Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a myriad of ways to earn money while leveling up your skills. Whether you’re a new player just starting, a mid-level adventurer, or a high-level veteran, there are various methods to optimize your time and resources. In this guide, we’ll delve into the most effective strategies for making OSRS gold while training skills across different levels and combat styles, with a focus on both members and free-to-play (F2P) content.
Combat Training Methods
1. Revenants
For combat-focused players, Revenants in the Wilderness are currently one of the best money-making methods. These revenants drop a substantial amount of loot, especially when “sculled” (marked by the player being flagged for PvP). At a combat level of 77, even the lower-level revenants like the Imps can yield nearly 3,000 GP per kill unschooled and up to 3,600 GP when sculled. The revenants have a low defense for their level, making them a decent experience source as well.
Pros:
- High GP per hour.
- Good experience rates.
- The low defense of the revenants makes them easy to kill.
Cons:
- High risk of player-killers (PKers) in the Wilderness.
- Requires good survival skills and awareness.
2. Ice Trolls
If you prefer staying out of the Wilderness, Ice Trolls in the Troll Stronghold are a viable alternative. This method requires completion of the “Fic Trials” quest, which involves killing Thorold, a challenge at lower levels. The Ice Trolls are manageable because the guards at the stronghold do most of the damage. Your task is simply to deal the finishing blow.
Pros:
- Effective training and money-making method.
- Guards handle most of the damage.
Cons:
- Requires completion of certain quests.
- The initial quest might be challenging for low-level players.
3. Blue Dragons
For Magic training, Blue Dragons in the Taverley Dungeon are a solid option. They can be safespotted and are relatively easy to kill. Bring an anti-dragon shield, which you can obtain by starting the “Dragon Slayer” quest. This method yields around 330,000 GP per hour, although it’s not as profitable as some other methods.
Pros:
- Good experience rates for Magic.
- Safe spot for attacking.
Cons:
- Requires an anti-dragon shield.
- Might need additional food and protection against aggressive creatures in the dungeon.
Money-Making Methods for Other Skills
4. RuneCrafting
At low levels, crafting Cosmic Runes using the Abyss is a profitable way to train RuneCrafting. From level 27 to 43, you can make about 250,000 GP per hour. Once you reach level 44, switching to Nature Runes increases your profit to around 303,000 GP per hour.
Pros:
- Good profit for low-level RuneCrafting.
- Requires minimal setup.
Cons:
- RuneCrafting can be a slow skill to train.
5. Construction
Making high-level flatpacks for other players is the primary way to profit from Construction at lower levels. While it’s not highly profitable, you can save a lot of money by trading these items to players who need them.
Pros:
- Saves money on Construction supplies.
- Provides some profit.
Cons:
- Not very profitable compared to other skills.
- Requires a decent Construction level to make high-level flatpacks.
6. Agility
At lower levels, Brimhaven Agility Arena offers the highest profit per hour at 525,000 GP. However, this method is time-consuming and requires trading tickets for items instead of XP. Alternatively, the Canifis Agility Course or Desert Agility Pyramid provides more XP but less profit.
Pros:
- High profit at Brimhaven Agility Arena.
- Can be more XP-efficient with other courses.
Cons:
- Brimhaven Agility Arena requires a lot of ticket grinding.
- XP rates are lower compared to other methods.
7. Herblore
Making Barbarian Potions can be profitable if you can manage to buy supplies at low prices and be patient as they sell. This method involves partially completing the Barbarian Training to access the potions.
Pros:
- Profitable method if supplies are bought cheaply.
- Useful for training Herblore.
Cons:
- XP rates are lower compared to other Herblore methods.
- Requires patience and lowball offers in the Grand Exchange.
8. Thieving
Two effective Thieving methods are picking pockets from Master Farmers or HAM members. At level 38, Master Farmers can make you up to 683,000 GP per hour, though you may only average around 400,000 GP due to failures. HAM members, starting from level 15, can earn about 500,000 GP per hour with easy clue scrolls.
Pros:
- High profit potential.
- Low requirements for HAM members.
Cons:
- Thieving Master Farmers require a higher Thieving level.
- Can be inconsistent due to failure rates.
9. Crafting
Crafting Drift Nets can be done from level 26 and is a highly profitable method. By using jute fiber on a loom, you can earn up to 683,000 GP per hour. This method requires access to the loom and completion of the “Bone Voyage” quest.
Pros:
- High profit with Drift Nets.
- Good XP rates.
Cons:
- Requires access to a loom and quest completion.
10. Mining and Smithing
Mining Gemstones at Shilo Village or creating items such as Mithril Bars can be profitable. With a gem bag and the completion of Kuradal’s Hard Diary, you can earn up to 587,589 GP per hour from mining. Smithing Mithril Bars or making Cannonballs are also viable options.
Pros:
- Good profit from Mining and Smithing.
- Can be combined with other training methods.
Cons:
- Mining requires a decent level and completion of quests.
- Smithing Cannonballs has lower XP rates.
11. Fishing and Cooking
Slimy Eels, caught in the Lumbridge Swamp Caves, offers a slightly better profit than shrimp, making around 100,000 GP per hour. Cooking Forester’s Rations from Sharks and Magic Leaves provides high profits at around 721,000 GP per hour, with significant XP gains.
Pros:
- Profitable methods for low-level Fishing and Cooking.
- High XP rates with Forester’s Rations.
Cons:
- Slimy Eels still offer limited profit compared to other methods.
- Requires specific materials for Forester’s Rations.
12. Firemaking
Wintertodt is the most profitable way to train Firemaking at low levels. It requires level 50 and provides both XP and loot based on your performance.
Pros:
- High profit and XP from Wintertodt.
- Scalable rewards based on performance.
Cons:
- Requires level 50 Firemaking.
- Performance-based rewards can vary.
13. Woodcutting
Forestry has made Woodcutting more profitable, especially with events in the Forestry Worlds. Willow trees in Draynor Village are a good choice for low-level players, offering decent profits.
Pros:
- Profitable with Forestry events.
- Requires lower levels and less effort.
Cons:
- Profitability varies with tree types and events.
14. Farming
Regular Herb Runs are the most profitable way to train Farming at low levels. You can make significant profits from Rare Seed drops with a regular run every hour and a half.
Pros:
- Good profit with Herb Runs.
- Requires relatively low Farming levels.
Cons:
- Profit scales with Farming level and yields.
Conclusion
Whether you’re just starting in OSRS or are looking to optimize your high-level training, there are numerous ways to make RuneScape money while improving your skills. From combat methods like Revenants and Ice Trolls to crafting Drift Nets and cooking Forester’s Rations, each method has its own set of advantages and challenges. Experiment with different strategies based on your level and preferences to maximize both your experience gains and profit. If you have any additional methods or tips, feel free to share them in the comments!