Can You Still Splash in Old School RuneScape

Splashing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) has been a popular method for training Magic without much effort. For those unfamiliar, splashing involves casting low-level combat spells that miss their target, allowing players to gain Magic experience passively while remaining in combat. This technique has been a staple for AFK (away-from-keyboard) training, but with game updates and community discussions, many wonder: can you still splash in OSRS in 2025? This blog post dives into the current state of splashing, its mechanics, viability, and tips to make it work effectively.

Splashing refers to casting Magic combat spells, like Wind Strike or Fire Strike, on an NPC where the spell has a 0% chance of hitting due to the player’s low Magic bonus. The spell “splashes” (misses), but the game still awards Magic experience for the attempt. This method is popular because it’s low-cost, AFK-friendly, and requires minimal player input.

How Splashing Works

To splash, players equip gear that reduces their Magic attack bonus to -65 or lower, ensuring spells always miss. Common NPCs, like rats or spiders in Lumbridge, are targeted, and auto-retaliate is turned off to keep the NPC from attacking back. Each spell cast grants a small amount of Magic experience, making it a slow but steady training method.

Why Players Splash

Splashing is favored for several reasons:

• Low Cost: Basic spells use cheap runes like air and mind runes.
• AFK Training: Players can cast spells every 20 seconds, allowing multitasking.
• Accessibility: It’s viable for low-level players with minimal gear requirements.

Is Splashing Still Viable in 2025

Yes, splashing is still possible in OSRS as of 2025, but its effectiveness and ease have been impacted by game updates. Jagex, the developers of OSRS, has introduced changes to combat mechanics and AFK rules over the years, prompting players to adapt their splashing strategies.

Impact of Game Updates

In the past, Jagex tweaked the AFK timer to log out players after 6 minutes of inactivity, affecting some splashing setups. However, by casting a spell every 20 seconds (manually or via auto-clickers, though the latter risks bans), players can stay logged in. Recent patches, as discussed on the OSRS news archives, haven’t directly nerfed splashing, but anti-bot measures have made Jagex more vigilant about detecting automated inputs.

Community Sentiment

The OSRS community, as seen on platforms like Reddit’s r/2007scape, has mixed feelings about splashing. Some praise its accessibility for casual players, while others argue it promotes bot-like behavior. A 2025 Reddit thread highlighted splashing as a “classic but slow” method, with users recommending it for low-effort Magic training despite faster alternatives like high-alchemy.

Best Gear and Setup for Splashing

To splash effectively, you need the right gear and location. Below is a breakdown of the optimal setup for splashing in OSRS.

Recommended Gear

The goal is to achieve a Magic attack bonus of -65 or lower. Here’s a sample gear setup:

Total Magic Bonus: Approximately -65, ensuring spells always miss.

Best Spells for Splashing

Low-level spells are ideal due to their cheap rune costs. Here are the best options:

• Wind Strike: 5.5 XP per cast, requires 1 air rune, 1 mind rune.
• Water Strike: 7.5 XP per cast, requires 1 water rune, 1 air rune, 1 mind rune.
• Fire Strike: 11.5 XP per cast, requires 3 fire runes, 2 air runes, 1 mind rune.

Optimal Locations

Choose NPCs in safe, low-traffic areas to avoid interruptions:

• Lumbridge Rats: Found in the Lumbridge Castle basement, ideal for free-to-play players.
• Seagulls in Port Sarim: High HP and no retaliation, great for long sessions.
• Spiders in Stronghold of Security: Low-level and easily accessible for early-game players.

Tips for Effective Splashing

To maximize your splashing experience while staying within Jagex’s rules, follow these tips:

Stay Within AFK Rules

OSRS has a 20-minute logout timer if you’re in combat, but you must cast a spell every 20 seconds to stay active. Set a timer or use a metronome to remind you to click manually. Avoid auto-clickers, as Jagex’s anti-cheat systems can detect them, risking temporary or permanent bans.

Use Rune Pouches for Efficiency

Carrying thousands of runes can clog your inventory. Invest in a small rune pouch (available from the Slayer reward shop) to hold multiple rune types, freeing up space and reducing trips to the bank.

Combine with Other Activities

Since splashing is AFK-friendly, you can multitask. Watch a movie, study, or train other skills like Fishing on an alt account (if allowed by Jagex’s multi-logging rules). Just ensure you click every 20 seconds to avoid logging out.

Alternatives to Splashing

While splashing remains viable, other Magic training methods may offer faster experience or better rewards. Here’s a comparison to help you decide if splashing is right for you.

High Alchemy

High Alchemy grants 65 XP per cast and can be profitable if you alch items like yew longbows. It’s less AFK than splashing but faster and can fund your Magic training. Requires level 55 Magic and nature runes.

Teleports

Spells like Varrock Teleport (25 XP per cast) or Camelot Teleport (55.5 XP per cast) offer decent experience and utility. They’re more engaging than splashing but cost more runes.

Combat Training

Training Magic through active combat, such as bursting in the Monkey Madness II tunnels, provides high XP rates (up to 200k XP/hour) but requires high Magic levels, expensive gear, and constant attention.

Comparison Table

Conclusion: Splashing is still a viable, low-effort way to train Magic in OSRS in 2025, especially for casual or free-to-play players. While game updates have made AFK training trickier, with the right setup and adherence to Jagex’s rules, you can splash effectively. However, if you’re aiming for faster XP or profit, methods like High Alchemy or combat training might be worth exploring. Whether you’re a nostalgic veteran or a new player, splashing remains a quirky, accessible part of the OSRS experience. Share your favorite splashing spots or tips in the comments below!