OSRS Ironman Money Making Guide: How to Stack Gold Without the Grand Exchange

Hey, Ironman warriors! If you’re grinding Old School RuneScape (OSRS) as an Ironman, you know the struggle of stacking gold pieces (GP) without the Grand Exchange (GE) crutch. I’ve been an Ironman for years, embracing the self-sufficient life, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. From scraping coins off goblin drops to banking millions from bossing, I’ve learned the best ways to make money in this hardcore mode. In this OSRS Ironman Money Making Guide for 2025, I’m sharing my top methods to help you stack gold fast, no GE allowed. I’ll toss in personal stories, tips, and a chill vibe to keep it real. Ready to get rich the Ironman way? Let’s dive in!

Why Money Matters for Ironmen

As an Ironman, you can’t just buy what you need. GP is still king for things like kingdom management, construction, or buying supplies from NPC shops. Early on, I was broke, scrounging for coins to afford teleports. I remember selling my first 100 oak logs to an NPC for 2k GP, feeling like a mogul. Without the GE, you rely on drops, shops, and smart grinds to build wealth. This guide focuses on methods that work for Ironmen, from low-level to endgame, all tested by yours truly.

What’s your biggest Ironman money goal? A bond, maxed house, or something else? Share below!

Challenges of Ironman Money Making

No GE means no flipping or buying bulk supplies. You’re stuck with what you kill, collect, or craft. Plus, Ironmen need to balance money making with skilling and questing. I wasted weeks early on killing cows for hides, only to realize NPC shops pay pennies. These methods avoid those traps, focusing on high-value drops, alchables, and shop sells that stack GP fast.

Ever fall into a bad grind? I sure have!

My Top 8 Ironman Money-Making Methods for 2025

These methods are Ironman-friendly, meaning no GE trading, just pure drops and NPC sales. I’ve included profits (based on NPC sell prices or alch values in 2025), requirements, and my own stories. Since prices vary by shop or high alch, I’ll estimate based on current game data. Let’s get to it!

1. Collecting Wine of Zamorak

• Profit: ~100k–200k GP/hour (high alch or teleport sales)

• Requirements: 43 Magic (Telekinetic Grab), air runes, law runes, 37 Prayer (optional)

• Location: Chaos Temple (Wilderness, level 1) or Falador Monastery

This was my Ironman lifeline early on. You grab Wine of Zamorak with Telekinetic Grab, then high alch it (580 GP each) or sell to teleports for less. I stuck to Falador to avoid monks, but the Wilderness Chaos Temple is faster if you dodge PKers. I got jumped once with 10 wines—rip my runes! Now I bank often. It’s low-skill and decent for starters.

Pro tip: Use a staff of air to save runes. Every GP counts!

Ever tried wines as an Ironman? It’s a grind but solid.

2. Killing Chaos Druids

• Profit: ~200k–300k GP/hour (alchables and herbs)

• Requirements: 30+ Combat, food (lobsters or better), magic gear (optional)

• Location: Edgeville Dungeon or Taverley Dungeon

Chaos druids were my first “big” money maker. They drop herbs, runes, and alchable gear like mithril bolts. I camped Edgeville Dungeon, alching drops while training Magic. One time, I got a law rune stack and felt unstoppable. Sell extra herbs to NPC shops or alch junk for GP. It’s safe and great for low levels.

• Gear: Mystic robes or monk robes for Magic boost.

• Tip: Bring a teleport tab for quick escapes.

What’s your favorite low-level monster? Druids for me!

3. Thieving from HAM Members

• Profit: ~150k–250k GP/hour (alchables and clues)

• Requirements: 15 Thieving (20+ recommended), HAM hideout key, food

• Location: HAM Hideout (Lumbridge)

Thieving HAM members is chill and profitable. You pickpocket for jewellery, coins, and easy clue scrolls, then alch rings or necklaces. I maxed Thieving here, banking sapphire rings to alch for 540 GP each. Once, I got a clue scroll that led to a 100k reward—huge for early Ironman! It’s low-risk and semi-AFK.

• Tip: Wear the Rogue’s outfit for double loot if you’ve got it.

Ever done a clue scroll? They’re a fun bonus!

4. Killing Green Dragons

• Profit: ~300k–500k GP/hour (bones and hides)

• Requirements: 60+ Combat, anti-dragon shield, food, teleport tabs

• Location: Wilderness (west of Edgeville or near Clan Wars)

Green dragons are a classic. You kill them for dragon bones (alch for 72 GP or use for Prayer) and hides (alch for 105 GP). I grinded here for Prayer XP, banking hides to alch later. PKers are a pain—I lost a full inventory once to a mage! Use safe spots for ranging or maging, and bank every 10 kills. High-risk, high-reward.

My PKer escape story: “I teleported with 1 HP and 20 hides. Heart was racing!”

• Gear: Anti-dragon shield, rune armor, or monk robes.

• Tip: World-hop to avoid PKers.

Tried dragons yet? They’re scary but worth it.

5. High Alchemy with Battlestaves

• Profit: ~200k–400k GP/hour (depends on supply)

• Requirements: 55 Magic, 21 Crafting, nature runes, battlestaves from shops

• Location: Anywhere (bank or shop)

This method saved my Ironman bank. Buy battlestaves from Baba Yaga’s shop (Lunar Isle, 7k GP each) or Varrock’s staff shop, craft them into air battlestaves, and high alch for 9.3k GP. I’d stock up daily, craft while skilling, and alch during downtime. It’s tedious but steady. I hit 70 Magic alching these!

