Low Level Barrows Guide OSRS: Master the Minigame with Minimal Stats

Low Level Barrows Guide OSRS: Master the Minigame with Minimal Stats


If you’re an Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player looking to dive into the iconic Barrows minigame but don’t have high combat stats, you’re in the right place. This low level Barrows guide OSRS is designed to help beginners and low-level players conquer the Barrows brothers, loot the chest, and walk away with valuable rewards—all without needing elite gear or maxed stats. Whether you’re after Barrows equipment or just some extra gold, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step-by-step.

The Barrows minigame, located east of Mort’ton in Morytania, is one of OSRS’s most accessible and rewarding activities. Unlike many bosses that demand high combat levels, Barrows has no strict requirements beyond completing the Priest in Peril quest to access Morytania. This makes it an excellent starting point for low-level players eager to dip their toes into PvM (Player vs Monster) content.

Low Entry Barrier

You don’t need 70+ combat stats or expensive gear to succeed at Barrows. With as little as 40-50 combat stats, you can still take on the brothers and profit. The key is preparation and strategy, which we’ll cover in detail.

Reward Potential

Barrows offers a chance at unique equipment like Dharok’s Greataxe or Ahrim’s Staff, alongside stacks of runes and coins. Even at low levels, you can earn 500k-1M GP per hour, making it a fantastic money-making method for early-game players.

Recommended Stats and Gear for Low-Level Barrows

Beginner barrows setup rironscape

To tackle Barrows at a low level, you’ll need a basic setup that balances affordability with effectiveness. Here’s what you should aim for in terms of stats and gear.

Minimum Combat Stats

  • Magic: 50 (for Slayer Dart) or 55 (with 50 Attack for Iban’s Blast)
  • Prayer: 43 (for Protect from Melee, Magic, and Missiles)
  • Hitpoints: 50+ (to survive potential high hits from Dharok)
  • Ranged: 40-50 (optional, for Ahrim)

These stats are achievable with minimal training and allow you to use effective spells and prayers against the brothers.

Budget Gear Setup

You don’t need BiS (Best in Slot) gear to succeed. Here’s a practical, low-cost setup:

Slot Item Alternative
Head Mithril Helm Coif
Body Mithril Platebody Black Dragonhide Body
Legs Mithril Platelegs Black Dragonhide Chaps
Weapon Iban’s Staff Magic Shortbow (for Ahrim)
Shield Book of Darkness Anti-Dragon Shield
Cape Team Cape Any +1 Prayer Cape
Ring Ring of Dueling Ring of Life

Notes: Iban’s Staff requires the Underground Pass quest and 50 Attack, but it’s a game-changer with its powerful Iban’s Blast spell (max hit 25). If you can’t use it, Slayer Dart (50 Magic, 55 Slayer) with a Staff of Air is a solid alternative.

Inventory Setup

  • Barrows Teleport Tablets (2-3) – For quick access
  • Prayer Potions (1-2) – To maintain protection prayers
  • Food (10-15 Lobsters or better) – For healing
  • Spade – To dig into the mounds
  • Rune Arrows (50) – If using a Magic Shortbow for Ahrim
  • Runes – For Slayer Dart (Death, Mind, Air) or Iban’s Blast (Death, Fire)

This setup keeps costs low while ensuring you can handle the brothers and the tunnels.

How to Get to Barrows

Getting to Barrows efficiently is crucial for low-level players to maximize trips per hour. Here are your best options, ranked from fastest to slowest.

Fastest Route: Barrows Teleport

Buy Barrows Teleport tablets from the Grand Exchange (around 2k GP each). They teleport you directly to the Barrows entrance, saving time and energy. This is the go-to method for most players.

Budget Route: Mort’ton Teleport

After completing Shades of Mort’ton, use the Minigame Teleport to Shades of Mort’ton (free, 20-minute cooldown). From there, run northeast to Barrows. It’s slower but cost-effective for Ironmen or players avoiding the GE.

Alternative: Swamp Boaty

Start at Canifis, head south through the Mort Myre Swamp to the Swamp Boaty (requires Nature Spirit), and sail to Mort’ton. Then run east. This is the slowest option and risks ghasts rotting your food, so bring extras.

Step-by-Step Low Level Barrows Strategy

Now that you’re geared up and know how to get there, let’s break down the process of completing a Barrows run at a low level.

Order of Brothers

The Barrows brothers are Dharok (Melee), Ahrim (Magic), Karil (Ranged), Guthan (Melee), Torag (Melee), and Verac (Melee). Here’s a recommended kill order to conserve resources:

  1. Dharok – Northeast mound. Use Protect from Melee. His hits scale with lower HP, so kill him first while your Prayer is full.
  2. Ahrim – Center mound. Switch to Ranged (Magic Shortbow) or tank with Protect from Magic if using only Magic.
  3. Karil – Southeast mound. Protect from Missiles.
  4. Guthan – Southwest mound. Protect from Melee.
  5. Torag – Northwest mound. Protect from Melee.
  6. Verac – West mound. Protect from Melee (note: he can hit through prayer 25% of the time).

Tip: The tunnels will spawn one random brother you haven’t killed yet, so adjust accordingly.

Fighting the Brothers

Most brothers have low Magic Defence, making Magic (Iban’s Blast or Slayer Dart) your best weapon. Here’s how to handle each:

  • Dharok: Stay at full HP and use Protect from Melee to avoid his massive hits (up to 58).
  • Ahrim: Switch to Ranged if possible; otherwise, use Protect from Magic and outlast him.
  • Karil: Protect from Missiles and keep your distance.
  • Guthan/Torag/Verac: Protect from Melee. Verac’s prayer penetration is rare, so don’t panic.

Drink Prayer Potions as needed to keep protection prayers active, especially in the tunnels where Prayer drains every 18 seconds.

Navigating the Tunnels

After killing five brothers, dig on the sixth mound to enter the tunnels. Your goal is to reach the chest while managing Prayer drain and tunnel monsters (rats, spiders, etc.).

  • Click doors to find the open path—lighter-colored doors are passable.
  • Kill a few monsters (aim for 8-10 kill count) to boost loot without overextending.
  • Solve the door puzzle (a simple shape or creature question) to access the chest room.

If the final brother spawns at the chest, kill them (unless it’s Ahrim and you lack Ranged—then loot and run).

Looting and Escaping

Loot the chest for runes, coins, and a chance at Barrows gear. Use your Ring of Dueling to teleport to Ferox Enclave, recharge Prayer/HP, and bank at Canifis via the nearby portal. Repeat!

Tips to Maximize Success and Profit

Here are some final pointers to ensure your low-level Barrows runs are smooth and profitable.

Conserve Resources

Eat food and sip Prayer Potions above ground between brothers to minimize tunnel time. The Prayer drain underground is brutal for low Prayer levels.

Boost Loot Potential

Killing more tunnel monsters increases your loot roll (up to a cap), but don’t overdo it—8-10 kills is plenty for low levels. Focus on reaching the chest safely.

Upgrade as You Go

As you earn GP or gear from Barrows, upgrade to Adamant/Rune armor or a Trident of the Seas (75 Magic) for faster kills. Small investments pay off over time.

With this low level Barrows guide OSRS, you’re ready to take on the brothers and build your bank. Start with a few practice runs, refine your strategy, and soon you’ll be raking in the rewards. Happy looting!