OSRS Ironman Pest Control: Ultimate Guide to Mastering the Minigame

OSRS Ironman Pest Control: Ultimate Guide to Mastering the Minigame


For Old School RuneScape (OSRS) Ironman players, Pest Control is a key minigame that offers unique rewards and a cooperative challenge tailored to the self-sufficient playstyle. Whether you’re chasing Void Knight armor, commendation points, or just looking for a fun way to train combat, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Pest Control as an Ironman. From strategies to rewards, we’ve got you covered with tips to optimize your experience in this Guthix-inspired battleground.

Pest Control is a members-only, combat-based minigame located on the Void Knights’ Outpost. Players team up to defend the Void Knight from waves of monsters while destroying four portals that spawn these pests. It’s a cooperative activity rooted in the lore of Guthix, aimed at maintaining balance by repelling invasions on southern islands. For Ironmen, it’s a rare exception to the “stand alone” philosophy, allowing group participation without breaking mode restrictions.

Why Ironmen Love Pest Control

Ironman accounts thrive on self-sufficiency, but Pest Control offers a unique twist. Unlike other group activities barred to Ironmen (e.g., Fishing Trawler), this minigame is accessible and provides valuable rewards without relying on trading or the Grand Exchange. It’s a safe activity—death doesn’t cost you items or Hardcore status—making it a low-risk, high-reward option.

How to Access Pest Control

Getting to the Void Knights’ Outpost is straightforward:

  • Minigame Teleport: Use the Pest Control teleport (available every 20 minutes) from the minigame tab.
  • Port Sarim: Travel to Port Sarim’s docks, south of the Lady Lumbridge, and speak to the Squire to board a ship.
  • Pest Control Teleport Scrolls: Obtainable from Treasure Trails, these offer instant access (Ironmen can’t buy them, so clue scrolls are your friend).

The Grouping teleport is another fast option, though it has a 20-minute cooldown. Choose based on your resources and convenience.

Pest Control Requirements for Ironmen

OSRS Pest Control Minigame Guide NovaMMO

Pest Control is divided into three difficulty tiers, each tied to combat level requirements. Ironmen must meet these to join the right boat:

Lander Combat Level Points per Game
Novice 40+ 3
Intermediate 70+ 4
Veteran 100+ 5

Gearing Up as an Ironman

Ironmen can’t trade for top-tier gear, so your setup depends on what you’ve earned. Here’s a basic guide:

  • Melee: Rune armor, a dragon scimitar, or an abyssal whip if you’ve hit 70 Attack and Slayer.
  • Ranged: Rune crossbow with broad bolts (unlocked via Slayer) or a magic shortbow with rune arrows.
  • Magic: Mystic robes and a staff (e.g., Iban’s Staff after Underground Pass) for cost-effective damage.

Potions like super attack/strength are optional but pricey since boosts reset each game. Stick to gear you can sustain without heavy resource grinding.

Combat Achievement Boosts

Completing Combat Achievements increases points per game: +1 per tier up to Hard (e.g., Veteran jumps from 5 to 8 points with Hard tasks done). For Ironmen, this is a game-changer, cutting grind time significantly. Prioritize these tasks if you’re aiming for efficiency.

Strategies for Ironman Pest Control Success

Winning Pest Control requires teamwork, but Ironmen can shine by mastering key roles. The goal is simple: destroy all four portals or keep the Void Knight alive for 20 minutes. Destroying portals is faster (games often end in under 2 minutes), so it’s the preferred strategy.

Key Roles in Pest Control

  • Portal Killers: Focus on attacking portals as their shields drop (announced by the Void Knight). Prioritize Spinners—they heal portals—and use high-damage attacks.
  • Defenders: Stay near the Void Knight to kill pests like Shifters that teleport and threaten his health. Two to three players here suffice.
  • Flex Players: Switch between attacking portals and defending based on team needs. Ironmen often flex due to smaller group sizes.

Tips for Ironman Efficiency

  • Stay Active: Keep your activity bar green by attacking portals, pests, or repairing gates. Red bars mean no points, even if you win.
  • World 344: The official Pest Control world often has active players, reducing wait times for the 5-player minimum.
  • Positioning: Avoid standing in front of portals where pests spawn. Attack from the sides or back to stay safe and effective.

For Hardcore Ironmen, note that Pest Control is safe for solo mode but unsafe for Hardcore Group Ironmen—any death costs a group life. Plan accordingly.

Rewards: Why Ironmen Grind Pest Control

Pest Control’s commendation points are the real prize, exchangeable for gear, XP, and resources. Ironmen benefit uniquely since these rewards don’t rely on trading.

Void Knight Armor

The standout reward is Void Knight armor, a versatile set boosting damage and accuracy. Here’s what you need:

  • Top, Robe, Gloves: 250 points each (750 total).
  • Helmets (Melee, Ranged, Mage): 200 points each.
  • Elite Void Upgrade: 200 points per piece (400 total) after Western Provinces Elite Diary.

With 42 Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Ranged, Magic, and 22 Prayer, you can wear it. Elite Void (10% damage boost) is a late-game goal for bosses like Zulrah or Vorkath.

Experience and Resource Packs

Points can also buy XP (scales with level) or packs:

  • Herb Pack (50 points): Low-level herbs; decent for early Herblore but outpaced by Kingdom of Miscellania.
  • Seed Pack (15 points): Mixed seeds, useful for Farming but not a primary source.
  • Mineral Pack (15 points): Ores/coal for Smithing, though mining is often faster.

XP is slow (e.g., 125 points/hour on Veteran = modest Prayer gains), so prioritize armor unless you’re desperate for supplies.

Points per Hour

Here’s a breakdown with Hard Combat tasks:

Lander Points/Game Games/Hour Points/Hour
Novice 6 20-25 120-150
Intermediate 7 25 175
Veteran 8 25 200

Veteran with Hard tasks is the meta for Ironmen at 100+ combat, netting full Void in ~5-6 hours.

Tips to Optimize Your Ironman Pest Control Grind

Maximize your time and enjoyment with these Ironman-specific hacks:

Early-Game Focus3>

At 40-70 combat, stick to Novice. It’s slower but manageable with basic gear. Use this time to train combat alongside points—every hit counts toward XP.

Mid-Game Push

At 70-100 combat, switch to Intermediate. Upgrade to a rune crossbow or Iban’s Blast for faster portal kills. This tier balances efficiency and accessibility.

Late-Game Mastery

Once 100+, Veteran is your home. With Hard Combat tasks and decent gear (e.g., whip or Bow of Faerdhinen), you’ll blaze through games. Pair with Slayer or boss prep for a well-rounded grind.

Avoiding Burnout

Pest Control can get repetitive. Break it up with Farming runs or questing. The minigame’s chill vibe pairs well with multitasking—watch a stream or chat with clanmates.

For Ironmen, Pest Control is more than a minigame—it’s a rite of passage. Whether you’re decking out in Void for your first Zulrah kill or banking points for a rainy day, this guide equips you to tackle it solo-style. Hop on World 344, grab your gear, and defend the Void Knight like the self-sufficient legend you are!