Hey guys! So, you're diving into Old School RuneScape (OSRS) or maybe you're a returning player trying to catch up? Either way, welcome! OSRS can be a bit overwhelming with its massive world, tons of skills, and countless quests. This guide is here to help you navigate the game in 2023, offering tips and tricks to level up your gameplay. We'll cover everything from essential skills to train, must-do quests, money-making methods, and some general advice to make your OSRS journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Getting Started in OSRS

Alright, let's kick things off with the basics. When you first log in, you'll find yourself on Tutorial Island. Pay close attention here, because this is where you'll learn the fundamental mechanics of the game. Trust me, even if you're an experienced gamer, it's worth going through the tutorial. It'll introduce you to combat, skilling, and the interface. Once you're done with the tutorial, you'll be dropped into the main world, ready to start your adventure. Now what?

Setting Initial Goals

First thing's first, set yourself some achievable goals. Don't try to become a maxed player overnight; it’s a marathon, not a sprint! A good starting point is to aim for completing some of the early quests. Quests are a fantastic way to gain experience, unlock new areas, and get your hands on some useful items. Plus, they add a lot of flavor to the game's lore. Some recommended early quests include Cook's Assistant, Romeo & Juliet, and Doric's Quest. These are relatively easy and will give you a nice boost in the early game. Simultaneously, start training your skills. Focus on skills like Attack, Strength, Defence, and Hitpoints to improve your combat abilities. Also, consider training skills like Woodcutting, Fishing, and Mining to gather resources that you can sell or use for crafting. Remember, consistency is key. Even a little bit of progress each day will add up over time. Engage with the community! Join a clan, participate in forums, and watch some OSRS content creators on YouTube or Twitch. The OSRS community is one of the best out there, and you can learn a ton from other players. Ask questions, seek advice, and share your own experiences. The more you immerse yourself in the community, the more enjoyable your OSRS journey will become.

Essential Skills to Train in OSRS

Let's dive into the crucial skills you should focus on, whether you're a newbie or a returning veteran. These skills are fundamental to your progress and will open up many doors in the game. I'll break them down for you and give you some tips on how to train them efficiently.

Combat Skills

Combat is a core part of OSRS, and leveling your combat skills is essential for tackling tougher monsters and completing challenging quests. The main combat skills are Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Ranged, and Magic. Your Attack skill determines your accuracy when using melee weapons. Strength affects the amount of damage you deal. Defence reduces the chance of being hit by enemies. Hitpoints represents your health, and higher hitpoints mean you can withstand more damage. Ranged is, of course, your proficiency with bows and other ranged weapons, and Magic allows you to cast spells for combat and utility. To train these skills efficiently, start by fighting low-level monsters like chickens or goblins. As you level up, move on to tougher opponents like cows, hill giants, and eventually, rock crabs. Experiment with different combat styles and weapons to find what works best for you. Melee is generally good for training Attack, Strength, and Defence, while Ranged and Magic offer different advantages depending on the situation. Don't forget to use the best gear you can afford, as this will significantly increase your experience rates. For melee, consider using weapons like scimitars or longswords, and for ranged, try shortbows or crossbows. For magic, practice your basic combat spells, and gradually work your way up to more powerful spells as your magic level increases. Also, pay attention to your prayer level, as prayer can provide valuable combat boosts. Using protection prayers can greatly reduce the damage you take from enemies, making training safer and more efficient. Finally, consider doing slayer tasks. Slayer is a skill that assigns you specific monsters to kill, and it provides bonus experience and rewards. It's a great way to train your combat skills while also earning money and unlocking new content.

Gathering Skills

Gathering skills like Woodcutting, Fishing, Mining, and Farming are essential for resource collection and can be a great source of income. Woodcutting involves chopping down trees to obtain logs, which can be used for firemaking, fletching, and construction. Fishing allows you to catch fish, which can be cooked and eaten for healing or sold for profit. Mining involves extracting ores from rocks, which can be smelted into bars and used for smithing. Farming allows you to grow crops and herbs, which can be used for cooking, herblore, and profit. To train Woodcutting efficiently, start by chopping down regular trees and gradually move on to higher-level trees like oak, willow, and maple. Consider using an axe with a higher woodcutting level requirement to increase your experience rates. For Fishing, start by catching shrimp and anchovies and gradually move on to higher-level fish like salmon, tuna, and lobster. Using the right fishing equipment and fishing spots can greatly increase your catch rates. For Mining, start by mining copper and tin and gradually move on to higher-level ores like iron, coal, and gold. Mining in areas with multiple rocks can help you maintain a consistent flow of experience. For Farming, start by planting simple crops like potatoes and onions and gradually move on to more complex crops like herbs and trees. Managing your farming plots effectively and using the right fertilizers can maximize your yields. These gathering skills not only provide you with valuable resources but also offer a relaxing break from combat and questing. They're also a great way to make money, especially in the early game. So, don't neglect them!

