OSRS Ironman Easy Clues Guide for Beginners

OSRS Ironman Easy Clues Guide for Beginners

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) Ironman mode challenges players to be self-sufficient, making clue scrolls an exciting way to gather unique gear and resources. Easy clue scrolls are perfect for early-game Ironmen, offering accessible challenges and rewarding loot without requiring high combat or skill levels. This guide dives into everything you need to know about OSRS Ironman easy clues, from obtaining them to maximizing rewards, tailored for beginners and seasoned players alike.

Easy clue scrolls are the most beginner-friendly tier of Treasure Trails in OSRS, exclusive to members. They lead players on a treasure hunt across Gielinor, solving puzzles and completing tasks to earn a reward casket. For Ironmen, who can’t trade or use the Grand Exchange, these scrolls are a vital source of gear like black equipment, wizard robes (g), and other items that are otherwise hard to obtain early on.

Why Easy Clues Matter for Ironmen

Easy clues are a low-risk, high-reward activity for Ironmen. They don’t involve combat, coordinate clues, or Wilderness steps, making them safe for Hardcore Ironmen. Completing easy clues can yield items that boost your early-game progression, such as teleport jewelry or cosmetic upgrades for your collection log. After 500 easy clues, you’ll also unlock a large spade, a unique reward for dedicated players.

Key Characteristics of Easy Clues

  • Drop Source: Obtained from low-level monsters, pickpocketing, or implings.
  • Requirements: No combat or high skill levels needed, just basic teleports and a spade.
  • Rewards: Black equipment, trimmed armor, gold-trimmed robes, and more.
  • Limitation: Only one easy clue can be held at a time (bank, inventory, or Death’s Office).

How to Obtain Easy Clue Scrolls as an Ironman

BEGINNER Ironman Progress in OSRS Ironman from Scratch 2 YouTube

Getting easy clue scrolls is straightforward, but Ironmen need efficient methods since they can’t buy them. Here are the best ways to farm easy clues, focusing on low-competition and Ironman-friendly strategies.

Pickpocketing H.A.M. Members

Pickpocketing H.A.M. Members in Lumbridge’s H.A.M. Hideout is one of the fastest ways to get easy clues. With a 1/50 drop rate, it’s efficient even at low Thieving levels (15+ recommended). Wear H.A.M. robes to reduce the chance of being kicked out, though they don’t boost success rates. You’ll also gain Thieving XP and other loot like jewelry, which is useful for early teleports.

Killing Thugs in Edgeville Wilderness Dungeon

For combat-focused Ironmen, killing thugs in the Edgeville Wilderness Dungeon (level 1 Wilderness) offers a 1/128 drop rate for easy clues, doubled to 1/64 with an imbued Ring of Wealth. Thugs have low HP (18) and drop herbs, runes, and seeds, making this a great option for low-level Ironmen. Be cautious of PKers, but the low Wilderness level minimizes risk.

Other Methods

  • Goblins: Found in Lumbridge or Goblin Village, goblins have a 1/128 drop rate. Use a cannon or Dorgeshuun crossbow for fast kills.
  • Sand Crabs: Ideal for AFK combat training, sand crabs (60 HP) occasionally drop easy clues. Great for low-level Ironmen.
  • Implings: Baby, young, and gourmet implings can drop easy clues, but catching them is costly and less efficient for Ironmen without high Hunter levels.
Method Drop Rate Requirements Pros Cons
H.A.M. Pickpocketing 1/50 15+ Thieving, H.A.M. robes Fast, non-combat, extra loot Risk of being kicked out
Thugs (Wilderness) 1/64 (with Ring of Wealth) Low combat, Ring of Wealth (optional) Herbs, runes, AFK-friendly Minor PKer risk
Goblins 1/128 Low combat, cannon (optional) Easy, accessible Slower drop rate

Preparing for Easy Clue Scrolls

Preparation is key to completing easy clues efficiently. Ironmen must gather their own supplies, so plan ahead to minimize banking and travel time.

