Best OSRS AFK Methods for Skilling at Work

Balancing work and gaming can be tricky, especially for Old School RuneScape (OSRS) players who want to keep progressing without constant attention. Fortunately, OSRS offers plenty of AFK (Away From Keyboard) methods perfect for skilling or making money while you tackle spreadsheets or meetings. This guide dives into the best AFK activities you can do at work, whether you’re on a laptop or mobile, to maximize your gains with minimal effort. From fishing to combat, we’ll cover methods that fit into your workday seamlessly.

OSRS is a grind-heavy game, and not everyone has hours to dedicate daily. AFK methods let you train skills or earn gold with infrequent clicks, making them ideal for multitasking at work. Whether you’re at a desk job or sneaking in mobile sessions during breaks, these activities require low focus, letting you stay productive IRL while your character thrives in Gielinor. The key is choosing tasks that align with your work rhythm—some need a click every minute, others every 5-10 minutes.

Benefits of AFK Skilling at Work

• Time Efficiency: Progress in OSRS without sacrificing work performance.
• Stress Relief: A small distraction can make repetitive tasks feel less monotonous.
• Skill Gains: Level up skills like Fishing, Woodcutting, or Mining passively.
• Money Making: Some AFK methods, like crafting runes, generate decent GP.

Things to Consider Before AFKing

Not all jobs are AFK-friendly. If your work demands constant attention, stick to mobile-friendly methods or save gaming for breaks. Also, check your workplace policies—some employers frown on gaming during work hours. For desk jobs with downtime, methods like Nightmare Zone or Shooting Stars are perfect, while manual labor might limit you to quick-check activities like herb runs.

Top AFK Skilling Methods for Work

Here’s a rundown of the best AFK skilling methods tailored for workplace multitasking. These focus on low-effort tasks that yield XP or profit, with minimal clicks to keep you focused on your job.

Fishing: Karambwans and Anglerfish

Fishing is a classic AFK skill, and certain spots shine for workplace play. Karambwans, found at the fishing spot near fairy ring DKP, are highly AFKable since the spot doesn’t move. You can fish for up to 5 minutes before banking, earning around 30K-40K Fishing XP per hour and decent profit if you cook them. Requirements include 65 Fishing and completion of Tai Bwo Wannai Trio for access.

Anglerfish, requiring 82 Fishing, are another solid choice. The spots move every few minutes, but with a fish barrel (from Tempoross), you can extend sessions to 10+ minutes. Expect 20K-30K XP per hour and good GP from raw fish sales. Both are mobile-friendly, needing just a tap to restart fishing.

Woodcutting: Redwoods and Sulliusceps

Woodcutting is naturally AFK, with Redwoods in the Woodcutting Guild (75 Woodcutting) being a top pick. They have a 1/11 chance of depleting, letting you chop for minutes at a time, yielding 60K-80K XP per hour. For lower levels, Yew or Maple trees (60/45 Woodcutting) offer similar AFK intervals with 40K-60K XP per hour.

For Ironmen or variety seekers, Sulliuscep mushrooms on Fossil Island (65 Woodcutting) are great. They give 60K-100K XP per hour and unique fossils, but you’ll need to click every 1-2 minutes to move between mushrooms. Bring a knife to clear vines for smoother runs.

Mining: Shooting Stars and Amethyst

Shooting Stars, found via Discord trackers or osrsportal.com, are incredibly AFK. At 70+ Mining, you can mine for 7-8 minutes per star, earning 20K-30K XP per hour and stardust for rewards like soft clay. It’s perfect for desk jobs—just scout a star, click, and return to work.

Amethyst mining (92 Mining) in the Mining Guild is another gem. Ore deposits don’t deplete instantly, letting you swing for 1-2 minutes per click, netting 20K-25K XP and 300K-400K GP per hour. Use Varrock Armour 4 and Expert Mining Gloves for efficiency.

Combat AFK Methods for Passive Gains

If skilling isn’t your vibe, combat offers AFK options to train Attack, Strength, Defence, or Magic while you work. These methods leverage safe spots or mechanics to keep you fighting with little input.