Crafting Skills

Crafting skills like Smithing, Cooking, Herblore, and Fletching allow you to create useful items and consumables. Smithing involves turning ores into metal bars and crafting them into armor and weapons. Cooking involves preparing raw ingredients into edible meals that can heal you. Herblore involves mixing herbs and other ingredients to create potions with various effects. Fletching involves crafting bows, arrows, and other ranged equipment. To train Smithing efficiently, start by smelting ores into bars and then crafting them into simple items like bronze armor and weapons. As you level up, move on to more complex items like iron, steel, and mithril. Using a blast furnace can significantly increase your smithing experience rates. For Cooking, start by cooking simple ingredients like shrimp and chicken and gradually move on to more complex dishes like pies and stews. Using a range or fire can prevent you from burning your food, increasing your cooking experience rates. For Herblore, start by mixing simple herbs like guam and marrentill to create basic potions. As you level up, move on to more complex herbs and ingredients to create more powerful potions. Using a pestle and mortar can help you mix your ingredients more efficiently. For Fletching, start by cutting logs into shortbows and arrows. As you level up, move on to more complex bows and arrows made from different materials. Using a knife can help you fletch your items more efficiently. These crafting skills not only allow you to create useful items for yourself but also offer opportunities to make money by selling your creations to other players.

Must-Do Quests in OSRS

Quests are the backbone of OSRS, and completing them is essential for unlocking new content, gaining experience, and progressing through the game. Here are some must-do quests that every OSRS player should complete. These quests offer valuable rewards and unlock important features.

Early Game Quests

In the early game, focus on quests that provide a good starting boost and unlock essential areas. Cook's Assistant is a classic quest that's perfect for beginners. It's easy to complete and rewards you with cooking experience. Romeo & Juliet is another simple quest that rewards you with experience and unlocks a new area. Doric's Quest is a short quest that rewards you with mining experience and access to Doric's anvil. The Restless Ghost is a quest that rewards you with prayer experience and access to a new prayer altar. Completing these quests will give you a solid foundation and set you on the right path.

Mid Game Quests

In the mid-game, focus on quests that unlock important skills, areas, and items. Waterfall Quest is a challenging quest that rewards you with a massive amount of attack and strength experience. Tree Gnome Village is a quest that unlocks the gnome stronghold and provides access to new training areas. The Grand Tree is a quest that unlocks the ability to use gliders, allowing you to travel quickly across the map. Monkey Madness I is a difficult quest that rewards you with access to Ape Atoll and the ability to train combat in a new area. Completing these quests will significantly enhance your gameplay and open up new possibilities.

Late Game Quests

In the late game, focus on quests that provide the best rewards and challenge your skills. Dragon Slayer II is a very difficult quest that rewards you with access to new dragons and powerful equipment. Song of the Elves is a challenging quest that unlocks the elven city of Prifddinas and provides access to high-level training areas. A Night at the Theatre is a quest that unlocks the Theatre of Blood, a challenging raid that offers valuable rewards. Completing these quests will test your skills and reward you with the best gear and content in the game.

Money Making Methods in OSRS

Making money in OSRS is crucial for buying equipment, supplies, and training your skills. Here are some reliable money-making methods that can help you build your wealth. These methods range from simple to more complex, so you can find something that suits your skill level and preferences.

Early Game Money Making

In the early game, focus on simple and accessible methods that require minimal investment. Cutting trees and selling the logs is a classic method that can provide a steady income. Fishing and selling the fish is another reliable method, especially if you focus on catching high-value fish like salmon or trout. Mining and selling the ores is also a good option, especially if you focus on mining coal or iron. Killing cows and collecting their hides is a simple method that can be done with low combat levels. These methods may not be the most lucrative, but they are a good way to get started and build up your initial capital.

Mid Game Money Making

In the mid-game, you can start exploring more profitable methods that require higher skills and equipment. Crafting items like jewelry or potions can be a good way to make money, especially if you have high crafting levels. Flipping items on the Grand Exchange is a method that involves buying low and selling high, but it requires some knowledge of the market. Killing monsters like green dragons or chaos druids can provide valuable drops that can be sold for profit. Barrows runs is a popular method that involves killing the Barrows brothers and looting their chests, but it requires decent combat skills and equipment. These methods can provide a significant income boost, but they also require more effort and investment.

Late Game Money Making

In the late game, you can focus on high-level methods that require significant skills and equipment but offer the best rewards. Raids like the Chambers of Xeric or the Theatre of Blood are challenging but can provide valuable items that can be sold for millions of gold. Bossing is another popular method that involves killing high-level bosses like the Zulrah or the Vorkath for their rare drops. High-level skilling like runecrafting or herblore can also be profitable, but it requires significant investment and training. These methods are the most lucrative in the game, but they also require the most skill and dedication.

General Tips and Tricks for OSRS

Alright, here are some general tips and tricks to help you on your OSRS journey. These tips cover various aspects of the game and can help you improve your gameplay and make the most of your time.

• Use the Grand Exchange: The Grand Exchange is your best friend for buying and selling items. Use it to get the best prices and avoid wasting time haggling with other players.
• Pay attention to the market: The prices of items on the Grand Exchange can fluctuate, so pay attention to the market and buy or sell items when the prices are favorable.
• Use online resources: There are many online resources available for OSRS, such as the OSRS Wiki, which can provide valuable information about quests, skills, and items.
• Join a clan: Joining a clan can provide you with support, advice, and companionship. It's a great way to meet other players and learn from their experiences.
• Take breaks: OSRS can be addictive, so remember to take breaks and avoid burnout. Get up, stretch, and do something else for a while before returning to the game.
• Have fun: Ultimately, OSRS is a game, so remember to have fun! Don't get too caught up in grinding and efficiency, and take time to enjoy the game and its community.

Conclusion

Old School RuneScape is a fantastic game with a ton to offer. Whether you're a new player or a returning veteran, there's always something new to discover and explore. This guide is just a starting point, so don't be afraid to experiment, try new things, and find what works best for you. Good luck, have fun, and I'll see you in Gielinor!