Best Smithing Spots in OSRS for Fast Leveling and Profit

Best Smithing Spots in OSRS for Fast Leveling and Profit

Smithing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a key production skill that lets players craft armor, weapons, and more from raw ores and metal bars. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 or just want to make some gold, choosing the right smithing spot can make all the difference. This guide dives into the best smithing locations in OSRS, covering free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) options, with tips on efficiency, experience rates, and profitability.

The best smithing spots are defined by their proximity to banks, furnaces, and anvils, as well as access to unique mechanics like the Blast Furnace. A good location minimizes travel time, boosts experience per hour, and can even turn a profit. Below, we explore top spots that cater to different playstyles, from F2P grinders to P2P players chasing max efficiency.

Key Factors in Choosing a Smithing Spot

  • Proximity to Bank: Closer banks mean less time walking and more time smithing.
  • Furnace Access: Smelting ores into bars is often part of the process, so nearby furnaces are a plus.
  • Anvil Availability: Anvils are where the magic happens—crafting items from bars.
  • Special Mechanics: Some spots, like the Blast Furnace, offer faster smelting or reduced coal costs.

Top Smithing Spot Varrock West Anvil (F2P Friendly)

For F2P players and early-game P2P accounts, the anvil south of Varrock’s west bank is a standout choice. It’s just 10 tiles from the bank, making it the closest anvil-to-bank spot in F2P. This location is ideal for leveling up Smithing from scratch or crafting items like platebodies for decent XP rates.

Why Varrock West Anvil Shines

  • F2P Access: No membership required, perfect for new players.
  • High XP Rates: Smithing platebodies (5 bars each) yields up to 150,000 XP/hour for steel at level 48.
  • Quest Boost: Completing The Knight’s Sword jumps you to level 29, letting you smith iron platebodies early.

How to Maximize Varrock West

To get the most out of this spot, focus on platebodies for maximum XP per bar. Here’s a quick progression:

  • Levels 18-33: Bronze platebodies (62.5 XP each).
  • Levels 33-48: Iron platebodies (125 XP each).
  • Levels 48-68: Steel platebodies (187.5 XP each).

Bring energy potions to sprint between the bank and anvil, and consider high-alching platebodies if you have 55 Magic to offset costs.

Blast Furnace in Keldagrim (P2P Fastest XP)

The Blast Furnace, located in Keldagrim, is hands-down the best spot for P2P players aiming for rapid Smithing XP. This minigame-style furnace offers the fastest smelting rates in OSRS, especially for gold bars, which can net up to 380,000 XP/hour with the right setup.

What Makes Blast Furnace Special

  • High XP Rates: Smelting gold bars with goldsmith gauntlets gives 56.2 XP per bar, far above standard methods.
  • Reduced Coal Costs: Bars like steel require half the usual coal, boosting profit potential.
  • Team Mechanics: Official worlds (352, 358, 386, 387) have dwarven workers, but solo play is viable for a fee.

Blast Furnace Setup and Tips

To hit peak efficiency, you’ll need specific gear and preparation:

Item Purpose
Goldsmith Gauntlets Boost gold bar XP from 22.5 to 56.2 per bar
Ice Gloves Retrieve bars without cooling dispenser
Coal Bag Store up to 28 coal, reducing bank trips
Stamina Potions Maintain run energy for faster cycles

Pro Tip: Use the “Blast Furnace” RuneLite plugin to track stages and optimize timing. For gold bars, expect a loss of around 2-3 GP per XP, but steel bars can yield a profit of ~138 GP per bar.

Leveling Path at Blast Furnace

Here’s a roadmap for Blast Furnace training:

  • Levels 30-40: Smelt steel bars (profit of ~440k GP/hour).
  • Levels 40-99: Smelt gold bars for max XP (up to 380k XP/hour with gauntlets).
  • Optional: Hire runners for gold ore to push XP to 500k+/hour, though this is costly.

Prifddinas Trahaearn Anvil (P2P Endgame)

For players who’ve unlocked Prifddinas via Song of the Elves, the Trahaearn anvil in the city’s southeast corner is a top-tier choice. It’s only 9 tiles from a bank and directly opposite a furnace, making it the closest anvil-furnace-bank combo in OSRS.

Benefits of Trahaearn Anvil

  • Ultimate Efficiency: Minimal travel time between bank, furnace, and anvil.
  • High-Level Items: Perfect for smithing adamant or rune platebodies (312.5-375 XP each).
  • Crystal Bonuses: Nearby Trahaearn Mine offers gold ores and crystal shards for extra profit.

Maximizing Prifddinas Smithing

Use the Smiths’ Uniform (from Giants’ Foundry) for a 20-100% chance to speed up anvil actions. Focus on 5-bar items like platebodies for XP, or smith dart tips for a more AFK profit method. Expect ~260,000 XP/hour for adamant platebodies with optimal banking.

Giants’ Foundry (P2P Alternative)

Introduced in 2022, the Giants’ Foundry in Al Kharid offers a unique smithing minigame that’s great for Ironmen and players seeking a break from Blast Furnace. You craft giant swords using alloy bars, balancing XP and rewards.

Why Choose Giants’ Foundry

  • Competitive XP: Up to 200,000 XP/hour, slower than Blast Furnace but less click-intensive.
  • Ironman-Friendly: Recycle old armor/weapons into bars, saving resources.
  • Rewards: Earn Smiths’ Uniform and moulds for better efficiency.

How to Use Giants’ Foundry

Unlock it via Sleeping Giants (6,000 XP reward). Bring bars (mithril/steel or adamant/mithril alloys work well) and aim for high-quality swords. Use ice gloves and the coal bag to streamline smelting. This spot shines for players who want variety and tangible rewards like the Smiths’ Outfit.

Other Notable Smithing Spots

While the above locations dominate, a few other spots deserve mention for specific scenarios.

Edgeville Furnace (P2P Smelting)

Great for smelting with Varrock Armour (chance to smelt two bars at once). It’s close to a bank but lacks a nearby anvil, so it’s better for Superheat Item users (43 Magic required).

Port Phasmatys Furnace (P2P)

Close to a bank and ideal for smelting after Ghosts Ahoy. Use with Ectofuntus teleport for quick access, but it’s less efficient than Blast Furnace for XP.

Al Kharid Furnace (F2P Smelting)

A solid F2P smelting spot near a bank. Pair it with Varrock anvil for a full smithing loop, though it’s slower than Varrock-focused training.

Final Tips for Smithing Success

Choosing the best smithing spot depends on your goals—XP, profit, or accessibility. Here’s a quick recap:

  • F2P Players: Stick to Varrock West anvil for platebodies.
  • Max XP: Blast Furnace with gold bars is unmatched (380k XP/hour).
  • Endgame P2P: Prifddinas for efficiency and high-level items.
  • Ironmen/Alternatives: Giants’ Foundry for rewards and variety.

Boost your progress with quests like The Knight’s Sword (12,725 XP) and Family Crest (goldsmith gauntlets). Check Grand Exchange prices before buying bars, and consider mining your own ores if you’re on a budget. With the right spot and strategy, you’ll be forging your way to 99 Smithing in no time!