Fastest Way to Train Fletching in OSRS

Fastest Way to Train Fletching in OSRS

Fletching is one of the fastest skills to level up in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering players the ability to craft ranged weapons and ammunition while potentially making a profit or minimizing losses. Whether you’re aiming for the coveted level 99 skill cape or just want to boost your Fletching for quests and combat, this guide covers the most efficient methods to train Fletching, including zero-time techniques, profitable options, and tips for Ironmen. With the right approach, you can hit 99 in as little as a few hours, though costs can vary significantly.

Fletching is a versatile skill that not only enhances your ranged combat capabilities but also allows for passive training during other activities like questing, Agility, or Slayer. Its “zero-time” methods, where actions are instantaneous, make it ideal for multitasking. Additionally, Fletching can be profitable at higher levels, and certain items like Yew or Magic longbows are commonly used for High Alchemy to train Magic. For Ironmen, Fletching is crucial for crafting ammunition and weapons, making it a staple skill for account progression.

Key Benefits of Fletching

  • Fast Experience Rates: Methods like fletching dragon darts can yield up to 1.5M XP per hour.
  • Passive Training: Zero-time methods allow training while running, questing, or skilling.
  • Profit Potential: Crafting certain items like Maple or Yew longbows can break even or generate profit.
  • Quest and Diary Requirements: Level 60 Fletching is needed for the Quest Cape, and higher levels unlock Achievement Diary tasks.

Questing for Early Fletching Levels

Quick Fletching Methods Guide 199 Fletching Old School Runescape

Before diving into grinding, complete quests that reward Fletching experience to skip early levels. These quests are low-requirement and provide a quick boost, especially for new accounts or Ironmen.

Recommended Quests for Fletching XP

Quest Fletching XP Level Achieved Requirements
Animal Magnetism 1,000 ~Level 10 18 Slayer, 19 Crafting, 30 Ranged, 35 Woodcutting
Big Chompy Bird Hunting 262 ~Level 5 5 Fletching, 30 Cooking, 30 Ranged
Zogre Flesh Eaters 2,000 ~Level 15 4 Smithing, 8 Herblore, 30 Ranged
Temple of Ikov 8,000 ~Level 25 42 Thieving, 40 Ranged
The Fremennik Trials 2,812 ~Level 30 25 Fletching, 40 Woodcutting, 40 Crafting

Completing these quests grants a total of 14,074 XP, enough to reach level 30, saving you time and resources.

Fastest Fletching Training Methods

The fastest way to 99 Fletching involves zero-time methods like fletching darts or bolts, which offer instant XP with no in-game delay. These methods are click-intensive and expensive but can achieve record-breaking times, like EVscape’s 3-hour 1-99 run using darts. Below is a level-by-level breakdown of the fastest methods.

Levels 1-10: Headless Arrows

Start by making headless arrows by combining arrow shafts and feathers (1:1 ratio). Each action yields 15 XP (1 XP per arrow). This method is quick, profitable, and ideal for early levels. You’ll need approximately 7,842 arrow shafts and feathers to reach level 10, costing around 150K GP but often breaking even when sold.

  • XP/Hour: ~45,000
  • Cost: ~150K (can profit slightly)
  • Tip: Buy arrow shafts from the Ranging Guild (1 GP each) for Ironmen or from the Grand Exchange for main accounts.

Levels 10-22: Bronze Darts

Fletch bronze darts by combining bronze dart tips with feathers. Each dart gives 1.8 XP, and you can make up to 10 sets of 10 per tick with optimized clicking. This method is click-intensive but offers high XP rates. Expect to make ~18,000 darts per hour.

  • XP/Hour: ~388,800
  • Cost: High (check GE prices for dart tips)
  • Tip: Disable the “Make-X” option in settings for faster fletching by spam-clicking. Use a touchscreen for easier two-finger tapping.

Levels 22-37: Iron Darts

Switch to iron darts, which require 22 Fletching and 19 Smithing (for dart tips). Each dart grants 3.8 XP. This method remains click-intensive but is slightly cheaper than bronze darts while maintaining high XP rates.

  • XP/Hour: ~450,000
  • Cost: Moderate to high
  • Tip: Stock up on dart tips due to Grand Exchange buy limits (13,000 every 4 hours).

