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Completing the Dig Where Only the Skilled the Wealthy Clue in Old School RuneScape

Hey, RuneScape treasure hunters! If you’re deep into Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and tackling clue scrolls, you’ve probably stumbled across the cryptic clue: “Dig where only the skilled, the wealthy, or the brave can choose not to visit, but all others must.” This master clue can be a real head-scratcher, but as someone who’s spent years chasing clue rewards and digging across Gielinor, I’m here to break it down for you. With personal stories, step-by-step tips, and a conversational vibe, this guide will help you solve this clue fast and grab that sweet loot. Let’s grab our spades and get digging!
Clue scrolls are like treasure maps in OSRS, leading you on a wild chase for rewards like rare gear, cosmetics, or piles of gold. They come in five difficulty levels—beginner, easy, medium, hard, and master—with master clues being the toughest but most rewarding. The “Dig where only the skilled, the wealthy, or the brave” clue is a master-level challenge, and solving it feels like cracking a secret code. I’ve solved dozens of master clues, and this one’s got a special place in my heart for its clever wording.
Why Master Clues Are Worth It
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Big Rewards: Master clues can drop uniques like the 3rd Age gear or gilded armor, worth millions.
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Bragging Rights: Cracking a tough clue like this one is a flex among friends.
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Fun Adventure: The puzzles take you to cool spots you might not visit otherwise.
Ever get a juicy drop from a master clue? I once scored a gilded scimitar—pure hype!
Understanding the Clue
The clue “Dig where only the skilled, the wealthy, or the brave can choose not to visit, but all others must” points to a specific dig spot. It’s not about combat or wealth—it’s about a location where certain players can skip a requirement, but others can’t. After some trial and error, I figured out it’s tied to a key OSRS hub. Let’s dive into solving it.
Solving the Clue: Step-by-Step
This clue sends you to a spot in Prifddinas, the elven city, but getting there takes some prep. Here’s how I tackle it, based on my own clue-hunting adventures.
Step 1: Know the Location
The clue refers to the Grand Library in Prifddinas, specifically near the north-western bookshelf. Why here? Prifddinas is locked behind the Song of the Elves quest, which requires high skill levels (70+ in multiple skills). Skilled players (with high stats), wealthy players (who can buy gear or boosts), or brave players (who tackle tough quest bosses) can complete the quest to access Prifddinas. Everyone else must do the quest to enter—no shortcuts! The Grand Library fits the clue perfectly.
Why Prifddinas?
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Skill Barrier: Song of the Elves needs 70 Agility, Construction, Farming, Herblore, Hunter, Mining, Smithing, and Woodcutting.
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Quest Challenge: The quest has tough bosses like the Fragment of Seren, testing your combat skills or bravery.
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No Pay-to-Win: You can’t buy your way into Prifddinas without the quest, unlike some areas.
Step 2: Requirements
To solve this clue, you need:
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Completed Song of the Elves: Unlocks Prifddinas. This quest took me a solid weekend, but the city’s worth it.
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Master Clue Scroll: Get one from other clues, bosses, or skilling (like Thieving elves).
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Spade: Buy one from any general store or grab it from your tool belt.
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Teleport to Prifddinas: Use a Prifddinas teleport crystal, spirit tree, or redirect house teleport. I keep a crystal in my bank for quick trips.
My Quest Grind
When I did Song of the Elves, I was Sweating through the boss fights. My Herblore was only 70, so I had to brew every potion carefully. Beating Seren was a rush, and getting to Prifddinas felt like unlocking a secret world. Have you finished Song of the Elves yet? It’s a beast of a quest!
Step 3: Getting to the Dig Spot
Once you’re in Prifddinas, head to the Grand Library in the north-western part of the city, in the Ithell district. The exact dig spot is one tile north-west of the north-western bookshelf. Here’s how I do it:
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Teleport to Prifddinas: I use a teleport crystal or my house portal (set to Prifddinas).
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Navigate to Ithell District: Run north-west to the Grand Library, near the sawmill and glassblowing spots.
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Find the Bookshelf: Look for the north-western bookshelf in the library—it’s the one closest to the corner.
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Dig: Stand one tile north-west of the bookshelf and use your spade. Boom, clue solved!
Pro Tip: Use Runelite
The Runelite “Clue Scroll” plugin marks the exact dig spot with a tile highlight. I didn’t use it for my first master clue and spent 10 minutes digging random spots—never again! Runelite saves so much time.
Step 4: What to Expect
When you dig, you’ll get the next clue step or a casket with your final reward. Master clue caskets can drop:
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3rd Age Gear: Super rare, worth tens or hundreds of millions.
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Gilded Armor: Stylish and pricey, like the gilded platebody.
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Rerolls or Boosters: Items like Blessing or Scroll of Direction to keep the clue grind going.
I got a master casket from this clue once and opened it hoping for 3rd Age. Ended up with a measly 50k GP and some runes, but the thrill was worth it!
Tips for Tackling Master Clues
Solving this clue is just one step in a master clue scroll, which can have 6-8 steps. Here’s how I make the whole process smoother, based on my clue-hunting obsession.
Gear and Inventory Setup
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Teleport Items: Bring a ring of dueling, amulet of glory, or Xeric’s talisman for fast travel. I keep a skills necklace for skilling steps.
