How to Keep an Untrimmed Cape in OSRS: A Complete Guide

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), achieving level 99 in a skill is a monumental milestone, rewarded with a prestigious Cape of Accomplishment, commonly known as a skillcape. For many players, the untrimmed version of their first skillcape holds sentimental value, symbolizing their initial mastery. However, once you reach 99 in a second skill, all your skillcapes automatically become trimmed, altering their appearance with a distinctive colored trim. If you’re determined to preserve that classic untrimmed look, this guide will walk you through proven methods, tips, and considerations to keep your untrimmed cape in OSRS intact. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer aiming for your first 99, this SEO-optimized blog post has everything you need to know.

The untrimmed cape is more than just an item—it’s a badge of honor. In OSRS, it signifies that you’ve reached level 99 in a single skill without additional 99s, making it a rare and coveted cosmetic for some players. While trimmed capes showcase versatility across multiple skills, the untrimmed version carries a unique charm and exclusivity, especially for those who value nostalgia or want to stand out in Gielinor.

The Appeal of Untrimmed Capes

For many, the appeal lies in its simplicity and rarity. An untrimmed cape tells a story of dedication to one skill, free from the embellishments that come with further achievements. It’s a way to flex your focus—whether it’s an untrimmed Slayer cape from hours of monster hunting or an untrimmed Mining cape earned through countless ore hauls.

Sentimental Value for Veteran Players

Veteran OSRS players often associate their first 99 with fond memories—perhaps their early days in the game or a personal challenge overcome. Keeping that cape untrimmed preserves a piece of their journey, making it a keepsake rather than just another trimmed item in the bank.

Understanding Skillcape Trimming Mechanics

Before diving into preservation methods, it’s crucial to grasp how skillcape trimming works in OSRS. When you achieve your first level 99, the skillcape you purchase is untrimmed. However, the moment you hit 99 in a second skill, all skillcapes in your possession—whether equipped, banked, or stored—automatically gain a trim. This irreversible process is coded into the game, leaving players with limited options to maintain the untrimmed aesthetic.

How Trimming Triggers in OSRS

Trimming occurs instantly upon reaching a second 99, regardless of where your untrimmed cape is located. Even dropping it on the ground doesn’t protect it if you pick it up manually after the second 99—unless you use a specific workaround, which we’ll cover shortly.

Exceptions to the Rule

Unlike regular skillcapes, the Quest Point Cape, Achievement Diary Cape, and Music Cape have right-click options to toggle between trimmed and untrimmed states under certain conditions (e.g., completing all diaries trims the Quest Point Cape). However, standard skillcapes lack this feature, making preservation trickier.

Proven Methods to Keep Your Untrimmed Cape

Fortunately, the OSRS community has devised several reliable methods to safeguard untrimmed capes. These techniques exploit game mechanics to prevent automatic trimming, allowing you to maintain multiple untrimmed capes even after achieving additional 99s. Below are the most effective strategies.

Method 1: The Drop and Telegrab Trick

The most popular and straightforward method is the drop and telegrab trick. Here’s how it works:

• Step 1: Before reaching 99 in your second skill, drop your untrimmed cape on the ground.
• Step 2: Gain the second 99 while the cape remains dropped.
• Step 3: Use the Telekinetic Grab spell (requires 33 Magic and 1 Law Rune + 1 Air Rune) to retrieve the cape.

When picked up via Telegrab, the cape retains its untrimmed state because the game doesn’t update its status while it’s outside your inventory. Be cautious—manually picking it up will trigger the trim.

Method 2: Death Storage with Instanced NPCs

Another safe option involves using death mechanics to store your cape:

• Step 1: Die to an instanced NPC like Zulrah or Hespori while carrying your untrimmed cape (ensure it’s not protected on death).
• Step 2: Achieve your second 99 while the cape is in death storage.
• Step 3: Reclaim it later from the NPC (e.g., Priestess Zul-Gwenwynig for Zulrah or Arno for Hespori) for a fee.

This method is ideal for Skill Pures or accounts without Magic access, as it doesn’t require Telegrab. The cape remains untrimmed in storage indefinitely.

Method 3: Multiple Cape Purchases

For extra security, buy multiple copies of your untrimmed cape before your second 99:

• Step 1: Purchase several untrimmed capes (each costs 99,000 coins) after your first 99.
• Step 2: Store them safely (e.g., drop and Telegrab or use death storage) before hitting the next 99.
• Step 3: Keep spares in case of mistakes.

This approach ensures you have backups if something goes wrong during the process.

Tips for Success and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Preserving an untrimmed cape requires precision. Here are some pro tips and pitfalls to steer clear of to ensure success.

Preparation Tips

• Track Your XP: Monitor your experience points closely to avoid accidentally hitting 99 before you’re ready to drop or store your cape.
• Stockpile Runes: Always carry extra Law and Air Runes for Telegrab in case of lag or misclicks.
• Test in Advance: Practice the method with a cheap item to familiarize yourself with the timing.

Common Mistakes

• Picking Up Manually: Never pick up a dropped cape by hand after a second 99—it’ll trim instantly.
• Storing in POH: Placing an untrimmed cape in your Player-Owned House costume room after a second 99 will still result in trimming when retrieved.
• Forgetting Placeholders: Remove bank placeholders before dropping, as they can complicate inventory management.

Untrimmed Cape Value: Stats and Rarity

Beyond aesthetics, untrimmed capes have practical and social significance in OSRS. Let’s break down their stats and rarity with a comparison table.

Stats Comparison: Untrimmed vs. Trimmed

Cape Type	Attack Bonuses	Defence Bonuses	Prayer Bonus	Weight
Untrimmed Skillcape	+9 (all)	+9 (all)	0	0.453 kg
Trimmed Skillcape	+9 (all)	+9 (all)	+4	0.453 kg

The key difference is the +4 Prayer bonus on trimmed capes, making them slightly more useful in combat. However, untrimmed capes match the Obsidian cape’s stats, offering solid all-around bonuses.

Rarity and Prestige

Untrimmed capes grow rarer as players progress to multiple 99s, especially for skills like Hitpoints or Slayer, which are hard to max without leveling others (e.g., Attack or Strength). Owning an untrimmed cape for a skill like Runecrafting—OSRS’s least common 99 as of April 2025 with under 100,000 players—adds an extra layer of prestige.

Community Perception

In the OSRS community, untrimmed capes often spark admiration or curiosity. They’re a subtle flex, signaling either a deliberate choice to preserve history or a playstyle focused on a single skill (e.g., Skill Pures). Wearing one at the Grand Exchange might just earn you a nod of respect.

Keeping an untrimmed cape in OSRS is a blend of strategy, timing, and a touch of game mechanic mastery. Whether you opt for the Telegrab trick, leverage death storage, or stockpile spares, the reward is a timeless piece of your RuneScape legacy. As you plan your next 99, use this guide to ensure your first skillcape stays untrimmed, letting you carry a piece of your early adventures through Gielinor forever. Ready to take on the challenge? Drop that cape, cast that spell, and keep the trim at bay!