Recommended Inventory Setup

A streamlined inventory saves time. Here’s a suggested setup:

  • Spade: Essential for digging up clues.
  • Teleportation Items: Amulet of Glory, games necklace, or runes for standard spellbook teleports (Varrock, Lumbridge, Falador).
  • Water, Law, Earth Runes: For teleport spells and clue requirements.
  • Optional: Clue scroll caskets to prevent accidental opening, lightweight gear for run energy.

Useful Teleports for Ironmen

Having teleports in your player-owned house (POH) or inventory speeds up clue completion. Prioritize:

  • POH Teleports: Senntisten, Kharyrll, or Catherby portals.
  • Jewelry: Craft your own rings of dueling or games necklaces for quick access to key locations.
  • Spirit Tree: Unlock via Tree Gnome Village quest for fast travel.

Skill and Quest Requirements

Easy clues have minimal requirements, but a few skills and quests help:

  • Thieving 15: For H.A.M. pickpocketing.
  • Magic 21: For teleport spells.
  • Quests: Priest in Peril (for Canifis access), The Dig Site (for certain clue steps).

Completing Easy Clue Scrolls Efficiently

Easy clues involve simple tasks like emotes, anagrams, maps, or digging. Here’s how to tackle them quickly as an Ironman.

Common Clue Types

  • Emote Clues: Perform specific emotes in locations (e.g., cheer at Lumbridge Castle). Equip required items, which are often basic (e.g., bronze armor).
  • Anagrams: Solve by talking to NPCs (e.g., “CIDER” = Eric in Falador).
  • Map Clues: Dig at marked locations, usually near landmarks like Lumbridge or Draynor.
  • Cryptic Clues: Follow riddle instructions (e.g., search a crate in Varrock).

Tips for Faster Completion

Maximize efficiency with these strategies:

  • Use RuneLite: The Clue Scroll plugin highlights steps and auto-equips items.
  • Batch Clues: Collect multiple clues using the drop trick (drop a clue to pick up another, reset timer by picking up and re-dropping).
  • Prioritize Teleports: Use the closest teleport to each clue step to save run energy.
  • Uri Trick: For emote clues, don’t finish Uri’s dialogue until you get the same step again, allowing you to skip repeating the emote.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Watch out for these mistakes:

  • Overloading Inventory: Keep only essential items to maintain run energy.
  • Ignoring Plugins: RuneLite’s Ground Items plugin helps track dropped clues for juggling.
  • Losing Clues: Protect clues with a clue box in the Wilderness (though easy clues don’t go there).

Rewards and Their Value for Ironmen

Easy clue rewards are modest but impactful for Ironmen, offering gear and resources that save grinding time. Here’s what to expect and why it matters.

Notable Rewards

Easy clue caskets can contain:

  • Black Equipment: Black platebody, helm, or kite shield for early melee setups.
  • Wizard Robes (g): Gold-trimmed robes for Magic training or fashion.
  • Trimmed Armor: Black (t) or (g) for collection log or minor stat boosts.
  • Miscellaneous: Teleport scrolls, biscuits, or low-level resources like runes and arrows.

Why Rewards Are Worth It

For Ironmen, easy clue rewards are valuable because:

  • Early Gear: Black equipment is a step up from iron or steel, ideal for low-level PvM.
  • Collection Log: Unique cosmetics fill out your log, a long-term Ironman goal.
  • Passive Gains: Clue hunting provides XP, loot, and variety alongside other training.

Maximizing Reward Potential

Boost your loot with these tips:

  • Complete Easy Combat Achievements: Grants a 5% increased clue drop rate from all sources (excluding implings).
  • Stack Caskets: Open caskets in bulk to save banking trips and track loot.
  • Focus on Quantity: More clues mean better chances at rare rewards like trimmed gear.

Easy clue scrolls are a fantastic starting point for OSRS Ironman players. They’re accessible, safe, and offer rewards that make early-game progression smoother. Whether you’re pickpocketing H.A.M. Members or slaying thugs, the thrill of the hunt and the chance at unique loot make easy clues a must-do activity. Equip your spade, set up your teleports, and start your Treasure Trail today!