Chaos Altar vs Gilded Altar in OSRS – Which Is Better for Prayer Training
Training Prayer in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can be a grind, but choosing the right altar makes all the difference. The Chaos Altar and Gilded Altar are two of the most popular methods, each with unique benefits and trade-offs. Whether you’re an ironman, a main, or just looking to optimize your Prayer XP, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Chaos Altar vs Gilded Altar in OSRS. From XP rates to costs, risks, and rewards, we’ll help you decide which method suits your playstyle.
Prayer is one of the most expensive skills to train in OSRS, often requiring millions of GP for high levels. Both the Chaos Altar and Gilded Altar offer ways to maximize your Prayer XP, but they cater to different priorities—cost-efficiency, speed, or safety. Understanding their mechanics is key to making an informed choice.
What Is the Chaos Altar?
The Chaos Altar is located in the Wilderness, around level 38, west of the Lava Maze. It grants 3.5x the base Prayer XP per bone, matching a Gilded Altar with both burners lit. Its standout feature? A 50% chance to not consume bones, effectively doubling the XP per bone over time (averaging 7x base XP). However, being in the Wilderness means you’re at risk of being PKed, which adds a layer of danger.
What Is the Gilded Altar?
The Gilded Altar is a player-owned house (POH) feature, built at level 75 Construction. When used with two lit burners (requiring marrentill herbs), it also provides 3.5x base Prayer XP per bone. It’s safe, reliable, and allows for relaxed training, but it consumes every bone, making it pricier than the Chaos Altar.
Comparing XP Rates and Efficiency
XP per hour is a major factor when choosing between these altars. Let’s dive into how they stack up, considering banking time, bone usage, and player focus.
Chaos Altar XP Rates
At the Chaos Altar, XP rates depend on your setup and attention level. With dragon bones and high focus, you can hit around 450k–500k XP/hour using the suicide method (offering bones until death, typically at the Chaos Fanatic). With the Hard Wilderness Diary completed, you can unnote bones via the Elder Chaos Druid for 200 GP each, pushing rates closer to 600k XP/hour with minimal banking. However, PKers can interrupt your flow, slightly lowering efficiency.
Gilded Altar XP Rates
A Gilded Altar in a POH offers consistent rates of 600k–650k XP/hour with dragon bones, assuming you’re using a beast of burden (like a Pack Yak) and teleports like the Al-Kharid bank chest. On designated altar worlds (e.g., World 31 in Taverley), you can hit 800k–1M XP/hour with runners—players who trade unnoted bones for noted ones. This method requires coordination but maximizes efficiency.
Which Is Faster?
- Chaos Altar: Faster banking due to proximity (10 steps to Simon’s bank, or 2 steps to Harrison with Hard Wilderness Diary). However, PKer interruptions and slower offering rates cap it at ~500k XP/hour for most players.
- Gilded Altar: Slightly faster raw offering rates and no interruptions, hitting ~650k XP/hour solo or up to 1M with runners. It’s the clear winner for speed if you optimize.
Verdict: Gilded Altar is faster overall, especially with runners, but Chaos Altar’s close banking can compete if you avoid PKers.
Cost Analysis – Which Saves More GP
Prayer training can burn through your bank, so cost-efficiency matters. Here’s how the altars compare financially.
Chaos Altar Costs
The Chaos Altar’s 50% bone-saving mechanic makes it incredibly cost-efficient. On average, you use half the bones compared to a Gilded Altar, effectively doubling your GP/XP value. For example:
- Dragon bones (~2,000 GP each): ~1,000 GP per bone effective cost.
- Superior dragon bones (~12,000 GP each): ~6,000 GP effective cost.
Additional costs include unnoting (200 GP per bone) and occasional losses to PKers (typically 10–15 bones per death). Even with these, Chaos Altar saves millions—training from 1–99 Prayer might cost ~7M GP versus ~14M on a Gilded Altar.
Gilded Altar Costs
Gilded Altar consumes every bone, so costs scale directly with bone prices. You’ll also need marrentill herbs (~200 GP each) to keep burners lit, adding ~400k–500k GP to a 1–99 grind. Example costs:
- Dragon bones: ~2,000 GP each, totaling ~14M GP for 1–99.
