If you’re a new player or someone returning after a break, fear not—this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting started or getting back into RuneScape 3. The journey may seem overwhelming at first, but trust me, it all makes sense by the time you’ve explored a bit. Let’s get started!
1. The First Tip: Use the RuneScape Wiki
Before we get into the specifics of combat and questing, let’s start with something that may sound boring but is extremely practical: Use the RuneScape Wiki.
Now, you might not want to hear this at the beginning of a guide, but I promise you—there’s so much to learn about RuneScape 3 that you won’t be able to memorize it all. Whether you’re looking for a guide on training mining, need help with an RS gold money-making method, or want to know how to get a specific item, the Wiki is your best friend. It’s always accessible in-game through the Wiki button, or you can open it in a browser window.
The RuneScape Wiki is essentially a treasure trove of knowledge that can help you at any point in your journey. Feeling lost on where to train a certain skill? Check the training guide. Need tips on what monsters drop a specific loot item? The Wiki has you covered. This is the number one source for information, and it’s something I’ll refer to time and time again throughout my adventures in the game.
2. Start with Necromancy
Now that we’ve got the obvious advice out of the way, let’s dive into more specific tips that will set you up for success. Necromancy is hands-down one of the best combat styles you can start within RuneScape 3, especially for new and returning players.
RuneScape is not a class-based MMORPG, but Necromancy outclasses many other combat styles, particularly in the early and mid-game stages. You can unlock Necromancy by heading through the portal near the Draynor Lodestone, which introduces you to a set of quests and activities that will help you level up this skill.
If you’re a returning player who tends to skip through quest dialogues, trust me—do not spacebar through Necromancy. The game’s tutorial for this skill explains everything you need to know about using certain abilities and upgrading your gear and weapons. Unlike other combat styles that might overwhelm you with abilities all at once, Necromancy gradually introduces them, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
By the time you’ve mastered Necromancy, you’ll have a solid understanding of the combat mechanics and be well-prepared to take on RuneScape’s more challenging content. Plus, it’ll serve as a gateway to unlocking other abilities and skills as you progress through the game.
3. Progress Through the Fort For the Buffs
One of the best quests you can start is the “New Foundations” quest, which kicks off the Fort 43 quest line. You’ll begin this quest in Varrock Castle, and it lets you build your very own fort in RuneScape 3. This may sound simple, but the fort-building system comes with a huge benefit: you’ll unlock numerous buffs for your skills and overall gameplay.
At the start of the quest, you’ll unlock buildings like the Church Workshop, Town Hall, and Command Center, all of which provide useful benefits such as increased experience gain or added outputs when skilling. As you continue progressing through the Fort 43 questline, you’ll unlock even more buildings and buffs, including damage boosts for Slayer tasks and access to other useful resources.
Building your fort early on in your journey provides an excellent foundation (pun intended!) for later content, especially as it unlocks experience gains and buffs that will save you significant time in your training and adventuring.
4. Do Quests—They’re More Than Just Progression
As a new player or someone returning to RuneScape 3, you’ll quickly realize there’s a lot of content available. But which quests should you focus on first?
The simple answer: Do quests that give you experience in skills you want to level. For example, if you’re training Smithing, check out the “The Knight’s Sword” quest, which will reward you with an experience lamp that gives you 29 Smithing without having to train it manually. Some quests also unlock important abilities, spells, and weapons that are essential for advancing further in the game.
Taking the time to complete quests early on will help you level up efficiently and unlock content that will make your journey through Gielinor much more rewarding. It’s a great way to gain experience, unlock new tools, and keep progressing without grinding endlessly.
5. Spend Your Money Wisely
One thing I can’t stress enough is to spend your money wisely. RuneScape 3 can be time-consuming, and a lot of the time, you’ll be faced with a choice: spend your GP (gold pieces) to speed up progress or grind it out and save the cash.
For example, if you can make 10 million GP an hour and a particular training method costs you 5 million GP, it’s worth the investment. You’ll be saving time, and that extra hour can be spent making the money back. The key is understanding when to spend and when to save, allowing you to optimize your time and maximize your progress in the game.
This mentality will also help you in the long run when it comes to gearing up for difficult challenges or purchasing high-level items. RuneScape 3 has a dynamic economy, and knowing how to manage your wealth is crucial.
6. Money-Making Methods
Money-making in RuneScape 3 is always changing, but there are a few methods that are tried and true. For new and returning players, here are a few ideas to help you make some easy GP:
- Slayer Tasks: One of the most consistent and rewarding ways to earn money, Slayer tasks are great for experience and drops, especially when you’re tackling monsters with rare drops.
- Clue Scrolls: Earning clue scrolls from various activities in the game can lead to a decent profit. Easy clue scrolls (EAs) are especially profitable for low-level players, with the average reward coming in at around 700k GP. You can solve up to 10–15 an hour, earning anywhere from 7–10 million RuneScape GP if you’re efficient.
7. Final Tip: Have Fun!
Lastly, remember that RuneScape 3 is a game, and the most important thing is to have fun. Enjoy the journey, whether you’re exploring Gielinor’s vast world, taking on tough quests, or just hanging out with friends.
This guide aims to cover the core basics of RuneScape 3, providing a helpful starting point for new and returning players. Happy adventuring!
