Best AFK Mage Training Methods in OSRS

Best AFK Mage Training Methods in OSRS

Training Magic in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can feel like a grind, especially if you’re aiming for level 99. Fortunately, there are several AFK (Away From Keyboard) methods that let you level up Magic with minimal effort, perfect for players balancing real-life tasks or multitasking in-game. This guide explores the best AFK Magic training methods, from splashing to alching and more, to help you maximize experience while keeping inputs low. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) or pay-to-play (P2P) player, these strategies will save time and effort.

Magic is a versatile skill in OSRS, unlocking teleports, enchantments, and powerful combat spells. However, traditional training can be click-intensive and costly due to rune requirements. AFK methods reduce the need for constant attention, making them ideal for players who want to progress while working, studying, or skilling elsewhere in-game. These methods prioritize low effort, decent XP rates, and sometimes even profit, though some come with trade-offs like higher costs or slower gains.

Splashing: The Classic AFK Method

How to AFK Every Skill in OSRS

Splashing is the most well-known AFK Magic training method, requiring minimal interaction—sometimes just a click every 20 minutes. By wearing gear with a negative Magic attack bonus, you ensure spells miss, allowing continuous casting without killing the target.

How Splashing Works

To splash, equip gear that reduces your Magic attack bonus to -65 or lower, typically full metal armor like iron or steel, paired with Green Dragonhide Vambraces and a staff (e.g., Staff of Air for Wind Strike). Choose a low-level monster like a rat, chicken, or monk that won’t die quickly. Set auto-cast on a spell and enable auto-retaliate. You can AFK for up to 20 minutes before needing to reset aggression or interact to avoid logging out.

Best Spells and Locations

  • Wind Strike (Level 1 Magic): Costs 2 coins per cast with Staff of Air, yielding ~7,200 XP/hour. Ideal for F2P players.
  • Curse (Level 19 Magic): Yields ~34,000 XP/hour with a Staff of Earth, costing ~0.52 GP/XP. Great for low-level P2P players.
  • Locations: Edgeville Monastery (monks), Lumbridge (rats), or Wizards’ Tower top floor (safe for Hardcore Ironmen).

Pros and Cons of Splashing

Pros Cons
Extremely AFK (20-minute timer) Slow XP rates
Low cost, especially for F2P Requires specific gear setup
Safe for all account types Minimal profit potential

High Level Alchemy: AFK with Profit Potential

High Level Alchemy (Level 55 Magic) is a semi-AFK method that combines decent XP rates with the potential to break even or profit. By converting items into coins, you can train Magic while doing other activities like questing or training Agility.

Setting Up for High Alching

Unlock High Level Alchemy after completing the Mage Training Arena or reaching level 55 Magic. Use a Fire Staff to eliminate fire rune costs and buy nature runes from the Grand Exchange. Place a stack of noted items (e.g., Yew Longbows) in your inventory slot aligned with the High Alch spell for efficient clicking. Each cast grants 65 XP, yielding up to 78,000 XP/hour if done actively, though AFK rates are lower (~40,000–50,000 XP/hour).

Best Items to Alch

  • Yew Longbows: Stable value, alch for 768 coins, minimal loss or small profit.
  • Rune Arrows: Cheap and stackable, but slight loss per cast.
  • Avoid: Expensive items like rune armor, as losses outweigh XP gains.

Check the OSRS High Alchemy Calculator for profitable items.

Tele-Alching for Extra Efficiency

For P2P players, combine High Alching with Camelot Teleport (Level 45 Magic) to boost XP to 120,000–130,000/hour. Cast High Alch, teleport to Camelot, and repeat, timing clicks to avoid missing ticks. This method requires law runes but is semi-AFK and cost-effective.

Crab Training: Better XP, Still AFK

Training on crabs (Sand, Rock, or Ammonite) offers higher XP rates than splashing while remaining semi-AFK. Crabs have high hitpoints and low combat stats, making them perfect for prolonged combat training with minimal input.