- Superior dragon bones: ~12,000 GP each, totaling ~80M+ GP for 1–99.
Hiring runners on altar worlds adds another ~50k per inventory, but this is optional.
Cost Comparison Table
| Altar | Bone Type | Effective Cost per Bone | 1–99 Prayer Cost (GP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaos Altar | Dragon Bones | ~1,000 | ~7M |
| Chaos Altar | Superior Dragon Bones | ~6,000 | ~40M |
| Gilded Altar | Dragon Bones | ~2,000 | ~14M |
| Gilded Altar | Superior Dragon Bones | ~12,000 | ~80M |
Verdict: Chaos Altar is 50% cheaper due to bone saving, making it ideal for budget-conscious players or ironmen.
Risk vs Reward – Safety Considerations
The biggest difference between these altars is safety. One’s a chill POH setup; the other’s a Wilderness gamble. Let’s break it down.
Chaos Altar Risks
Located in level 38 Wilderness, the Chaos Altar exposes you to PKers. Risks include:
- Losing bones: A full inventory (28 bones) or noted bones if unnoting.
- Time loss: Dying or logging to avoid PKers interrupts training.
- Stress: Constant vigilance for white dots on the minimap can be taxing.
Mitigation strategies:
- Suicide method: Bring one inventory, use bones, die to Chaos Fanatic, repeat. Limits loss to ~10–15 bones per PK.
- Gear up lightly: Use tank gear (e.g., Dinh’s Bulwark, black d’hide) to survive longer.
- One-click teleports: Burning amulet or glory for quick escapes.
- Off-peak hours: Train late at night to avoid PKers.
With smart play, you might lose only 5–10% of bones, keeping efficiency high. Pro tip: Rebind your logout button for faster escapes.
Gilded Altar Safety
Gilded Altar is 100% safe—no PKers, no deaths, no stress. You train in your POH or a friend’s, with full control over the environment. The only “risk” is GP spent on bones and herbs, but there’s no chance of losing items or progress.
Risk vs Reward Balance
Chaos Altar offers high reward (50% cost reduction) for moderate risk (occasional bone loss). It’s a no-brainer for ironmen or players comfortable in the Wilderness. Gilded Altar trades cost for safety and speed, perfect for players who hate stress or have deep pockets. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize GP or peace of mind.
Which Altar Should You Choose?
Both altars are fantastic, but the best one depends on your goals, playstyle, and resources. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide.
When to Use Chaos Altar
Choose Chaos Altar if:
- You’re on a budget or an ironman needing to stretch resources.
- You’ve completed Hard Wilderness Diary for unnoting bones.
- You’re comfortable with Wilderness risks and have escape plans.
- You want to save 50% on bones for a 1–99 grind.
Example: An ironman with 1,000 dragon bones can hit 70 Prayer losing minimal bones, saving millions compared to Gilded Altar.
When to Use Gilded Altar
Choose Gilded Altar if:
Example: A main with 50M GP can blast through to 99 Prayer in a weekend on World 31, no stress involved.
Final Recommendations
For Budget Players: Chaos Altar is unmatched for cost-efficiency. Use dragon bones, suicide method, and train off-peak to minimize PKer encounters. You’ll save millions while still getting decent XP rates.
For Speed Demons: Gilded Altar on altar worlds with runners is the fastest way to 99 Prayer. Pair with a Pack Yak and pulse cores for insane rates, if your bank can handle it.
For Ironmen: Chaos Altar is usually better unless you hate the Wilderness. The bone-saving mechanic stretches limited resources, and you can tank PKers with decent gear.
Hybrid Approach: If you’re torn, try Chaos Altar for early levels (1–70) to save GP, then switch to Gilded Altar for high-level grinds (70–99) when XP/hour matters more.
Both Chaos Altar and Gilded Altar have their place in OSRS Prayer training. The Chaos Altar’s cost savings and Wilderness thrill make it a favorite for risk-takers, while the Gilded Altar’s safety and speed appeal to those who want a smooth grind. Whichever you pick, plan your setup, optimize your runs, and you’ll be flicking Piety in no time. Happy training!