Crafting Air Battlestaff in OSRS A Comprehensive Guide

Crafting Air Battlestaff in OSRS A Comprehensive Guide

Crafting an air battlestaff in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rewarding activity that combines skill training with potential profits. This elemental staff, requiring 30 Attack and 30 Magic to wield, provides unlimited air runes and an autocast option, making it a favorite among magic users. Whether you’re aiming to level up your Crafting skill, make some gold, or equip a versatile weapon, this guide covers everything you need to know about crafting air battlestaves in OSRS.

The air battlestaff is a popular choice for players due to its utility and economic benefits. Here’s why it stands out:

  • High Crafting XP: Crafting an air battlestaff grants 137.5 Crafting experience per staff, making it an efficient method for leveling.
  • Profit Potential: With careful planning, crafting and selling or alchemizing air battlestaves can yield a profit.
  • Utility in Combat: The staff’s unlimited air runes make it cost-effective for spellcasting, especially for High Alchemy or combat spells.
  • Accessibility: The materials are relatively easy to obtain, and the process is straightforward once you meet the skill requirements.

Who Should Craft Air Battlestaves?

This activity is ideal for players with at least 66 Crafting and 66 Magic, though lower levels can start with other elemental battlestaves (e.g., water at 54 Crafting). It’s particularly suited for:

  • Ironmen seeking self-sufficiency in gear.
  • Players training Crafting on a budget.
  • Magic users looking for a reliable staff for combat or skilling.

Requirements for Crafting Air Battlestaves

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Before you begin, ensure you meet the skill and item requirements. Crafting air battlestaves involves both Crafting and Magic skills, along with specific materials.

Skill Requirements

  • Crafting Level 66: Required to combine an air orb with a battlestaff.
  • Magic Level 66: Needed to cast the Charge Air Orb spell to create air orbs.
  • Fletching Level 40 (Optional): Useful if you want to craft battlestaves from Celastrus bark, though most players buy them.

Item Requirements

You’ll need the following items to craft an air battlestaff:

Item Quantity How to Obtain
Battlestaff 1 Purchase from Zaff’s Superior Staffs! in Varrock, Baba Yaga on Lunar Isle, or the Grand Exchange.
Unpowered Orb 1 Craft with 46 Crafting using a glassblowing pipe and molten glass, or buy from the Grand Exchange.
Cosmic Runes 3 per orb Purchase from the Grand Exchange or craft at the Cosmic Altar.
Air Runes 30 per orb Purchase from the Grand Exchange or use an air staff to eliminate this cost.

Recommended Equipment

To streamline the process, consider the following:

  • Staff of Air: Eliminates the need for air runes when charging orbs.
  • Anti-Poison Potion: Useful when navigating the Edgeville Dungeon to reach the Air Obelisk.
  • Teleportation Items: Edgeville teleport (e.g., Amulet of Glory) for quick access to the Air Obelisk.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Air Battlestaves

Follow these steps to craft an air battlestaff from scratch:

Step 1: Obtain Unpowered Orbs

Unpowered orbs are the base material for air orbs. You can either craft them or buy them:

  • Crafting: With 46 Crafting, use a glassblowing pipe and molten glass (made from a bucket of sand and soda ash) to create unpowered orbs. This grants 52.5 Crafting XP per orb.
  • Purchasing: Buy unpowered orbs from the Grand Exchange for convenience, especially if your Crafting level is below 46.

Step 2: Charge Air Orbs

Transform unpowered orbs into air orbs by charging them at the Air Obelisk:

  1. Equip a Staff of Air to save on air runes.
  2. Bring unpowered orbs, cosmic runes (3 per orb), and an anti-poison potion.
  3. Teleport to Edgeville using an Amulet of Glory.
  4. Enter the Edgeville Dungeon and head northwest through the Wilderness section to the Air Obelisk (near the Black Demons).
  5. Cast the Charge Air Orb spell (requires 66 Magic) on the obelisk with an unpowered orb in your inventory. Each cast grants 76 Magic XP.

