Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most iconic MMORPGs of all time. Released in 2013 as a revival of the original RuneScape from 2007, it’s a game that’s built around skill, exploration, and an ever-evolving world. The game’s nostalgic feel, coupled with its deep and rewarding mechanics, has kept millions of players engaged for years. However, for newcomers, the learning curve can be steep. With its large world, myriad of skills, quests, and combat systems, it can be easy to get overwhelmed.
If you’re just starting out in Old School RuneScape, you’re in for a treat. In this article, we’ll go over the most important tips for newcomers, helping you avoid common mistakes, stay on track, and set yourself up for success in the vast world of Gielinor.
1. Focus on Getting the Basics Right
When you first log into OSRS gold, it’s important not to rush ahead too quickly. It’s easy to get excited about exploring new areas, but it’s essential to first learn the basics and understand the core mechanics of the game.
Complete the Tutorial Island
The game begins with the Tutorial Island, and even though it might seem like a quick start, take your time here. This is where you’ll get a taste of the game’s skills, combat, and interface. The tutorials explain essential mechanics, like training your skills, attacking enemies, and using your inventory. Although it’s tempting to speed through this area, make sure to familiarize yourself with the controls and objectives.
Set Up Your Interface
Before heading into the world, set up your interface for convenience. You can customize the layout to include important information like your experience (XP) progress in different skills, health, prayer points, and minimap, which will make your experience smoother and more efficient. The interface in OSRS is simple, but understanding how to move and manage your inventory effectively will save you time in the long run.
2. Prioritize Your Skills
One of the core aspects of OSRS is the wide variety of skills available to players. The game boasts 23 skills that range from combat-related ones like Attack, Strength, and Magic, to non-combat skills such as Mining, Fishing, and Crafting. As a newcomer, it’s crucial to focus on a few essential skills early on to make your journey easier.
Combat Skills (Attack, Strength, Defence, Ranged, Magic, Prayer)
Combat: Combat skills are the foundation of progression in OSRS, especially when it comes to quests and defeating tougher monsters. If you focus on Attack, Strength, and Defence early on, you’ll be better prepared for tougher encounters.
Ranged and Magic: These skills are incredibly useful and can help you fight at a distance. They also provide access to various spells that are useful for PvP and PvE.
Prayer: While Prayer is a non-combat skill, it’s important to level it up early. Prayer can be used to boost your combat abilities and protect you in battle.
Non-Combat Skills (Woodcutting, Fishing, Mining, Smithing, Crafting)
Woodcutting and Fishing: These are the easiest skills to start with, as they provide you with essential resources like logs and fish that can be used for Firemaking and Cooking, respectively. Focus on leveling these skills early to help you with your supply of food and other materials.
Mining and Smithing: These are great skills for acquiring ores and bars, which you’ll need for Crafting and Smithing to make armor, weapons, and tools. These skills also come in handy for earning money early on.
Crafting: This skill allows you to make useful items such as jewelry, which can significantly boost your combat stats.
Choosing What to Focus On
In the early stages of the game, it’s best to balance your combat and non-combat skills. Train combat skills so you can survive tougher monsters and non-combat skills to gather resources and craft items that will help you. Eventually, you’ll need to make choices about what skills to prioritize based on your preferred playstyle, whether that be combat, skilling, or a combination of both.
3. Learn the Importance of Quests
Old School RuneScape is rich with content, and quests are a big part of that. Not only do quests unlock new areas, but they also provide great rewards, experience points, and useful items.
Why Should You Do Quests?
Experience and Rewards: Many quests give significant experience boosts, especially in the early stages of the game, making them great for leveling up your skills quickly. For example, completing the “Waterfall Quest” grants you free experience in Attack and Strength.
Unlocking Content: Some areas, bosses, and activities in the game are locked behind quests. Completing certain quests will unlock important locations such as the Gnome Stronghold, Fremennik Isles, or Barrows.
Story and Lore: Quests also provide a deeper connection to the game’s lore, helping you understand the world and its various factions. You’ll meet memorable characters, learn about the history of Gielinor, and uncover mysteries along the way.
