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OSRS Chinning Guide MM1 Ultimate Ranged Training Method

Chinning in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is hands-down the fastest way to train your Ranged skill, and if you’re looking to blast through levels, the Monkey Madness I (MM1) tunnels are a prime spot. I’ve spent countless hours chucking chinchompas at skeletal monkeys in the Ape Atoll Dungeon, and let me tell you, it’s a grind that’s both thrilling and exhausting. This guide is packed with everything I’ve learned as an OSRS veteran, from gear setups to pro tips for maximizing XP. Whether you’re aiming for that coveted Ranged cape or just want to level up fast, I’ve got you covered with practical advice and personal stories to keep it real. Let’s dive into the chaos of chinning!
So, what’s chinning all about? It’s a training method where you use chinchompas, these explosive little critters, as a ranged weapon to hit multiple enemies at once in a multi-combat zone. The Ape Atoll Dungeon, unlocked during Monkey Madness I, is perfect because it’s filled with skeletal monkeys that swarm you, have low ranged defense, and drop bones you can use with the right gear. Why choose MM1 over other spots like MM2? For me, it’s about accessibility. MM1’s tunnels are available earlier in the game, and the skeletons are ideal for stacking, which means more XP per chinchompa thrown.
Why I Love Chinning in MM1
I remember my first time chinning in MM1. I was nervous about burning through my hard-earned gold on chinchompas, but the XP rates blew my mind. I went from level 70 to 85 Ranged in just a few sessions! The rush of watching those XP drops stack up while skeletons crumbled around me was addictive. It’s not just about the XP, though; it’s the rhythm of the grind, the strategy of positioning, and the satisfaction of mastering a method that feels like cheating it’s so good.
Requirements for Chinning in MM1
Before you start lobbing chinchompas, you need to check a few boxes. Here’s what you’ll need to get going in the MM1 tunnels.
Quest and Skill Requirements
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Monkey Madness I: You need to at least start this quest to access the Ape Atoll Dungeon. Completing it fully is ideal for easier access, but partial completion gets you in.
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Ranged Level 45: This is the minimum to equip regular chinchompas. For red chinchompas, you need 55, and for black, 65. I started with reds at 55, and it felt like a sweet spot for cost versus XP.
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Prayer Level 43: Protect from Melee is a must to avoid getting shredded by the skeletons. Trust me, I learned this the hard way when I forgot to toggle it once and died in seconds.
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Hunter Level (Optional): If you want to catch your own chinchompas, you’ll need 53 for regular, 63 for red, and 73 for black. I’ve trapped reds before, but honestly, buying them from the Grand Exchange saves time.
Other Requirements
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Access to Ape Atoll: You’ll need to navigate to Ape Atoll, either via the gnome glider (post-MM1) or by teleporting and running. A greegree is handy if you haven’t finished the quest to avoid aggro from other monsters.
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Gold: Chinning isn’t cheap. Expect to spend millions on chinchompas, especially if you’re using red or black ones. I’ve blown through 5M in a single session, but the XP was worth every coin.
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Gear and Inventory: More on this later, but you’ll need ranged gear, prayer potions, and maybe a bonecrusher necklace to make things smoother.
Best Gear for Chinning in MM1
Gear is everything when chinning. The right setup boosts your accuracy and damage, which directly impacts your XP rates. Here’s what I use and why, based on years of tweaking my setup.
