How to Boost Your Smithing Level in OSRS: A Complete Guide

How to Boost Your Smithing Level in OSRS: A Complete Guide


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game of patience and strategy, and leveling up skills like Smithing can feel like a grind. Whether you’re forging armor for combat or crafting items to sell, boosting your Smithing level temporarily can unlock new opportunities without hours of training. In this guide, we’ll explore every method to boost your Smithing level in OSRS, why it matters, and how to make the most of these boosts. From beginner-friendly options to advanced techniques, you’ll find everything you need to smith smarter, not harder, as of April 9, 2025.

Smithing is a production skill that lets you craft metal items like weapons, armor, and tools from ores and bars. It’s essential for quests, achievement diaries, and even profit-making. But reaching high levels—like 75 for elite diaries or 99 for the coveted Smithing Cape—takes time. Boosting your Smithing level temporarily lets you bypass some of that grind, giving you access to higher-tier items or requirements instantly. Whether you’re an Ironman or a main account, these boosts can save time and effort.

Key Benefits of Smithing Boosts

  • Quest Completion: Meet Smithing requirements for quests like “The Knight’s Sword” or “Dragon Slayer II” without grinding levels.
  • Crafting High-Level Gear: Smith items like Rune Platebodies (level 99) with a boost from a lower base level.
  • Achievement Diaries: Tackle tasks like smelting Adamantite bars (level 70) for diaries with a temporary edge.
  • Efficiency: Skip early levels or speed up training by accessing better methods sooner.

Methods to Boost Smithing in OSRS

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OSRS offers several ways to temporarily increase your Smithing level, each with its own pros, cons, and availability. Let’s break them down so you can pick the best one for your needs.

Dwarven Stout: The Easy +1 Boost

Dwarven Stout is the simplest way to get a small Smithing boost. It raises your Smithing (and Mining) level by +1 for about a minute, though it also lowers Attack, Strength, and Defence slightly.

  • How to Get It: Buy from taverns like the Rising Sun Inn in Falador or the Grand Exchange (GE) for around 100-200 GP.
  • Best For: Small boosts, like going from 49 to 50 to smelt Mithril bars.
  • Tip: Stock up if you need multiple boosts; the effect doesn’t stack, but you can reapply it.

Dwarven Stout (M): A Step Up with +2

The mature version of Dwarven Stout gives a +2 boost to Smithing and Mining, making it slightly more versatile. It’s harder to come by but worth it for a bigger lift.

  • How to Get It: Brew it yourself in Keldagrim after starting “Forgettable Tale of a Drunken Dwarf” (takes 1-5 days) or buy from the GE for 50k-60k GP.
  • Best For: Slightly higher requirements, like boosting from 97 to 99 for Rune items.
  • Tip: Ironmen can brew it, but it’s time-intensive—consider other options if you’re in a rush.

Kovac’s Grog: The Reliable +4 Boost

Kovac’s Grog is a standout choice, offering a solid +4 Smithing boost. It’s tied to the Giants’ Foundry minigame and is a favorite for its consistency.

  • How to Get It: Earn 300 Foundry Reputation points in Giants’ Foundry (takes about 10-15 minutes) or buy from the GE for 30k-40k GP.
  • Best For: Bigger jumps, like boosting from 95 to 99 to smith Rune Platelegs.
  • Tip: Pair with the Preserve Prayer to extend the boost duration from 60 to 90 seconds per level drop.

Spicy Stew (Orange Spice): The Risky +5 Max Boost

Spicy Stew with orange spice offers the highest potential boost—up to +5 Smithing—but it’s a gamble. The boost ranges from -5 to +5, making it unpredictable.

  • How to Get It: Complete the Evil Dave subquest in “Recipe for Disaster,” then add 3 doses of orange spice (from Hell-Rats in the Evil Dave basement) to a stew. Stews and spices are also on the GE.
  • Best For: Ironmen or players needing a +5 boost (e.g., 70 to 75 for a diary task).
  • Tip: Make multiple stews and log out after each sip to reset the 60-second decay timer until you hit +5.

