Barbarian Training Guide OSRS: Master the Ancient Skills in Old School RuneScape

Barbarian Training Guide OSRS: Master the Ancient Skills in Old School RuneScape


Welcome to the ultimate Barbarian Training Guide OSRS! If you’re looking to unlock unique skills, gain access to the Ancient Cavern, and take on fearsome Mithril Dragons in Old School RuneScape, this miniquest is your gateway. Barbarian Training expands your abilities in Fishing, Firemaking, Herblore, Smithing, and even Farming, offering practical benefits for adventurers of all levels. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every step, from requirements to rewards, ensuring you master these ancient techniques with ease. Let’s dive into the barbarian way!

Barbarian Training is a miniquest in Old School RuneScape that introduces players to unconventional skill-training methods rooted in barbarian culture. First released as a standalone activity in July 2007, it was revamped into a miniquest in February 2024, adding Barbarian Farming to the mix. Led by Otto Godblessed near Baxtorian Falls, this quest unlocks access to the Ancient Cavern—a dangerous dungeon packed with high-level monsters like Mithril Dragons—and provides unique gameplay mechanics you won’t find elsewhere.

What Makes Barbarian Training Unique?

Unlike standard skill training, Barbarian Training offers alternative methods that often combine multiple skills for efficiency. For example, you’ll fish barehanded, light fires with a bow, and mix potions with fish eggs—all while earning experience in related skills like Strength, Agility, and Cooking. It’s a flavorful blend of lore and practicality, perfect for players seeking variety.

Why Should You Complete Barbarian Training?

  • Access the Ancient Cavern: Home to Mithril Dragons, which drop the coveted Dragon Full Helm.
  • Enhanced Skill Training: Unlock faster or more engaging ways to level Fishing, Firemaking, and more.
  • Rare Rewards: From pyre ship bonuses to unique items, the benefits are worth the effort.

Requirements and Preparation for Barbarian Training

Before you head to Otto’s Grotto, ensure you’re ready. Barbarian Training spans multiple skills, each with its own prerequisites. Here’s what you need to get started.

Skill Requirements

Recommended Items

Bring these to streamline your journey:

  • Games Necklace (for quick teleport to Barbarian Outpost)
  • Fishing Bait or Feathers
  • A Knife (for gutting fish)
  • Any Bow (except twisted, ogre, or crystal variants)
  • Oak Logs (and higher logs for pyre ships)
  • Metal Bars and Logs (for Smithing spears/hastas)
  • Attack Potion (2-dose) and Combat Gear (for Ancient Cavern)

Location and Getting Started

Head to Otto Godblessed at his grotto, located north of Baxtorian Falls. Teleport to the Barbarian Outpost via a Games Necklace, then walk south and west. Speak to Otto and say, “You think so?” to begin. He’ll hand you the Barbarian Skills book to track your progress.

Step-by-Step Barbarian Training Walkthrough

Barbarian Training is split into four main sections—Fishing, Firemaking, Herblore, and Smithing—plus an optional Farming lesson. You can tackle them in any order, but completing Firemaking is required to enter the Ancient Cavern. Let’s break it down.

Barbarian Fishing

This section teaches you two techniques: heavy rod fishing and barehanded fishing.

  1. Heavy Rod Fishing: Ask Otto about fishing rods. Search under his bed for a barbarian rod, then use it with bait at the nearby lake to catch leaping trout, salmon, or sturgeon. Gut a fish with a knife to get roe or caviar (save it for Herblore).
  2. Barehanded Fishing: Ask about harpoons. Head to a harpoon spot (e.g., Catherby or Fishing Guild) and catch tuna or swordfish without a harpoon. Return to Otto to confirm.

Tip: Heavy rod fishing also trains Strength and Agility, making it a solid low-effort XP method.

Barbarian Firemaking

Learn to light fires with a bow and construct pyre ships for Prayer bonuses.

  1. Bow Firemaking: Ask Otto about Firemaking. Use a bow on oak logs to light a fire (35 Firemaking required). Report back to Otto.
  2. Pyre Ships: Ask, “What follows this?” Dive into the whirlpool near Otto to enter the Ancient Cavern. Kill Mithril Dragons (level 304) for chewed bones. Use logs and bones on a pyre site near Otto’s lake to burn a ship, granting up to 300% Prayer XP bonus on your next bones buried.

Warning: The Ancient Cavern is dangerous—bring food, armor, and dragonfire protection!

Barbarian Herblore

Mix fish eggs into potions for added healing effects.

  1. Ask Otto about potion-making. Use the roe or caviar from Fishing on a 2-dose Attack Potion to create an Attack Mix.
  2. Show Otto your success to complete this section.

Note: This enhances potions with minor HP restoration, useful for combat.

Barbarian Smithing

Forge spears and hastas using barbarian anvils (requires Tai Bwo Wannai Trio).

  1. Spears: Ask Otto about spears. Use a metal bar (e.g., steel) and matching logs (e.g., willow) on the barbarian anvil near Otto’s grotto to smith a spear.
  2. Hastas: Ask about one-handed spears. Repeat the process to smith a hasta. Return to Otto.
Item Metal Bar Log Type Smithing Level
Bronze Spear/Hasta Bronze Regular 5
Steel Spear/Hasta Steel Willow 20
Mithril Spear/Hasta Mithril Maple 55

Barbarian Farming (Optional)

Added in 2024, this lets you plant seeds without a Seed Dibber and destroy plant pots after planting trees. Simply ask Otto about this fourth lesson after completing any prior section.

Rewards and Benefits of Barbarian Training

Completing Barbarian Training offers both immediate and long-term perks for your OSRS journey.

Immediate Rewards

Long-Term Benefits

  • Efficient Training: Heavy rod fishing provides Fishing, Strength, and Agility XP simultaneously.
  • Prayer Boost: Pyre ships grant up to 300% bonus XP on buried bones.
  • Combat Utility: Craft spears and hastas for unique weapon options.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Maximize your Barbarian Training experience with these pro tips.

Optimizing Your Run

  • Start with Fishing to gather roe/caviar for Herblore in one trip.
  • Use a Games Necklace for fast travel between Otto and harpoon spots.
  • Bring extra logs and bars to smith multiple spears/hastas at once.

Surviving the Ancient Cavern

  • Equip a Dragonfire Shield or Super Antifire Potion to counter Mithril Dragons.
  • Pack high-healing food (e.g., sharks) and a teleport for emergencies.
  • Target Mithril Dragons early—they’re guaranteed to drop chewed bones on your first kill.

With this Barbarian Training Guide OSRS, you’re ready to embrace the rugged ways of the barbarians. Whether you’re chasing XP, rare loot, or just a fun challenge, Otto’s lessons will elevate your game. Head to Baxtorian Falls today and start your barbarian adventure!