How Long It Takes to Get the Prospector Outfit in OSRS

How Long It Takes to Get the Prospector Outfit in OSRS

Ever wondered about that shiny Prospector outfit in Old School RuneScape? You know, the one that gives you a sweet 2.5% extra mining XP when you wear the full set. As someone who’s grinded through countless hours in the Motherlode Mine, I can tell you it’s a game-changer for anyone serious about leveling up mining. But the big question is, how long will it actually take you to snag the whole kit? Let’s dive right in and break it down step by step.

First off, the Prospector outfit isn’t something you just pick up from the Grand Exchange. You have to earn it the hard way, down in the depths of the Motherlode Mine. It costs a total of 180 golden nuggets to buy all four pieces from Prospector Percy: the helmet for 40 nuggets, jacket for 60, legs for 50, and boots for 30. Those nuggets come from mining pay-dirt and hoping for that lucky drop when you clean it. No shortcuts here, folks.

The Prospector kit is basically mining gear that looks like an old-timey gold rush outfit. But it’s not just for show. Wearing the full set boosts your mining experience by 2.5%, which adds up fast if you’re going for high levels.

Why bother getting it? Well, if you’re like me and you’ve spent days hammering away at rocks, that extra XP means less time overall to hit 99 mining. Plus, it pairs nicely with other bonuses like the celestial ring or expert mining gloves.

Pieces and Their Costs

Here’s a quick rundown:

• Helmet: 40 golden nuggets
• Jacket: 60 golden nuggets
• Legs: 50 golden nuggets
• Boots: 30 golden nuggets

Total? 180 nuggets. Simple math, but the grind isn’t always so straightforward.

Requirements to Get Started

Before you even think about farming those nuggets, you need to meet some basics. Motherlode Mine unlocks at level 30 mining, and you’ll want a decent pickaxe to make things bearable. I started with a mithril pick at level 40, but if you can swing an adamant or rune one, do it.

Do you need any quests? Nope, just head to the Falador mine entrance. But fair warning: if you’re under level 50, it feels slow. REALLY slow sometimes.

Upper Floor Unlock: Worth It?

At level 57 mining (it used to be 72, thank the updates), you can pay 100 nuggets to unlock the upper floor. Is it worth the extra nuggets? Absolutely. The veins up there deplete slower, and everything’s closer together. In my first account, I skipped it at first and regretted it. Took me longer overall.

How to Farm Golden Nuggets Efficiently

Alright, let’s get to the meat of it. Golden nuggets drop when you clean pay-dirt at the hopper. Each pay-dirt has about a 3.13% chance of giving you one, so on average, you’ll need to mine and clean around 5,760 pay-dirt for 180 nuggets. That’s the expected amount, but RNG can be a beast. I’ve had streaks where I got nuggets every other sack, and dry spells that made me want to quit.

You mine pay-dirt from ore veins in the mine. Each successful mine gives 60 XP and one pay-dirt. Success rate goes up with your mining level: at 30, it’s rough, maybe 29% chance per swing. By 99, it’s over 41%.

Then, deposit into the hopper, clean it at the water wheel, and search the sack for your rewards: ores and those precious nuggets.

Pickaxe Choices Matter

What pickaxe should you use? Start with the best you can wield.

• Bronze/iron: Don’t bother past level 30.
• Adamant: Solid for levels 40-60.
• Rune: My go-to until dragon.
• Dragon/crystal: Speeds things up big time at higher levels.

Pro tip: Use the Varrock armour if you have it for that extra mining boost.

Time Estimates: How Long Will It Really Take?

This is what you came for, right? The time varies wildly based on your mining level, pickaxe, and if you’re on the upper floor. Based on average XP rates from the mine, here’s a breakdown. Remember, each pay-dirt is 60 XP, so pay-dirt per hour is XP per hour divided by 60.

I crunched the numbers from my own runs and community data. At lower levels, expect more time due to slower mining success.

These are estimates assuming you’re focused and using a good pickaxe. Add 10-20% more time if you’re AFKing or chatting in clan. On my ironman, at level 60 with rune pick, it took me about 8 hours spread over a weekend. But hey, that’s with some bad luck on nuggets.

What if you’re starting fresh at 30? It could take 25+ hours, but you’ll level up along the way, speeding things up as you go.

Factors That Affect Your Time

A few things can shave off hours or add them:

1. Upper floor access: Unlocks at 57, costs 100 nuggets. But it boosts your rates by 20-30%. I always prioritize this now.
2. World hopping: Crowded worlds mean competition for veins. Hop to quieter ones.
3. Stamina potions: Keeps your run energy up for faster banking.
4. RNG: Sometimes you get lucky and hit nuggets faster. Other times? Not so much.

My Personal Grind Stories as an OSRS Vet

Man, I remember my first time chasing the Prospector back in 2015. I was a noob at level 35 mining, thinking it’d be quick. HA! Ended up spending two full days, probably 15 hours total, because I kept getting distracted by the ores I was pulling. Sold them for some early bank, though.

On my main account now, with 99 mining, I helped a friend get his. We duo’d the mine, and with dragon picks, we knocked it out in under 6 hours. Felt like nothing compared to solo grinds. Have you ever had one of those sessions where nuggets just pour in? It’s addictive.

But let’s be real, there were frustrating moments. Like that one run where I mined 200 pay-dirt and got zero nuggets. ZERO. Made me log off for the day. As an expert player with thousands of hours, I can say the key is patience. Break it into sessions: mine for an hour, take a break, repeat.

Lessons from Multiple Accounts

I’ve done this on three accounts now. First one: slow and painful at low levels. Second: smarter, unlocked upper floor early. Third: efficient, under 7 hours total. Each time, I learned to focus on efficiency over everything.

What about you? Planning to grind it solo or with friends?

Short answer: Solo is fine, but friends make it fun.

Tips to Speed Up Your Prospector Hunt

Want to cut down that time? Here are my top tips from years of playing:

• Get to level 57 fast: Power mine iron or something to hit 57, then unlock upper floor. It’s a game-changer.
• Use the best gear: Dragon pickaxe if possible, mining cape for teleports.
• Avoid peak hours: Play during off-times to have the mine to yourself.
• Track your progress: Note how many nuggets per hour. Adjust if it’s low.
• Combine with skilling: The ores you get can fund other skills.

One more: During events with boosted rates, jump on it. I’ve seen double nuggets before, halving the time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t forget to repair the struts if they’re broken. That slows everyone down. And never deposit more than your sack can hold, or you’ll lose pay-dirt.

Is the Prospector Outfit Worth the Time?

Absolutely, if mining is your thing. That 2.5% bonus stacks with other perks, saving you hours in the long run. On my accounts, it paid for itself in XP gains within a week of heavy mining.

But if you’re not into mining? Maybe buy bonds and skip the grind, but that’s not the ironman way.

How long did it take you, if you’ve got it? Share in comments.

In the end, the time to get Prospector depends on you. Start low level, expect 20+ hours. High level? Under 6. Either way, it’s a rite of passage in OSRS. Grab your pickaxe and get digging. You won’t regret it once you’re decked out in that gear.