Old School RuneScape: 10 Best Beginner Tips

Starting out in Old School RuneScape can feel overwhelming, with its vast open world, countless quests, and complex skill system. Whether you’re a returning player or a newcomer, the game’s steep learning curve can make it challenging to know where to begin. However, with the right guidance, you can set yourself up for success and enjoy the grind without feeling lost.

In this article, we’ll cover the 10 best beginner tips to help you navigate Gielinor, level up efficiently, and make the most of your early adventures. From choosing the right quests to learning how to make money, these tips will give you a strong foundation to grow into a seasoned adventurer. Let’s dive in!

#10: Understand Money Making

Money plays a crucial role in Old School RuneScape, especially as a beginner. Understanding basic money-making methods early on will help you buy better gear, supplies, and materials to support your progress.

Start with beginner-friendly methods like collecting cowhides in Lumbridge, mining and selling iron ore, or fishing and cooking low-level food like shrimp or lobsters. As your levels improve, you can unlock more profitable methods such as woodcutting yew logs, crafting jewelry, or completing Slayer tasks.

Quests like The Grand Tree or Waterfall Quest not only provide a solid XP boost but also unlock areas or skills that can improve your income potential. Learning how to use the Grand Exchange to buy and sell items efficiently is another critical step to managing your resources.

Focus on money-making methods suited to your skill levels, and reinvest your profits into better equipment or higher-level resources. A strong economy early on will make your RuneScape journey much smoother.

#9: Set Goals but Be Flexible

Setting goals is essential in Old School RuneScape to keep you motivated and on track. Whether it’s reaching level 50 in a skill, completing a specific quest, or saving up for your first piece of high-tier gear, having clear objectives gives your gameplay purpose.

However, flexibility is just as important. RuneScape is a game full of opportunities, and sometimes it’s better to adapt and take advantage of unexpected events, like joining a bossing group, a lucrative skilling method, or tackling a seasonal event. Sticking rigidly to one plan can make the game feel like a chore instead of an adventure.

Start by setting small, achievable goals—like unlocking a key area or reaching level milestones—and adjust them as you explore the game and discover new content. Balancing long-term objectives with short-term flexibility will help you stay engaged and make the most of what RuneScape has to offer.

#8: Join a Clan or Community

One of the best ways to enhance your Old School RuneScape experience as a beginner is by joining a clan or engaging with the community. Clans and in-game communities provide valuable advice, tips, and support, making it easier to navigate the game and avoid costly mistakes.

Being part of a clan allows you to ask questions, learn efficient methods for leveling skills, and even join group activities like boss fights or mini-games. Additionally, clans often host events, competitions, and giveaways, which can make your RuneScape journey more fun and rewarding.

If you’re not ready to join a clan, you can still participate in the community through forums, Discord servers, or Reddit groups dedicated to OSRS. These platforms are great for finding guides, staying updated on new content, and connecting with other players.

Having others to share your journey with not only makes the game more enjoyable but also helps you grow faster as you benefit from the experience and knowledge of seasoned players.

#7: Utilize Free-to-Play Worlds for Training

When starting out in Old School RuneScape, free-to-play (F2P) worlds can be an excellent resource for early training. These worlds are less crowded in certain training areas and are ideal for beginners looking to level up without competing with high-level players for resources or monsters.

For example, popular spots like the Cow Field in Lumbridge, the Chickens in Falador, or the Al Kharid Mine often have more availability in F2P worlds. Additionally, these worlds are often filled with other newer players, creating a more beginner-friendly atmosphere where you can train skills like Combat, Mining, or Woodcutting without pressure.

By taking advantage of F2P worlds early on, you’ll have an easier time progressing through your training, saving time and frustration. Once you’ve built up your skills and resources, you’ll be better prepared to transition into pay-to-play content and take on more advanced activities.

#6: Learn to Cook

Cooking is one of the most beginner-friendly and essential skills in Old School RuneScape, and mastering it early on can make your journey much smoother. As a key skill for making food to restore health, cooking ensures you’re always prepared for combat or lengthy training sessions.

Start by fishing and cooking basic food like shrimp, trout, or salmon, which are easy to obtain and offer consistent XP. Completing the Cook’s Assistant quest is a great first step, as it introduces you to the skill and unlocks the Lumbridge Castle range, which reduces your chance of burning food.

As you level up, focus on cooking higher-tier fish like lobsters and swordfish for better healing potential. Not only will this keep you supplied with food for combat, but it can also become a profitable skill once you can cook in bulk without burning.

Learning to cook early not only saves you money by providing your own food but also helps you prepare for tougher challenges ahead. Plus, it’s an easy skill to level while AFK, giving you a solid foundation as you progress in the game.

#5: Manage Your Bank

A well-organized bank is crucial for a smooth and efficient experience in Old School RuneScape, especially as you start accumulating items from quests, skilling, and combat. Taking the time to manage your bank early on will save you hours of frustration later and make it easier to find what you need quickly.

Start by grouping similar items together, such as gear, skilling supplies, and consumables. Use the bank’s tagging and tab system to create dedicated tabs for different activities, like combat gear, skilling resources, or quest items. For example, you could have a tab for melee, ranged, and magic gear, ensuring you can gear up quickly without searching.

