OSRS Best Quests to Do First for New Players

OSRS Best Quests to Do First for New Players

Starting your journey in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can feel overwhelming with 158 quests to tackle, especially as a new player. Quests are a fantastic way to dive into the game’s lore, earn experience, and unlock crucial items or areas that make your adventure smoother. This guide highlights the best quests to prioritize early on, focusing on those with minimal requirements and maximum rewards. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) or pay-to-play (P2P) player, these quests will give you a head start in Gielinor.

Quests in OSRS aren’t just about storylines—they’re gateways to faster progression. Early quests often reward experience in skills that are slow to train at low levels, saving you hours of grinding. They also unlock teleports, equipment, and areas that make navigating the game easier. For new players, focusing on quests with low requirements and high impact is key to building a strong account efficiently.

Experience Boosts

Many beginner quests grant chunks of experience, letting you skip tedious early levels. For example, a single quest can take you from level 1 to 30 in a skill, which is a game-changer when you’re starting out.

Unlocking Content

Quests open up new areas, items, and mechanics. From teleports to powerful weapons, these unlocks can drastically improve your gameplay, especially for combat and travel.

Top Free-to-Play Quests to Start With

OSRS Top Quests To Complete on New Accounts NovaMMO

F2P players have access to 22 quests, and some are absolute must-dos for their rewards and simplicity. These quests are perfect for getting your feet wet without needing a membership.

Cook’s Assistant

Requirements: None
Rewards: 300 Cooking XP, access to Lumbridge Castle range

This is often the first quest players encounter in Lumbridge. It’s a short, simple introduction to Cooking, requiring you to gather a bucket of milk, a pot of flour, and an egg. The Lumbridge Castle range reduces the chance of burning food, making it a handy spot for early Cooking training.

The Knight’s Sword

Requirements: 10 Mining
Rewards: 12,725 Smithing XP

This quest is a fan-favorite for its massive Smithing experience, boosting you straight to level 29. You’ll need to fetch materials and navigate a bit, but it’s straightforward and saves hours of smelting and forging. Pair it with Doric’s Quest (1,300 Mining XP) to hit the Mining requirement easily.

Vampire Slayer

Requirements: None (recommended: 20 Combat)
Rewards: 4,825 Attack XP

Vampire Slayer gets you from level 1 to 20 Attack in about 15 minutes. You’ll fight a level 34 vampire, but with some food and basic gear, it’s manageable. This quest is a quick way to kickstart your combat training.

Essential Members Quests for Early Progression

OSRS Top Quests To Complete on New Accounts NovaMMO

For P2P players, the quest pool expands to 136, offering even bigger rewards. These quests are ideal for new members looking to level up skills and unlock game-changing content.

Waterfall Quest

Requirements: None
Rewards: 13,750 Attack XP, 13,750 Strength XP

Waterfall Quest is a must for any new member. It has no skill requirements and instantly boosts you to level 30 in both Attack and Strength. Be cautious of high-level Moss Giants at the end, but you can dodge them with careful movement. This quest is a cornerstone for combat-focused accounts, especially Ironmen.

Tree Gnome Village

Requirements: None
Rewards: 11,450 Attack XP, Spirit Tree access

This quest pits you against a level 112 Khazard Warlord, but you can safe-spot it for an easy win. The Attack XP gets you close to level 30, and unlocking Spirit Trees provides a free teleport network, making travel across Gielinor much faster.

The Grand Tree

Requirements: 25 Agility
Rewards: 18,400 Attack XP, 7,900 Agility XP, 2,150 Magic XP, Gnome Glider access

The Grand Tree is a bit tougher, requiring you to fight a Black Demon (safespottable). The rewards are worth it: you’ll hit level 31 Agility, level 33 Attack, and level 14 Magic, plus unlock Gnome Gliders for quick travel. Complete Tree Gnome Village first to ease the requirements.

Quests for Useful Unlocks

Some quests stand out not for XP but for the items or areas they unlock. These are critical for long-term progression and convenience.

Plague City

Requirements: None
Rewards: 2,425 Mining XP, Ardougne teleport access

Plague City kicks off the Elf City storyline and unlocks the Ardougne teleport, a lifesaver for navigating the game. The Mining XP is a nice bonus, and the quest is relatively short, making it a great early pick.

Lost City

Requirements: 31 Crafting, 36 Woodcutting
Rewards: Dragon Longsword/Dagger equip ability, Zanaris access

Lost City lets you wield Dragon weapons, a big upgrade for early combat. You’ll face a tough boss with no armor, but safe-spotting with Magic makes it doable. Zanaris access also opens up Puro Puro and other content, making this a high-priority quest.

Optimal Quest Order and Strategy

To maximize efficiency, follow a quest order that builds on rewards and minimizes skilling. Here’s a suggested sequence and tips for tackling these quests.

Recommended Quest Order

Start with F2P quests to get a feel for the game, then transition to P2P for bigger rewards. Here’s a streamlined order:

Tips for Efficient Questing

Maximize your time with these strategies:

  • Use Quest Helper Plugin: RuneLite’s Quest Helper highlights steps and items, making quests a breeze.
  • Batch Item Gathering: Collect items for multiple quests in one trip (e.g., food for Vampire Slayer and Waterfall Quest).
  • Train Minimally: Rely on quest XP to hit requirements like 25 Agility for The Grand Tree.
  • Safe-Spot Bosses: Use ranged or magic to avoid damage in fights like Lost City’s boss.

Quest Reward Comparison Table

Here’s a quick look at the rewards from our top quests to help you prioritize:

Quest Skill XP Notable Unlocks Difficulty
Cook’s Assistant 300 Cooking Lumbridge Castle range Very Easy
The Knight’s Sword 12,725 Smithing None Easy
Vampire Slayer 4,825 Attack None Easy
Waterfall Quest 13,750 Attack, 13,750 Strength None Moderate
Tree Gnome Village 11,450 Attack Spirit Trees Easy
The Grand Tree 18,400 Attack, 7,900 Agility, 2,150 Magic Gnome Gliders Moderate
Plague City 2,425 Mining Ardougne teleport Easy
Lost City None Dragon weapons, Zanaris Moderate

By focusing on these quests, you’ll build a solid foundation in OSRS, gaining experience, unlocks, and confidence to tackle tougher challenges. Start with Cook’s Assistant and The Knight’s Sword to get a taste of questing, then dive into Waterfall Quest and The Grand Tree for massive early gains. With the right strategy, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Gielinor!