Cold War OSRS Quick Guide: Complete the Quest Fast

Cold War OSRS Quick Guide: Complete the Quest Fast


If you’re diving into the whimsical world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and looking to tackle the “Cold War” quest, you’ve come to the right place. This quest, part of the Penguin quest series, blends humor, espionage, and a touch of absurdity as you infiltrate a penguin conspiracy. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, this Cold War OSRS quick guide will help you breeze through the quest efficiently while optimizing your experience. Let’s get started!

The “Cold War” quest kicks off at the Ardougne Zoo, where a paranoid zookeeper named Larry suspects the penguins are up to no good. Your mission? Go undercover as a penguin spy on an iceberg in the Lunar Sea to uncover their plans. It’s a mid-level quest with a mix of construction, crafting, and combat, making it a fun challenge.

Skill Requirements

Before you begin, ensure you meet these skill prerequisites:

Item Checklist

Gather these items to avoid backtracking:

  • 10 Oak Planks (unnoted)
  • 10 Steel Nails
  • Hammer
  • Spade
  • Plank (regular)
  • Silk
  • Clockwork (or a Steel Bar to craft one)
  • Swamp Tar
  • 5 Feathers (chicken feathers only)
  • Mahogany Plank
  • Leather
  • Raw Cod or Ring of Charos (a) (optional for persuasion)

Recommended: Weight-reducing gear, stamina potion, weapon/armor, food, and teleports (Ardougne cloak, Lumbridge runes).

Step-by-Step Cold War OSRS Walkthrough

Follow this streamlined guide to complete the quest quickly. Each step is designed to minimize travel and maximize efficiency.

Starting the Quest

Head to the south entrance of the Ardougne Zoo and speak to Larry near the penguin enclosure. He’ll ask you to gather materials (10 oak planks, 10 steel nails, hammer, spade) to build a lookout. If you already have them, talk to him again to proceed. He’ll teleport you to a pier northeast of Rellekka (near rock crabs).

Building the Bird Hide

Once at the iceberg:

  1. Talk to Larry again.
  2. Inspect the firm snow patch nearby.
  3. Use an oak plank on the snow patch to build the hut.
  4. Use your spade to cover it with snow.
  5. Enter the snowy bird hide and watch the penguin cutscene.

Tip: Note the three emotes the left penguin performs (e.g., bow, shiver, wave). Write them down—they’re unique to your account and crucial later.

Crafting the Penguin Suit

After observing the penguins, talk to Larry and suggest their behavior is suspicious. Travel back to Rellekka via the nearby boat, then speak to Larry again. He’ll give you a clockwork book with instructions to make a penguin suit:

  1. Go to a Player-Owned House (yours or a friend’s) with a crafting table 3.
  2. Use a steel bar on the clockmaker’s bench to make a clockwork (skip if you have one).
  3. Select “Clockwork Toy” > “Clockwork Penguin” and combine the plank, silk, and clockwork to craft the suit.

Return to Larry at the Ardougne Zoo and select “Tuxedo Time” to wear the suit.

Infiltrating the Penguin Base

With the suit on:

  1. Enter the penguin cage at the zoo and talk to the undercover penguin.
  2. Perform the three emotes you noted earlier in order.
  3. Learn about their flight training plans and get a mission report.
  4. Head to Lumbridge sheep pen, wear the suit, and talk to the penguin operatives (sheep).
  5. Use the emotes again, get the password “cabbage,” and steal a cowbell from a nearby dairy cow.

Return to the iceberg via the boat east of Rellekka (Larry won’t teleport you now).

Entering the Outpost

On the iceberg:

  1. Wear the penguin suit and head northwest to the KGP Agent.
  2. Use the emotes, then say “cabbage.”
  3. When asked for an ID, talk to Noodle (nearby merchant) and trade swamp tar and 5 feathers for an ID and report.
  4. Show the ID to the KGP Agent to enter the outpost via the avalanche.

Navigating the Penguin Outpost

Inside the outpost, you’ll need to gather intel and disrupt the penguins’ plans.

Getting Past the Guards

From the entrance:

  1. Go straight (don’t turn left) to the massive doors.
  2. Talk to the KGP Agent in the booth—he’ll demand your ID.
  3. Enter the eastern room to meet Ping and Pong, who want a cowbell and bongos.
  4. Craft bongos by using a mahogany plank on leather (do this earlier if possible).
  5. Give them the cowbell and bongos to trigger a cutscene—the guard gets distracted.

Finding the War Room

With the guard distracted:

  1. Exit the room and use the controls near the booth to open the doors.
  2. Head east into the war room for a cutscene revealing the penguins’ RuneScape takeover plot.
  3. You’ll lose your suit and end up in a cage with level 51 Icelords.

Escaping and Completing the Quest

The final stretch involves a quick combat encounter and wrapping up with Larry.

Defeating the Icelords

In the cage:

  1. Kill 1-3 Icelords (they use ranged attacks, 40 Attack XP on exit).
  2. Exit through the western ice gate.
  3. Climb the eastern chasm to return to the surface.

Tip: Bring food and decent gear if your combat level is low.

Quest Finale

Back on the iceberg, talk to Larry near the bird hide to report your findings. A cutscene with a giant clockwork penguin plays, and the quest concludes!

Rewards and Post-Quest Benefits

Completing “Cold War” nets you:

Reward Details
Quest Points 1
Agility XP 5,000
Crafting XP 2,000
Construction XP 1,500
Unlocks Penguin suit, Agility Course

Tips for Success

Maximize your efficiency with these pro tips:

Preparation is Key

Collect all items beforehand—use the Grand Exchange or bank teleports to save time. Pre-craft the bongos and clockwork suit if you can.

Travel Hacks

Use fairy rings (code DKS) to reach Rellekka quickly, or an Ardougne cloak for zoo access. A stamina potion helps with the agility course if you explore it post-quest.

Combat Prep

The Icelords hit moderately hard for low levels. Bring a weapon (melee works fine) and a few pieces of food to be safe.

And there you have it—a complete Cold War OSRS quick guide to conquer this quirky quest! From building a bird hide to outsmarting musical penguins, you’re now ready to foil their chilly plans. Enjoy your rewards and the satisfaction of being a penguin spy extraordinaire. Happy questing!