How to Optimize a Low-Level Gmaul Pure in Old School RuneScape

The Gmaul Pure is one of the most iconic and effective account builds in Old School RuneScape. By restricting your Defense to level 1 and capping your Attack at 50, you create a "glass cannon" capable of outputting massive damage in a single game tick. At combat level 59, your primary goal is to use the Granite Maul’s special attack, "Quick Smash," to overwhelm opponents before they can react with defensive prayers or healing.

This guide covers the mechanics, stat allocation, and combat strategies required to master the Gmaul Pure and turn your account into a nightmare for unsuspecting PKers.

Understanding the Gmaul Mechanics

The Granite Maul (Gmaul) is unique because its special attack only consumes 50% of your special attack energy. This allows you to chain two consecutive special attacks. Because the Granite Maul’s special attack is "instant" and ignores the standard weapon attack speed delay, you can land two special attacks—each consisting of multiple hits—in the same tick as your primary weapon.

To maximize this, you must understand "tick stacking." By attacking with a slower weapon (like an Elder Maul, if you have the funds, or a Dragon Dagger) and immediately following up with a double Gmaul special, you can deal 40+ damage in a single tick. At level 59, many players have less than 50-60 Hitpoints, meaning a well-executed combo can result in a "one-hit" kill, regardless of the opponent's skill level.

Perfecting Your Stat Build

Success as a Gmaul Pure depends entirely on strict adherence to your combat bracket. Every experience point in Defense is a wasted point that inflates your Combat Level without increasing your kill potential.

• Attack (50): This is the hard cap. 50 Attack allows you to wield the Granite Maul and the Dragon Dagger (p++), which is the standard primary weapon for this build. Never train past 50.
• Strength (Maximize): This is your most important stat. Every level of Strength increases your maximum hit. Aim for 80-90+ Strength to ensure your burst damage remains lethal against higher-level opponents.
• Hitpoints: Naturally gained through combat. High Hitpoints are essential for surviving long enough to land your own combo.
• Defense (1): Never train this. Even level 2 Defense is a mistake that cannot be undone.
• Prayer (1, 13, or 31): Most competitive Pures stay at 1 Prayer for the lowest possible combat level. However, 13 Prayer (for Arcane Pulse) or 31 (for Ultimate Strength) can provide significant offensive boosts at the cost of a few combat levels.

How to Level Without Gaining Unwanted XP

Use questing to skip early leveling, which prevents accidental experience gains in unwanted skills. Essential quests include:

• Waterfall Quest: Provides massive Attack and Strength experience without touching Defense.
• Tree Gnome Village & The Grand Tree: Excellent for early Attack levels.
• Fight Arena: Further questing to boost your combat stats quickly.

Essential Gear and Inventory

Since you have 1 Defense, you are effectively naked in terms of damage reduction. Your gear must prioritize Strength bonuses to ensure you hit as hard as possible.

Recommended Setup:

• Head: Mithril Full Helm (or Halo for high-level PvP).
• Body: Leather Body (low weight) or Monk’s Robe Top.
• Legs: Monk’s Robe Bottoms or Chaps.
• Cape: Ava’s Accumulator or Cape of Skulls.
• Amulet: Amulet of Strength (or Amulet of Torture if budget allows).
• Boots: Climbing Boots (essential for the Strength bonus).
• Ring: Ring of Suffering (i) or Ring of Recoil to help chip away at opponent health.

Inventory: Always carry a Super Strength potion to maintain your max hit. For food, use a mix of Sharks and Karambwans; because you can eat a Karambwan on the same tick as a Shark, you can "combo eat" to recover 30+ health instantly when an opponent tries to burst you.

Tactical Combat Strategy

The biggest mistake new Gmaul Pures make is engaging too early. A Gmaul Pure is not a brawler; it is an assassin.

1. The "Slow-Play": Do not rush into the Wilderness. Let your opponent commit to a fight or perform a mistake.
2. Special Attack Management: Never engage in a fight if your special bar is below 100%. Without the double Gmaul spec, you have almost no kill pressure.
3. The Combo: Start the fight with your primary weapon (e.g., Dragon Dagger). Once your opponent is at roughly 50-60% health, switch to the Gmaul and trigger the special attack twice.
4. Tick Manipulation: Practice clicking your special attack bar twice in rapid succession while your character is already mid-attack animation. This forces the game to register the specials immediately after your primary hit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overstaying Your Welcome: If you miss your Gmaul combo and your special bar is empty, retreat. You are a glass cannon; if you stay in the fight without your burst damage, you will be out-lasted by opponents with higher defense.
• Ignoring Combat Level Calculations: Use a combat calculator frequently. If you are close to leveling up, ensure the next level provides a tangible benefit to your max hit.
• Panic Eating: When you are attacked, don't just eat. If you have the special attack energy, consider whether you can turn the fight around with a Gmaul hit rather than simply trying to out-heal your opponent.

Summary for Success

To dominate as a level 59 Gmaul Pure in Old School RuneScape, you must treat your account like a precision instrument. By keeping your Defense at 1, maximizing your Strength, and mastering the timing of the "Quick Smash" double-special, you can secure kills against players much higher in level than yourself. Remember: your strength lies in the surprise and the volume of damage delivered in a single tick. Stay disciplined with your training, manage your special attack energy, and always prioritize your offensive stats over everything else.