Fastest Way to Train Fletching in OSRS

Fletching in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the fastest skills to level up, offering players the chance to craft ranged weapons like bows, arrows, and darts. Whether you’re aiming for the coveted level 99 or just looking to boost your Fletching efficiently, this guide outlines the fastest methods to train Fletching, including zero-time techniques, profitable options, and tips for ironmen. With the right approach, you can hit max level in as little as a few hours—though it may cost a pretty penny!
Fletching is a buyable skill, meaning you can purchase materials from the Grand Exchange to speed up your training. It’s also versatile, allowing you to train passively while doing other activities like questing or skilling. The skill unlocks powerful ranged gear, such as the toxic blowpipe, and provides items for high alchemy, making it a favorite for players looking to combine profit with progress. However, the fastest methods are often expensive, so we’ll cover both high-speed and budget-friendly options.
Key Benefits of Fletching
- Speed: Fletching can be the fastest skill to 99, with top methods exceeding 1M XP per hour.
- Flexibility: Train while running, questing, or doing AFK activities like Agility or Farming.
- Profit Potential: Some methods, like stringing bows, can break even or earn gold.
- Utility: Craft essential ranged ammo and weapons for PvM and Slayer.
Getting Started with Early Levels (1–30)
The early Fletching levels are quick to breeze through, especially if you leverage quests and low-cost methods. Starting from level 1, you can hit level 30 in under an hour with minimal investment, setting the stage for faster training methods.
Questing for Free XP
Completing specific quests grants Fletching experience, allowing you to skip the grind for early levels. These quests have low requirements and are ideal for new accounts:
- Animal Magnetism: 1,000 XP (level 10).
- Big Chompy Bird Hunting: 262 XP (level 5).
- Zogre Flesh Eaters: 2,000 XP (level 15).
- The Fremennik Trials: 2,812 XP (level 25).
- Temple of Ikov: 8,000 XP (level 30).
By completing these, you can jump to level 30 with just 14,074 XP total, saving time and gold.
Arrow Shafts and Headless Arrows (Levels 1–15)
If quests aren’t your thing, fletching arrow shafts and headless arrows is a cheap way to start. Use a knife on regular logs to create arrow shafts (5 XP per log) up to level 5, then attach feathers to make headless arrows (15 XP per set of 15). This method is slow but costs almost nothing and can be done while multitasking.
Bronze Arrows (Levels 15–30)
Once you hit level 15, fletching bronze arrows offers decent XP. Combine headless arrows with bronze arrowtips for 39.8 XP per set of 15. You’ll need about 2,505 of each to reach level 26, costing roughly 50k gold. This method is affordable and yields around 55k XP per hour.
Fastest Fletching Methods (30–99)
From level 30, the fastest way to train Fletching is by making darts, which offer zero-time XP—meaning no in-game delay between actions. Darts are click-intensive but can push XP rates to 1.5M per hour with practice. Here’s how to optimize your dart-fletching grind.
Steel Darts (Levels 30–52)
After completing the Tourist Trap quest (required for dart fletching), you can make steel darts at level 30. Each set of 10 darts grants 75 XP, and you can produce up to 18,000 darts per hour with good clicks. Expect 400k–600k XP per hour, costing around 200–300 gold per dart. Stock up on feathers and steel dart tips beforehand due to Grand Exchange buy limits.
Mithril Darts (Levels 52–67)
At level 52, switch to mithril darts for 112 XP per set of 10. These are slightly more expensive but offer higher XP rates, averaging 600k–800k XP per hour. You’ll need approximately 100,000 mithril dart tips and feathers to go from 52 to 67, costing about 30M gold at current prices. Using OSRS Mobile with two-finger tapping can make this less straining on your hands.
Adamant Darts (Levels 67–81)
Adamant darts are the sweet spot for speed and cost from level 67. Each set grants 150 XP, with top players hitting 900k–1.2M XP per hour. You’ll need around 200,000 adamant dart tips and feathers, costing roughly 60M gold. To maximize efficiency, use mouse keys or play on a touchscreen device for rapid clicks.
Dragon Darts (Levels 81–99)
Dragon darts are the absolute fastest way to train Fletching, offering 250 XP per set of 10 and up to 1.5M XP per hour. However, they’re prohibitively expensive, with each dart costing around 2,500 gold. To go from 81 to 99, you’ll need about 170,515 dragon dart tips and feathers, totaling over 400M gold. Reserve this method for speedrunners or players with deep pockets. Pro tip: Boost with a dragonfruit pie (+4 Fletching) to start dragon darts at level 77.