Recommended Gear Setup
Slot |
Item |
Why It’s Good |
---|---|---|
Head |
Void Ranger Helm |
Boosts ranged accuracy and damage by 10% (12.5% if elite). Affordable and effective. |
Body |
Part of the Void set, increases damage output. Regular Void works if you’re on a budget. |
|
Legs |
Elite Void Bottom |
Completes the Void set for max bonuses. |
Gloves |
Void Gloves |
Essential for the Void set bonus. |
Amulet |
Salve Amulet (ei) |
Huge 20% boost to ranged damage and accuracy against undead like skeletons. |
Cape |
Ava’s Accumulator |
Saves chinchompas by retrieving some automatically. Soul Wars cape is an alternative. |
Boots |
Ranger Boots |
Decent ranged bonus. Pegasian boots are better but pricey. |
Ring |
Archers Ring (i) |
Solid ranged accuracy boost. Imbued for extra power. |
Weapon |
Red/Black Chinchompas |
Red for levels 55-65, black for 65+. Higher damage means more XP. |
Why Void and Salve Amulet Are King
When I first started chinning, I tried using Armadyl gear because I thought fancier meant better. Big mistake. The Void set, especially elite, combined with the Salve Amulet (ei), gives you insane bonuses against the undead skeletons in MM1. The 20% damage and accuracy boost from the Salve Amulet (ei) is a game-changer. I noticed my XP rates jumped from 200k to nearly 300k per hour when I switched to this setup. If you’re on a budget, regular Void still slaps, but grind those Pest Control points for elite if you can.
Inventory Setup
Your inventory is just as crucial. Here’s what I pack for a chinning session:
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Chinchompas: 1,000-2,000, depending on how long I’m staying. Red or black, based on my level.
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Prayer Potions: 6-8 4-dose potions. The bonecrusher necklace reduces the need, but I always bring extras.
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Bonecrusher Necklace: Auto-buries bones for prayer points, saving potions and boosting XP.
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Teleport Runes/Tablet: For quick escapes. I use Ape Atoll teleport or a house tab.
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Food: A few sharks or monkfish in case I mess up my prayer timing.
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Greegree (Optional): If you’re not done with MM1, this keeps other monsters off your back.
How to Get to the MM1 Tunnels
Getting to the Ape Atoll Dungeon can feel like a maze if you’re new. Here’s the step-by-step I follow every time.
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Travel to Ape Atoll: After starting Monkey Madness I, use the gnome glider from the Grand Tree (talk to Daero Wayfinder) to get to Ape Atoll. If you’ve completed MM1, this is your go-to. Otherwise, use an Ape Atoll teleport and head west.
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Enter the Dungeon: The entrance is in the north-western part of Ape Atoll. If you’re not using a greegree, expect to take some hits from aggressive monkeys.
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Navigate to the Skeletons: Once inside, head east through the dungeon until you hit the area with skeletal monkeys. They’re in a multi-combat zone, perfect for chinning.
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Find a Safe Spot: Look for a spot where you can stack the monkeys. I usually stand in the south-western corner and run back and forth to keep them aggroed.
My First Trip to the Tunnels
The first time I trekked to the MM1 tunnels, I got lost in the dungeon for a solid 20 minutes. I didn’t have a greegree, and those gorilla guards nearly ended me. Lesson learned: bring a teleport and a greegree if you’re not done with the quest. Once I found the skeletons, though, it was smooth sailing. The key is to stay calm and find a rhythm for moving to keep the monkeys stacked.
Chinning Techniques for Max XP
Now, let’s talk about the actual chinning process. The goal is to hit as many monkeys as possible with each chinchompa for maximum XP. Here’s how I do it.
The 2-Tile Method
This is the high-effort, high-reward method. You run between two tiles to keep the monkeys stacked in front of you. Here’s the breakdown:
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Stand in a Safe Spot: Pick a corner tile where the monkeys can’t melee you directly.
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Run Back and Forth: Move between two tiles to keep the monkeys grouped. I aim for the south-western and north-eastern tiles in the skeleton area.
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Attack the Center Monkey: Always target the middle of the pack to hit the max number of enemies (up to 9).
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Manage Bones: Pick up and drop stacked bones to prevent respawn delays. This was a game-changer when I started doing it consistently.
Pro Tip: Use the RuneLite NPC aggression timer to know when to reset aggro. I forgot this once and wasted 10 minutes with no monkeys attacking me.
The AFK Method
If you’re like me and sometimes want to chill, the AFK method is less click-intensive. You stand in one spot, let the monkeys swarm, and throw chinchompas. You’ll get 150k-200k XP per hour versus 250k-400k with the 2-tile method. I use this when I’m multitasking, like watching a stream or chatting on Discord. It’s less efficient but way easier on the hands.
