Guardians of the Rift OSRS XP Per Hour Guide

Guardians of the Rift OSRS XP Per Hour Guide

Guardians of the Rift (GotR) is one of the most engaging ways to train Runecrafting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). This non-combat minigame, set in the Temple of the Eye, offers a refreshing alternative to traditional Runecrafting methods like lava runes or the Ourania Altar. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer aiming for that 99 Runecrafting cape, understanding the XP rates and strategies in GotR can make your grind more efficient and enjoyable. In this guide, we’ll break down the XP per hour you can expect, optimal strategies, gear setups, and tips to maximize your gains.

Guardians of the Rift is a minigame introduced in March 2022, designed to make Runecrafting less tedious while offering decent XP rates and unique rewards. Players assist the Great Guardian in closing an abyssal rift by mining guardian fragments, crafting guardian essence, and imbuing it at runic altars to create guardian stones. These stones power up the Guardian to fend off abyssal creatures. The minigame requires completion of the Temple of the Eye quest, which grants enough XP to reach level 27 Runecrafting, the minimum level to participate.

Why Choose GotR for Runecrafting?

Unlike traditional Runecrafting, GotR is dynamic, team-based, and doesn’t require bringing your own essence. It also offers rewards like the Abyssal Lantern and Raiments of the Eye, which boost your Runecrafting efficiency outside the minigame. For Ironmen, the free runes and talismans are a godsend, while main accounts can enjoy a less click-intensive grind compared to lava runes.

XP Rates in Guardians of the Rift

Loot XP From 1 Hour of Guardians Of The Rift OSRS NEW Runecrafting

The XP per hour in GotR varies based on your Runecrafting level, gear, strategy, and whether you’re on a mass world or using a solo method. Below, we’ll explore the factors that influence XP rates and provide estimates for different levels.

XP Rates by Runecrafting Level

Your Runecrafting level determines which altars you can access and the type of runes you craft, directly impacting XP. Higher levels unlock better cells and combination runes, boosting efficiency. Here’s a breakdown of approximate XP rates:

Runecrafting Level XP Per Hour (Mass Worlds) XP Per Hour (Solo Method)
27–40 25,000–35,000 20,000–30,000
41–60 35,000–45,000 30,000–40,000
61–80 45,000–55,000 40,000–50,000
81–99 55,000–65,000 50,000–60,000

Note: These rates assume optimal gear (e.g., Varrock Armour, best pickaxe) and familiarity with the minigame. Mass worlds tend to yield higher XP due to faster game completions, while solo methods prioritize reward points over XP.

Factors Affecting XP Rates

  • Runecrafting Level: Higher levels allow crafting more valuable runes, increasing XP per essence.
  • Gear: Items like Varrock Armour (10% chance for double fragments) and the Crystal Pickaxe speed up fragment gathering.
  • Strategy: Focusing on charged cells, combination runes, or portal mining can tweak your XP output.
  • World Type: Mass worlds (e.g., World 329) have more players, leading to quicker rounds but less control over strategy.
  • Agility Level: Level 56 Agility unlocks access to large guardian remains, doubling fragment mining speed.

Optimal Strategies for Maximizing XP

To hit the top end of those XP rates, you need a solid game plan. Below are two popular strategies: the standard mass world approach and the cell-focused method for higher XP.

Standard Mass World Strategy

This is the go-to for most players, balancing XP and simplicity. Here’s how it works:

  1. Preparation Phase (2 minutes): Grab a weak cell and 10 uncharged cells from the table. Mine guardian fragments (aim for 150–200) at large guardian remains if you have 56 Agility, or regular remains otherwise.
  2. Game Start: Place a weak cell to create a guardian or repair a barrier. Convert fragments to essence at the workbench using a chisel.
  3. Essence Imbuing: Enter active portals (one elemental, one catalytic) to imbue essence. Prioritize higher-level altars for better XP. Deposit guardian stones to power the Great Guardian.
  4. Portal Mining: Every 120 seconds, a yellow portal spawns, allowing you to mine essence directly (3–5 at a time). Always hit these for a big XP boost.
  5. Repeat: Cycle between chiseling fragments, imbuing essence, and mining portals until the Guardian reaches 100% power.

