The heavy ballista is a two-handed crossbow that fires javelins, requiring 75 Ranged and completion of Monkey Madness II (plus Duke and Daero's advanced combat training) to wield. With +125 ranged attack and +15 ranged strength it hits hard per shot but is slow, making it a niche heavy-hitting and budget ranged option rather than a top DPS weapon. It is created via Fletching from ballista parts and a monkey tail, and trades on the Grand Exchange for roughly 1M coins.
Equipment bonuses
The heavy ballista offers +125 ranged attack and +15 ranged strength, with no defensive bonuses, and is wielded in the 2h slot.
Attack bonuses
Defence bonuses
Other bonuses
At 7 ticks (4.2s) on accurate — dropping to 6 ticks (3.6s) on rapid — it is a slow weapon that leans on big per-shot damage, and it needs 75 Ranged plus Monkey Madness II to use.
Grand Exchange price history
How to get the heavy ballista
The heavy ballista is created through Fletching, not dropped. You first use ballista limbs on a heavy frame to make an incomplete heavy ballista, then add a ballista spring to make an unstrung heavy ballista, and finally attach a monkey tail to finish it. The whole process requires 72 Fletching and grants 660 Fletching experience overall.
To actually wield it you need 75 Ranged and completion of Monkey Madness II, plus you must have accepted both Duke and Daero's advanced combat training. There is no listed Defence requirement, though the Daero training awards at least 20,000 Defence experience along the way. The finished ballista is tradeable, so most players simply buy it on the Grand Exchange for around 1M coins. See the full Fletching guide for levelling.
Special attack
The heavy ballista's special attack is Concentrated Shot, which it shares with the light ballista. It performs a single attack with 25% increased accuracy and 25% increased damage, and consumes 65% of your special attack energy — enough for one spec per full bar.
This makes the ballista a strong burst-damage option against high-defence targets where a guaranteed, harder-hitting shot matters. It is slower than dedicated ranged weapons like the blowpipe, and is outclassed on overall DPS by the twisted bow and the Armadyl and Zaryte crossbows, but its low cost and high per-hit damage keep it relevant for budget setups. Pair it with the best javelins you can afford via the ranged gear guide.
Heavy ballista FAQ
What level do you need for the heavy ballista?
You need 75 Ranged to wield it, plus completion of the Monkey Madness II quest and acceptance of Duke and Daero's advanced combat training. There is no direct Defence requirement.
How do you get the heavy ballista?
It is made with Fletching: combine ballista limbs with a heavy frame, add a ballista spring, then attach a monkey tail. The process needs 72 Fletching. Because it is tradeable, you can also just buy it on the Grand Exchange.
What is the heavy ballista's special attack?
Concentrated Shot — a single attack with 25% increased accuracy and damage that uses 65% of your special attack energy. It is the same spec used by the light ballista.
What ammunition does the heavy ballista use?
It uses javelins as ammunition. Despite being classified as a crossbow, it cannot use a mithril grapple for agility shortcuts. An Ava's device will pick up fired javelins.
Is the heavy ballista still good?
It remains a solid budget and burst-damage ranged weapon thanks to its big per-shot hits and Concentrated Shot spec, but it is slow and is outclassed on overall DPS by weapons like the twisted bow, the blowpipe, and the Armadyl and Zaryte crossbows.
How much is the heavy ballista worth?
It trades on the Grand Exchange for roughly 1M coins. Check the live chart above for the current price, and the GE price tracker for history.
Update history
Source: OSRS Wiki — Heavy ballista (Changes).
