A Beginner’s Guide to Old School RuneScape (OSRS Starter Guide 2026)
A complete OSRS beginner guide covering accounts, combat, skills, early training paths, quests, and progression from early game to endgame.
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a sandbox MMORPG where progress is entirely player-driven. Whether you want to quest, skill, PvM, PvP, or simply explore, the game offers complete freedom with deep long-term progression.
This guide explains the core mechanics, early training paths, skills, and account progression so new players can start confidently and avoid common early mistakes.
What Is Old School RuneScape?
OSRS is a modern continuation of the 2007 version of RuneScape, maintained with weekly updates and a highly active player base. It is available on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android, allowing seamless cross-platform play.
Despite its old-school visuals, OSRS has evolved with new continents, raids, quests, skills, and quality-of-life improvements while preserving its original design philosophy.
Creating Your Account
To begin playing, you’ll need a Jagex Account. This system allows you to manage multiple characters under one login and provides enhanced security.
Why a Jagex Account Matters
Improved account recovery
Two-factor authentication
Stronger protection against hijacking
Multiple characters under one account
New accounts are required to use this system.
Choosing a Game Client
On PC, OSRS can be played using several clients.
Recommended Option
RuneLite – Highly recommended for beginners due to helpful plugins like Quest Helper
Mobile players can use the official OSRS app.
Core Gameplay Basics
Movement and Controls
Point-and-click movement
Tile-based world
0.6-second game tick system
Understanding ticks becomes important later for efficiency, but beginners can focus on fundamentals.
Combat Styles
Melee – Close-range combat
Ranged – Bows, crossbows, darts
Magic – Spells, teleports, utilities
Different enemies are weak to different styles, and higher-level content often requires switching between all three.
Early Combat Training (Free-to-Play)
Starter Training Spots
Cows – Good early XP and starter money
Frogs (Lumbridge Swamp) – Better HP pools
Flesh Crawlers (Stronghold of Security) – AFK-friendly
Ogress Warriors – Solid GP for F2P
Use the best scimitar available for melee training due to its fast attack speed.
Early Combat Training (Members)
Quest-Based Progression
Questing is the fastest way to skip early combat levels.
Waterfall Quest – Boosts Attack and Strength to 30 instantly
Other combat XP quests accelerate early progress
AFK Training
Rock Crabs
Sand Crabs
These offer relaxed combat training up to around level 70.
Slayer: The Backbone of Combat Training
Once you reach mid combat levels, Slayer becomes the most efficient way to train combat while earning GP and unlocking powerful monsters.
Understanding Skills
OSRS currently has 23 skills. Each skill can be trained to level 99, requiring roughly 13 million experience.
Free-to-Play Skills
Attack, Strength, Defence
Ranged, Magic, Prayer
Hitpoints
Mining, Smithing, Fishing
Cooking, Firemaking, Woodcutting
Crafting, Runecrafting
Members Skills
Agility
Construction
Herblore
Thieving
Fletching
Slayer
Hunter
Farming
Questing and Achievement Diaries
Questing unlocks areas, equipment, teleports, and untradeable upgrades. Achievement Diaries provide long-term account-wide benefits.
Efficient quest orders can save dozens of hours over the life of an account.
Early Game Goals
Complete key unlock quests
Unlock all skills
Build a small cash stack
Work toward Recipe for Disaster
Making Money as a Beginner
Herb runs
Thieving
Low-level crafting
Combat drops
Early GP helps with teleports, gear upgrades, and quality-of-life improvements.
Mid Game Progression
Barrows Gloves
Untradeable gear (Dragon Defender, Void)
Mid-tier bosses and minigames
Endgame Overview
Endgame content includes raids, elite diaries, high-level PvM, and long-term skilling goals.
Progressing from level 1 to 99 can take hundreds of hours, making each milestone meaningful.
Efficiency Note
OSRS rewards planning and consistency. Players with limited time often focus on structured goals, optimized training paths, and quality-of-life improvements. Some players also use trusted convenience options like ArgenGaming to support their journey responsibly, prioritizing account security and steady progression.
FAQ
Is OSRS beginner-friendly?
Yes, but it rewards patience and learning over time.
Do I need to quest?
Technically no, but questing greatly improves account progression.
Is OSRS pay-to-win?
No. Progress is earned through gameplay.
How long does it take to reach 99?
Most skills take 100–300+ hours depending on method.