Best Way to Train Ranged in OSRS
Training Ranged in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rewarding journey that opens up exciting combat opportunities, from tackling tough bosses to dominating PvP. Whether you’re a beginner aiming for your first Ranged level milestone or a seasoned player optimizing for efficiency, this guide covers the best methods to level up Ranged effectively. We’ll explore gear, locations, and strategies to maximize XP while keeping costs manageable, all tailored for 2025’s meta.
Ranged is one of the three combat styles in OSRS, alongside Melee and Magic, and it’s prized for its versatility. With a bow, crossbow, or thrown weapons, you can deal damage from a distance, making it ideal for safe-spotting enemies or engaging in high-level content like the Inferno or Chambers of Xeric. Training Ranged also boosts your overall combat level, unlocking quests and activities that require specific stats.
Benefits of High Ranged Levels
- Access to Powerful Weapons: High Ranged levels let you wield iconic gear like the Toxic Blowpipe or Twisted Bow.
- Quest Requirements: Quests like “Monkey Madness II” demand Ranged proficiency.
- Endgame Content: Bosses like Zulrah and Vorkath are easier with strong Ranged skills.
Early Levels (1–40): Getting Started
The early Ranged grind focuses on low-cost methods and accessible gear. You don’t need a fortune to start, but choosing the right setup and training spots makes a big difference.
Recommended Gear for Beginners
Start with affordable equipment to stretch your gold. Here’s a basic setup:
| Slot | Item | Approximate Cost (2025 GP) |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Leather Cowl | 200 |
| Body | Leather Body | 300 |
| Legs | Leather Chaps | 400 |
| Weapon | Shortbow + Bronze Arrows | 100 + 1/arrow |
Best Training Spots for Levels 1–20
Chickens (Lumbridge): A classic starting point. Chickens in Lumbridge drop feathers, which you can sell or use for Fletching. Safe-spot behind fences for zero damage.
Cows (Lumbridge or Crafting Guild): Slightly tougher than chickens, cows offer decent XP (10–15k/hour) and cowhides for extra profit.
Levels 20–40: Transitioning Up
Upgrade to a Willow Shortbow and Iron Arrows. Train at:
- Barbarians (Barbarian Village): Safe-spot them in the Longhall for 15–20k XP/hour.
- Hill Giants (Edgeville Dungeon): Use the safe-spot near the ladder for 20–25k XP/hour. Bones and limpwurt roots add profit.
Mid Levels (40–70): Efficiency and Power
At level 40, Ranged starts to shine with access to better weapons and training methods. This is where you can decide between cost-saving or faster XP.
Optimal Gear for Mid Levels
Switch to Green D’hide Armor and a Maple Shortbow or Crossbow with Mithril Bolts. If you have the budget, grab an Ava’s Attractor (from Animal Magnetism quest) to save ammo.
Top Training Methods
Sand Crabs (Crabclaw Isle): With 30–40k XP/hour, Sand Crabs are AFK-friendly. Reset aggro by running a few tiles away. Bring plenty of arrows or bolts.
Rock Crabs (Rellekka): Similar to Sand Crabs, they offer 25–35k XP/hour. Less crowded in 2025 due to new training spots.
NMZ (Nightmare Zone): Unlock Nightmare Zone for semi-AFK training. Use absorptions and a Bone Crossbow for cheap XP (40–50k/hour). Requires quest points and minigame access.
Ammo and Cost Management
Stick to Mithril or Adamant Arrows for bows, or Broad Bolts for crossbows if you’ve got Slayer points. Use Ava’s device to recover 60–80% of ammo, slashing costs.
High Levels (70–99): Chasing Max XP
From level 70, you’re ready for high-tier weapons and intensive methods. The goal is maximizing XP/hour while balancing profit or cost.
Best Gear for Endgame
Invest in:
- Weapon: Toxic Blowpipe (requires Zulrah scales and darts) or Armadyl Crossbow.
- Armor: Black D’hide or Armadyl Armor for top-tier bonuses.
- Amulet: Necklace of Anguish for Ranged strength.
Ava’s Accumulator or Assembler is a must to save darts/bolts.
Elite Training Methods
Chinning (Ape Atoll): Throwing chinchompas at Maniacal Monkeys in the Ape Atoll Dungeon nets 300–800k XP/hour, depending on your gear and focus. Requires Monkey Madness II and high Prayer for Protect from Melee. Costs 1–2M GP/hour but is the fastest method.
NMZ with Blowpipe: Using a Toxic Blowpipe on Hard Mode bosses yields 100–150k XP/hour with minimal attention. Bring prayer potions and scales.
Slayer Tasks: Combine Ranged training with Slayer for 50–100k XP/hour plus loot. Use a Black D’hide setup and Broad Bolts for cost efficiency.
Cost vs. Speed Breakdown
| Method | XP/Hour | Cost/Hour | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinning | 300–800k | 1–2M GP | Fastest, Prayer-heavy |
| NMZ Blowpipe | 100–150k | 200–500k GP | AFK, scalable |
| Slayer | 50–100k | Breakeven/profit | Multitasking, loot |
Pro Tips for Ranged Training Success
To wrap up, here are actionable tips to streamline your Ranged journey in OSRS:
Gear and Inventory Optimization
- Always use Ava’s: Whether it’s the Attractor, Accumulator, or Assembler, it saves ammo and time.
- Potion Boosts: Ranging Potions (buyable from the GE) boost your Ranged level by 3–10, speeding up kills.
- Food Choices: Bring cheap food like tuna or lobsters for non-safe-spot areas to save GP.
Quests for XP Rewards
Knock out these quests for early Ranged XP:
- Death to the Dorgeshuun: 2,000 XP (level 23).
- Horror from the Deep: 4,662 XP (helps skip early grind).
- Temple of Ikov: 10,500 XP (huge boost at low levels).
Managing Costs
Ranged training can get pricey, especially with chinning or Blowpipe methods. Offset costs by:
- Looting in Slayer: High-value drops like herbs or uniques can break even.
- Fletching Arrows: Train Fletching to make your own ammo, saving thousands of GP.
- GE Flipping: Spend downtime flipping items on the Grand Exchange to fund darts or chinchompas.
Staying Motivated
The 1–99 grind is long, so mix things up. Alternate between AFK methods like NMZ and active ones like chinning. Set milestones (e.g., level 75 for Blowpipe) and reward yourself with new gear or a fun boss fight. Joining a clan can also keep you engaged with group activities.
Training Ranged in OSRS is a balance of strategy, gear, and persistence. From humble chickens to blasting chinchompas in Ape Atoll, each level brings you closer to mastering one of the game’s most dynamic skills. Pick a method that fits your budget and playstyle, and you’ll be hitting bullseyes in no time.