OSRS Quest Experience Update Boosts Rewards for Master and Grandmaster Quests
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) continues to evolve, with Jagex delivering exciting updates to keep the game fresh for its dedicated player base. One of the most significant changes in recent years is the Quest Experience Update, which revamps the experience (XP) rewards for Master and Grandmaster quests. This update, rolled out following a 2022 poll, aims to make these challenging quests more rewarding, aligning their XP gains with the time and effort required. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the details of the update, its impact on gameplay, and how players can maximize their rewards.
The Quest Experience Update, announced in a Jagex poll blog on November 2, 2022, significantly increased XP rewards for Master and Grandmaster quests. Previously, these high-difficulty quests offered XP ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 per skill. The update raised this to a range of 50,000 to 100,000 XP, depending on the quest’s difficulty, the skill in question, and other rewards offered. This change applies to new quests and, following player approval, retroactively to existing Master and Grandmaster quests. Players who already completed these quests can claim additional XP by speaking to specific NPCs, such as Perdu.
Why Was This Update Needed?
Master and Grandmaster quests are among the most demanding in OSRS, often requiring high skill levels, complex puzzles, and tough boss fights. However, their XP rewards were previously underwhelming compared to the time spent grinding skills manually. Jagex recognized this imbalance and sought community feedback to make these quests more worthwhile, enhancing their appeal for both new and veteran players.
Key Features of the Update
- Increased XP Rewards: Master and Grandmaster quests now grant 50,000–100,000 XP per skill, a substantial boost from the previous 10,000–30,000.
- Retroactive Rewards: Players can claim additional XP for previously completed quests by speaking to NPCs like Perdu or quest-specific characters.
- Standardized for Future Quests: The new XP range is now the standard for all upcoming Master and Grandmaster quests, ensuring consistency.
- Player-Driven Change: The update was approved via a community poll, reflecting Jagex’s commitment to player feedback.
Which Quests Are Ascendancy Are Affected?
The update impacts all Master and Grandmaster quests in OSRS, which are the pinnacle of the game’s questing system. These quests include iconic challenges like Monkey Madness II, Song of the Elves, and Dragon Slayer II. Below is a table listing some key Master and Grandmaster quests and their updated XP rewards.
| Quest | Difficulty | Updated XP Reward (Per Skill) |
|---|---|---|
| Monkey Madness II | Grandmaster | 50,000–100,000 (Attack, Strength, Defence, or Hitpoints) |
| Song of the Elves | Master | 50,000–100,000 (Agility, Slayer, or Mining) |
| Dragon Slayer II | Grandmaster | 50,000–100,000 (Strength, Defence, or Hitpoints) |
| A Night at the Theatre | Master | 50,000–100,000 (Combat skills or Slayer) |
How to Claim Retroactive Rewards
Players who completed these quests before the update can claim their additional XP by speaking to NPCs like Perdu in Lumbridge or quest-specific characters. For example, if you received XP from a dialogue option or lamp, you’ll need to revisit the NPC who provided it. The OSRS Wiki provides detailed locations for each NPC, making it easy to track them down.
Impact on Gameplay and Skilling
The Quest Experience Update has reshaped how players approach questing and skilling in OSRS. With significantly higher XP rewards, quests are now a viable alternative to traditional grinding for skills like Slayer, Runecrafting, and Agility, which are notoriously slow to train.
Benefits for New and Returning Players
For new players, the boosted rewards make tackling high-level quests more appealing, offering a fast track to competitive skill levels. Returning players can revisit old quests to claim retroactive rewards, providing a quick boost to their accounts without additional grinding.
Strategic Questing for Skill Gains
Players can now strategically choose quests based on their skill goals. For example:
- Combat Skills: Quests like Monkey Madness II and Dragon Slayer II offer massive XP in Attack, Strength, or Defence.
- Non-Combat Skills: Song of the Elves provides substantial Agility or Mining XP, ideal for players avoiding repetitive training methods.
- Flexible Rewards: Some quests, like Recipe for Disaster, allow players to allocate XP to skills of their choice via lamps or books, perfect for expensive skills like Prayer or Herblore.
Community Reception and Future Implications
The OSRS community largely welcomed the Quest Experience Update, as evidenced by its approval in the 2022 poll. Players appreciated Jagex’s responsiveness to feedback, particularly the retroactive XP option, which ensures fairness for veteran questers.
Player Feedback Highlights
- Positive Sentiment: Many players praised the update for making quests more rewarding, with comments on forums like Reddit highlighting the time saved on slow skills.
- Minor Criticisms: Some players expressed concerns about balancing XP gains with other training methods, but the community consensus favored the change.
What’s Next for OSRS Quests?
The update sets a precedent for future quests, with Jagex confirming that the 50,000–100,000 XP range will be standard for new Master and Grandmaster quests. Upcoming quests, such as The Blood Moon Rises (expected in early 2026) and The Final Dawn (July 2025), are likely to follow this model, offering substantial rewards alongside new content like weapons and areas.
Tips for Maximizing Quest Rewards
To make the most of the Quest Experience Update, consider these strategies:
- Prioritize High-Reward Quests: Focus on Master and Grandmaster quests with XP in slow or expensive skills like Slayer or Runecrafting.
- Use Quest Planners: Tools like the OSRS Quest Planner on OldSchool.tools can help you identify quests available based on your stats.
- Check Retroactive Rewards: Don’t miss out on extra XP—visit Perdu or other NPCs to claim rewards for completed quests.
- Combine with Training: Use quest XP to skip early levels of a skill, then train efficiently with methods like Slayer tasks or Rooftop Agility courses.
- Stay Updated: Follow Jagex’s official blog and the OSRS Wiki for news on new quests and reward changes.
Recommended Quests for Beginners
If you’re new to OSRS or questing, start with these accessible quests that lead to Master or Grandmaster quests:
- Waterfall Quest: No requirements, grants 13,750 Attack and Strength XP.
- The Grand Tree: Low requirements, offers 18,400 Attack XP.
- Tree Gnome Village: Easy boss fight, provides 11,450 Attack XP.
These quests build the foundation for tackling tougher challenges with boosted rewards under the new system.
The OSRS Quest Experience Update marks a pivotal shift in how players engage with quests, offering substantial XP rewards that make Master and Grandmaster quests more enticing than ever. Whether you’re a new player looking to jumpstart your skills or a veteran claiming retroactive rewards, this update enhances the questing experience across the board. Dive into Gielinor, tackle those epic quests, and enjoy the well-earned XP boosts!
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