OSRS Fish Stall Thieving Guide for Fast XP and Profits

OSRS Fish Stall Thieving Guide for Fast XP and Profits

Thieving in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of those skills that feels like a sneaky adventure every time you dive in. Stealing from fish stalls, in particular, is a fantastic way to level up your Thieving skill while grabbing some useful loot. As an OSRS veteran who’s spent countless hours pilfering stalls in Rellekka and beyond, I can tell you this method is both rewarding and surprisingly chill. Whether you’re a newbie looking to boost your Thieving or a seasoned player chasing the elusive Rocky pet, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about fish stall thieving. Let’s jump right into the nitty-gritty!

Fish stall thieving is a mid-level method that strikes a perfect balance between decent experience rates and a low-effort playstyle. You’re not frantically clicking like you would with blackjacking, and the loot is practical raw salmon, tuna, or lobster that you can cook for food or sell for a bit of gold. Plus, there’s a chance to snag Rocky, the Thieving pet, which is a flex worth chasing.

So, why should you care about fish stall thieving? It’s simple: it’s semi-AFK, gives solid XP, and you can cook your spoils right there in Rellekka. I remember my early days in OSRS, standing by the Rellekka marketplace, nabbing fish and feeling like a master thief. It’s satisfying, and you don’t need to be a high-level pro to get started.

Requirements for Fish Stall Thieving

Before you start swiping fish, you need to meet a few requirements. Don’t worry, they’re straightforward:

  • Thieving Level: You need at least level 42 Thieving to steal from fish stalls.

  • Quest Completion: For Rellekka, you must complete The Fremennik Trials. For Miscellania and Etceteria, you’ll need Throne of Miscellania to access the islands.

  • Optional Gear: Items like Gloves of Silence (requires 54 Hunter) or Ardougne Diary perks can boost your success rate, but they’re not essential.

  • Recommended: A lockpick for other thieving activities and some food in case you take damage from failed attempts.

Have you completed The Fremennik Trials yet? If not, it’s a fun quest that opens up Rellekka for thieving and other activities. It’s worth knocking out early.

Best Locations for Fish Stall Thieving

Fastest Thieving XP in Runescape OSRS Old School Runescape Guides

Fish stalls are scattered across Gielinor, but not all spots are created equal. Here’s a breakdown of the top locations and what makes them special.

Rellekka: The Thieving Hub

Rellekka is the go-to spot for fish stall thieving, and it’s where I’ve spent most of my time grinding this method. The stalls are in the central marketplace, surrounded by fishmongers and handy fires for cooking your loot. Here’s why Rellekka shines:

  • XP Rate: You can hit around 50k XP per hour if you optimize your steals.

  • Loot: Raw salmon, tuna, or the occasional lobster. These are great for cooking or selling.

  • Perks: Nearby fires mean you can cook your fish on the spot, saving inventory space and keeping your health topped up.

One time, I got into a rhythm in Rellekka, stealing fish and cooking them while chatting with friends in-game. It felt like I was running my own little fish market! The only downside? You need to watch out for guards who can catch you in the act.

Miscellania and Etceteria: Island Adventures

These islands are a bit trickier to access due to the Throne of Miscellania quest, but they’re worth considering. The fish stalls here are similar to Rellekka’s, but there are a couple of quirks:

  • Miscellania: Stealing here lowers your approval rating if you’re managing the kingdom, so be cautious if you’re invested in Managing Miscellania.

  • Etceteria: No approval rating penalty, making it a safer choice.

  • XP and Loot: Same as Rellekka 42 XP per steal, with raw salmon, tuna, or lobster.

I tried thieving in Miscellania once, but I forgot about the approval rating hit and tanked my kingdom’s output. Lesson learned: stick to Etceteria if you’re managing resources!

The Warrens: A Riskier Option

The fish stall in The Warrens (Port Sarim) is less popular due to a level 21 Thief who’ll attack if they spot you. It’s not my favorite spot, but it’s viable if you’re nearby and want to mix things up. The XP and loot are the same, but the risk of getting caught is higher.

How to Optimize Your Fish Stall Thieving

To get the most out of this method, you need to play smart. Stalls can be stolen from every 12 ticks (about 8 seconds), and success depends on avoiding detection. Here are my top tips, honed from hours of thieving in Rellekka:

  1. Positioning is Key: Stand behind the stall, out of the fishmonger’s line of sight. In Rellekka, I like to tuck myself between the stall and the wall to stay hidden.

  2. Trap the Guards: Lure guards into nearby buildings and close the door to create a safe zone. I once spent 10 minutes luring guards in Rellekka, and it was worth it for uninterrupted stealing.

  3. Use Boosts: Equip Gloves of Silence for a 5% success boost or complete the Ardougne Diary (Medium for 10% boost in Ardougne, Hard for 10% everywhere). A Dodgy Necklace can also help avoid stuns, though it’s rarely needed for stalls.

  4. Cook as You Go: In Rellekka, use the nearby fires to cook your fish. This saves inventory space and keeps you fed during long sessions.

  5. World Hop for Efficiency: If the stalls are crowded, hop to a less populated world to avoid competition.

Ever tried trapping guards before? It’s a bit of a hassle, but once they’re out of the way, you’re free to steal to your heart’s content.

Gear and Inventory Setup

You don’t need fancy gear for fish stall thieving, but a few items can make your life easier. Here’s my go-to setup:

Item

Purpose

Gloves of Silence

5% boost to thieving success (requires 54 Hunter).

Ardougne Cloak

10% thieving success boost if you’ve completed Medium/Hard Ardougne Diary.

Dodgy Necklace

25% chance to avoid stuns if caught (optional, as stalls rarely stun).

Food (optional)

To heal from guard attacks or failed steals.

