Fastest Way to 99 Woodcutting in OSRS

Fastest Way to 99 Woodcutting in OSRS

Woodcutting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a classic gathering skill that can be both relaxing and rewarding. Whether you’re aiming for the coveted Woodcutting skill cape or looking to make some gold, reaching level 99 efficiently requires strategy. This guide dives into the fastest methods to hit 99 Woodcutting, covering optimal training routes, tick manipulation, and essential gear. Let’s chop through the grind and get you to 99 as quickly as possible!

Woodcutting is a low-effort skill that pairs well with multitasking, making it ideal for players who want to progress while studying or working. It’s also a gateway to profitable logs and useful items like bird nests. Achieving 99 Woodcutting unlocks the skill cape, offering a 10% chance of extra bird nests, and opens up content like high-level quests and the Woodcutting Guild. The fastest methods prioritize experience per hour (XP/hr), saving time for other in-game goals.

Key Benefits of 99 Woodcutting

  • Skill Cape Perk: Boosts bird nest drops by 10%.
  • Profit Potential: High-level logs like redwoods and magics can yield millions in gold.
  • Quest Requirements: Unlocks quests like Making Friends with My Arm and Dragon Slayer II.
  • AFK Training: Many methods require minimal attention.

Essential Gear and Boosts

To maximize XP rates, you’ll need the best tools and boosts available. Using the right axe and outfit can significantly speed up your journey to 99. Here’s what you need to prioritize.

Best Axes for Woodcutting

Always use the highest-tier axe your level allows, as better axes increase chopping speed. Felling axes, introduced with Forestry, provide a 10% XP boost but require Forester’s Rations.

Axe Woodcutting Level Notes
Bronze/Iron 1 Starting axes, very slow.
Rune 41 Accessible for mid-levels.
Dragon Felling 61 10% XP boost, special attack (+3 level).
Crystal Felling 71 Best axe, requires Song of the Elves.
Infernal 61 Burns logs for Firemaking XP, niche use.

Experience-Boosting Gear

  • Lumberjack Outfit: Obtained via Temple Trekking, provides 2.5% XP boost. Takes ~1 hour to get by evading non-lumberjack events on Route 1.
  • Forestry Outfit: Earned through Forestry events, also grants 2.5% XP boost. Requires anima-infused bark.
  • Forestry Kit: Enables Forestry events, boosting XP by ~20,000/hr and providing a +10 level boost when chopping with others.
  • Lightbearer: Speeds up dragon axe special attacks for faster level boosts.

Woodcutting Guild Boost

At level 60 Woodcutting and 75% Hosidius favor, the Woodcutting Guild grants an invisible +7 level boost, increasing chopping speed. It’s ideal for AFK methods like redwoods but doesn’t stack with Forestry’s group boost.

Fastest Training Methods (Levels 1–99)

The fastest path to 99 Woodcutting involves a mix of questing, early tree chopping, and tick manipulation for high XP rates. Below is the optimal route, assuming you’re using the best axe and boosts available.

Levels 1–26: Questing and Regular Trees

Start by completing quests to skip early levels. These quests can get you to level 26 in about 1.5 hours:

For levels 1–15, chop regular trees near Lumbridge Castle or south of the Grand Exchange. Drop logs to save time. At level 15, switch to oak trees east of Draynor Village bank on a Forestry world (e.g., World 444) for a +10 level boost with group chopping.

Levels 26–35: Oak Trees

Continue chopping oaks in Draynor Village on a Forestry world. With a rune axe and Lumberjack outfit, expect ~30,000 XP/hr. Participate in Forestry events like Struggling Sapling or Rising Roots for bonus XP and bark. You’ll need ~534 oak logs to reach level 35.

Levels 35–65: Teak Trees (Tick Manipulation)

At level 35, teak trees on Ape Atoll or Fossil Island become the fastest XP method with tick manipulation. 2-tick teak chopping involves auto-retaliating against birds (Ape Atoll) or rabbits (Prifddinas) every two ticks while clicking a tree, yielding logs every two ticks instead of four.

Note: 2-ticking is click-intensive. Practice timing with a metronome (100 BPM) to maintain rhythm. Without tick manipulation, teaks yield ~80,000 XP/hr, still decent but slower.

Levels 65–90: Sulliuscep Mushrooms

From level 65, sulliuscep mushrooms on Fossil Island offer high XP and a more relaxed alternative to teaks. They require completion of Bone Voyage and are less click-intensive.

  • XP Rates: ~100,000–120,000 XP/hr at level 65, up to 150,000 XP/hr at higher levels.
  • Benefits: Chance for fossils and mushroom logs, which can be sold for profit.
  • Tip: Use a fossil storage crate nearby to bank fossils quickly.

Alternate with 2-tick teaks if you prefer higher XP rates and don’t mind the intensity.

Levels 90–99: Redwood Trees (AFK)

At level 90, redwood trees in the Woodcutting Guild become the best AFK method. They’re slower but require minimal attention, ideal for multitasking.

  • XP Rates: 55,000–75,000 XP/hr, ~128 hours from 90 to 99.
  • Profit: ~4M GP from 20,232 redwood logs.
  • Location: Woodcutting Guild (requires 75% Hosidius favor).

For maximum efficiency, stick with 2-tick teaks to 99, which can hit 223,000 XP/hr with a crystal felling axe, cutting total training time to ~60–70 hours from level 90.

Tick Manipulation: Mastering 2-Tick Teaks

Tick manipulation is the key to the fastest XP rates in Woodcutting. The 2-tick teak method dominates from level 35 to 99, but it’s not for everyone due to its intensity. Here’s how to do it.

Step-by-Step 2-Tick Teak Setup

  1. Requirements: Access to Ape Atoll or Prifddinas, dragon/crystal felling axe, Forestry kit, Protect from Missiles prayer.
  2. Location: Teak trees near the Ape Atoll dungeon entrance or Hardwood Grove.
  3. Mechanics: Enable auto-retaliate, get attacked by birds every two ticks, and click a teak tree simultaneously. This resets the chopping cycle to two ticks.
  4. Timing: Use a metronome (100 BPM) to click every two beats. Practice to avoid misclicks.
  5. Boosts: Use dragon axe special attacks (+3 levels) and Lightbearer to spam specials.

Pro Tip: Take breaks every 30–60 minutes to avoid burnout. Rates drop to ~200,000 XP/hr if you miss ticks, so consistency is key.

Alternatives to 2-Tick

If 2-ticking feels too intense, try 3-tick willows (F2P, up to 85,000 XP/hr) using a snow globe or Crystallise with Light Form (P2P, ~180,000 XP/hr) on teaks, requiring 88 Magic and 80 Prayer. Both are less efficient but easier to maintain.

Tips for Efficient Woodcutting

Maximize your grind with these practical tips to save time and boost XP.

General Efficiency Tips

  • Forestry Worlds: Join World 444 for group boosts (+10 levels) and event XP.
  • Drop Logs: Dropping logs saves banking time, especially for low-value logs like willows.
  • Skill Necklace: Teleport to the Woodcutting Guild for quick access.
  • Preserve Prayer: Extends dragon axe special attack boosts.

Profit vs. Speed

Fast methods like 2-tick teaks sacrifice profit for XP. If you want gold, cut magic trees (level 75, ~900 GP/log) or redwoods (~200 GP/log) in the Woodcutting Guild. For pure speed, drop low-value logs and focus on XP.

With dedication, 2-tick teaks can get you to 99 in ~100–120 hours total, while AFK redwoods take ~200 hours. Grab your axe, hit a Forestry world, and start chopping your way to the Woodcutting skill cape!