OSRS F2P Ironman Money Making Guide

OSRS F2P Ironman Money Making Guide

Making money as a Free-to-Play (F2P) Ironman in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a unique challenge. With restrictions on trading, using the Grand Exchange, and accessing members’ content, you need creative and self-sufficient methods to earn gold pieces (GP). This guide explores the best F2P Ironman money-making strategies for all levels, from fresh accounts to seasoned players, ensuring you can fund your adventures efficiently.

Unlike regular accounts, Ironmen can’t rely on trading or buying supplies. Gold is essential for purchasing raw materials, tools, and runes for skilling, as well as funding quests and training. While you won’t need millions early on, having a steady GP flow helps you progress faster in skills like Crafting, Smithing, and Magic.

Key Challenges

  • No Grand Exchange: You can’t sell items for market prices, so you must rely on NPC shops or alching.
  • Limited Resources: F2P worlds have fewer activities and items compared to P2P.
  • Self-Sufficiency: Every coin must come from your own efforts, making efficiency critical.

Early Game Money Making (Levels 1-30)

OSRS Ironman Money Making Guide For All Levels OSRS Guide

New F2P Ironmen need accessible methods that require minimal skills or gear. These strategies focus on low-level activities that provide a solid GP foundation.

Stronghold of Security

The Stronghold of Security in Barbarian Village is a one-time quest that’s perfect for fresh accounts. Completing all four floors rewards you with 10,000 GP, a massive boost early on.

  • Requirements: None, but bring food for low-level players (shrimp or trout work).
  • Method: Navigate the dungeon, answer security questions, and collect the reward from the final chest.
  • Profit: 10,000 GP in under 30 minutes.
  • Tip: Avoid the final floor’s boots if you’re low combat to prevent death.

Crafting Unstrung Symbols

Crafting silver items is a reliable early-game method that doubles as Crafting XP training. Unstrung holy symbols sell well to NPC shops, especially in the Wilderness.

  • Requirements: 16 Crafting, 20 Mining, 20 Smithing.
  • Method: Mine silver ore (Varrock west mine), smelt into bars (Al-Kharid furnace), and craft unstrung symbols using a holy mould (buy from Al-Kharid’s crafting store). Sell to the Bandit Camp general store in the Wilderness for 120 GP each.
  • Profit: Approximately 20,000-30,000 GP per hour.
  • Tip: Watch for PKers in the Wilderness; bank frequently to avoid losing your stock.

Smithing Iron Platebodies

Smithing iron platebodies offers decent GP and levels up your Smithing for future gear upgrades.

  • Requirements: 33 Smithing (complete The Knight’s Sword quest for a free boost to 29).
  • Method: Mine iron ore (Rimmington mine), smelt into bars (Falador furnace), and smith platebodies (Varrock anvil). Sell to Horvik’s Armour Shop in Varrock for ~300 GP each.
  • Profit: Around 15,000-25,000 GP per hour.
  • Tip: Use the Port Sarim deposit box to speed up mining trips.

Mid-Game Money Making (Levels 30-60)

Once you’ve got some skills and combat levels, you can access more profitable methods. These require moderate effort but yield better rewards.

Killing Ogresses

Ogresses in the Corsair Cove Dungeon are the F2P Ironman meta for mid-game money making due to their valuable drops and Prayer XP.

  • Requirements: 40+ combat (80+ Attack/Strength/Defence recommended for melee, 80+ Ranged for ranged), completion of The Corsair Curse quest.
  • Method: Kill Ogress Warriors or Shamans. Collect drops like mithril/adamant items, runes, and big bones. High alch valuable items using a fire staff and nature runes (dropped by ogresses).
  • Profit: 50,000-100,000 GP per hour, plus big bones for Prayer.
  • Tip: Bring runes for Bones to Bananas to convert bones into food for longer trips.

High Alching Runite Items

High Level Alchemy turns runite items into instant cash, leveraging your Magic skill for profit.

  • Requirements: 55 Magic, nature runes, fire staff.
  • Method: Smith runite items like rune 2h swords (99 Smithing) or collect alchable drops from ogresses. Alch during downtime or while training other skills.
  • Profit: 400,000-500,000 GP per hour if you have a steady supply of items and runes.
  • Tip: Prioritize alching during combat or skilling to multitask efficiently.

Late-Game Money Making (Levels 60+)

High-level F2P Ironmen can tackle tougher enemies and skills for maximum profit. These methods require investment in skills but offer the best GP per hour.

Crafting Jewellery

Crafting gold jewellery is a relaxing and profitable method that scales with your Crafting level.

  • Requirements: 40+ Crafting (56 for ruby necklaces), 40 Mining, 40 Smithing.
  • Method: Mine gold ore (Crafting Guild is ideal at 40+ Crafting), smelt into bars (Edgeville furnace), and craft ruby necklaces or gold amulets. High alch ruby necklaces for ~1,300 GP each or sell gold amulets to general stores.
  • Profit: 50,000-80,000 GP per hour.
  • Tip: Use the Crafting Guild for a seamless mining-to-crafting loop.

Killing Obor or Bryophyta

Bosses like Obor (Hill Giant) and Bryophyta (Moss Giant) drop valuable items and provide combat XP.

  • Requirements: 70+ combat, giant/mossy keys (from hill/moss giants), food, and gear (rune armor, green d’hide for ranged).
  • Method: Farm keys from hill giants (Edgeville Dungeon) or moss giants (Varrock Sewers). Fight Obor or Bryophyta, alching drops like rune kiteshields or selling noted big bones.
  • Profit: 50,000-150,000 GP per hour, depending on key drop rates.
  • Tip: Safe-spot Bryophyta for ranged attacks to minimize food usage.

Skilling Synergies for Profit

Combining money making with skilling maximizes efficiency. Here are ways to earn GP while training key F2P skills.

Mining and Smithing

Mining and Smithing go hand-in-hand for Ironmen, providing both GP and gear upgrades.

Method Requirements Profit per Hour Notes
Iron Platebodies 33 Smithing 15,000-25,000 GP Sell to Horvik in Varrock.
Rune Items 99 Smithing 100,000+ GP High alch rune 2h swords or platelegs.

Crafting and Magic

Crafting jewellery or symbols pairs well with alching, boosting both skills simultaneously.

  • Craft and Alch: Make ruby necklaces and alch them while training Magic.
  • Profit: Up to 80,000 GP per hour, plus Crafting and Magic XP.

Tips for Maximizing Efficiency

To make the most of your F2P Ironman money-making journey, follow these strategies.

Prioritize Quests

Quests like The Knight’s Sword (29 Smithing) and The Corsair Curse (unlocks ogresses) open up money-making methods faster.

Multitask

Alch items while training combat or skilling to save time. For example, kill ogresses, collect alchables, and cast High Alchemy during downtime.

Manage Inventory

Keep your inventory light for faster runs. Store coins in the Last Man Standing coffer or use noted items when possible.

Avoid Risky Methods

Steer clear of Wilderness methods like gold amulets unless you’re prepared for PKers. Stick to safe zones like Corsair Cove or Varrock.

Final Thoughts: Earning money as an F2P Ironman in OSRS is tough but rewarding. Start with simple methods like the Stronghold of Security, progress to ogresses and crafting, and eventually tackle bosses or high-level skilling. By combining these strategies with efficient skilling, you’ll build a solid GP stack to fuel your Ironman adventure. Happy grinding!