• Tip: Unlock Lunar Isle early for Baba Yaga’s shop.

• Warning: Shop stocks are limited, so hop worlds.

What’s your go-to alch item? Battlestaves are my pick.

6. Killing Barrows Brothers

• Profit: ~500k–1M GP/hour (alchables and runes)

• Requirements: 70+ Combat, Priest in Peril, Iban’s staff or Trident, 43 Prayer

• Location: Morytania

Barrows is my mid-game favorite. You fight six brothers for runes, bolt racks, and rare gear to alch. I got a Guthan’s helm once—alched for 1.2M GP! Use magic for fast kills and pray flick to save supplies. It’s RNG-based, but the rune drops alone are solid. I do Barrows when I want a break from skilling.

• Gear: Iban’s staff, mystic robes, Barrows teleports.

• Tip: Kill extra monsters in the crypt for more loot.

What’s your best Barrows drop? I’m all ears!

7. Killing Vorkath

• Profit: ~1M–2M GP/hour (drops and alchables)

• Requirements: 80+ Combat, Dragon Slayer II, dragonbane weapon, 43 Prayer

• Location: Rellekka

Vorkath is an Ironman goldmine. This dragon boss drops superior bones, hides, runes, and alchable gear. I struggled with Vorkath at first, dying like 15 times to that acid phase. Now, I can do 15 kills an hour with a dragon hunter lance. Alch blue d’hides (2.1k GP each) and keep bones for Prayer. It’s intense but bank-worthy.

• Gear: Dragon hunter lance or crossbow, Salve amulet (e).

• Tip: Practice the mechanics in normal mode first.

Ever fought Vorkath? It’s a rush!

8. Slayer with High-Value Tasks

• Profit: ~500k–1.5M GP/hour (task-dependent)

• Requirements: 70+ Combat, 50+ Slayer, Slayer gear, quests for unlocks

• Location: Varies (Slayer masters)

Slayer is my endgame money maker. High-level tasks like gargoyles, wyrms, or dust devils drop alchables, runes, and clue scrolls. I got a rune platebody from gargoyles once—alched for 39k GP! Use Duradel or Nieve for good tasks, and skip bad ones with points. It’s fun and trains combat while stacking GP.

• Gear: Slayer helm, best melee or ranged setup.

• Tip: Unlock boss tasks for big drops like Vorkath or Kraken.

What’s your favorite Slayer task? Gargoyles for me!

Profit and Requirements Table

Method	Profit (GP/hour)	Requirements	Location	Risk Level
Wine of Zamorak	100k–200k	43 Magic, Telekinetic Grab	Falador/Wilderness	Low/High
Chaos Druids	200k–300k	30+ Combat, food	Edgeville/Taverley	Low
HAM Thieving	150k–250k	15 Thieving, HAM key	Lumbridge	Low
Green Dragons	300k–500k	60+ Combat, anti-dragon shield	Wilderness	High
Battlestaves Alching	200k–400k	55 Magic, 21 Crafting	Anywhere	None
Barrows	500k–1M	70+ Combat, Iban’s staff	Morytania	Low
Vorkath	1M–2M	80+ Combat, Dragon Slayer II	Rellekka	Medium
Slayer Tasks	500k–1.5M	70+ Combat, 50+ Slayer	Varies	Varies

My Ironman Money-Making Journey

Starting as an Ironman, I was dirt poor. My First big break was alching wines, banking 50k after hours of grinding. Chaos druids got me to 1M, then Barrows and Vorkath pushed me to millions. Each method felt like a milestone. I still smile thinking about my first Vorkath kill—shaky hands, 500k in loot! The Ironman grind is tough, but seeing your bank grow without the GE is so rewarding.

What’s your Ironman money story? Did you start broke too?

Tips to Maximize Ironman Profits

Here’s what I learned from my Ironman grind:

• High Alch Everything: Alch junk like mithril kiteshields or rune daggers. I carry nature runes everywhere.

• Use NPC Shops: Sell hides or bones to general stores if you don’t need them. Every coin adds up.

• Quest Early: Quests like Priest in Peril or Dragon Slayer II unlock Barrows and Vorkath. I regret delaying these.

• Bank Efficiently: Don’t hoard low-value drops. I lost hours banking useless herbs early on.

• Wilderness Prep: Bring cheap gear and teleports. PKers love Ironmen!

• Slayer Synergy: Combine Slayer with money making. Gargoyle tasks paid for my dragon armor.

FAQs

Q: What’s the best early Ironman money maker?
A: Wine of Zamorak or chaos druids. Both are low-skill and solid.

Q: Can I afford a bond as an Ironman?
A: Yup! Vorkath or Slayer can get you there in a few days.

Q: Is the Wilderness safe for Ironmen?
A: Not really. Stick to low-pop worlds and bank often.

Q: What’s the most AFK Ironman method?
A: HAM thieving. Click, wait, profit.

Q: Do I need high stats for these methods?
A: Nope! Wines and HAM need low stats, and others scale up.

Q: How do I manage GP without the GE?
A: Alch high-value drops and sell to NPC shops. Plan your spending.

Conclusion

Ironman mode in OSRS is a grind, but you don’t need the Grand Exchange to stack millions. From grabbing wines in Falador to slaying Vorkath, these eight methods will fill your bank in 2025. I’ve been there, broke and desperate, but each GP earned felt epic. Pick a method, dodge those PKers, and start building your Ironman empire. Whether you’re funding a bond or a maxed house, you’ve got this. What’s your first method? Drop it below, and let’s keep the Ironman grind alive!