Old School RuneScape (OSRS) remains one of the most popular MMORPGs to date, offering a deep and nostalgic experience that has stood the test of time. One of the most versatile and popular combat skills in OSRS is Ranged. The ability to deal damage from a distance, while maintaining safety and flexibility, makes Ranged an essential skill for many players. Whether you’re a new player looking to explore the world of F2P (Free-to-Play) or a seasoned veteran wanting to level up your Ranged, this guide will walk you through the Ultimate OSRS F2P Ranged Guide (1-99).
Why Choose Ranged in OSRS?
Before diving into the training methods, let’s first discuss why Ranged is such an attractive skill to level up in OSRS gold.
Safety and Flexibility: Ranged attacks allow you to deal damage from a safe distance. This is ideal for avoiding incoming damage from monsters, especially if you’re not equipped for tanking or healing. Additionally, the Ranged skill has a wide range of weapon choices.
Efficiency in PVM: Ranged is a preferred method for many bosses, slayer tasks, and various PvM (Player versus Monster) content. It can hit accurately from a distance, and with the right gear, you can deal significant damage.
PVP Viability: Ranged is a crucial skill in PvP, especially in areas like the Wilderness or for events like Clan Wars and the Fight Caves. It provides excellent control and distance against melee opponents.
Now that we know why Ranged is important, let’s explore the best way to train it from level 1 to 99 in F2P.
Starting Your Journey: Ranged Training at Level 1
At the very beginning, your options for Ranged training are limited but still effective. You’ll primarily be using basic bows and arrows until you unlock better gear as you progress.
Levels 1-35: Training with a Shortbow
The most efficient way to train Ranged at level 1 is by using a Shortbow. This weapon is available from the start and has a fast attack speed, which is crucial for building up your experience quickly.
Equipment:
Weapon: Bronze/Iron Shortbow or Steel Shortbow (upgrading when possible)
Ammunition: Bronze/Iron arrows (early levels), Steel arrows (from level 30 onward)
Location: Cows or Chickens (these monsters have low defense and are perfect for early Ranged training)
Training Method: The basic method here is to use a shortbow with arrows and attack the chickens or cows in areas like Lumbridge or Varrock. They have low defense and hitpoints, so you’ll get quick kills and consistent experience. You should aim to focus on killing these monsters until you hit level 35 Ranged.
Level 35-55: Upgrade Your Weapon and Move to Stronger Monsters
At level 35, you’ll unlock the Steel or Mithril Shortbow, which will allow for faster kills and better experience rates. You can continue to use the Shortbow for the next phase of your journey, but now it’s time to shift to slightly more difficult monsters to gain better experience per hour.
Levels 35-55: Training with Steel or Mithril Shortbow
Equipment:
Weapon: Steel or Mithril Shortbow (upgrade when possible)
Ammunition: Steel or Mithril arrows
Location: Hill Giants or Rock Crabs (both of these are commonly used for training)
Training Method:
Hill Giants: These monsters have a lot of hitpoints and drop valuable resources, such as big bones, which can be sold for extra cash. They are found in the Edgeville Dungeon and drop limbs, which means they also provide some profit along the way.
Rock Crabs: These monsters can be found at Relleka or Fremennik Isles. They’re easy to hit and have relatively high hitpoints. You can attack these creatures without worrying too much about them dying too fast, allowing you to focus solely on training.
At this stage, you can also use the Ava’s Device if you have access to it through the Animal Magnetism Quest. This device will automatically retrieve your arrows after each shot, allowing you to save on ammunition costs.
Levels 55-70: Continue with the Steel/Mithril Shortbow or Upgrade to a Longbow
Now that you’ve reached level 55, you can upgrade to a Longbow, which will offer a greater damage output per shot, making it an ideal choice for training. Additionally, by level 70, you’ll unlock access to the Broad Arrowheads via the Slayer skill. These arrows are useful for both training and PvM content, offering great experience rates when combined with Broad Arrows.
Levels 55-70: Longbow and Higher Level Monsters
Equipment:
Weapon: Longbow (or a Steel/Mithril Shortbow if you prefer speed)
Ammunition: Broad Arrowheads or Steel Arrows
Location: Green Dragons (for profit), Lessers (Lesser Demons), or TzHaar (best if you’re focusing on combat).
Training Method:
Green Dragons: These are a popular training method if you want to make some profit along the way. Green Dragons drop valuable items such as Dragon Bones, which can be sold for a high price. You’ll need to be ready to deal with potential PKers (player killers), so be cautious when engaging in this method.
Lesser Demons: Found in Karamja Volcano, Lesser Demons have high hitpoints and drop useful resources for any player interested in making a profit along the way.
Levels 70-99: Efficiently Train at the Best Locations
The final stretch towards level 99 will take time, but there are plenty of viable options for efficient Ranged training. At this point, you can start utilizing more specialized equipment to maximize experience rates. The most efficient options here involve training with higher level monsters while using best-in-slot equipment for your Ranged setup.
Levels 70-99: The Final Push
Equipment:
Weapon: Karil’s Crossbow or Dorgeshuun Crossbow (Dorgeshuun is a great option for saving money and improving efficiency).
Ammunition: Broad Arrowheads, Rune Arrows, or Ava’s Device.
Location: Chin Training (using Chinchompas), Experiments, or Fire Giants.
Training Method:
Chinchompa Training (Levels 70-99): Chinchompas are the ultimate F2P Ranged training method in OSRS. They are available once you complete the The Chinchompa Quest. By using these bombs, you can train your Ranged on multiple targets at once, maximizing your experience per hour. However, they are relatively costly, so you’ll need to weigh the benefits of spending money versus the experience gained.
Experiments: Found in The Frankenstein’s Lab, Experiments are ideal training monsters because of their high hitpoints and low defense. They also drop decent loot, and there’s no risk of dying or losing your gear.
Fire Giants: Fire Giants are a great high-level monster to kill for Ranged training. Located in places like Waterfall Dungeon, they have high hitpoints and a decent drop rate for useful items.
Useful Tips for Ranged Training
Ava’s Device: One of the best items for Ranged training in F2P is Ava’s Device, a reward from completing the Animal Magnetism Quest. This device retrieves your arrows automatically and provides an additional +1 Ranged attack bonus, which significantly boosts your experience per hour in cheap RuneScape gold.
Use the Best Gear Possible: As you progress, always upgrade to the best gear available to maximize your Ranged output. Using Karil’s Crossbow, Dorgeshuun Crossbow, or Red chinchompas can make the difference in terms of speed and efficiency.
Consider Using Prayer: When training at high-level monsters, using Protect from Melee or Eagle Eye (for additional accuracy and damage) can make your training more efficient and safer.
Conclusion
Reaching level 99 Ranged in OSRS as a F2P player can be a long but rewarding journey. Whether you’re training with basic shortbows and arrows or advancing to more complex techniques like chinchompa training, there are plenty of methods to keep you engaged and improving. Remember, patience and consistency are key to achieving this prestigious achievement.
By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll find the most efficient and effective ways to train your Ranged skill, while maximizing your experience rates, profit, and enjoyment. Best of luck on your journey to 99 Ranged, and may your arrows always find their mark!