Starting Out with Quests
For beginners, focus on beginner quests that give useful rewards, such as:
“Cook’s Assistant”: A simple quest that introduces you to basic gameplay mechanics and rewards you with useful items.
“Sheep Shearer”: A beginner-friendly quest that rewards you with experience in crafting.
“The Restless Ghost”: Provides useful Prayer experience and unlocks access to important areas.
You can use sites like RuneHQ or OSRS Wiki to check out quest guides and follow quest series based on your progression. Some quests are easier than others, so take your time and enjoy the journey.
4. Make Money Efficiently
In OSRS, gold (GP) is a key resource used for almost everything. Whether you’re buying better gear, paying for teleports, or saving for expensive items, making gold is essential.
Start with Basic Money-Making Methods
Killing Chickens: One of the easiest methods to make money as a low-level player is by killing chickens near Lumbridge. They drop feathers and raw chicken, both of which can be sold at the Grand Exchange.
Mining and Smithing: Once you’re capable, mining ores and smelting them into bars is an excellent way to make money. Iron ores are in high demand, and the Blast Furnace is a great place to efficiently smelt ores into bars.
Fishing: Salmon and trout are a good starter fish to sell for GP, and as you level up, you can fish higher-level items like Sharks or Anglerfish, which are in demand by other players.
Woodcutting: Cutting oak or willow trees provides a steady income of logs, which can be sold at the Grand Exchange.
As you progress, you can explore more advanced money-making methods like PVM (Player versus Monster) activities, boss fights, or barrows runs. At higher levels, players often use Slayer as a source of income, as it combines combat with profitable rewards like rare drops and useful items.
5. Take Advantage of the Grand Exchange
The Grand Exchange (GE) is a key feature in OSRS that allows players to buy and sell items with one another. As a newcomer, you’ll be using the GE to sell items you’ve gathered and purchase upgrades for your gear and supplies.
How the Grand Exchange Works
Buying and Selling Items: The GE allows you to sell resources you’ve collected, such as ores, herbs, or fish, to other players for gold. You can also buy items, such as weapons, armor, and potions, to improve your character’s capabilities.
Flipping Items: More advanced players engage in flipping, where they buy items at low prices and sell them at higher prices to make a profit. While it’s not necessary to flip when you’re a newcomer, once you have a good understanding of the economy, it can be a great way to earn gold.
Using the Grand Exchange Efficiently
Make sure to use the Grand Exchange to sell items like unneeded drops from monsters and gather resources to help you level up your skills. It’s also an excellent place to find items you need for quests or other in-game activities.
6. Join a Clan
Joining a clan can be incredibly beneficial, especially for newcomers. Clans provide community, guidance, and assistance with difficult content like bossing, PvP, and raids. Many clans also host events and in-game competitions, making the game more enjoyable and social.
Why Join a Clan?
Team Support: Clans can provide you with help on tough quests or raids. Whether you need assistance on a boss fight or just need advice about the game, a clan can offer valuable insight.
Events and Competitions: Many clans run events, whether they are focused on PvP or in-game activities. Participating in these events can earn you GP, experience, and exclusive rewards.
Friendship and Fun: OSRS is a social game, and being part of a clan can enhance your experience. Building friendships and collaborating with other players will make your time in Gielinor even more rewarding.
Conclusion
Old School RuneScape is a massive and intricate game that offers countless hours of entertainment. For newcomers, the key to success lies in focusing on the basics, mastering the essential skills, and gradually learning how to navigate the world of Gielinor. By following these tips—focusing on core skills, completing quests, making money efficiently, and joining a clan—you’ll set yourself up for success in the vast world of buy RuneScape gold.
As with any game, the most important thing is to enjoy the experience. Take your time, explore the world, and remember that there’s no single path to success. Whether you’re slaying dragons, crafting armor, or fishing by the shore, OSRS is a game where the journey is just as important as the destination. Welcome to Gielinor, adventurer!