Best AFK Training Methods in OSRS for Maximum Gains

Best AFK Training Methods in OSRS for Maximum Gains

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a grind-heavy game, and let’s be real, not everyone has hours to sit and click endlessly. That’s where AFK (Away From Keyboard) training comes in. As someone who’s been playing OSRS for years, I’ve spent countless hours figuring out the best ways to level up skills without babysitting my screen. Whether you’re juggling work, school, or just want to chill, AFK methods let you progress while sipping coffee or binge-watching your favorite show. In this guide, I’ll break down the most effective AFK training methods for various skills, share personal tips, and throw in some hard-earned wisdom from my own adventures in Gielinor.

So, what counts as AFK? For me, it’s any method where you can set up your character, walk away for a bit, and still make progress. The less clicking, the better. Some methods require a tiny bit of attention every few minutes, while others can run for ages with zero input. I’ve had moments where I’d start an AFK session, get distracted by a YouTube rabbit hole, and come back to a nice chunk of XP. Sound familiar? Let’s dive into the best AFK methods for key skills in OSRS.

Combat Skills: Slaying While Chilling

Best AFK Combat Training Methods in OSRS Level Up with Minimal Effort

Combat skills like Attack, Strength, Defence, and Magic are perfect for AFK training because monsters don’t stop spawning. Here’s how I’ve tackled these skills without breaking a sweat.

Nightmare Zone (NMZ)

The Nightmare Zone is my go-to for AFK combat training. It’s a minigame where you fight bosses from quests you’ve completed, and with the right setup, you can train for 20-30 minutes without touching your mouse. I remember my first NMZ run I set up my character with a Guthan’s set, clicked “start,” and went to make dinner. Came back to 50k XP and a huge grin.

  • Requirements: Complete quests like Witch’s House or Vampire Slayer for easy bosses.

  • Gear: Use Guthan’s armor for melee (heals you as you hit) or Karil’s for ranged.

  • Method: Choose “Customizable Rumble” mode, pick easy bosses, and use absorption potions with overloads. Set auto-retaliate on, and you’re golden.

  • XP Rates: Up to 70k-100k XP/hour for melee, slightly less for ranged or magic.

  • Pro Tip: Stock up on absorption potions and use the “Dream” option to extend your session. I once forgot I was in NMZ and came back to 200k XP!

Why I love it: NMZ is low-effort, and you earn points to buy herb boxes or imbue rings. What’s not to love?

Sand Crabs and Ammonite Crabs

If NMZ feels too complex, Sand Crabs (Crabclaw Isle) or Ammonite Crabs (Fossil Island) are fantastic alternatives. These little critters are perfect for AFK melee training. I used to park my character at Sand Crabs during college lectures, checking in every 10 minutes to reset aggro. It’s brain-dead simple.

  • Requirements: None for Sand Crabs, but Fossil Island needs Bone Voyage for Ammonite Crabs.

  • Gear: Basic melee gear (Rune or Dragon) works fine. Bring a regen bracelet for extra AFK time.

  • Method: Find a spot with 3-4 crabs, turn on auto-retaliate, and let them attack you. Reset aggro every 10 minutes when they stop.

  • XP Rates: Around 40k-60k XP/hour depending on your stats and gear.

  • Pro Tip: Use the “crash spot” (where multiple crabs spawn close together) to maximize XP. I learned this the hard way after wasting time on single-crab spots.

Question: Ever tried fighting crabs while watching Netflix? It’s a game-changer, right?

Magic: High Alchemy and Splashing

For Magic, High Alchemy and Splashing are the ultimate AFK methods. High Alch is my favorite when I’m multitasking. I’d alch yew longbows while catching up on emails, clicking every 5 seconds without even looking. Splashing, on the other hand, is pure AFK bliss.

  • High Alchemy:

    • Requirements: 55 Magic, lots of nature runes, and alchable items (like yew longbows or rune items).

    • Method: Cast High Alch on items for profit or break-even. Each cast takes a few seconds, so it’s semi-AFK.

    • XP Rates: Around 65k XP/hour.

    • Tip: Buy items below alch value from the Grand Exchange. I made a small profit alching mithril platebodies back in the day.

  • Splashing:

    • Requirements: Low Magic level, negative magic bonus gear (like iron armor).

    • Method: Cast a combat spell (like Fire Strike) on a weak NPC (e.g., a rat in Lumbridge). Use auto-cast and auto-retaliate. You’ll “splash” (miss) every hit, but still gain XP for 20 minutes per spell setup.

    • XP Rates: 10k-20k XP/hour, but it’s 100% AFK.

    • Tip: Check your spellbook to ensure you have enough runes. I once ran out mid-session and felt like an idiot.

Skilling: AFK Methods for Non-Combat Gains

Combat’s not the only thing you can AFK. Skills like Fishing, Woodcutting, Mining, and Cooking have some stellar AFK options. Here’s what’s worked for me.

Fishing: Barbarian Fishing and Monkfish

Barbarian Fishing is a classic for AFK Fishing and Strength XP. I spent weeks at the Barbarian Outpost, dropping fish to maximize XP while chatting with friends. For pure AFK, Monkfish at Piscatoris is a solid choice.

  • Barbarian Fishing:

    • Requirements: 48 Fishing, 15 Strength, Fishing Contest quest.

    • Method: Use a barbarian rod and feathers at the Barbarian Outpost. Drop fish for max XP or bank for profit.

    • XP Rates: Up to 40k Fishing XP/hour and 10k Strength XP/hour.

