Ensouled Goblin Head OSRS Guide for Prayer and Magic Training

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the ensouled goblin head is a unique item that offers players an alternative method to train Prayer and Magic skills. Dropped by goblins, this item is part of the Arceuus spellbook’s reanimation mechanics, allowing players to summon and defeat a reanimated goblin for experience. This guide dives into everything you need to know about ensouled goblin heads, including how to obtain them, their uses, and tips to maximize your gains. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned adventurer, this low-level item can be a stepping stone to efficient skilling.

An ensouled goblin head is an item dropped by goblins across Gielinor. It’s primarily used to train Prayer by casting the Basic Reanimation spell from the Arceuus spellbook, which requires level 16 Magic. Upon reanimating and defeating the summoned goblin, players earn 130 Prayer XP and 32 Magic XP. This makes it an accessible option for early-game players looking to level up without breaking the bank.

How It Differs From Other Ensouled Heads

Unlike higher-tier ensouled heads (e.g., dragon or abyssal), the goblin head is one of the lowest-level options, requiring minimal Magic and no additional quests beyond unlocking the Arceuus spellbook. Its affordability and ease of access make it ideal for beginners, though the XP rates are modest compared to alternatives like dragon bones or higher-level heads.

Key Stats and Requirements

• Drop Source: Goblins (e.g., Lumbridge, Goblin Village)
• Magic Level: 16 for Basic Reanimation
• Runes Needed: 4 Body Runes, 2 Nature Runes
• Experience: 130 Prayer XP, 32 Magic XP per head
• Members Only: Yes

How to Obtain Ensouled Goblin Heads

Gathering ensouled goblin heads is straightforward, as goblins are abundant and low-level monsters. Here’s how you can stock up efficiently.

Best Locations to Farm Goblins

Goblins are scattered across OSRS, but certain spots are better for farming due to their density and accessibility:

• Lumbridge: Near the castle and river, ideal for new players with teleports to Lumbridge.
• Goblin Village: North of Falador, packed with goblins and close to a bank via Falador teleport.
• Stronghold of Security: First level has plenty of goblins, plus it’s safe for low-level players.

Drop Rates and Efficiency Tips

The drop rate for ensouled goblin heads is not publicly confirmed, but they’re considered a semi-rare drop from goblins. To boost efficiency:

• Use a Slayer task for goblins to increase drop chances with Slayer helm or Black Mask.
• Equip Ring of Wealth to improve rare drop table odds, potentially increasing head drops.
• Farm in multi-combat areas to kill multiple goblins quickly with AoE attacks like Chinchompas (if high-level).

Using Ensouled Goblin Heads for Training

The primary use of ensouled goblin heads is reanimation, which combines Prayer and Magic training. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using them effectively.

Unlocking the Arceuus Spellbook

To use ensouled goblin heads, you need access to the Arceuus spellbook:

1. Travel to Great Kourend and speak to Lord Arceuus in Arceuus House.
2. Earn 60% Arceuus favor by helping with tasks like finding books in the library.
3. Switch to the Arceuus spellbook at the Dark Altar or via Tyss in Arceuus.

Reanimation Process

Once you have the spellbook and level 16 Magic, follow these steps:

1. Equip a staff to save runes (e.g., Staff of Air for Body Runes).
2. Cast Basic Reanimation on the ensouled goblin head while standing within a 31×31 area of where it dropped, or at the Dark Altar if traded or banked.
3. Defeat the reanimated goblin (level 13, 35 HP) for 130 Prayer XP and 32 Magic XP.

Maximizing XP Rates

To get the most out of ensouled goblin heads:

• Use Zealot’s Robes: Each piece gives a 1.25% chance to save the head after reanimation, up to 5% for the full set.
• Soul Bearer: Obtained from the Bear Your Soul miniquest, it sends heads to your bank, saving inventory space.
• High Combat Stats: Speed up kills with strong weapons to reduce downtime between reanimations.

Cost and Profitability Analysis

Training with ensouled goblin heads is relatively cheap, but it’s worth comparing costs and benefits to other methods.

Cost Breakdown

Here’s a table summarizing the costs as of early 2025 (prices may vary):

Item	GE Price (GP)	Quantity per Head	Total Cost per Head (GP)
Ensouled Goblin Head	~400	1	400
Nature Rune	~100	2	200
Body Rune	~5	4	20
Total	–	–	~620

GP per XP: Approximately 4.77 GP per Prayer XP (620 ÷ 130).

Comparison to Other Methods

Ensouled goblin heads are cost-effective but slower than alternatives:

• Bones at Gilded Altar: Big bones cost ~200 GP for 45 XP (4.44 GP/XP), but XP rates are higher with altars.
• Higher Ensouled Heads: Ensouled dragon heads give 1,560 XP but cost ~8,000 GP each, better for high budgets.
• Ectofuntus: Free if grinding bones, but extremely time-consuming.

Is It Worth It?

For low-level players or those with limited GP, ensouled goblin heads are a solid choice. They’re cheaper than most bones and train Magic simultaneously, but the XP per hour (around 10-15k Prayer XP) is modest compared to gilded altars (up to 1M+ XP/hour). If you’re farming your own heads, the cost drops significantly, making it nearly free training.

Tips and Tricks for Ensouled Goblin Head Training

To make the most of your ensouled goblin head grinding, consider these advanced strategies.

Inventory and Gear Setup

Optimize your setup for efficiency:

• Weapons: Use a fast weapon like a Scimitar or Whip to one-hit goblins.
• Armor: Zealot’s Robes for head-saving, or Slayer gear if on task.
• Inventory: Runes, heads, teleports (e.g., Falador or Lumbridge tabs), and Soul Bearer if unlocked.

Combining with Other Goals

Multitask to boost efficiency:

• Slayer Tasks: Goblins are a common low-level task; stack heads while training Slayer.
• Clue Scrolls: Goblins drop easy clues, adding potential profit.
• Combat XP: Use reanimated goblins to train low-level combat stats alongside Prayer and Magic.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Steer clear of these pitfalls:

• Banking Heads: If you bank or trade heads, you must reanimate at the Dark Altar, wasting time.
• Ignoring Zealot’s Effect: The 5% head-saving chance adds up, especially for long sessions.
• Overpaying on GE: Check price trends on GE Tracker to avoid buying heads at peak prices.

The ensouled goblin head in OSRS is a niche but valuable item for players starting their Prayer and Magic journey. While it won’t compete with high-end methods like gilded altars, its low cost and accessibility make it a fantastic option for new players, ironmen, or those grinding goblins for other reasons. By farming your own heads, using Zealot’s Robes, and combining with Slayer or clue scrolls, you can stretch its value even further. Start slaying those goblins in Lumbridge or Goblin Village, and watch your Prayer and Magic levels climb without draining your coin pouch!