Keeping Untrimmed Cape in OSRS A Guide for Dedicated Players

So, you’re chasing that sweet untrimmed cape in Old School RuneScape (OSRS)? That’s a badge of honor right there. It screams dedication, patience, and some serious game knowledge. As someone who’s been grinding in Gielinor for years, I can tell you that keeping an untrimmed cape is no easy feat, but it’s totally worth it. Let me walk you through what it means, why it matters, and how to pull it off without losing your mind. This guide is packed with tips from my own journey, so grab a cup of tea (or a jug of wine, no judgment) and let’s dive in.

An untrimmed cape is a Skill Cape you get when you hit level 99 in a skill for the first time. It’s special because it doesn’t have the fancy trim that comes when you max out another skill. If you get a second 99, your first cape gets a trim, and poof, that untrimmed beauty is gone forever. So, keeping it untrimmed means sticking to just one 99, which is a challenge in a game that tempts you to grind everything.

Why does it matter? It’s a status symbol. Back when I was a noob running around Lumbridge, I’d see players rocking untrimmed capes and think, “Wow, they must be legends.” It’s like wearing a sign that says, “I worked hard, and I chose my path wisely.”

Why Keep an Untrimmed Cape?

• Bragging Rights: It’s rare to see someone with an untrimmed cape because most players chase multiple 99s.

• Personal Achievement: It shows you stuck to one skill and resisted the urge to max everything.

• Nostalgia Vibes: Untrimmed capes remind old-school players of the early days when getting a 99 was a huge deal.

My Journey to an Untrimmed Cape

Let me share a bit of my story. I decided to go for an untrimmed Firemaking cape because, honestly, I love chilling by a fire in-game (and maybe I’m a bit of a pyromaniac). I spent countless nights burning logs in the Grand Exchange, chatting with random players, and watching my XP climb. The grind was real, but seeing that untrimmed cape in my inventory? Pure joy.

I remember the moment I hit 99. I was at the Varrock West Bank, surrounded by a small crowd of friends and randoms who showed up to cheer. I bought the cape from the Firemaking master and equipped it immediately. But here’s the thing: keeping it untrimmed meant I had to be super careful about my other skills. One wrong move, like accidentally training another skill to 99, and I’d lose it. That fear kept me on my toes.

Choosing the Right Skill for Your Untrimmed Cape

Not all skills are equal when it comes to going for an untrimmed cape. Some are easier to grind, while others are a test of your sanity. Here’s how to pick:

Easy Skills for Untrimmed Capes

• Firemaking: Fast XP with logs or the Wintertodt. I chose this because I could semi-AFK and still make progress.

• Cooking: Buy raw fish, cook them, repeat. It’s chill and cheap.

• Fishing: Barbarian fishing or fly fishing can get you to 99 without too much hassle.

Tough Skills for Untrimmed Capes

• Runecrafting: Slow and tedious. I tried this on an alt and gave up at 77. Respect to anyone who pulls it off.

• Mining: Click-intensive and not very AFK-friendly unless you’re doing Motherlode Mine.

• Agility: Great for XP, but your fingers will hate you by the end.

Pro Tip: Pick a skill you enjoy. I went with Firemaking because I could relax and chat while training. If you hate the skill, you’ll burn out (no pun intended).

How to Avoid Leveling Other Skills to 99

This is the tricky part. You can’t just train one skill and ignore the rest without a plan. OSRS throws XP at you from all directions quests, minigames, even random events. Here’s how I stayed safe:

Plan Your Quests Carefully

Quests are a minefield for untrimmed cape hunters. Many give XP in multiple skills, and some can push you over 99 without warning. For example, I almost messed up during Dragon Slayer II because it gives a chunk of XP in several skills. My advice? Use a quest XP calculator (like the one on the OSRS Wiki) to check rewards before you start.

• Safe Quests: Stick to low-XP quests like Cook’s Assistant or Sheep Shearer.

• Dangerous Quests: Avoid quests like Monkey Madness II or Sins of the Father unless you’re sure the XP won’t ruin your plans.

Avoid High-XP Activities

Minigames and training methods can accidentally boost other skills. When I was going for my Firemaking cape, I steered clear of Pest Control because it gives combat XP. Same goes for Slayer you might hit 99 in Attack or Strength without realizing it.

