 | **Necromancy BiS.** |
| | **Masterwork Platelegs of Zaros** | +14 | High-level melee prayer set. |
| **Weapon** | **Eldritch Crossbow** | +12 | **BiS Ranged prayer.** |
| | **Zaros Godsword** | +10 | Good melee option. |
| **Shield** | **Ancient Defender** | +10 | **BiS for shield slot** (with stats). |
| | **Falador Shield 4** | +8 | Good free alternative. |
| **Hands** | **Culinaromancer’s Gloves 10** | +8 | Best from Recipe for Disaster. |
| **Feet** | **Silverhawk Boots** | +6 | **BiS** (when active). Also provides Agility XP. |
| | **Ragefire Boots** | +6 | Best melee alternative. |
| **Ring** | **Ring of Penance** | +10 | **BiS Prayer.** Converts damage to Prayer points. |
| | **Asylum Surgeon’s Ring** | +8 | Great all-around ring. |
| **Pocket** | **Scripture of Wen** | 0 | No prayer, but BiS pocket-slot DPS. For prayer, use a **God Book**. |
**Key RS3 Sets:**
* **Necromancy BiS:** First Necromancer set.
* **Melee Prayer Set:** Masterwork Armour of Zaros (Anima Core of Zaros upgraded with **Prayer** components).
* **General Rule:** In RS3, you often sacrifice minimal DPS for a significant Prayer bonus by using **Anima Core armour of Zaros/Sliske** or the **First Necromancer** set.
—
### **Ultimate Budget Tip for Both Games:**
The **monk’s robes** (top/bottom) and a **holy symbol** are incredibly cheap and provide a massive Prayer bonus for almost no cost. This is the first upgrade any player should get for Prayer-focused activities.
**Final Advice:** Always check if you need **attack bonuses** for your style. If you’re just safespotting or doing a purely defensive role, you can max out Prayer. If you need to deal damage, you’ll have to make compromises (e.g., using Proselyte instead of Monk’s robes for melee accuracy).