Why Crabs Are Great

Crabs stay aggressive for 10–15 minutes, requiring only a few clicks to reset aggression. They’re accessible for both F2P and P2P players, with Ammonite Crabs (Fossil Island) offering the most hitpoints. Expect 15,000–30,000 XP/hour depending on your spell and gear.

Recommended Setup

  • Spells: Fire Strike (Level 13) or Fire Bolt (Level 35) with Chaos Gauntlets for cost-efficiency.
  • Gear: Wizard Set (F2P) or Mystic Robes (P2P) for Magic accuracy.
  • Locations: Sand Crabs (Zeah), Ammonite Crabs (Fossil Island, requires Bone Voyage), or Rock Crabs (Rellekka).

Tips for AFK Crab Training

Use the RuneLite Idle Notifier plugin to alert you when you stop attacking. Avoid “no splash zones” (check OSRS Wiki for maps) to ensure XP gains. For P2P, consider safe-spotting Fire Giants or Ice Giants for similar AFK benefits with better drops.

Nightmare Zone: High XP for P2P Players

Nightmare Zone (NMZ) is a P2P minigame offering some of the highest AFK Magic XP rates, up to 44,000 XP/hour, with the right setup. It’s ideal for players with quest completions and some starting gold.

NMZ Magic Setup

Requirements include completing quests like Vampire Slayer or The Grand Tree to unlock bosses. Use absorption potions, a locator orb or rock cake, and spells like Fire Bolt with Chaos Gauntlets. Recommended gear includes:

  • Armor: Splitbark or Mystic for budget, Virtus for high-end.
  • Weapons: Smoke Battlestaff or Harmonised Nightmare Staff.
  • Inventory: Absorption potions, prayer potions, and runes.

Choose low-level bosses like Count Draynor or King Roald for minimal damage taken. AFK for 10–15 minutes before re-drinking potions.

Cost vs. Reward

NMZ costs ~20,000 coins per rumble, plus potion and rune expenses. However, you earn NMZ points for rewards like imbues or herb boxes, offsetting costs. Blood spells can reduce prayer potion use by healing you, making it more AFK-friendly.

Lunar Spellbook: AFK with Utility

The Lunar Spellbook, unlocked via Lunar Diplomacy, offers unique AFK Magic training methods that double as skilling boosts. These are perfect for Ironmen or players seeking variety.

String Jewellery (Level 80 Magic)

String Jewellery enchants amulets in bulk, granting ~150,000 XP/hour with 50-second AFK intervals. It’s costly but faster than splashing or crabs. Use noted gold amulets for profit potential.

Plank Make (Level 86 Magic)

Plank Make converts logs into planks, yielding ~160,000 XP/hour. Cast every 3 ticks on mahogany logs for profit. Requires Lunar Diplomacy and Dream Mentor, with 50-second AFK cycles.

Bake Pie (Level 65 Magic)

Bake Pie cooks pies automatically, offering ~110,000 XP/hour and Cooking XP. It’s a great AFK method for early Lunar training, with minimal rune costs.

Choosing the Right Method for You

Each AFK Magic training method suits different playstyles, budgets, and goals. Here’s a quick comparison:

Method XP/Hour Cost AFK Time Requirements
Splashing 7,200–34,000 Low 20 min None
High Alch 40,000–78,000 Low–Moderate 5–10 min Level 55 Magic
Crabs 15,000–30,000 Low 10–15 min Bone Voyage (P2P)
Nightmare Zone Up to 44,000 Moderate–High 10–15 min Quest completions
Lunar Spells 110,000–160,000 Moderate–High 50 sec Lunar Diplomacy

Key Tips:

  • Use RuneLite’s Idle Notifier for all methods to avoid wasting XP.
  • Combine AFK Magic with other skills (e.g., alching while training Agility).
  • Check Grand Exchange prices for alching or Lunar methods to minimize losses.
  • Prioritize methods matching your Magic level and account type (F2P/P2P).

With these AFK methods, you can efficiently train Magic in OSRS while keeping your focus elsewhere. Start with splashing or crabs for low levels, transition to alching or NMZ for mid-levels, and unlock Lunar spells for high-level efficiency. Happy training!