    • Tip: Bring a knife to cut fish for extra Cooking XP. I forgot this once and missed out on thousands of XP.

  • Monkfish:

Question: What’s your go-to Fishing spot? Let me know in the comments!

Woodcutting: Teak or Redwood Trees

Woodcutting is a dream for AFK training. Teak trees in the Hardwood Grove (Tai Bwo Wannai) or Redwood trees in the Woodcutting Guild are my picks. I’d chop Redwoods while studying, checking back every few minutes to clear my inventory.

  • Teak Trees:

    • Requirements: 35 Woodcutting, 100 trading sticks for Hardwood Grove access.

    • Method: Chop teaks and bank or drop logs. Each inventory takes 5-10 minutes.

    • XP Rates: 30k-50k XP/hour.

    • Tip: Use a beaver pet if you have it for a slight XP boost.

  • Redwood Trees:

    • Requirements: 90 Woodcutting, access to Woodcutting Guild.

    • Method: Chop Redwoods in the guild. They’re slow but super AFK.

    • XP Rates: 60k-70k XP/hour.

    • Tip: Bring a high-level axe (like Dragon or Crystal) to speed things up.

Mining: Motherlode Mine and Amethyst

Motherlode Mine is a fan favorite for AFK Mining. I used to mine here while catching up on podcasts, only clicking to empty my ore sack. For higher levels, Amethyst mining is even more AFK.

  • Motherlode Mine:

    • Requirements: 30 Mining, Falador Diary for upper levels.

    • Method: Mine pay-dirt, deposit in the sack, and collect ores every 5-10 minutes.

    • XP Rates: 20k-40k XP/hour.

    • Tip: Use a coal bag to extend trips. I doubled my efficiency after grabbing one.

  • Amethyst:

    • Requirements: 92 Mining, Mining Guild access.

    • Method: Mine Amethyst crystals in the Mining Guild. Each crystal takes ages to mine, making it ultra-AFK.

    • XP Rates: 15k-20k XP/hour, but great for profit.

    • Tip: Bring a gem bag to save inventory space.

Cooking: Karambwans

Cooking Karambwans is the king of AFK Cooking methods. I burned so many sharks before discovering Karambwans. They’re fast, profitable, and you can AFK for a full inventory.

  • Requirements: 30 Cooking, Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest.

  • Method: Cook raw Karambwans at a range (Rogue’s Den is best). Each inventory takes 5-10 minutes.

  • XP Rates: Up to 200k XP/hour with high Cooking.

  • Tip: Use the Hosidius Kitchen for a burn reduction. Saved me tons of gold.

AFK Training Comparison Table

Here’s a quick table to compare the best AFK methods for different skills:

Skill

Method

XP/Hour

Requirements

AFK Time

Melee

Nightmare Zone

70k-100k

Quest bosses, absorption potions

20-30 min

Melee

Sand/Ammonite Crabs

40k-60k

None/Bone Voyage

10 min

Magic

High Alchemy

65k

55 Magic, nature runes

5 sec/click

Magic

Splashing

10k-20k

Negative magic bonus gear

20 min

Fishing

Barbarian Fishing

40k (Fishing)

48 Fishing, Fishing Contest

5-10 min

Woodcutting

Redwood Trees

60k-70k

90 Woodcutting, Woodcutting Guild

5-10 min

Mining

Motherlode Mine

20k-40k

30 Mining, Falador Diary (optional)

5-10 min

Cooking

Karambwans

Up to 200k

30 Cooking, Tai Bwo Wannai Trio

5-10 min

Tips for Maximizing AFK Efficiency

Here are some tricks I’ve learned to make AFK training even better:

  • Use a Mouse Macro: If your client allows it, set up a simple macro to reset aggro or click for you. Just don’t bot that’s a ban waiting to happen.

  • Multitask Smartly: Pair AFK training with low-focus tasks like watching TV or studying. I leveled 70-80 Fishing while binge-watching The Office.

  • Stock Up Supplies: Nothing’s worse than running out of runes or potions mid-session. I learned this after a Splashing session ended early.

  • Check Timers: Most AFK methods last 5-20 minutes. Set a phone timer to remind you to check back.

Question: What’s the longest you’ve left your character AFK? I once forgot about my NMZ session for an hour!

Why AFK Training Matters

AFK training isn’t just about being lazy (though, let’s be honest, that’s part of it). It’s about making OSRS fit into your life. When I was grinding for 99 Strength, I didn’t have time to sit at my PC all day. Methods like NMZ and Sand Crabs let me progress while handling real-world stuff. Plus, there’s something satisfying about logging in to see your XP bar higher than you left it. Ever felt that rush?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made plenty of blunders while AFK training, so here’s what to watch out for:

  • Forgetting to Reset Aggro: Crabs stop attacking after 10 minutes. Set a timer or you’ll waste time.

  • Running Out of Supplies: Always double-check your runes, potions, or food. I lost an hour of Splashing once because I forgot runes.

  • Ignoring Profit: Some methods (like High Alch or Karambwans) can make gold. Don’t just focus on XP.

Final Thoughts

AFK training in OSRS is a lifesaver for busy players like me. Whether it’s slaying crabs, alching items, or chopping Redwoods, these methods let you grind skills without chaining yourself to your desk. My personal favorite? Nightmare Zone, hands-down. It’s versatile, rewarding, and lets me rack up XP while I’m off doing other things. What’s your favorite AFK method? Drop it in the comments I’d love to hear your stories!

So, next time you’re juggling life and RuneScape, try one of these methods. You’ll thank yourself when you’re flexing that 99 cape without losing your sanity. Happy scaping!