Best Farm Run OSRS for Maximum XP and Profit
Farming in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a unique skill that rewards patience and strategy. Unlike active grinding skills, farming revolves around planting crops and checking on them periodically, making farm runs an efficient way to gain experience (XP) and potentially profit. This guide dives into the best farm run strategies in OSRS, optimized for XP, profit, and time efficiency, tailored for players of all levels. Whether you’re chasing level 99 Farming or looking to make some gold, this post will help you plan the ultimate farm run.
Farm runs involve visiting multiple farming patches across Gielinor in a sequence to plant, check, or harvest crops. The goal is to maximize XP and profit in minimal active time, as crops grow even when you’re offline. Efficient farm runs rely on fast teleports, the right crops, and proper preparation to avoid disease and maximize yields.
Why Farm Runs Are Essential
Farm runs are the backbone of Farming training because they offer high XP rates with low time investment. A single run can take 5-10 minutes, yet yield thousands of XP when crops mature. They’re also versatile—herb runs can generate profit, while tree runs boost XP significantly.
Key Benefits of Farm Runs
- Passive XP: SMALL> Gain experience over time without constant attention.
- Profit Potential: Herbs and certain trees can yield valuable resources.
- Scalability: Runs can be tailored for low or high-level players.
- Flexibility: Combine with other activities like slayer or questing.
Preparation for the Best Farm Run
Before starting a farm run, preparation is critical to save time and ensure success. From gear to inventory setup, here’s how to get ready.
Gear and Inventory Setup
Your inventory should prioritize teleports, tools, and crop protection items. Here’s a recommended setup:
- Tools: Rake, spade, seed dibber (store extras with Tool Leprechauns).
- Compost: Ultracompost to reduce disease risk and boost yields.
- Teleports: Explorer’s Ring, Ardougne Cloak, Ectophial, Xeric’s Talisman.
- Optional: Magic secateurs (10% yield boost), Farming cape (if 99).
Wear weight-reducing gear like Graceful to extend run energy, and consider the Farmer’s outfit for a 2.5% XP boost.
Unlocking Key Teleports
Efficient farm runs depend on fast travel. Complete these quests and diaries to unlock essential teleports:
| Teleport | Source | Patch Access |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer’s Ring 2+ | Lumbridge & Draynor Diary | Falador allotment |
| Ardougne Cloak 2+ | Ardougne Diary | Ardougne allotment |
| Ectophial | Ghosts Ahoy quest | Port Phasmatys allotment |
| Stony Basalt | Making Friends with My Arm | Troll Stronghold herb patch |
Best Farm Run Routes for XP
For players prioritizing XP, tree and fruit tree runs are unmatched due to their high XP per patch. Here’s how to structure an XP-focused farm run.
Tree and Fruit Tree Run
Tree runs are the fastest way to gain Farming XP, offering up to 1.2M XP per hour effectively if timed right. Focus on the highest-tier trees and fruit trees you can plant based on your level.
Tree Run Route (6 patches):
- Falador Park: Teleport with Explorer’s Ring, plant in the tree patch.
- Taverley: Use Falador Teleport, run north to the tree patch.
- Varrock: Varrock Teleport, head to the castle courtyard patch.
- Lumbridge: Lumbridge Teleport, run to the tree patch east of the castle.
- Tree Gnome Stronghold: Spirit Tree or Gnome Glider, plant in the patch.
- Farming Guild (level 65): Skills Necklace to Farming Guild.
Fruit Tree Run Route (6 patches):
- Tree Gnome Stronghold: Spirit Tree, plant in the fruit tree patch.
- Catherby: Camelot Teleport, run east to the beach patch.
- Brimhaven: House Teleport (if in Brimhaven) or boat from Ardougne.
- Lletya (after Mourning’s End Part I): Teleport crystal to fruit patch.
- Farming Guild (level 85): Skills Necklace to Farming Guild.
- Tree Gnome Village: Spirit Tree after Tree Gnome Village quest.
Special Patches:
- Calquat (Tai Bwo Wannai): Use Tai Bwo Wannai teleport scroll or fairy ring (CKR).
- Celastrus (Farming Guild, level 85): Skills Necklace.
