The Zaryte crossbow is one of the most powerful ranged weapons in Old School RuneScape, prized for its high damage potential and effectiveness against some of the game toughest bosses. Designed as a best-in-slot option for many high-level PvM encounters, the Zaryte crossbow represents both prestige and power. However, obtaining it is no small task.

The Zaryte crossbow is a high-tier ranged weapon that fires bolts and gains extra bonuses when using Nihil horn-enhanced ammunition. Its special attack, Evacuate, temporarily increases the player ranged strength, making it exceptionally strong for burst damage scenarios. Because of its power, the Zaryte crossbow is commonly used in late-game PvM activities such as Nex, Theatre of Blood, and other high-level boss fights.

The Only Way to Obtain the Zaryte Crossbow

Unlike many items in OSRS, the Zaryte crossbow is not craftable and cannot be obtained through quests. There is only one method to acquire it:

The Zaryte crossbow is a rare drop from Nex.

Nex is one of the most challenging bosses in Old School RuneScape, located in the God Wars Dungeon within the Ancient Prison. Defeating Nex requires strong gear, good mechanics, and often a coordinated team.

Requirements to Fight Nex

Before you can even attempt to get the Zaryte crossbow, you must meet several requirements:

Completion of the “Frozen Door” miniquest

High combat stats (90+ recommended in Attack, Strength, Defence, Ranged, Magic, and Hitpoints)

Strong gear suitable for high-level PvM

Access to the God Wars Dungeon

Additionally, you must acquire kill count in the God Wars Dungeon to enter Nex's lair, unless you use an Ecumenical Key. These keys can significantly speed up repeated attempts but also require time to farm.

Nex Drop Rate and Difficulty

The Zaryte crossbow is one of Nex's most valuable and rare drops. While the exact drop rate depends on team size and contribution, it is considered a very rare unique, meaning players may need dozens or even hundreds of kills to obtain one.

Nex herself is a mechanically demanding boss with multiple phases, each requiring different positioning, prayer switching, and damage strategies. Mistakes are costly, and supplies can drain quickly, making consistent kills difficult without experience.

Because of this, many players choose to fight Nex in organized groups or clans to increase efficiency and reduce risk.

Buying the Zaryte Crossbow Instead

Given its rarity and difficulty, many players opt to purchase the Zaryte crossbow from the Grand Exchange rather than grinding Nex themselves. This approach saves time and avoids the high learning curve associated with the fight.

However, the Zaryte crossbow is extremely expensive, requiring a large amount of OSRS gold. Accumulating that much gold through traditional skilling or bossing can take a long time, especially for players who want to use the weapon sooner rather than later.

To speed up progress, some players choose to supplement their wealth by purchasing buy OSRS gold from trusted marketplaces. When doing so, it's important to rely on reputable sources. Many experienced players prefer options such as from the RSgoldfast store, which is known in the community for fast delivery and secure transactions.

Is Nex Worth Farming for the Crossbow?

Whether farming Nex is worth it depends on your goals:

For PvM-focused players, Nex can be extremely profitable over time, even without hitting the crossbow drop.

For Ironmen, farming Nex is the only way to obtain the Zaryte crossbow, making it a long but rewarding grind.

For casual players, buying the weapon outright may be far more efficient than learning one of the hardest bosses in the game.

In addition to the crossbow, Nex drops several other valuable items, such as Torva armor pieces, making the boss attractive even if you never see the crossbow drop.

Tips for Getting the Zaryte Crossbow Faster

If you plan to farm Nex, keep these tips in mind:

Join a dedicated Nex team or clan to increase kill consistency.

Invest in high-tier gear to improve survivability and DPS.

Learn each phase thoroughly to minimize deaths and supply waste.

Use Ecumenical Keys to save time on kill count farming.

If you plan to buy it instead, focus on efficient gold-making methods or carefully managing your OSRS gold resources to reach the required amount faster.

The Zaryte crossbow stands as one of OSRS most powerful and prestigious ranged weapons. Whether you earn it through mastering Nex or acquire it through the Grand Exchange, owning this crossbow is a major milestone for any player. While the grind is demanding and the price is steep, the reward is a weapon that excels in endgame PvM and showcases your dedication to the game.