OSRS Best Way to Get Fossils: Top Methods for Fossil Island Success

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), fossils are a unique resource found exclusively on Fossil Island, offering players a variety of rewards like experience lamps, Prayer XP, and numulites. Whether you’re aiming to complete the Varrock Museum displays or stockpile numulites for Volcanic Mine, knowing the best ways to gather fossils is key to maximizing your efficiency. This guide dives into the top methods to collect fossils, breaking down each approach with tips to help you succeed. Let’s explore how to make the most of your time on Fossil Island!

Fossils aren’t just collectibles—they’re a gateway to multiple in-game benefits. From unlocking access to high-level content like the Volcanic Mine to earning kudos and XP lamps at the Varrock Museum, fossils play a versatile role. They come in four types—small, medium, large, and rare—each with specific uses, such as enriching bones for Prayer XP or trading for currency. Understanding the best methods to gather them can save you hours of grinding and boost your account progression.

Unlocking Fossil Island

Before you can start collecting fossils, you need access to Fossil Island. This requires completing the Bone Voyage quest, which itself demands completion of The Dig Site quest and at least 100 kudos with the Varrock Museum. Once unlocked, you can travel to the island via the barge at the Digsite or use a Digsite Pendant for faster access. Preparation is key—bring the right gear and tools to make fossil hunting smooth and efficient.

Top Methods to Gather Fossils

Fossil Island offers several activities that drop fossils, but not all are created equal. Below are the most effective methods, ranked by speed and accessibility, to help you decide which fits your playstyle and skill levels.

Cutting Sulliuscep Mushrooms: The Fastest Fossil Method

For sheer fossil-gathering speed, chopping Sulliuscep mushrooms in the Tar Swamp stands out as the best method. Requiring 65 Woodcutting, this activity not only yields fossils but also provides excellent Woodcutting XP (up to 100,000 XP per hour). Here’s why it’s top-tier:

• High Fossil Drop Rate: You can expect 8–12 fossils per hour, depending on luck and efficiency.
• Multi-Skill Benefits: Gain Woodcutting XP while collecting fossils.
• Low Competition: Sulliusceps are less crowded than other methods like combat training spots.

Tips for Success: Wear leather boots and bring a rake to navigate the swamp, an axe for chopping, and some food or Prayer points to handle the aggressive Tar Monsters. The trick is to hop between the six Sulliuscep spawns, as only one is choppable at a time. Use the Mycelium Transportation System to move quickly between spots.

Tracking Herbiboar: Hunter-Based Fossil Collection

If you’re a Hunter enthusiast, tracking the Herbiboar in the Mushroom Forest is a fantastic option. This method requires 80 Hunter and 31 Herblore (to start the activity), offering a mix of fossils, herbs, and Hunter XP (up to 160,000 XP per hour at higher levels).

• Fossil Yield: Around 5–8 fossils per hour, with rare fossils occasionally dropping.
• Bonus Rewards: Herbs like ranarr and toadflax make this profitable alongside fossil gains.
• Passive Approach: Less intensive than combat or Woodcutting, ideal for relaxed play.

Pro Tip: Bring a stamina potion and a knife to speed up tracking, and store fossils in nearby crates to avoid banking trips. This method shines for players already training Hunter or looking to diversify their fossil grind.

Underwater Thieving and Agility: A Dual-Skill Option

Diving into the underwater area of Fossil Island offers a unique way to gather fossils through Thieving and Agility. Accessible with a fishbowl helmet and diving apparatus, you can loot mermaid’s tears and giant clam shells, which occasionally yield fossils.

• Fossil Rate: Roughly 5–8 fossils per hour, with variance based on RNG.
• Skill Requirements: 72 Thieving and 62 Agility recommended for optimal efficiency.
• Extra Loot: Mermaid’s tears can be traded for additional fossils or numulites.

How to Optimize: Use a merfolk trident to extend oxygen time, and combine this with birdhouse runs for a multi-tasking approach. It’s slower than Sulliusceps but great for players training these skills.

