Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a beloved MMORPG that has stood the test of time. Originally released in 2013, it’s a return to the classic version of RuneScape from 2007, with updates and improvements added based on player feedback. Unlike many modern MMOs, OSRS features a distinctive, nostalgic aesthetic with simple, yet engaging mechanics. While the game has been around for over a decade, its complexity and depth continue to attract new players.
For those just starting out, Old School RuneScape can seem overwhelming at first. With its open world, a plethora of quests, skill training, and multiplayer interactions, knowing where to begin and how to manage your resources and time effectively can be daunting. But fear not – this guide is here to help. In this article, we’ll cover five essential tips for beginners that will get you on the right track to becoming a successful adventurer in OSRS.
1. Focus on Your Skills Early On
One of the core aspects of OSRS is its 23 different skills, each of which offers unique benefits and ways to progress. As a beginner, it can be tempting to jump straight into combat, but it’s crucial to focus on your skills early in the game. Building up your non-combat skills will not only help you gather resources and make money, but they will also unlock abilities and tools that will improve your overall experience.
The best place to start is by leveling up some essential gathering skills such as Woodcutting, Fishing, Mining, and Agility. These skills are relatively easy to train and will allow you to access valuable resources, such as logs, ores, and fish, which can either be used for crafting and cooking or sold for a profit.
Agility is another important skill to consider leveling early. While it may seem unimportant at first, having higher Agility will help you run for longer periods and navigate obstacles more efficiently. This can make a huge difference in the time you spend traveling around the game world and will save you a lot of frustration in the long run.
Another important skill to focus on is Smithing, as it will allow you to create your own weapons and armor, and if you train Crafting and Herblore, you’ll be able to craft items that help you in combat or aid in quests.
2. Complete Quests for Rewards and Experience
Quests are an excellent way to progress in Old School RuneScape. They provide both OSRS gold and valuable items, and many of them offer unlocked content that would be difficult to access without completing them. Quests also provide an engaging storyline, and many players enjoy completing them to immerse themselves in the game’s lore and world-building.
As a beginner, it’s smart to tackle lower-level quests first. Some quests provide experience in essential skills and can help you level up faster. For example, the “Cook’s Assistant” quest is a great starting point because it’s easy to complete and gives you a bit of experience in Cooking, which is an excellent skill to level up early. Completing this quest also unlocks the ability to cook at various locations, saving you time and resources.
Some other quests to consider early on include:
“The Restless Ghost” – This is another simple quest that gives you Prayer experience, a useful skill that helps you in combat situations.
“Rune Mysteries” – This quest unlocks access to the Runecrafting skill, which is pivotal for making your own runes, saving you money on runes in the long run.
“The Knight’s Sword” – Completing this quest gives a huge Smithing experience reward and unlocks the ability to smelt ores into bars more efficiently.
Even if a quest doesn’t seem immediately rewarding, many quests have hidden benefits that will make your time spent doing them worthwhile, such as opening new areas, teleportation methods, or access to minigames.
The more quests you complete, the better prepared you’ll be for more difficult challenges and higher-level content in OSRS. Additionally, the game’s questing system is a great way to learn about the various mechanics of the game while also progressing your character.
3. Learn the Basics of Combat and Level Your Combat Stats
While you might want to focus on skills and quests early, eventually, combat is an essential part of the OSRS experience. Combat in OSRS is based on a simple yet effective three-style system: Melee, Ranged, and Magic. Understanding how each combat style works and leveling up your combat stats is vital for progressing through tougher areas and taking on stronger foes.
At the start, it’s a good idea to focus on leveling your Attack, Strength, and Defence stats through Melee combat. This will allow you to take on the many monsters around the world, gain experience, and gather loot. Ranged and Magic are useful for later stages in the game, but early on, training Melee is often the most straightforward path.
To get started with combat, try killing easy monsters like Chickens, Cows, and Rats. These low-level creatures are great for practicing combat mechanics, gaining experience, and earning drops like feathers, bones, and cowhides, which can be sold or used for skill training.
Once you’ve leveled up a bit, you can start exploring areas like the Varrock Sewers, the Stronghold of Security, and The Lumbridge Swamp to fight stronger monsters that will provide better drops and more experience.
As your combat stats improve, don’t forget to upgrade your weapons and armor. Your gear plays a huge role in how well you can perform in combat. Starting with basic items like bronze, iron, or steel equipment, and gradually upgrading to better gear, like mithril or adamant, will increase your survivability and damage output in battles.
4. Manage Your Inventory and Bank Efficiently
As you explore Gielinor, managing your inventory and bank is crucial for maintaining a smooth progression. Early in the game, it’s easy to gather a lot of resources and items without a clear plan on what to keep or discard. An organized inventory and bank can make your time spent in-game much more efficient.
Here are some tips for managing your inventory:
Keep the essentials: As a beginner, always keep useful items like food, potions, and teleportation runes in your inventory. You’ll want food for healing in combat, potions for boosts, and teleportation items to move around faster.
Sell or drop low-value items: Anything that isn’t useful or doesn’t sell for much can be dropped or sold. Don’t waste inventory space on items that don’t help you progress. Use the Grand Exchange to sell unnecessary items for cheap RuneScape gold.
Use your bank: OSRS offers a bank in every major city, where you can store all your unneeded items. Always remember to organize your bank into categories (e.g., combat gear, resources, quest items, valuable items) to quickly find what you need when you’re back in town.
Prioritize high-value items: As you start earning more gold, you’ll accumulate rare and valuable items, such as rare seeds, herbs, gemstones, and uncommon armor. These items should be stored in a secure place in your bank to avoid clutter.
Lastly, don’t forget to use your bank chest in bank locations to deposit excess items that you don’t need on your travels. Maximizing your inventory space will help you stay organized and make gathering resources or completing quests more manageable.
5. Take Advantage of Community Resources
OSRS has an extensive community of players, and tapping into the wealth of knowledge available can be incredibly beneficial. Whether it’s a guide, a forum, a YouTube channel, or a Discord server, there are tons of resources to help you learn more about the game and optimize your gameplay.
Guides and Wikis: Websites like the Old School RuneScape Wiki and RuneHQ are invaluable for beginners. They contain detailed information on everything from quests and skills to monsters and gear. If you’re stuck on a quest or need advice on leveling a specific skill, these guides will point you in the right direction.
YouTube and Twitch: There are plenty of OSRS content creators who offer tutorials, guides, and Let’s Plays. These can be great for learning combat techniques, quest strategies, or even watching how others approach difficult content.
Discord Communities: Joining an OSRS Discord server can provide real-time advice from veteran players, help with trading, and even find groups for high-level content such as bosses or raids.
Final Thoughts
Old School RuneScape is a game that rewards patience, strategy, and dedication. As a beginner, focusing on building your skills, completing quests, leveling up your combat stats, and managing your resources will give you a solid foundation for progressing through the game. By engaging with the community and taking advantage of available guides, you’ll be well on your way to mastering OSRS.
Stay patient, enjoy the journey, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. Happy adventuring!