Method | Level | XP per Set | Approx. XP/Hour | Cost (GP/XP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Steel Darts | 30–52 | 75 | 400k–600k | 4–5 |
Mithril Darts | 52–67 | 112 | 600k–800k | 5–6 |
Adamant Darts | 67–81 | 150 | 900k–1.2M | 6–7 |
Dragon Darts | 81–99 | 250 | 1M–1.5M | 10–12 |
Alternative Fast Methods
If darts are too expensive or click-intensive, other methods like broad arrows and bolts offer high XP with less cost. These are ideal for players balancing speed and budget.
Broad Arrows (Levels 52–99)
After unlocking the “Broader Fletching” perk (300 Slayer points), you can fletch broad arrows at level 52. Each set of 15 grants 150 XP, with rates around 600k XP per hour. Broad arrows are untradeable, so expect a loss of about 5–6 GP per XP. You’ll need 1.29M broad arrowheads and headless arrows to hit 99, costing around 70M gold. This method is great for ironmen since supplies are stackable and can be bought in bulk from Slayer masters.
Broad Bolts (Levels 55–99)
Also requiring the “Broader Fletching” perk, broad bolts at level 55 give 30 XP per set of 10, with rates up to 500k XP per hour. They’re cheaper than broad arrows, costing about 3–4 GP per XP, and can sometimes break even if sold. You’ll need around 4M broad bolt tips and feathers, totaling 50M gold. This is a solid choice for semi-AFK training while doing other activities.
Amethyst Arrows (Levels 82–99)
At level 82, fletching amethyst arrows provides 202.5 XP per set of 15, with rates around 600k XP per hour. These are cheaper than dragon darts, costing about 4–5 GP per XP, and can be profitable if sold. You’ll need 216,685 amethyst arrowtips and headless arrows, costing roughly 60M gold. This method is less click-intensive and viable for long sessions.
Tips for Efficient Fletching Training
Maximizing your Fletching XP requires smart planning and technique. Here are some strategies to streamline your grind:
Zero-Time Training
Fletching darts, bolts, or arrows can be done during downtime in other skills. For example:
- Agility: Fletch between obstacles at courses like Hallowed Sepulchre.
- Farming: Craft while running between patches.
- Slayer: Fletch during idle moments or while cannoning tasks.
- Wintertodt: Make darts or bolts between rounds.
This “zero-time” approach makes Fletching feel effortless, as you’re progressing multiple skills at once.
Stocking Supplies
Grand Exchange buy limits can slow you down, especially for dart tips (e.g., 13,000 per 4 hours for adamant). Buy materials in advance or use alt accounts to stockpile. Feather packs from shops like Port Sarim and arrow shafts from the Ranging Guild (level 40 Ranged required) are cost-effective for arrows and bolts.
Boosting XP
Use a dragonfruit pie for a +4 Fletching boost to access higher-level methods early. For example, boost to 77 for dragon darts or 78 for amethyst arrows. Portable fletchers, often found at Lumbridge Market (World 84), grant 10% bonus XP, reducing costs and time.
Ironman Fletching Strategies
Ironmen face unique challenges since they can’t rely on the Grand Exchange. However, Fletching is still fast with the right approach.
Gathering Materials
Bank logs from Woodcutting (willow or maple are efficient early on) and feathers from killing chickens or buying feather packs. For arrowtips, smelt and smith your own via Mining and Smithing, or loot them from Slayer tasks. Broad arrowheads and bolts from Slayer masters are stackable and ideal for long-term training.
Passive Training
Fletch while training other skills to save time. For example, make headless arrows during Agility or craft broad arrows while runecrafting blood/soul runes in Arceuus. Redwood shields (level 92, 216 XP per shield) are a slow but AFK option if you have excess redwood logs from Woodcutting.
High Alchemy Synergy
Fletch maple or yew longbows and high alch them for Magic XP. Maple longbows (level 55) alch for 384 GP, while yew longbows (level 70) alch for 768 GP, offsetting costs if you farm nature runes.
With these methods, reaching 99 Fletching in OSRS is within your grasp, whether you’re chasing speed, profit, or efficiency. Dart fletching reigns supreme for raw XP, but arrows, bolts, and bows offer flexibility for different playstyles. Plan your supplies, leverage zero-time training, and you’ll be sporting that Fletching cape in no time!