Plant magic trees (level 75) and dragonfruit trees (level 81) for maximum XP. Pay gardeners to protect trees (e.g., 200 coconuts for magic trees, 8 poison ivy berries for dragonfruit) to ensure they don’t die.
Tips for XP Optimization
- Use Ultracompost: Minimizes disease risk, especially for trees you can’t protect.
- Check Health: Checking fully grown trees grants the bulk of XP—don’t skip this step.
- Time Runs: Do 1-2 tree runs daily, as trees take 8-16 hours to grow.
Best Farm Run Routes for Profit
If profit is your goal, herb runs are the way to go. While they offer less XP than tree runs, high-level herbs like ranarr, snapdragon, and torstol can yield significant gold.
Herb Run Route
Herb runs take about 5-10 minutes and can be done every 80 minutes, as herbs grow in that time frame. Here’s an efficient route for all accessible herb patches:
- Falador: Explorer’s Ring to the patch south of Falador.
- Port Phasmatys: Ectophial, run to the patch west of the town.
- Catherby: Camelot Teleport, head to the patch north of the bank.
- Ardougne: Ardougne Cloak, run to the patch north-east of the city.
- Hosidius: Xeric’s Talisman to Hosidius, use the disease-free patch.
- Troll Stronghold (after My Arm’s Big Adventure): Stony Basalt teleport.
- Weiss (after Making Friends with My Arm): Icy Basalt teleport.
- Farming Guild (level 65): Skills Necklace to the guild patch.
- Harmony Island (after Great Brain Robbery): Teleport with ectophial and boat.
Recommended Herbs:
| Herb | Level Required | Average Profit per Seed |
|---|---|---|
| Ranarr | 32 | 20,000-30,000 GP |
| Snapdragon | 62 | 30,000-40,000 GP |
| Torstol | 85 | 40,000-50,000 GP |
Use magic secateurs and ultracompost to maximize herb yields. Avoid paying gardeners for herbs, as it cuts into profits—ultracompost and diaries (e.g., Kourend & Kebos) reduce disease risk enough.
Profit-Boosting Tips
- Track Prices: Check Grand Exchange for herb seed prices to plant the most profitable ones.
- Use Noted Herbs: Tool Leprechauns can note herbs to save inventory space.
- Diaries Matter: Elite Morytania Diary unlocks Harmony Island’s patch, and Kourend diaries boost yields.
Combining XP and Profit Runs
For players wanting both XP and profit, combine tree and herb runs. Start with a tree/fruit tree run in the morning, then do 2-3 herb runs throughout the day. This balances high XP from trees with steady income from herbs.
Sample Combined Run Schedule
- Morning (10 min): Tree + fruit tree run (magic trees, dragonfruit).
- Midday (5 min): Herb run (snapdragon or torstol).
- Evening (5 min): Another herb run.
- Night (optional, 10 min): Second tree run if growth cycles align.
This schedule can yield 500k+ XP daily and 100k-300k GP from herbs, depending on levels and market prices.
Scaling for Your Level
Low-level players (1-38) should focus on quests like Fairytale I – Growing Pains and Garden of Tranquillity for early XP, then start with oak trees and guam herbs. Mid-level players (38-75) can plant yew trees and ranarr herbs. High-level players (75+) should aim for magic trees, dragonfruit, and torstol.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Take your farm runs to the next level with these pro strategies.
Leverage Minigames and Diaries
The Tithe Farm minigame (level 34+) offers decent XP and unlocks rewards like the seed box, which saves inventory space. Completing diaries (e.g., Falador Elite for a disease-free tree patch) also optimizes runs.
Use Runelite Plugins
Runelite’s Farming Tracker plugin notifies you when crops are ready, tracks patch status, and suggests optimal routes, saving time and reducing errors.
Budget vs. High-Investment Runs
If gold is tight, stick to herb runs with ranarr or snapdragon seeds, as they’re cheaper and profitable. For max XP, invest in magic tree saplings (costly but high XP). Balance your budget with your goals.
Farm runs in OSRS are a fantastic way to train Farming while fitting into a busy schedule. By focusing on tree runs for XP, herb runs for profit, or a mix of both, you can tailor your approach to your level and goals. With the right teleports, gear, and planning, you’ll be on your way to 99 Farming—and maybe a tidy profit along the way. Happy farming!