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Lightweight Gear: Wear Graceful or boots of lightness to save run energy. I learned this after trudging through the Wilderness in full Bandos!
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Spade and Clue Scroll: Keep these in your inventory or tool belt. I always carry my clue to avoid banking trips.
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Food and Potions: For combat steps or Wilderness clues. I pack sharks and a super combat potion just in case.
What’s your go-to clue scroll gear? I’m all about that Graceful life!
Managing Clue Steps
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Use the Wiki: The OSRS Wiki has solutions for every clue type. I bookmark it on my phone for quick checks.
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Skip Tough Steps: If a step needs gear you don’t have, use a Scroll of Redirection to reroll it. I rerolled a Saradomin wizard step once because I didn’t have the robes.
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Stay Organized: Master clues can take hours. I jot down steps in a notebook to avoid confusion.
Avoiding Risks
This clue’s dig spot is safe, but other master steps might send you to the Wilderness. I got ambushed once while digging near the Lava Maze—lost my clue and my dignity! Always:
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Bring a one-click teleport (like a royal seed pod).
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Wear cheap gear in the Wilderness.
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Scout multi-combat zones before digging.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even seasoned clue hunters like me mess up sometimes. Here’s how to dodge pitfalls with this clue.
Not Completing Song of the Elves
You can’t dig in Prifddinas without finishing the quest. I had a friend who got this clue but hadn’t done Song of the Elves—he had to grind 70 Smithing first! Check your quest log before starting a master clue.
Digging in the Wrong Spot
The Grand Library has tons of bookshelves, and digging near the wrong one wastes time. I dug two tiles off once and got nothing. Use Runelite or double-check the Wiki for the exact tile (north-west of the north-western bookshelf).
Forgetting a Spade
You can’t dig without a spade. I forgot mine once and had to teleport to Lumbridge for a new one—talk about annoying! Keep a spade in your tool belt or bank.
Starting Without Teleports
Prifddinas is far from most hubs, so bring a teleport. I ran from Ardougne once because I forgot my crystal, and it took forever. Save yourself the hassle with a teleport crystal or spirit tree.
My Clue-Hunting Adventures
This clue holds a special place in my OSRS journey. The first time I got it, I was Clueless about Prifddinas and spent hours Googling the answer. After finishing Song of the Elves, I teleported to the Grand Library, dug the right spot, and felt like a genius. Another time, I got this clue during a master clue marathon and scored a gilded helm from the final casket—my clan was so jealous! I’ve probably solved this clue five times now, and each dig brings back that treasure-hunting thrill. What’s your favorite clue scroll moment? Got a big reward story?
Why I Love Master Clues
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Challenge: They test your game knowledge and patience.
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Exploration: You visit spots like Prifddinas that you might skip otherwise.
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Rewards: Even small drops add up, and the rare ones are life-changing.
Advanced Tips for Clue Pros
If you’re a clue scroll veteran, here’s how to level up your game for this clue and beyond.
Speed Up Song of the Elves
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Boost Skills: Use spicy stew or potions to hit 70 in skills like Herblore or Smithing. I used a Herblore potion to squeak by at 68.
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Team for Bosses: The Fragment of Seren is tough solo. I teamed up with a friend to make it easier.
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Quest Helper Plugin: Runelite’s plugin streamlines quest steps. I wish I’d used it for my first run!
Optimize Clue Grinding
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Farm Clues: Thieving elves in Prifddinas or killing Callisto in the Wilderness drops master clues. I thieve elves for steady clue income.
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Stack Clues: Keep multiple clues in your bank to chain them. I have a “clue tab” with 10 master clues ready to go.
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Use Sherlock: For skill challenges, talk to Sherlock in Hosidius to avoid rerolling. I saved a Firemaking step this way.
Maximize Rewards
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Open in Bulk: Save caskets and open them together for better odds at rares. I opened 20 master caskets once and got a 3rd Age platebody!
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Use Boosters: Items like Clue Scroll of the Elements increase reward rolls. I stock up on these from other clues.
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Check Prices: Sell big drops like 3rd Age on the GE for max profit. I check prices daily to time my sales.
Table: Master Clue Requirements for This Dig
Requirement |
Details |
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70+ in 8 skills, combat for bosses, ~8-12 hours to complete |
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Spade |
Buy for ~200 GP or use tool belt |
Teleport to Prifddinas |
Crystal, spirit tree, or house teleport (requires 50 Construction) |
Master Clue Scroll |
From other clues, bosses, or skilling (e.g., Thieving elves) |
Inventory Space |
For spade, clue, and teleports; lightweight gear recommended |
Note: Skill levels can be boosted. GE prices based on June 2025 estimates.
Conclusion: Dig for Glory
The “Dig where only the skilled, the wealthy, or the brave can choose not to visit, but all others must” clue is a classic master challenge in OSRS, sending you to the Grand Library in Prifddinas for a shot at epic loot. With Song of the Elves done, a spade in hand, and a quick teleport, you’ll crack this clue in no time. Whether you’re chasing 3rd Age gear or just love the thrill of the hunt, this clue’s a fun ride. So, gear up, head to Prifddinas, and dig for that treasure! What’s your next clue scroll goal? Drop it in the comments!