Note: The Air Obelisk is in a low-level Wilderness area, so be cautious of potential PKers, though they are rare here.

Step 3: Obtain Battlestaves

Battlestaves are the second key component. Here’s how to get them:

  • Zaff’s Superior Staffs! (Varrock): Buy battlestaves for 7,000 GP each. The stock increases with Varrock Diary progress (up to 120 daily with Elite Diary).
  • Baba Yaga (Lunar Isle): Purchase battlestaves for around 7,000 GP.
  • Grand Exchange: Convenient but often more expensive (around 7,280 GP each).
  • Fletching: With 40 Fletching, craft battlestaves from Celastrus bark using a knife, though this is less common.

Step 4: Craft the Air Battlestaff

With air orbs and battlestaves in your inventory:

  1. Use the air orb on the battlestaff (not the other way around, as the default action for the staff is “Wield”).
  2. This combines them into an air battlestaff, granting 137.5 Crafting XP per staff.
  3. Repeat the process for as many staves as you have materials for.

Step 5: Sell or Alchemize

Decide what to do with your air battlestaves:

  • Sell on the Grand Exchange: Check current prices (typically around 9,000–9,300 GP) to ensure profitability.
  • High Alchemy: Each air battlestaff alchemizes for 9,300 GP. Use a fire staff and nature runes to maximize efficiency, granting 65 Magic XP per cast.
  • Use in Combat: Equip the staff for spellcasting, saving on air rune costs.

Tips for Efficient Crafting

Maximize your efficiency and profits with these strategies:

Optimize Material Gathering

  • Bank Presets: Use bank presets to quickly withdraw air orbs, battlestaves, and runes, crafting around 2,000–2,200 battlestaves per hour.
  • Buy in Bulk: Purchase battlestaves and orbs in bulk from the Grand Exchange to save time, but check prices to avoid losses.
  • Varrock Diary: Complete the Varrock Diary to increase Zaff’s daily battlestaff stock, reducing costs.

Minimize Costs

  • Use Elemental Staves: A Staff of Air eliminates the need for air runes, saving hundreds of GP per orb.
  • Craft Orbs Yourself: If you have 46 Crafting, crafting unpowered orbs is cheaper than buying them.
  • High Alchemy: Alchemizing battlestaves can be more profitable than selling, especially if GE prices are low.

Profitability Considerations

Profit depends on market prices. Here’s a rough breakdown (based on typical Grand Exchange prices):

Item Cost (GP) Notes
Battlestaff 7,000–7,280 Cheaper from Zaff with Varrock Diary.
Air Orb 1,350–1,700 Price fluctuates; craft to save money.
Cosmic Runes (3) 300–450 Required to charge orbs.
Total Cost 8,650–9,430 Approximate per staff.
Sale Price (GE) 9,000–9,300 Check current prices.
High Alchemy 9,300 Fixed value, minus nature rune cost.

Profit: Expect 0–500 GP per staff when selling, or slightly more when alchemizing, after accounting for GE taxes and rune costs. Always check prices before crafting in bulk.

Upgrading and Alternatives

Once you’ve mastered crafting air battlestaves, consider these options:

Upgrading to Mystic Air Staff

After completing the Scorpion Catcher quest, pay Thormac 40,000 GP (or less with Kandarin Diaries) to upgrade your air battlestaff to a mystic air staff. This offers better melee and magic bonuses but is rarely profitable to craft due to high costs.

Other Elemental Battlestaves

If 66 Crafting is too high, start with lower-level battlestaves:

Alternative Crafting Methods

If air battlestaves aren’t profitable, try these Crafting alternatives:

  • Glassblowing: Craft unpowered orbs or other glass items for steady XP.
  • Leatherworking: Craft dragonhide armor for high XP at a cost.
  • Jewelry Crafting: Make gold or gem jewelry for a balance of XP and profit.

Crafting air battlestaves in OSRS is a fantastic way to train Crafting, earn gold, and create a useful magic weapon. By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to gather materials, craft efficiently, and maximize your profits. Happy crafting, and may your adventures in Gielinor be magical!