Tip: Use the Runelite Guardians of the Rift Helper plugin to highlight portals and track game progress.

Cell-Focused XP Strategy

This method sacrifices some reward points for higher XP by prioritizing charged cells and guardians. It’s ideal for players with 70+ Runecrafting.

  1. Setup: Mine 120–180 fragments in the south or large remains. Grab uncharged cells but skip essence initially.
  2. Cell Prioritization: Enter altars that reward strong or overcharged cells (e.g., Law, Death, or Blood altars). Use these to upgrade barriers or create guardians for XP.
  3. Mid-Game: Use portals to mine essence directly when they spawn. Only chisel fragments if you run out of portal essence.
  4. Endgame: Once barriers are upgraded, focus on imbuing essence and depositing stones.

Pro Tip: On smaller worlds (15–20 players), you have more control over cell placement, potentially increasing XP by 5,000–10,000 per hour.

Recommended Gear and Inventory Setup

Your gear and inventory can make or break your XP rates. Here’s what to bring to optimize your GotR runs.

Best Gear for GotR

  • Varrock Armour (1–4): 10% chance to mine double fragments, significantly boosting essence production.
  • Crystal Pickaxe: Fastest mining speed for fragments. Dragon or Rune Pickaxe works if you don’t have it.
  • Raiments of the Eye: Earned from GotR, this outfit increases runes crafted, indirectly boosting XP.
  • Abyssal Lantern: Use redwood logs for no pouch degradation, saving inventory space.
  • Graceful Outfit (Optional): Not essential since powering the Guardian restores run energy, but it’s nice for mobility.

Note: You don’t need high-tier gear to start. Even basic Varrock Armour 1 and a Rune Pickaxe will get you solid rates.

Inventory Setup

  • Chisel: For converting fragments to essence.
  • Essence Pouches: Use the best available (up to Colossal Pouch at 25 Runecrafting/56 Crafting).
  • Rune Pouch (Optional): Store runes for NPC Contact to repair pouches or cast Magic Imbue for combination runes.
  • Binding Necklace (Optional): For crafting combination runes efficiently (requires 82 Magic and Lunar Diplomacy).

Tips to Boost XP and Efficiency

Small tweaks can push your XP rates to the higher end of the spectrum. Here are some practical tips to get the most out of GotR.

Leverage Combination Runes

With 82 Magic, Lunar Diplomacy, and a Binding Necklace, you can craft combination runes (e.g., steam or lava runes) for up to 50% more elemental points and slightly higher XP. This is most effective on mass worlds where you can focus on elemental altars.

Master Portal Timing

Yellow portals spawn every 120 seconds and allow direct essence mining, which is faster than chiseling fragments. Time your altar runs so you’re near the portal when it spawns. If a round ends 95 seconds after the last portal, a “grace portal” may spawn, giving you a head start on the next round.

Repair Barriers Strategically

If barriers break, the Great Guardian’s power drops fast. Spend 12 fragments to repair them immediately, especially in later stages, to avoid failed rounds that waste time and XP.

Use Reward Points Wisely

Earned elemental and catalytic points can be spent at the Rewards Guardian for items like the Abyssal Needle (for Colossal Pouch) or Raiments of the Eye. Prioritize these over random loot to boost long-term XP rates.

Join the Right Worlds

Mass worlds like 329, 420, or 492 ensure quick games and higher XP due to more players powering the Guardian. For cell-focused strategies, try quieter worlds (15–20 players) for better control.

Final Thoughts: Guardians of the Rift transforms Runecrafting from a slog into a dynamic, rewarding experience. With XP rates ranging from 25,000 to 65,000 per hour depending on your level and strategy, it’s a viable path to 99 for both casual players and efficiency enthusiasts. Focus on mastering portal timing, optimizing your gear, and experimenting with strategies like cell placement or combination runes to hit those top rates. Whether you’re chasing the Runecrafting pet or just want a fun grind, GotR has something for everyone. Happy runecrafting!