Nightmare Zone (NMZ)

NMZ is the king of AFK combat training, requiring completion of at least five quests (e.g., Vampire Slayer, Witch’s House). Set up a custom rumble with easy bosses like Sand Snake or King Roald, use absorption potions, and a Dwarven Rock Cake to stay at 1 HP. You can AFK for up to 20 minutes, earning 50K-80K XP per hour in Melee or Ranged, plus NMZ points for herb boxes. It’s ideal for desk setups but less practical on mobile due to inventory management.

Sand Crabs for Low-Level Combat

For newer accounts (40+ Combat), Sand Crabs on Hosidius shores are a budget-friendly AFK method. They stay aggressive for 10-15 minutes, giving 20K-40K XP per hour in Melee stats. Reset aggro by running a short distance when they stop attacking. No quests are needed, and basic gear like Mithril or Rune works fine, making it accessible for casual players.

Money-Making AFK Methods

Earning gold while AFKing is a win-win. These methods combine profit with low effort, letting you fund gear upgrades or bonds without breaking a sweat.

Smithing Cannonballs

Smithing cannonballs (35 Smithing, Dwarf Cannon quest) is a go-to for profit. Each steel bar takes 6 seconds to process, with a full inventory lasting 2.5 minutes, yielding 120K-150K GP per hour and 12K Smithing XP. It’s repetitive but requires only a click every few minutes, perfect for multitasking. Check Grand Exchange prices to ensure profitability, as margins fluctuate.

Crafting Astral Runes

Runecrafting at the Ourania Altar (40+ Runecrafting, official world recommended) offers 1M-1.5M GP per hour and 30K-40K XP. You can AFK for 25-30 seconds per run, clicking to follow runners or using GPU mode in RuneLite for longer paths. It’s less AFK than fishing but highly profitable, especially with pouches and Lunar Isle teleports.

Method	Skill Level	XP/Hour	GP/Hour	AFK Time
Karambwan Fishing	65 Fishing	30K-40K	200K-300K	5 min
Redwood Cutting	75 Woodcutting	60K-80K	50K-100K	2-5 min
Shooting Stars	70 Mining	20K-30K	50K (stardust)	7-8 min
Nightmare Zone	40+ Combat	50K-80K	100K (herbs)	20 min
Cannonballs	35 Smithing	12K	120K-150K	2.5 min

Tips for AFKing OSRS at Work

Maximizing your AFK efficiency requires some planning. Here are practical tips to integrate OSRS into your workday without raising eyebrows or losing progress.

Use RuneLite for Automation

RuneLite’s plugins, like the Idle Notifier or Logout Timer, extend your AFK time to 25 minutes for non-combat tasks. The Fishing Spot Indicator helps on mobile for spotting Sacred Eels or Anglerfish, reducing misclicks during quick checks.

Mobile vs. Desktop Considerations

Mobile is discreet and great for manual jobs, but inventory-heavy tasks like NMZ are clunky. Desktop setups allow more complex methods (e.g., Plank Make for Magic XP) and better plugin support. If you’re on a shared network, use a VPN to avoid IT flags, and keep game sounds off.

Prioritize Low-Risk Methods

Avoid Wilderness activities like Dark Crab fishing unless you’re okay with potential PKer losses. Stick to safe zones like the Mining Guild or Hosidius to minimize gear risks. For combat, use cheap setups (e.g., Rune armor for Sand Crabs) to keep deaths stress-free.

Balance Work and Play

Don’t let OSRS distract from critical tasks. If you’re in meetings, pause or log out—most AFK methods resume easily. Set timers for herb runs or birdhouse runs (5-10 minutes every 1-2 hours) to align with natural work breaks.

Pro Tip: If you’re new to AFKing, start with Fishing or Woodcutting to get a feel for timing clicks around your work schedule. As you get comfortable, experiment with combat or money-making methods to diversify your gains.

AFKing OSRS at work is all about finding the sweet spot between productivity and play. Whether you’re fishing Karambwans on your phone or mining Shooting Stars during downtime, these methods let you grind without grinding your job performance. Pick a method that suits your skill levels and work environment, and you’ll be racking up XP and GP in no time. What’s your go-to AFK method? Drop a comment and share your tips!