In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), there's a point in every player's journey where skilling, questing, and casual money-making give way to a more thrilling pursuit: PvM (Player vs. Monster). Sometimes referred to RuneScape gold as PvE, PvM is the art of challenging RuneScape's toughest monsters and bosses for valuable loot—everything from rare weapons and armor to Chromium Ingots.

If you've trained your character to high combat stats, saved up OSRS gold for quality gear, or simply want to test your mettle, PvM offers some of the most rewarding and adrenaline-pumping gameplay in OSRS. But it can also be punishing. One wrong prayer flick, one misstep during a boss mechanic, and you could be staring at the “You are dead” screen.

The good news? Preparation, awareness, and a few clever tricks can drastically increase your odds of survival—and even help you thrive. In this guide, we'll cover seven beginner-friendly tips that every aspiring PvM'er should know before taking on their first boss fight.

1. Know Your Enemy: Max Hits and Attack Patterns

The first and arguably most important tip in PvM is to study the boss you're about to fight. Every monster in OSRS has a maximum attack damage it can deal. Knowing this number gives you a baseline for risk management.

For example:

If a boss's maximum hit is 40, and you're sitting at 50 HP, you know you can safely take one more hit before needing to eat.
If you're below that threshold, it's time to heal immediately.

Equally important are attack patterns. Many high-level bosses have set sequences of special attacks, area-of-effect moves, or phases that repeat throughout the fight.

The more familiar you are with a boss's behavior, the calmer and more efficient you'll be during combat—saving food, potions, and, ultimately, your life.

2. Master Flinching and Step-Under Techniques

Not every fight has to be a slugfest. OSRS has unique mechanics that allow clever positioning to tilt the odds in your favor.

Flinching: This involves luring an enemy behind an obstacle, such as a rock or corner. Once the monster is stuck and its HP bar disappears, you can step out, hit it once, then retreat. The monster won't be able to retaliate immediately, letting you whittle it down safely.
Step-Under: Instead of relying on the environment, this method involves physically moving under the enemy's tile. Many bosses cannot attack when you're occupying their space, giving you brief moments of safety. Properly timed, this can block attacks and buy you precious seconds.

Both techniques take practice, but buy OSRS gold mastering them can make early PvM encounters far less punishing.