0-99 Thieving Guide for OSRS: Master the Art of Pickpocketing

0-99 Thieving Guide for OSRS: Master the Art of Pickpocketing


Thieving in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a skill that lets you steal from NPCs, pick locks, and disarm traps, all while earning valuable loot and experience. Whether you’re aiming for quick cash, rare items, or the coveted Thieving cape at level 99, this guide will walk you through the most efficient methods to train Thieving from level 0 to 99. Optimized for both beginners and seasoned players, this OSRS Thieving guide includes detailed steps, tips, and strategies to maximize your gains.

Thieving is a profitable and engaging skill in OSRS, offering unique rewards like coins, gems, and access to exclusive areas. It’s also a requirement for several quests and achievement diaries, making it a must-train skill for completionists. Plus, with the right methods, you can level up quickly while raking in millions of GP.

Benefits of High Thieving Levels

  • Profit: Pickpocketing Master Farmers and Vyres can net you millions of GP per hour.
  • Quest Requirements: Skills like Thieving are needed for quests such as “Desert Treasure” and “The Feud.”
  • Unique Items: Steal rare drops like the Rocky pet or seed packs.

Preparation for Thieving

Before you start, grab some basic gear: Gloves of Silence (reduces pickpocketing failure chance), Rogue’s Outfit (doubles loot from pickpocketing), and plenty of food (like cakes or jugs of wine) to heal from failed attempts. A high Agility level also helps, as it lowers the chance of being stunned.

Levels 1-25: Starting with Low-Level Thieving

OSRS The Easiest Way to 99 Thieving Complete Thieving Guide YouTube

The early levels of Thieving are all about building a foundation. These methods are slow but simple, perfect for new players getting a feel for the skill.

Levels 1-5: Pickpocketing Men and Women

Start by pickpocketing Men or Women found in Lumbridge or Varrock. You’ll earn 8 XP per successful attempt and 3 coins as loot. At this stage, failure rates are low, and no special gear is required.

Levels 5-25: Fruit Stalls in Hosidius

Head to the Hosidius region in Kourend and steal from the Fruit Stalls. You’ll need 15% Hosidius favor to avoid being caught. Each steal grants 28.5 XP, and you can bank the fruit or drop it. This method is faster than pickpocketing and gets you to level 25 in about 20-30 minutes.

Levels 25-55: Mid-Tier Thieving Methods

Once you hit level 25, the XP rates improve, and you’ll start seeing decent profits. These methods strike a balance between speed and simplicity.

Levels 25-38: Cake Stalls in Ardougne

Steal from the Cake Stalls in East Ardougne for 16 XP per steal. You’ll need to watch out for guards, but dropping or banking cakes keeps your inventory clear. This is a solid option until level 38.

Levels 38-55: Master Farmers

Pickpocket Master Farmers in Draynor Village or Hosidius. At 38 Thieving, you’ll earn 43 XP per success and loot seeds like ranarrs and snapdragons, which can sell for thousands of GP each. Use food to heal from stuns, as failure rates are higher here.

Levels 55-91: High-Level Thieving for Profit

At level 55, Thieving becomes a goldmine. These methods offer excellent XP and GP rates, making them ideal for players chasing both levels and wealth.

Levels 55-65: Knights of Ardougne

Pickpocket Knights of Ardougne for 84.3 XP per success and 50 coins each time. Lure a knight into a house (like the one near the marketplace) to trap them, then spam-click to pickpocket safely. With the Rogue’s Outfit, you’ll double your coin loot.

Levels 65-91: Paladins in Ardougne

Move to Paladins in East Ardougne at level 65. Each success grants 151.75 XP and 80 coins, plus a chance at chaos runes. Trap them in a building for efficient training. This method offers around 100k-150k XP per hour with decent profits.

Alternative: Blackjacking (Levels 45-91)

For a faster but click-intensive option, try blackjacking Bearded Pollnivnian Bandits (level 45) or Menaphite Thugs (level 65) in Pollnivneach. Knock them out, then pickpocket twice for up to 200k XP per hour. You’ll need a blackjack (buy from the Rogue Trader) and food for stuns.

Levels 91-99: Endgame Thieving Mastery

The final stretch to 99 Thieving is where you can maximize both XP and GP. These methods are the pinnacle of efficiency and reward.

Levels 91-99: Pickpocketing Vyres

At level 91, pickpocket Vyrewatch Sentinels in Darkmeyer (requires “Sins of the Father” quest completion). You’ll earn 252 XP per success and loot like blood shards (worth 5k-10k GP each). With full Rogue’s gear, expect 200k-250k XP per hour and millions in profit.

Levels 94-99: Pyramid Plunder

For a less GP-focused but still fast option, try Pyramid Plunder in Sophanem (requires “Icthlarin’s Little Helper” quest). At level 91+, you can access the highest rooms, yielding up to 270k XP per hour. Loot golden artifacts for extra cash, but bring antipoison for snakes.

Boosting to 99: Dwarven Traders

With level 95+ and the Thieving cape’s 10% success boost, pickpocket Dwarven Traders in the Trade Octagon (Dorgesh-Kaan). This offers 350k+ XP per hour and decent loot like gems and ores. It’s the fastest method but requires constant attention.

Method Level Range XP/Hour GP/Hour
Men/Women 1-5 5k-8k Minimal
Fruit Stalls 5-25 20k-30k Low
Master Farmers 38-55 40k-60k 50k-100k
Knights of Ardougne 55-65 80k-100k 50k-100k
Vyrewatch Sentinels 91-99 200k-250k 1M-2M

Note: XP and GP rates vary based on gear, boosts, and focus. Use Dodgy Necklaces (25% chance to avoid stuns) and Shadow Veil (Arceuus spell, 15% stun avoidance) to boost efficiency.

Tips and Tricks for Faster Thieving

To hit 99 Thieving efficiently, incorporate these strategies into your training.

Use Boosts and Perks

  • Thieving Cape: At 99, wear it for a 10% success boost.
  • Spicy Stews: With orange spice, boost Thieving by up to +5 (rare, but useful for early unlocks).
  • Ardougne Diary: Medium diary gives 10% better pickpocketing success in Ardougne.

Minimize Downtime

Bank efficiently or drop low-value loot to keep training uninterrupted. For pickpocketing, trap NPCs in enclosed spaces to avoid running around. In Pyramid Plunder, use a Pharaoh’s Sceptre to teleport directly to the minigame.

Combine with Other Skills

Train Agility alongside Thieving to reduce stun times, or farm ranarr seeds from Master Farmers for Herblore XP. Multitasking keeps your grind fresh and productive.

From humble beginnings stealing from Men in Lumbridge to mastering Vyres in Darkmeyer, Thieving in OSRS is a journey of skill and reward. Follow this 0-99 guide, and you’ll be flaunting that Thieving cape in no time—plus a hefty bank to boot. Happy thieving!