Level Up Crafting in OSRS – Ultimate Guide to Mastery

Crafting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a versatile and rewarding skill that allows players to create jewelry, armor, pottery, and more. Whether you’re aiming for profit, completing quests, or achieving that coveted level 99, this guide will help you level up Crafting efficiently. From beginner methods to advanced techniques, we’ll cover the best ways to train, save gold, and maximize XP. Let’s dive into the world of Crafting and transform your OSRS journey!
Crafting is a core skill in OSRS, offering both practical benefits and lucrative opportunities. It’s required for numerous quests, such as Dragon Slayer II and Song of the Elves, and unlocks powerful items like amulets and dragonhide armor. Additionally, Crafting can be profitable through methods like cutting gems or tanning hides. Training Crafting also boosts your total level, making it essential for maxing out your account.
Key Benefits of High Crafting Levels
- Quest Requirements: Unlock high-level quests with Crafting prerequisites.
- Profit Potential: Craft items like jewelry or leather armor for consistent gold.
- Item Creation: Make gear like black dragonhide armor or glory amulets.
- Achievement Diaries: Complete tasks requiring Crafting, such as in the Lumbridge Diary.
Early Levels (1-40): Getting Started with Crafting
Starting your Crafting journey is straightforward, and early levels can be achieved with minimal investment. Focus on accessible methods that provide decent XP while keeping costs low. Here are the best options for beginners.
Leatherworking (Levels 1-20)
Leatherworking is one of the cheapest ways to start Crafting. You’ll need a needle, thread, and soft leather, which can be obtained from cows or purchased at the Grand Exchange.
- Method: Craft leather gloves, boots, or armor at a Tanner (e.g., in Al Kharid).
- XP Rates: Around 13.8 XP per leather item.
- Cost: Soft leather costs ~200-300 GP each, making it budget-friendly.
Pottery (Levels 1-25)
Pottery involves shaping clay into items like pots and pie dishes. This method is ideal for free-to-play players.
- Method: Mine clay, use a water source to soften it, and shape it at a pottery wheel (e.g., in Barbarian Village). Fire the items in a pottery oven.
- XP Rates: 6.3 XP for shaping, 10 XP for firing (per pot).
- Tip: Buy clay from the Grand Exchange for faster training (~100-150 GP each).
Gem Cutting (Levels 20-40)
Cutting gems provides solid XP and can be profitable if you sell the results. Use a chisel to cut sapphires, emeralds, or opals.
- Method: Buy uncut gems from the Grand Exchange and cut them.
- XP Rates: Sapphires (50 XP each), emeralds (67.5 XP each).
- Profit Tip: Check gem prices to minimize losses or turn a profit.
Mid Levels (40-70): Scaling Up Efficiently
Once you hit level 40, you can access faster methods that balance XP gains with cost. These levels are crucial for unlocking high-level content, so let’s explore the best strategies.
Gold Jewelry (Levels 40-56)
Crafting gold jewelry, such as necklaces or rings, offers decent XP and potential profit. You’ll need gold bars and a furnace.
- Method: Smelt gold bars into jewelry at a furnace (e.g., Edgeville or Al Kharid).
- XP Rates: Gold necklaces (70 XP each), gold rings (40 XP each).
- Profit: Enchant the jewelry (e.g., Rings of Recoil) for extra gold.
Green Dragonhide Armor (Levels 57-70)
Crafting green dragonhide armor is a popular method due to its balance of cost and XP. You’ll need green dragon leather, a needle, and thread.
- Method: Craft green dragonhide bodies for 186 XP each.
- XP Rates: Up to 60K XP/hour with banking.
- Cost: Green dragon leather costs ~1,500-2,000 GP each, but bodies sell well.
Quest Boosts for Faster Progress
Complete quests to skip some grinding. For example:
- The Fremennik Trials: Grants 2,812 XP (enough to jump from level 1 to 20).
- Enlightened Journey: Provides 2,000 XP at level 30.
High Levels (70-99): Mastering Crafting
Reaching level 70 opens up the fastest and most efficient Crafting methods. While some are costly, others offer profit potential. Here’s how to hit level 99.
Black Dragonhide Armor (Levels 70-99)
Black dragonhide bodies are the go-to method for high-level Crafting due to their high XP and decent market value.
- Method: Craft black dragonhide bodies (258 XP each) using black dragon leather.
- XP Rates: Up to 80K XP/hour.
- Cost: Black dragon leather costs ~3,000-4,000 GP each, but bodies sell for ~6,000 GP.
Cutting Dragonstones (Levels 70-99)
Cutting dragonstones is a fast but expensive method. It’s ideal for players with a large budget.
- Method: Cut uncut dragonstones (137.5 XP each).
- XP Rates: Up to 150K XP/hour (click-intensive).
- Cost: Uncut dragonstones cost ~12,000-15,000 GP each, with cut stones selling for slightly less.
Battlestaves for Profit (Levels 66-99)
Crafting battlestaves combines Crafting with profit. Buy unpowered orbs, charge them, and attach them to battlestaves.
- Method: Craft water battlestaves (100 XP each) for the best profit margin.
- XP Rates: ~70K XP/hour.
- Profit: Water battlestaves can yield 1,000-2,000 GP profit per staff.
Cost and XP Comparison Table
To help you choose the best method, here’s a table comparing popular Crafting methods:
Method | Level Required | XP per Action | Approx. Cost (GP) | XP/Hour |
---|---|---|---|---|
Leather Gloves | 1 | 13.8 | 200-300 | 10K-15K |
Pottery (Pots) | 1 | 16.3 | 100-150 | 8K-12K |
Green Dragonhide Body | 57 | 186 | 4,500-6,000 | 50K-60K |
Black Dragonhide Body | 70 | 258 | 9,000-12,000 | 70K-80K |
Cutting Dragonstones | 55 | 137.5 | 12,000-15,000 | 120K-150K |
Water Battlestaves | 66 | 100 | Profit (1K-2K) | 60K-70K |
Tips for Efficient Crafting Training
To maximize your Crafting efficiency and save resources, follow these tips:
Optimize Your Inventory
Use bank presets to quickly withdraw materials. For example, set up 27 leather and 1 needle/thread for leatherworking.
Leverage Grand Exchange
Check buy/sell prices daily to minimize losses. Use price trackers like GE Tracker to spot trends.
Use XP Boosts
Wear the Crafting cape (at level 99) for a 5% chance to save materials, or complete achievement diaries for XP lamps.
Combine with Other Skills
Train Crafting alongside Magic (enchanting jewelry) or Slayer (tanning hides) to save time and make profit.
Final Thoughts: Leveling up Crafting in OSRS is a journey that blends creativity, strategy, and resource management. Whether you’re a beginner crafting leather gloves or an expert churning out black dragonhide bodies, there’s a method for every budget and goal. Use this guide to plan your training, balance costs, and achieve that level 99 cape. Happy crafting, and may your chisels stay sharp!