Best Way to Level Up Magic in OSRS

Best Way to Level Up Magic in OSRS

Magic is a cornerstone skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), unlocking powerful combat spells, teleports, and utility abilities like High Level Alchemy. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player or a member, leveling Magic efficiently can enhance your gameplay, from PvM to PvP. This guide dives into the best methods to train Magic from level 1 to 99, balancing cost, speed, and accessibility. Let’s explore how to master the arcane arts in Gielinor.

Magic isn’t just about casting fireballs—it’s a versatile skill that impacts nearly every aspect of the game. A high Magic level boosts your magical defense (70% of which comes from your Magic level), unlocks teleports for faster travel, and enables money-making through alchemy and enchanting. Plus, spells like Ice Barrage are game-changers for end-game content like bossing and PvP.

Key Benefits of High Magic

  • Combat Power: Access to spells like Fire Surge or Ancient Magicks for massive damage.
  • Utility: Teleports (e.g., Camelot Teleport) and alchemy save time and gold.
  • Money-Making: High Level Alchemy and enchanting jewelry can turn a profit.
  • Quest Requirements: Spells like Fire Blast are needed for quests like Dragon Slayer II.

Early Levels (1–21): Starting Your Magic Journey

Complete 199 Magic Guide for OSRS

The early Magic grind is straightforward, especially for F2P players. Focus on low-cost methods to build a foundation before diving into more advanced techniques.

Questing for Fast XP

Quests are the best way to skip the tedious early levels. Two F2P quests provide enough experience to jump from level 1 to 10 without casting a single spell:

  • Imp Catcher: Rewards 875 XP, requires collecting four beads.
  • Witch’s Potion: Grants 325 XP, involves a simple fetch quest.

For members, additional quests like Fairytale I – Growing Pains (2,000 XP) or The Grand Tree (2,150 XP) can push you to level 34 when combined with others.

Combat Training: Wind Strike and Splashing

If quests aren’t your style, start with Wind Strike on low-level monsters like cows or goblins in Lumbridge. Each cast gives 5.5 XP, and you’ll only need Air and Mind Runes, which are dirt cheap.

For a semi-AFK option, try splashing. Equip gear with a negative Magic attack bonus (e.g., full iron armor, aiming for -64 or lower) and cast spells like Wind Bolt on a target you can’t hit, such as the caged Monk of Zamorak in Varrock Palace. This yields around 13,000–20,000 XP per hour and requires minimal attention, as you only need to click every 20 minutes to avoid logging out.

Mid Levels (21–55): Building Momentum

Once you hit level 21, new spells and methods open up. This range is where you can start balancing cost and efficiency, especially if you’re a member.

Low Level Alchemy

At level 21, Low Level Alchemy offers 31 XP per cast and converts items into a small amount of gold. It’s a passive method you can do while training other skills like Agility or Fishing. However, it’s not profitable, costing about 16–20 gp per XP due to Nature Rune prices. Use a Fire Staff to save on Fire Runes.

Teleport Spells

Teleport spells are a solid F2P and P2P option for steady XP. Here’s a progression based on level:

Spell Level XP per Cast Runes Needed
Varrock Teleport 25 35 1 Law, 3 Air, 1 Fire
Lumbridge Teleport 31 41 1 Law, 3 Air, 1 Earth
Falador Teleport 37 48 1 Law, 3 Air, 1 Water
Camelot Teleport (P2P) 45 55.5 1 Law, 5 Air

With an Air Staff, you only need Law Runes (and minor elemental runes for F2P teleports), making Camelot Teleport a cost-effective P2P choice at around 80,000 XP per hour.

Enchanting Jewelry

For members, enchanting jewelry is a fast, albeit expensive, method. Start at level 7 with Lvl-1 Enchant on sapphire necklaces, then progress:

  • Lvl-2 Enchant (level 27): Cast on emerald rings for 37 XP per cast.
  • Lvl-3 Enchant (level 49): Use on ruby jewelry for 59 XP per cast.