Combat Methods for Fossil Farming

For combat-focused players, Fossil Island has several monster-slaying options that drop fossils. While not as fast as Sulliusceps, these methods suit those with Slayer tasks or combat goals.

Killing Lobstrosities

Lobstrosities are level 68 monsters found underwater, requiring no Slayer level to kill. They’re a straightforward option for mid-level players.

• Fossil Drop Rate: Around 4–6 fossils per hour.
• Combat XP: Decent melee training, especially with a brine sabre or trident.
• Accessibility: Easy to reach with basic underwater gear.

Strategy: Use Protect from Melee to minimize damage, and bank loot frequently to keep inventory space for fossils.

Fossil Island Wyverns: High Risk, High Reward

Fossil Island Wyverns (Spitting, Taloned, and Long-tailed) are Slayer-only monsters requiring 66 Slayer and a task. Found in the Wyvern Cave, they offer a slower but rewarding fossil grind.

• Fossil Yield: 3–5 fossils per hour, with rare fossils possible.
• Combat Challenge: High stats (level 139–149) and icy breath require an elemental shield.
• Loot Potential: Wyvern bones and other drops add value.

Gear Up: Bring an elemental or mind shield, antifire potion, and high combat stats (80+ recommended). This is best for players already on a Wyvern task.

Comparing Fossil Collection Methods

To help you choose, here’s a breakdown of the top methods based on fossil yield, skill requirements, and additional benefits:

Method	Fossils/Hour	Skill Requirements	Extra Rewards
Sulliuscep Mushrooms	8–12	65 Woodcutting	Woodcutting XP
Herbiboar Tracking	5–8	80 Hunter, 31 Herblore	Hunter XP, Herbs
Underwater Thieving/Agility	5–8	72 Thieving, 62 Agility	Mermaid’s Tears
Lobstrosities	4–6	None (Combat 60+ recommended)	Combat XP
Fossil Island Wyverns	3–5	66 Slayer, Task	Slayer XP, Wyvern Bones

Key Takeaway: Sulliuscep chopping leads in speed and simplicity, while Herbiboar and underwater activities offer balanced skilling rewards. Combat methods lag in fossil efficiency but suit specific goals.

Tips to Maximize Your Fossil Haul

No matter which method you pick, these strategies will boost your fossil collection efficiency:

Preparation and Gear

• Storage: Use fossil storage crates near activity spots to free up inventory.
• Tools: Always carry a trowel, rock pick, and specimen brush for cleaning fossils on-site.
• Stamina: Bring stamina potions for methods requiring movement (e.g., Sulliusceps, Herbiboar).

Combining Activities

Multi-task for efficiency:

• Pair Herbiboar with birdhouse runs to train Hunter passively.
• Do underwater Thieving/Agility while gathering resources for numulites.
• Chop Sulliusceps during downtime from other Fossil Island tasks.

What to Do with Fossils

Once collected, fossils have multiple uses:

• Varrock Museum: Clean and trade sets (5 fossils per display) for kudos and XP lamps (2,000–5,000 XP).
• Mycelium Pool: Enrich fossils with calcite and pyrophosphite for Prayer XP (500–2,500 per bone).
• Fossil Collector: Trade for numulites (100–500 each) to fund Volcanic Mine or other island activities.

Final Thoughts on Fossil Farming in OSRS

The best way to get fossils in OSRS depends on your skills and goals. For pure speed, chopping Sulliuscep mushrooms reigns supreme, offering 8–12 fossils per hour and solid Woodcutting XP. If you prefer a slower pace with extra rewards, Herbiboar tracking or underwater Thieving/Agility are strong contenders. Combat methods like Lobstrosities and Wyverns work best when tied to Slayer tasks. Whatever you choose, Fossil Island’s diverse activities ensure there’s a method for every player. Start digging into these strategies today, and watch your fossil collection grow!