Smithing Cape: The Elite +1 Perk

If you’ve already hit 99 Smithing, the Smithing Cape offers a +1 boost whenever you operate it. It’s niche but handy for post-99 goals.

  • How to Get It: Buy from Thurgo south of Port Sarim for 99,000 GP after reaching level 99.
  • Best For: Minor adjustments when you’re already maxed, like boosting to 100 for flexing.
  • Tip: Combine with Preserve Prayer for longer-lasting effects.

How to Use Smithing Boosts Effectively

Worth getting 12 smithing levels and over 30 tries to get a 5 lvl boost

Boosts are temporary, so timing and strategy are key. Here’s how to maximize their value, whether you’re crafting, questing, or chasing diary tasks.

Timing Your Boosts

Most boosts decay at 1 level per minute unless you use Preserve Prayer (unlocked via Prayer scrolls), which stretches it to 90 seconds. Plan your actions:

  • Log Out Trick: Sip a Spicy Stew, check your boost, and log out within 12 seconds if it’s not what you need. Log back in for a fresh 60-second timer.
  • Prestage Materials: Bank your bars and hammer near an anvil or furnace before boosting to minimize downtime.

Stacking and Limitations

Visible boosts don’t stack—only the highest applies. For example, drinking a Dwarven Stout (+1) then Kovac’s Grog (+4) leaves you with +4, not +5. Also, boosts won’t let you equip gear above your base level or bypass some quest/diary restrictions.

Best Use Cases

Goal Recommended Boost Base Level Needed
Smelt Mithril Bars (50) Dwarven Stout 49
Smith Rune 2H Sword (99) Kovac’s Grog 95
Falador Elite Diary (75) Spicy Stew 70

Boosting for Ironmen vs. Main Accounts

Your account type changes how you approach Smithing boosts. Ironmen rely on self-sufficiency, while mains can lean on the GE. Here’s how to adapt.

Ironman Strategies

Ironmen can’t buy boosts easily, so preparation is key:

  • Giants’ Foundry: Grind Kovac’s Grog in 10-15 minutes for a reliable +4 boost.
  • Spicy Stew Grind: Fight Hell-Rats with a wily cat for orange spice, then craft stews. It’s RNG-heavy but free.
  • Brewing: Make Dwarven Stout (M) if you’ve got time to wait (1-5 days).

Main Account Advantages

Mains have it easier with GE access:

  • Buy in Bulk: Stockpile Kovac’s Grog or Dwarven Stouts for quick boosts.
  • Cost Efficiency: Dwarven Stout is cheap for small boosts; Grog is worth the price for bigger ones.
  • Skip the Grind: No need to brew or hunt spices—just click and smith.

Combining Boosts with Training Methods

Boosts aren’t just for one-off tasks—they can enhance your Smithing training too. Pair them with these methods to level faster or profit.

Early Levels (1-40)

Use “The Knight’s Sword” quest for an instant jump to 29, then boost from 39 to 40 with Dwarven Stout to unlock Blast Furnace gold smelting.

Mid-Game (40-70)

Smelt gold bars at the Blast Furnace (level 40) or smith Mithril items. Boost with Kovac’s Grog to access Adamant smelting (70) early.

Endgame (70-99)

Smith Rune items like Platelegs or 2H Swords (level 99) with Kovac’s Grog from 95. These can be profitable if alched or sold in bulk via clans like “W308 Anvil.”

Giants’ Foundry Bonus

This minigame not only gives Kovac’s Grog but also decent XP (up to 100k/hour) and profit. Boosting here lets you use higher-tier bars sooner.

Boosting your Smithing level in OSRS is a game-changer, whether you’re chasing efficiency, profit, or just trying to tick off a diary task. From the humble Dwarven Stout to the risky Spicy Stew, each method has its place. Pick your boost, time it right, and watch your Smithing soar—without the endless grind. Happy forging!