Cold War OSRS Guide: Step-by-Step Quest Walkthrough for Old School RuneScape

Cold War OSRS Guide: Step-by-Step Quest Walkthrough for Old School RuneScape


Welcome to the ultimate Cold War OSRS guide! If you’re an Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player looking to dive into the quirky and adventurous “Cold War” quest, you’re in the right place. This intermediate-level quest, part of the Penguin quest series, takes you on a wild ride involving espionage, penguin disguises, and a touch of humor inspired by real-world history. Whether you’re a seasoned quester or a newbie, this detailed walkthrough will help you complete the quest efficiently while unlocking awesome rewards like the Penguin Agility Course and the ability to craft penguin suits. Let’s get started!

The “Cold War” quest in OSRS is a delightful blend of comedy and challenge. Released on January 29, 2007, it was the 100th members’ quest added to the game. Set in the Ardougne Zoo, the quest begins with Larry, a paranoid zookeeper, who suspects the penguins are up to something sinister. Your mission? Help Larry uncover their plans by going undercover on an iceberg in the Lunar Sea. Along the way, you’ll build structures, craft disguises, and infiltrate a secret penguin base. With parallels to the real-life Cold War, including references like the KGP (a nod to the KGB), this quest is as entertaining as it is rewarding.

Quest Requirements

Before you embark on this chilly adventure, ensure you meet the following prerequisites:

  • Skills: 10 Hunter, 30 Agility, 30 Crafting, 34 Construction
  • Items: 10 oak planks (unnoted), 10 steel nails, hammer, spade, steel bar (or clockwork mechanism), regular plank, silk, swamp tar, 5 feathers, mahogany plank, leather
  • Additional: Access to a Player-Owned House (POH) with a Crafting Table 3 or better; optional combat gear and food for low-level players
  • Quests: None

Tip: Higher Agility can speed up certain sections, and combat gear is handy if you’re worried about the level 51 Icelords later on.

Rewards You’ll Earn

Completing Cold War offers some fantastic perks:

  • 1 Quest Point
  • 5,000 Agility XP
  • 2,000 Crafting XP
  • 1,500 Construction XP
  • Ability to craft penguin suits
  • Access to the Penguin Agility Course (requires 30 Agility)
  • Ability to contact Larry via NPC Contact spell
  • Extra Penguin Hide and Seek points (2 points for select penguins)

Step-by-Step Cold War OSRS Quest Walkthrough

Ready to waddle into action? Follow this detailed guide to complete the Cold War quest step by step.

Step 1: Starting the Quest

Head to the Ardougne Zoo in southern East Ardougne and speak to Larry near the penguin enclosure. He’s paranoid about the penguins and needs your help. He’ll ask you to gather 10 oak planks, 10 steel nails, a hammer, and a spade to build a bird hide. If you’ve got these items, tell him you’re ready, and he’ll teleport you to a pier northeast of Rellekka (near the Rock Crabs). If not, grab them now—oak planks must be unnoted!

Step 2: Building the Bird Hide

Once at the iceberg with Larry, inspect the firm snow patch nearby. Use an oak plank on it, then use your spade to cover the structure with snow. Talk to Larry again to enter the bird hide. Watch the penguins carefully and note the three emotes they perform (e.g., bow, shiver, wave)—you’ll need these later. If you forget, you can re-enter the hide to check. Afterward, Larry teleports you back to the zoo.

Step 3: Crafting the Penguin Suit

Larry gives you a clockwork book to read. Now, head to your POH with a Crafting Table 3. Use a steel bar on the table to make a clockwork mechanism (option 3), then use the table again to craft a clockwork penguin (option 4•3) with the mechanism, a regular plank, and silk. Return to Larry at the Ardougne Zoo. Unequip your hands and cape slots, right-click Larry, and select “Tuxedo-time” to don the penguin suit. Enter the penguin pen and talk to the penguin with the “talk-to” option. Perform the three emotes you noted earlier to communicate.

Step 4: Investigating the Outpost

Exit the suit and talk to Fred the Farmer in Lumbridge about penguins (use either the bully or warn option). Return to the penguin in the zoo, who reveals the outpost’s location on the iceberg under an avalanche, along with the password “cabbage.” Before heading back, steal a cowbell from a dairy cow near Fred’s farm—it’ll save time later. Gather a mahogany plank and leather too. Speak to Larry to teleport back to the iceberg.

Step 5: Infiltrating the Penguin Base

Wear your penguin suit and head northwest to a KGP Agent. Perform the emotes, say “cabbage,” and when asked for an ID, talk to Noodle nearby. Trade him swamp tar and 5 feathers for a KGP ID and mission report. Show the ID to the agent, who lets you in. Inside, avoid the left path for now—go straight to the agility course. Complete it (30 Agility required), then talk to the instructor for permanent access.

Step 6: The War Room Revelation

Craft penguin bongos by using a mahogany plank with leather. Return to the outpost, go straight to the big doors, and talk to the KGP Agent in the booth—he’ll deny entry. Head southeast to Ping and Pong’s room, give them the cowbell and bongos, and watch a cutscene where they distract the guards. Use the booth controls to open the war room doors. Enter, get caught in a cutscene, and fight level 51 Icelords (kill one to exit the pen). Escape via the eastern chasm, then talk to Larry to finish the quest!

Tips and Tricks for Cold War OSRS

Here are some pro tips to make your Cold War quest smoother:

  • Preparation: Bring all items in one go to avoid backtracking.
  • Agility Boost: Use a Summer Pie or Agility potion if you’re near 30 Agility.
  • Combat: Icelords hit low, but food helps if you’re low-level.
  • Emotes: Write down the penguin emotes or screenshot them.
  • Teleportation: Use fairy rings (DKS) or an Ardougne cloak for quick travel.

Post-Quest Benefits and Activities

Finishing Cold War unlocks some cool features:

Penguin Suit Fun

You can craft more penguin suits and use them to play cowbells or bongos—perfect for role-playing or just messing around. To re-enter the suit, talk to Larry at the zoo, pier, iceberg, or Lumbridge sheep pen.

Penguin Agility Course

This course offers decent Agility XP for mid-level players. It’s a fun alternative to rooftop courses and ties into the quest’s penguin theme.

Penguin Hide and Seek

Spot select penguins in this Distraction & Diversion for 2 points each, boosting your weekly rewards.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Stuck? Here’s how to handle common hiccups:

Can’t Find Larry?

He’s at the Ardougne Zoo initially, then the Rellekka pier or iceberg depending on your progress. Use the NPC Contact spell post-quest to reach him.

Forgot the Emotes?

Check your quest journal or revisit the bird hide before proceeding to the KGP Agent.

Agility Course Struggles

If you fail obstacles, keep trying—persistence pays off. Boost your Agility if needed.

Section Key Items Location
Bird Hide 10 oak planks, 10 steel nails, hammer, spade Iceberg via Larry
Penguin Suit Steel bar, plank, silk POH Crafting Table 3
Outpost Entry Swamp tar, 5 feathers Iceberg KGP Agent
War Room Cowbell, mahogany plank, leather Ping and Pong’s Room

With this Cold War OSRS guide, you’re fully equipped to tackle the quest and enjoy its rewards. Whether you’re after the XP, the agility course, or just a good laugh, this quest delivers. Happy questing, and watch out for those sneaky penguins!