Make it a habit to clean out unnecessary items. Sell or drop items you don’t need, such as low-tier gear or skilling items you’ve outgrown. This not only frees up space but can also earn you a bit of extra gold.

By keeping your bank organized, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and be better prepared for tasks, quests, or Slayer assignments as you progress through the game. A clean, well-managed bank is the foundation of an efficient RuneScape journey.

#4: Use the Lumbridge Swamp Caves

The Lumbridge Swamp Caves are an underrated resource for beginners in Old School RuneScape, offering a safe and rewarding environment to train combat and Slayer while gathering useful resources. Located beneath Lumbridge Swamp, these caves are home to creatures like Cave Bugs, Cave Crawlers, and Wall Beasts, which are great for early-level training.

To explore the caves, you’ll need a light source like a lantern and protection from the hazardous gas, such as a face mask or a Slayer helmet. Completing the Lost Tribe quest is a great way to access the caves quickly and safely.

The creatures in the Lumbridge Swamp Caves often drop valuable items like herbs, gems, and seeds, making it a profitable area for beginners. Additionally, many of these monsters are Slayer task-eligible, giving you a chance to train Slayer while earning experience in combat skills.

By utilizing the Lumbridge Swamp Caves early on, you’ll gain a head start on training, earn gold from loot, and prepare yourself for tougher content as you progress in the game. It’s a must-visit location for any new adventurer!

#3: Train Woodcutting and Fishing

Woodcutting and Fishing are two of the best beginner-friendly skills in Old School RuneScape. Both are simple to train, require minimal setup, and provide steady profits along with resources that can support your journey through the game.

Start with Woodcutting by chopping regular trees and working your way up to oaks, willows, and yews as your level increases. Logs from higher-level trees can be sold for profit or used for Firemaking and Fletching, creating a natural synergy between skills. Willow trees, in particular, offer fast XP rates and are conveniently located near banks, like those in Draynor Village.

Fishing complements Woodcutting perfectly, as it provides food you can use to heal during combat or sell for gold. Begin with shrimp and anchovies in Lumbridge and progress to trout, salmon, lobsters, and swordfish as you level up. Cooking your catches alongside training Fishing will also level your Cooking skill, helping you become self-sufficient for tougher content later on.

By training Woodcutting and Fishing early, you’ll not only build up your skills but also create a reliable source of income and resources to support your RuneScape journey. These skills are perfect for beginners looking to ease into the game while earning steady rewards.

#2: Master Basic Combat

Combat is one of the core aspects of Old School RuneScape, and mastering the basics early on is essential for tackling quests, Slayer tasks, and tougher enemies as you progress. Understanding the combat triangle (Melee beats Ranged, Ranged beats Magic, and Magic beats Melee) will help you select the right gear and combat style for various encounters.

Start by training your Combat stats at low-risk locations like the Cow Pen in Lumbridge or fighting Chickens south of Falador. Focus on evenly leveling Attack, Strength, and Defense for balanced progress, or prioritize one if you’re aiming for a specific build (e.g., higher Strength for more damage).

Equip the best armor and weapons you can afford for your level. Items like an Iron Scimitar or Steel Longsword are great early options, with Rune gear being a solid goal to aim for. Don’t forget to bring food, such as cooked trout or salmon, to heal during fights.

Additionally, completing combat-focused quests like Waterfall Quest or Vampire Slayer early on will give you significant XP boosts and unlock new opportunities. Practicing combat early ensures you’re ready to handle quests, bosses, and Slayer tasks with confidence.

#1: Complete Quests Early

Quests are one of the best ways to jumpstart your journey in Old School RuneScape. Many early quests provide significant experience boosts, unlock useful areas, and introduce essential mechanics that will make the game easier to navigate.

Focus on beginner-friendly quests that reward you with experience in key skills, such as:
• Cook’s Assistant: Unlocks the Cooking skill and is quick to complete.
• Waterfall Quest: Provides a massive boost to Attack and Strength without requiring any combat.
• The Grand Tree and Tree Gnome Village: Offer significant XP in Attack and unlock travel shortcuts.
• Druidic Ritual: Unlocks the Herblore skill.

Completing quests also unlocks valuable content, such as Slayer tasks, new training locations, and transportation methods like Spirit Trees and Fairy Rings. In addition, many quests reward you with items or gold that can help fund your early gameplay.

By prioritizing quests, you’ll save hours of grinding, gain access to powerful tools and shortcuts, and set yourself up for long-term success in Gielinor. It’s the fastest way to get ahead as a beginner and should be at the top of your to-do list!

Conclusion

Starting your journey in Old School RuneScape can be challenging, but with the right approach and guidance, it becomes a rewarding adventure. These 10 beginner tips are designed to help you build a strong foundation, whether it’s through mastering combat, completing key quests, or learning to efficiently manage your resources.

By setting goals, utilizing beginner-friendly training methods, and engaging with the community, you’ll not only progress faster but also enjoy the game more as you explore the vast world of Gielinor. Remember, OSRS is as much about the journey as it is about the destination, so take your time and embrace the grind. With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to becoming a skilled and successful adventurer!