OSRS 1-99 Guide: The Ultimate Skilling Roadmap for Old School RuneScape

Welcome to the ultimate OSRS 1-99 guide! Whether you’re a new player stepping into Gielinor or a veteran looking to max out your skills, this comprehensive roadmap will help you level up from 1 to 99 in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). With updated methods as of April 2025, we’ll cover efficient, profitable, and AFK training options for key skills, ensuring you can achieve your goals without burning out. Let’s dive into the grind and explore how to conquer every skill in OSRS!
Reaching level 99 in any OSRS skill is a monumental achievement. It unlocks powerful abilities, profitable money-making methods, and prestigious capes that showcase your dedication. Beyond the rewards, skilling to 99 offers a sense of progression and mastery over Gielinor’s diverse mechanics. From combat to gathering skills, each 99 enhances your gameplay, whether you’re bossing, questing, or trading on the Grand Exchange.
Benefits of Maxing Skills
- Access to Endgame Content: High levels unlock bosses like Zulrah, raids, and elite diaries.
- Profit Potential: Skills like Mining and Fishing can net millions of GP on the way to 99.
- Community Prestige: That skill cape flex is real—show off your grind!
Planning Your Journey
Before jumping in, decide your priorities: speed, profit, or a relaxed pace. This guide offers pathways for every playstyle, so tailor your approach to fit your schedule and goals. Ready? Let’s break it down by skill categories.
Combat Skills: Attack, Strength, Defence, Magic, Ranged, Prayer
Combat skills are the backbone of OSRS, essential for PvM, PvP, and Slayer. Here’s how to take them from 1 to 99 efficiently.
Melee (Attack, Strength, Defence)
Melee training is straightforward and versatile. Start with low-level monsters and scale up as you progress.
- Levels 1-20: Chickens in Lumbridge—easy XP and feathers for profit.
- Levels 20-50: Rock Crabs on Waterbirth Island—regen spawns make them ideal.
- Levels 50-99: Nightmare Zone (NMZ)—up to 500k XP/hour with optimal setups (Dharok’s gear, absorption potions).
Tip: Use Slayer alongside melee training for bonus XP and profit.
Magic
Magic offers fast, click-intensive methods or cheaper alternatives.
- Levels 1-10: Quests like Imp Catcher and Witch’s Potion for a quick boost.
- Levels 10-55: Enchant bolts (e.g., Sapphire Bolts)—up to 100k XP/hour.
- Levels 55-99: High Alchemy or Bursting in MM2 tunnels—500k+ XP/hour with bursting.
Cost: Bursting can cost 50m+ GP, but High Alch breaks even with the right items.
Ranged
Ranged shines for bossing and raids, with fast XP options.
- Levels 1-30: Cows or goblins with a shortbow.
- Levels 30-70: Cannon at Ogres in Castle Wars—200k XP/hour.
- Levels 70-99: Chinning in MM2 tunnels—up to 1m XP/hour.
Gear: Upgrade to Ava’s Accumulator and a Toxic Blowpipe for efficiency.
Prayer
Prayer is expensive but quick with the right bones.
- Levels 1-43: Bury Big Bones—affordable early XP.
- Levels 43-99: Gilded Altar with Dragon Bones—300k XP/hour, ~200m GP total.
- AFK Option: Bone Shards in Varlamore—slower but cheaper.
Pro Tip: Chaos Altar in the Wilderness cuts costs by 50% if you’re brave!
Gathering Skills: Mining, Fishing, Woodcutting
Gathering skills provide resources and profit while leveling. Here’s how to hit 99 with minimal hassle.
Mining
Mining has evolved with updates like Varlamore, offering diverse methods.
Level Range | Method | XP/Hour | Profit |
---|---|---|---|
1-15 | Copper/Tin in Lumbridge | 10k | Minimal |
15-70 | Iron Ore (Power Mining) | 40k-60k | None |
70-99 | Amethyst in Mining Guild | 20k-30k | 500k GP/hour |
Boost: Prospector Kit from Motherlode Mine adds 2.5% XP.
Fishing
Fishing blends profit and AFK training perfectly.
- Levels 1-20: Shrimp in Draynor—use a net.
- Levels 20-62: Fly Fishing (Trout/Salmon)—40k XP/hour.
- Levels 62-99: Barbarian Fishing—70k XP/hour, plus Strength/Agility XP.
Profit Option: Minnows at 82+ net 400k GP/hour.
Woodcutting
Woodcutting is simple and AFK-friendly.
- Levels 1-15: Regular Trees near Lumbridge.
- Levels 15-60: Oak/Willow in Draynor—40k XP/hour.
- Levels 60-99: Teaks or Redwoods—up to 100k XP/hour (Redwoods).
Forestry Update: Group events boost XP slightly.
Artisan Skills: Crafting, Smithing, Cooking
Artisan skills turn raw materials into valuable items. They’re often profitable or fast-paced.
Crafting
Crafting offers a mix of speed and profit.
- Levels 1-54: Cut Gems (Opals to Sapphires)—50k XP/hour.
- Levels 54-99: Black Dragonhide Bodies—430k XP/hour, ~90m GP cost.
- Profit: Amethyst Bolt Tips at 87+—decent GP/XP.
Smithing
Smithing is costly but quick at high levels.
- Levels 1-40: Questing (e.g., Knight’s Sword) + Bronze/Iron items.
- Levels 40-99: Gold Bars at Blast Furnace—380k XP/hour, 50b+ GP with runners.
AFK: Dart Tips (Adamant)—97k XP/hour, small profit.
Cooking
Cooking is one of the fastest 99s.
- Levels 1-35: Fish in Lumbridge—cheap and easy.
- Levels 35-99: Wines in Hosidius Kitchen—500k XP/hour, low cost.
Note: Use Cooking Gauntlets to avoid burning at higher levels.
Support Skills: Slayer, Farming, Runecrafting
Support skills enhance other activities and offer unique rewards.
Slayer
Slayer ties combat and profit together.
- Levels 1-30: Turael tasks—quick and easy.
- Levels 30-91: Blackjacking—200k XP/hour.
- Levels 91-99: Elves or Dwarves—270k XP/hour, 3m GP/hour.
Unlocks: Slayer Helm, boss tasks.
Farming
Farming is passive and profitable.
- Levels 1-15: Questing (Fairytale Part 1).
- Levels 15-99: Tree Runs (Oak to Magic)—600k XP/hour effective.
- Profit: Herb Runs—300k GP/run at 90+.
Runecrafting
Runecrafting is slow but rewarding.
- Levels 1-23: Air Runes—5k XP/hour.
- Levels 23-99: Lava Runes—60k XP/hour, or Guardians of the Rift for variety.
Profit: Abyss at 50+—millions in GP.
Tips for a Smooth 1-99 Grind
The journey to 99 can be long, but these tips will keep you on track.
Mix Up Methods
Switch between fast, AFK, and profitable methods to avoid burnout. For example, alternate NMZ melee with Fishing at Barbarian Village.
Use Boosts and Gear
Outfits like Prospector, Angler, and Lumberjack give XP bonuses. Quests and diaries (e.g., Varrock Armour) also speed things up.
Track Progress
Use the HiScores or RuneLite plugins to monitor XP gains and stay motivated.
With this OSRS 1-99 guide, you’re equipped to tackle any skill in Old School RuneScape. Whether you’re chasing speed, profit, or a chill grind, Gielinor’s yours to conquer. Happy skilling!