Stacking Monkeys Like a Pro
Ever wonder why some players get insane XP rates? It’s all about stacking. The more monkeys you hit, the more XP you get per chinchompa. I’ve found that running in a straight line and stopping abruptly gets the monkeys to clump up nicely. Sometimes, I’ll even lure more from nearby tunnels if the aggro dies down. It’s a bit of an art form, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel like a chinning god.
XP Rates and Cost
How much XP can you really get? It depends on your setup and method. Here’s a quick table based on my experience and what I’ve seen in the community:
Chinchompa Type |
Ranged Level |
XP/Hour (2-Tile) |
XP/Hour (AFK) |
Cost/Hour (Approx.) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Regular |
45+ |
150k-200k |
100k-150k |
1M-1.5M |
Red |
55+ |
200k-300k |
150k-200k |
2M-3M |
Black |
65+ |
250k-400k |
200k-250k |
3M-5M |
Is Chinning Worth the Cost?
Chinning is pricey, no doubt. I’ve had sessions where I spent 10M in a weekend and felt my wallet crying. But the XP rates are unmatched. Going from 92 to 99 Ranged took me about 25 hours with black chinchompas and the 2-tile method. Compare that to cannoning, which might take double the time. If you’re on a budget, stick to red chinchompas and the AFK method to save some gold.
Tips and Tricks from My Experience
Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make chinning smoother and more efficient. Here are my top tips:
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Use the Bonecrusher Necklace: This thing is a lifesaver. It auto-buries bones for prayer points, meaning fewer potion sips and more XP. I got mine after grinding Morytania diaries, and it’s been a game-changer.
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Bring Extra Prayer Potions: Even with the bonecrusher necklace, I always pack a couple extra. Nothing’s worse than running out mid-session and dying.
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Check Your Aggro: If the monkeys stop attacking, run to a nearby tunnel to lure more. I’ve lost so much XP by not noticing they’d wandered off.
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Upgrade to Elite Void: The 12.5% damage boost is worth the Pest Control grind. It took me a week of games, but my XP rates spiked after.
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Practice Stacking: Watch YouTube videos or join an OSRS Discord to see how pros stack monkeys. It’s a skill that takes practice but pays off big time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made plenty of blunders chinning, so let me save you some pain:
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Forgetting Protect from Melee: I died once because I misclicked and turned off prayer. Always double-check.
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Not Using Salve Amulet (ei): This is a must for MM1. I tried chinning without it early on, and my XP rates were pathetic.
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Ignoring Bone Stacks: If monkeys die on the same tile, their bones stack, slowing respawns. Move those bones!
My Favorite Chinning Memory
One of my best OSRS moments was hitting 99 Ranged while chinning in MM1. I was in a voice chat with friends, and we were all hyped as I threw my last black chinchompa. The skillcape emote felt so earned after burning through millions of gold and hours of grinding. The monkeys were relentless, but so was I. That’s what makes chinning in MM1 so rewarding: it’s a grind, but the payoff is huge.
FAQs About Chinning in MM1
Got questions? I’ve got answers based on my own trials and errors.
What’s the fastest way to level Ranged to 45 for chinning?
Questing! Shadow of the Storm and Horror from the Deep give decent XP. I also used a dwarf multicannon in low-level areas like crabs to speed things up.
Is chinning worth it for low budgets?
It’s expensive, but you can use regular chinchompas and the AFK method to cut costs. I did this when I was broke and still got decent XP.
Can I chin without Void gear?
Yes, but your XP rates will suffer. I tried using leather armor once, and it was like throwing pebbles compared to Void.
How do I avoid dying in the tunnels?
Always keep Protect from Melee on, bring food, and have a teleport ready. I’ve had close calls, but these saved me every time.
Final Thoughts
Chinning in the MM1 tunnels is a wild ride. It’s costly, intense, and sometimes feels like you’re herding cats, but the XP rates make it all worthwhile. I’ve gone from a noob chucking regular chinchompas to a maxed Ranged player, and the journey was epic. Stick to the 2-tile method if you want to push your limits, or go AFK for a more relaxed grind. Either way, the skeletal monkeys of Ape Atoll are your ticket to Ranged glory. Got any chinning stories or tips of your own? Drop them in the comments, and let’s keep the grind going!