Track Your XP

Use a tool like RuneLite’s XP tracker. It shows how close you are to 99 in every skill. I checked mine obsessively to make sure I wasn’t getting too close in anything else. For example, my Cooking was at 95 when I hit 99 Firemaking, so I stopped cooking entirely to be safe.

Tips for Grinding Your Chosen Skill

Once you’ve picked your skill, it’s time to grind. Here are some strategies that worked for me:

Make It Fun

Grinding can be boring, so mix it up. I listened to music or watched streams while burning logs. Sometimes I’d hop worlds to find a crowded spot just to chat with other players. It made the grind feel less like work.

Use Efficient Methods

Research the fastest XP methods for your skill. For Firemaking, I started with maple logs, then switched to yew logs when I could afford them. Wintertodt was a game-changer for me later on fast XP and some nice loot.

Set Small Goals

Don’t think about the 13 million XP you need for 99. Break it down. I aimed for 500k XP per week, which felt doable. Celebrate the small wins, like hitting level 90 or finishing a big stack of logs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve seen plenty of players lose their untrimmed cape dreams because of silly mistakes. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Accidental XP Gains: Be careful with lamps or books from random events. I once almost used a lamp on Strength before remembering it was at 98.

• Not Checking XP: Always know where your skills stand. I had a friend who hit 99 Cooking by accident because he wasn’t paying attention.

• Rushing Quests: Plan every quest. One wrong reward can ruin everything.

My Favorite Untrimmed Cape Moments

One of the best parts about keeping an untrimmed cape is the reactions you get. I was once skilling in the Woodcutting Guild when someone messaged me, “Is that an untrimmed Firemaking cape?!” We ended up chatting for an hour about our favorite skills. Moments like that make the grind worthwhile.

Another time, I joined a clan event and showed off my cape. Half the clan was jealous, and the other half thought I was crazy for not training other skills. But that’s the beauty of it it’s a choice that sets you apart.

Untrimmed Cape vs. Trimmed Cape What’s Cooler?

This is a big debate in the OSRS community. Some players think trimmed capes are better because they show you’ve maxed multiple skills. But for me, the untrimmed cape is special because it’s so rare. Anyone can grind multiple 99s with enough time, but keeping an untrimmed cape? That takes discipline.

Quick Poll: Which do you prefer, untrimmed or trimmed capes? Let me know in the comments!

Table of Popular Untrimmed Capes and Their Difficulty

Skill	Difficulty	Why Choose It?	Best Training Method
Firemaking	Easy	Fast XP, semi-AFK	Wintertodt or burning logs
Cooking	Easy	Cheap and fast	Cooking fish in Catherby
Fishing	Medium	Relaxing, good for AFK	Barbarian fishing
Runecrafting	Hard	Prestigious but slow	Lava runes or ZMI altar
Agility	Hard	Great for stamina, but click-intensive	Rooftop courses

How to Show Off Your Untrimmed Cape

Once you’ve got that cape, you want to flaunt it. Here are my favorite ways:

• Hang Out in Busy Spots: The Grand Exchange or Varrock Square are perfect for showing off. People will notice.

• Join a Clan: Clans love unique achievements. My clan threw a mini-party when I got mine.

• Take Screenshots: Capture the moment you get it. I have a folder full of pics from my 99 party.

What If You Lose Your Untrimmed Cape?

It happens. You might accidentally hit 99 in another skill, and your cape gets trimmed. Don’t sweat it too much. You can always start a new account or make an alt for another untrimmed cape. I know a guy who lost his untrimmed Cooking cape to a Slayer 99 and just laughed it off. It’s all part of the journey.

FAQs About Untrimmed Capes

Can you keep multiple untrimmed capes?
No, you can only have one untrimmed cape per account. Once you get a second 99, all your capes get trimmed.

What’s the easiest untrimmed cape to get?
Firemaking or Cooking. They’re fast and don’t require much money.

Is it worth it?
Absolutely, if you love the challenge and the prestige. It’s a personal choice, though.

Final Thoughts

Keeping an untrimmed cape in OSRS is a journey that tests your focus and love for the game. It’s not just about hitting 99; it’s about sticking to your goal and resisting the temptation to max everything else. My Firemaking cape is still one of my proudest achievements, and every time I wear it, I remember the grind, the late nights, and the friends I made along the way.

So, what’s your plan? Are you going for an untrimmed cape? Which skill are you picking? Drop a comment and let me know I love hearing about other players’ journeys. Keep skilling, stay focused, and maybe I’ll see you in Gielinor with your own untrimmed cape one day!