Coins

For buying food or other supplies if needed.

I usually just wear Graceful armor for the run energy boost and carry a few pieces of food. The Gloves of Silence are nice, but I didn’t bother with them until I hit 54 Hunter, and I still managed fine.

XP Rates and Loot Breakdown

Fish stall thieving isn’t the fastest method out there, but it’s reliable and low-effort. Here’s what you can expect:

  • XP per Steal: 42 Thieving XP.

  • XP per Hour: Up to 50k XP/hour in Rellekka with optimal positioning and guard trapping.

  • Loot: Raw salmon (sells for ~50-100 gp), raw tuna (~50-100 gp), or raw lobster (~200-300 gp). You’ll also have a small chance at Rocky, the Thieving pet.

The loot isn’t going to make you rich, but it’s practical. I’ve banked hundreds of lobsters from Rellekka sessions, which came in handy for Slayer tasks. The real draw is the XP and the chance at Rocky. I still haven’t gotten that little raccoon, but I’m hopeful every time I steal!

Comparing Fish Stall Thieving to Other Methods

How does fish stall thieving stack up against other Thieving methods? Let’s take a look:

Method

Level Required

XP per Hour

Pros

Cons

Fish Stalls

42

50k

Semi-AFK, useful loot, low risk

Slower XP than blackjacking

Blackjacking

45

100k-250k

Fastest XP, decent profit

Click-intensive, risky for low HP

Ardougne Knights

55

150k-280k

High XP, semi-AFK with setup

Requires luring, repetitive

Pyramid Plunder

51

100k-200k

Fun minigame, good loot

Requires focus, some risk

Fish stalls are perfect if you want a relaxed grind. Blackjacking is faster, but it’s so click-heavy that my hand ached after an hour. Fish stalls let me chill, watch a stream, and still make progress.

Tips for Ironmen and Hardcore Ironmen

If you’re an Ironman, fish stall thieving is a godsend. The raw fish you steal can be cooked for a steady food supply, which is crucial for early-game questing or Slayer. Here’s how to make it work:

  • Bank the Fish: Store your salmon, tuna, and lobsters for later use. I used these for early Slayer tasks when I was too broke to buy food.

  • Avoid Miscellania: As I learned the hard way, stealing here tanks your approval rating. Stick to Etceteria or Rellekka.

  • Hardcore Ironmen: Use a Ring of Life to avoid death from guard attacks or disconnections. Better safe than sorry!

Got an Ironman account? Fish stalls are a great way to stock up on food without relying on fishing or buying from NPCs.

Chasing the Rocky Pet

One of the biggest draws of fish stall thieving is the chance to get Rocky, the Thieving pet. The drop rate depends on your Thieving level and the activity, but it’s estimated to take around 30-75 hours at high levels in Rellekka if you’re stealing from multiple stalls. I’ve heard stories of players getting it in under 30 hours, but I’m still grinding away after 50. The key is to steal from multiple stalls (like the two fish stalls and the fur stall in Rellekka) to maximize your chances.

Pro tip: Use a Dragon Spear to stun guards and keep them trapped. It’s a bit of extra work, but it makes multi-stall thieving smoother. Have you ever gotten a skilling pet? The grind is real, but the payoff is so worth it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even as an experienced player, I’ve made my fair share of blunders while thieving. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Stealing in View of Guards: Always check your surroundings. I got caught once because I didn’t notice a guard wandering nearby, and he chased me out of the marketplace.

  • Forgetting Quest Requirements: You can’t access Rellekka or the islands without the right quests. Double-check before you head out.

  • Ignoring Inventory Management: If you’re not cooking or banking, your inventory will fill up fast. Plan ahead to avoid wasting time.

  • Stealing in Miscellania: Unless you don’t care about your approval rating, avoid this spot for kingdom management reasons.

My Personal Experience with Fish Stall Thieving

When I first started thieving fish stalls, I was around level 45 Thieving, fresh off completing The Fremennik Trials. I set up in Rellekka, lured the guards into a building, and got to work. The rhythm of stealing, cooking, and occasionally hopping worlds to avoid other players was oddly soothing. I’d often throw on some music or a podcast and just zone out for hours. One memorable session, I hit a lucky streak and got three lobsters in a row, which felt like winning the lottery at the time.

What really kept me hooked was the balance of effort and reward. Unlike blackjacking, which made my wrist cry for mercy, fish stalls let me progress without feeling like I was running a marathon. I even got a few levels while helping a friend with quest advice in-game. It’s not the flashiest method, but it’s reliable, and that’s what counts.

FAQs About Fish Stall Thieving

Q: Can I steal from fish stalls without completing any quests?
A: Nope, you need The Fremennik Trials for Rellekka or Throne of Miscellania for the islands.

Q: Is fish stall thieving profitable?
A: It’s not a goldmine, but you can make a small profit from selling lobsters. The real value is in the XP and food for Ironmen.

Q: What’s the best level to start fish stall thieving?
A: Level 42 is the minimum, but the higher your Thieving level, the better your success rate.

Q: Can I get Rocky from other stalls?
A: Yes, any Thieving activity (stalls, pickpocketing, etc.) has a chance to drop Rocky, but fish stalls are a popular method due to their low effort.

Final Thoughts

Fish stall thieving in OSRS is a fantastic way to train your Thieving skill without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re grinding for XP, stocking up on food, or chasing that elusive Rocky pet, Rellekka’s marketplace is your best friend. With a bit of setup like trapping guards and using the right gear you can hit solid XP rates and enjoy a relaxed playstyle. I’ve had a blast with this method over the years, and I hope this guide helps you make the most of it too. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your Gloves of Silence, head to Rellekka, and start stealing some fish! What’s your favorite Thieving method? Let me know in-game or on the forums!