Levels 37-52: Steel Darts

At level 37, steel darts become available, requiring 37 Fletching and 34 Smithing. Each dart yields 7.5 XP, and the method is highly efficient for zero-time training. This is a good balance of speed and cost for most players.

  • XP/Hour: ~600,000
  • Cost: Expensive (~1M/hour)
  • Tip: Fletch while running during Agility or Slayer to maximize efficiency. Use Windows Mouse Keys for faster clicking on PC.

Levels 52-99: Dragon Darts

Dragon darts are the fastest Fletching method in OSRS, requiring 95 Fletching and 81 Smithing. Each dart grants 25 XP, and you can fletch 10 sets of 10 per action, yielding up to 250 XP per tick. This method is extremely expensive but can achieve 1.5M XP/hour, making it the choice for speedrunners.

  • XP/Hour: ~1,500,000
  • Cost: ~400M to 99
  • Tip: Buy materials in bulk (170,515 dragon dart tips and feathers) to avoid buy limit issues. Use a Brooch of the Gods with a Portable Fletcher for 10% XP boost.

Note: If dragon darts are too costly, consider mithril darts (level 52, ~800,000 XP/hour) or adamant darts (level 67, ~900,000 XP/hour) as cheaper alternatives with slightly lower XP rates.

Profitable and AFK Fletching Methods

If you’re looking to save GP or prefer a less click-intensive approach, fletching bows or battlestaves can be profitable or break even while offering decent XP rates. These methods are slower but more relaxed and suitable for AFK training.

Levels 40-80: Battlestaves

Fletching battlestaves requires Celastrus bark and level 40 Fletching. Each battlestaff grants 80 XP, and the method is often profitable due to high demand for battlestaves. This is a great option for mid-level training.

  • XP/Hour: ~110,000
  • Cost: Often profitable
  • Tip: Check GE prices for Celastrus bark and battlestaves to ensure profitability.

Levels 55-99: Maple Longbows

Fletching and stringing Maple longbows is a popular method due to its low cost and potential for profit. Each longbow grants 58.3 XP (fletching or stringing). Stringing is faster (16.8 seconds per inventory) than fletching (48.6 seconds).

  • XP/Hour: ~100,000
  • Cost: ~320K profit to 99
  • Tip: High Alchemy the bows for additional Magic XP and profit. Use bank presets for faster banking.

Levels 92-99: Redwood Shields

Fletching redwood shields requires two redwood logs and level 92 Fletching, granting 216 XP per shield. This method is semi-AFK and can be profitable depending on market prices.

  • XP/Hour: ~168,000
  • Cost: Varies (check GE for redwood logs)
  • Tip: Combine with other activities like Wintertodt for passive training.

Tips for Ironmen and Budget Players

Ironmen and players on a budget face unique challenges due to limited access to Grand Exchange materials. However, Fletching remains viable with the right strategies.

Ironman Fletching Strategies

  • Bank Logs Early: Store logs from Woodcutting to fletch into bows or arrow shafts later.

  • Feather Supply: Complete Bone Voyage for birdhouse trapping to gather feathers passively.

  • Broad Arrows: At level 52, unlock the Broader Fletching perk (300 Slayer points) to fletch broad arrows, which are efficient and use easily obtainable materials. Each arrow grants 11 XP.

  • Passive Training: Fletch headless arrows or darts while training Runecraft, Agility, or Farming, as these require minimal inventory space.

Budget-Friendly Tips

  • Use Calculators: Check fletching calculators (e.g., OldSchool.tools) to find profitable methods based on current GE prices.

  • Boost with Dragonfruit Pie: Eat a Dragonfruit Pie (+4 Fletching boost) to access higher-level methods early. Costs ~225 GP per boost.

  • Portable Fletchers: Use Portable Fletchers at Lumbridge Market (World 84) for a 10% XP boost.

Final Thoughts

Fletching in OSRS is a skill where speed, cost, and playstyle dictate your training path. For the fastest route, dragon darts reign supreme, offering up to 1.5M XP/hour but at a steep cost. If you prefer profitability or AFK methods, Maple longbows, battlestaves, or redwood shields are excellent choices. Ironmen and budget players can leverage quests, broad arrows, and passive training to reach 99 efficiently. Always monitor Grand Exchange prices and use XP boosts like Portable Fletchers to optimize your training. With dedication, you can join the ranks of players like EVscape, who achieved 99 in just over 3 hours, or take a more relaxed approach to enjoy the journey to the Fletching skill cape.