This method can yield 40,000–60,000 XP per hour and sometimes breaks even if you sell the enchanted items, but rune costs (Cosmic and elemental) add up.

High Levels (55–99): Maximizing Efficiency

Level 55 unlocks High Level Alchemy, a game-changer for Magic training. From here, you can choose between profitable, AFK, or high-XP methods depending on your budget and playstyle.

High Level Alchemy

High Level Alchemy (HLA) grants 65 XP per cast and turns items into gold based on their alch value. It’s the go-to method for most players because it’s portable, can be done while training other skills, and often breaks even or profits with the right items.

Steps for Efficient HLA:

  • Equip a Fire Staff: Eliminates the need for Fire Runes, saving millions.
  • Buy Noted Items: Yew longbows, rune equipment, or adamant items are popular choices. Check the OSRS Wiki’s alchemy profit list for real-time margins.
  • Optimize Clicking: Place noted items in the bottom-right inventory slot to minimize mouse movement. You can alch 1,900–2,000 times per hour.

HLA yields about 120,000–130,000 XP per hour. It’s click-intensive but can be done passively while watching a movie or questing. Expect to spend 10–15 million gp on Nature Runes to reach 99, though profits from alching can offset this.

Bursting and Barraging (P2P)

For members with deep pockets, casting Ice Burst (level 70) or Ice Barrage (level 94) on maniacal monkeys in Kruk’s Dungeon (requires partial completion of Monkey Madness II) is the fastest way to train Magic. These multi-target spells hit large groups, offering up to 500,000 XP per hour.

Setup Tips:

  • Gear: Use a Kodai Wand or Ancient Staff, with prayer bonus gear (e.g., Proselyte armor) to sustain Protect from Melee.
  • Runes: Stock up on Death, Chaos, and Water Runes (or use a Kodai Wand to save Water Runes).
  • Location: Maniacal monkeys have low Magic defense and drop prayer potions, reducing costs.

This method costs 50–100 million gp to reach 99 but is ideal for players also training Slayer, as bursting tasks like dust devils can double up on XP.

Tele-Alching

Tele-alching combines High Level Alchemy with teleport spells (e.g., Falador Teleport for F2P, Camelot for P2P) to maximize XP per tick. Cast HLA, teleport immediately, click HLA again during the teleport animation, and alch upon landing. This yields up to 150,000 XP per hour but requires precise timing and focus.

F2P vs. P2P: Which Path to Choose?

Your account type heavily influences your training options. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide.

F2P Magic Training

F2P players are limited to the standard spellbook, but methods like splashing, teleports, and HLA are still effective. Focus on:

  • Splashing: Cheap and AFK for early levels.
  • Teleports: Varrock, Lumbridge, and Falador teleports are cost-efficient.
  • HLA: The best long-term method, especially with profitable items like rune daggers.

F2P training is slower (max 130,000 XP/hour with HLA) and less profitable, but it’s accessible and requires minimal setup.

P2P Magic Training

Members have access to Ancient Magicks, Lunar spells, and more quests, making training faster and more varied. Bursting and enchanting bolts push XP rates to 500,000+ per hour, but costs are higher. If budget is a concern, stick to HLA or Camelot Teleport.

Tips for Efficient Magic Training

Regardless of your method, these tips will save time and gold:

  • Use Elemental Staves: A Staff of Air or Fire cuts rune costs significantly.
  • Check the Grand Exchange: Buy runes and alchable items when prices dip.
  • Combine Skills: Alch while training Slayer or Agility to multitask.
  • Quest Early: Early XP rewards save hours of grinding.
  • Monitor Costs: Use the OSRS Wiki to track profitable HLA items and avoid losses.

With dedication, reaching level 99 Magic is achievable in 50–100 hours, depending on your method. Whether you’re splashing in Lumbridge or barraging in Kruk’s Dungeon, the journey to mastering Magic is rewarding. Start casting today and watch your spellbook grow!