Edgeville Monkey Bars OSRS: Your Guide to Agility Training in the Wilderness

Edgeville Monkey Bars OSRS: Your Guide to Agility Training in the Wilderness


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of ways to train skills, and for those looking to boost their Agility early on, the Edgeville Monkey Bars provide a unique and often overlooked option. Located in the Edgeville Dungeon, this Agility shortcut combines low-level accessibility with a Wilderness twist, making it an intriguing choice for players. Whether you’re a new adventurer or an ironman seeking efficient training methods, this guide dives deep into everything you need to know about the Edgeville Monkey Bars in OSRS, from how to use them to their benefits and risks.

The Edgeville Monkey Bars are an Agility shortcut situated within the Edgeville Dungeon, a sprawling underground network beneath the town of Edgeville. This obstacle, requiring just 15 Agility to use, allows players to traverse between two sections of the dungeon, connecting the area with red spiders to the zone inhabited by earth warriors. While it was replaced by stepping stones in a graphical update in November 2023, the monkey bars remain iconic for their historical role in early Agility training.

Location and Access

You can find the Edgeville Monkey Bars by entering the Edgeville Dungeon via the trapdoor south of the Edgeville bank or the locked shed west of the Cooks’ Guild (requiring a brass key). The shortcut lies in the northern, members-only section of the dungeon, which extends into the Wilderness. This positioning adds an element of danger, as player-killers (PKers) can attack you while training.

Requirements to Use the Monkey Bars

To swing across the Edgeville Monkey Bars, you need:

  • Agility Level 15: A low entry point, making it accessible to early-game players.
  • Membership: The northern part of the dungeon is exclusive to members.
  • Optional Gear: Food and teleport items (like a teleport tablet) to survive earth warrior attacks or PKer encounters.

Why Train Agility at Edgeville Monkey Bars?

Furnace in varrock

The Edgeville Monkey Bars offer a compelling alternative to traditional Agility courses, especially for players between levels 15 and 30. Here’s why they stand out:

Low-Intensity Training

Unlike rooftop courses that require constant movement and attention, the monkey bars allow for a semi-AFK (away-from-keyboard) training method. With proper camera positioning, you can click repeatedly in one spot to swing back and forth, earning experience without much effort. This makes it ideal for multitasking, like watching a movie while skilling.

Experience Rates

Each successful swing across the monkey bars grants 20 Agility XP, and the obstacle cannot be failed, ensuring consistent gains. Players can achieve up to 13,000 XP per hour, comparable to the Varrock Rooftop Course at similar levels. For low-level Agility training, this rate is competitive and efficient.

Early Game Accessibility

With a requirement of just 15 Agility, the monkey bars are one of the earliest Wilderness-based training options. They’re perfect for players who want to skip the Gnome Stronghold course or prepare for higher-level content like the Canifis Rooftop Course for Graceful gear.

How to Train Effectively at Edgeville Monkey Bars

Training at the Edgeville Monkey Bars requires some preparation due to the Wilderness location and aggressive NPCs. Follow these steps to maximize your experience:

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Enter the Dungeon: Use the trapdoor south of Edgeville bank or the shed with a brass key.
  2. Navigate to the Monkey Bars: Head north past the red spiders until you reach the shortcut.
  3. Wait Out Aggression: Earth warriors on the north side are aggressive for 10 minutes. Bring food (e.g., swordfish) and wait until they stop attacking, or use high Defense gear to tank hits.
  4. Set Up Your Camera: Adjust your camera so the monkey bars’ clickable area aligns with a single spot on your screen. This allows continuous clicking without moving the mouse.
  5. Start Swinging: Click repeatedly to swing back and forth, earning 20 XP per trip.

Recommended Gear and Inventory

Item Purpose
Food (e.g., Swordfish) Survive earth warrior attacks during the aggression period.
Teleport Tablet Quick escape from PKers in the Wilderness.
Light Armor Balance defense and weight for energy efficiency.
Energy Potions Optional for faster run energy recovery.

Tips for Safety

  • Minimize Risk: Bring only what you’re willing to lose, as PKers can strike at any time.
  • Use RuneLite: The NPC aggression timer plugin can help you track when earth warriors stop attacking.
  • Avoid Peak Hours: Train during off-peak times to reduce the chance of encountering PKers.

Pros and Cons of Edgeville Monkey Bars Training

Like any training method in OSRS, the Edgeville Monkey Bars come with advantages and drawbacks. Here’s a breakdown:

Advantages

  • Low Skill Requirement: Only 15 Agility needed, perfect for beginners.
  • Consistent XP: No fail chance means steady progress.
  • AFK-Friendly: Minimal attention required with the right setup.
  • Unique Wilderness Flavor: Adds an adventurous edge to your training.

Disadvantages

  • Wilderness Risk: PKers can interrupt your session and kill you, potentially losing items.
  • Aggressive NPCs: Earth warriors require preparation or patience to deal with.
  • Limited XP Ceiling: At 13k XP/hour, it’s outclassed by higher-level courses like Canifis (20k+ XP/hour).

Edgeville Monkey Bars in the Modern OSRS Meta

Since their replacement with stepping stones in 2023, the Edgeville Monkey Bars are no longer part of the game in their original form. However, their legacy lives on in the community, especially among players who used them for early Agility training or as part of Wilderness-only ironman challenges. Let’s explore their historical significance and current relevance.

Historical Significance

Before rooftop courses dominated the Agility meta, the monkey bars were a go-to for players seeking a low-effort method to reach level 30 or 40 Agility. They were especially popular in the early days of OSRS and remain a nostalgic choice for veterans. Community discussions on Reddit and YouTube videos from players like Caveman Only highlight their role in unique challenges, such as the Wilderness-only ironman series.

Current Alternatives

With the monkey bars gone, players can still train Agility in the Edgeville Dungeon using the stepping stones, though the mechanics may differ slightly. For similar low-level, AFK-friendly options, consider:

  • Yanille Monkey Bars: Offers 16k XP/hour with a similar click-and-wait style.
  • Barbarian Outpost Tunnel: Another early-game shortcut with decent XP.
  • Rooftop Courses: Varrock (level 30) or Canifis (level 40) for higher XP rates.

Community Perspectives

The OSRS community has mixed feelings about the monkey bars. Some praise their simplicity and accessibility, with Reddit threads calling them a “secret early Agility spot.” Others see them as outdated, especially with the introduction of more efficient courses. Regardless, they remain a quirky piece of OSRS history worth exploring for their charm alone.

In conclusion, the Edgeville Monkey Bars in OSRS offered a distinctive way to train Agility, blending low requirements with Wilderness risk. While they’ve been replaced, their legacy as an AFK-friendly, early-game option endures. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or planning a Wilderness-only challenge, understanding their role can enhance your OSRS journey. So, grab some food, set up your camera, and swing into the past—or adapt to the modern stepping stones for a taste of that classic vibe!