Gilded Altar OSRS Ironman: The Ultimate Prayer Training Guide

Gilded Altar OSRS Ironman: The Ultimate Prayer Training Guide


For Ironman players in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), training Prayer can feel like a daunting task. Without access to the Grand Exchange or trading, gathering bones and maximizing experience becomes a unique challenge. One of the best solutions? The Gilded Altar. In this guide, we’ll explore how Ironmen can leverage the Gilded Altar in their Player-Owned House (POH) to level up Prayer efficiently, why it’s a game-changer, and how to make it work for your account. Whether you’re a regular Ironman or a Hardcore Ironman (HCIM), this blog post has you covered with tips, strategies, and step-by-step advice.

Prayer is a slow skill to train for Ironmen due to the need to gather every bone yourself. Unlike regular accounts that can buy stacks of dragon bones from the GE, Ironmen must rely on their own efforts. The Gilded Altar, buildable in your POH, offers a massive 350% Prayer experience boost per bone when both incense burners are lit—making it one of the most efficient ways to stretch your hard-earned resources.

The Experience Multiplier Advantage

Here’s how it breaks down: burying a dragon bone normally gives 72 Prayer XP. At a Gilded Altar with both burners lit, that jumps to 252 XP per bone. This 3.5x multiplier significantly reduces the number of bones you need to hit key Prayer levels like 43 (for protection prayers) or 70 (for Piety).

Self-Sufficiency at Its Best

For Ironmen, the Gilded Altar embodies the mode’s spirit of self-reliance. Once built, it’s a permanent tool in your arsenal—no need to risk the Wilderness Chaos Altar or slog through the Ectofuntus grind. You control the process, from gathering bones to lighting the burners.

How to Build a Gilded Altar as an Ironman

OSRS Prayer Training Guide Levels 199

Constructing a Gilded Altar requires some preparation, especially for Ironmen who can’t buy materials outright. Here’s what you need and how to get it done.

Requirements for Construction

To build a Gilded Altar, you’ll need:

  • Level 75 Construction: This is the base requirement, though boosting from 67 is possible (more on that later).
  • 2 Marble Blocks: Purchased from the Stonemason in Keldagrim for 650,000 coins total.
  • 4 Gold Leaves: Bought from the Stonemason for 520,000 coins total.
  • 2 Bolts of Cloth: Crafted from looms with 4 balls of wool each or bought from the Construction Supplies shop in Varrock for 1,300 coins total.
  • Tools: A hammer and saw in your inventory.

Total cost from shops: 1,171,300 coins. For Ironmen, amassing this gold takes time, but it’s a worthy investment.

Boosting Construction from Lower Levels

Don’t have 75 Construction yet? You can boost from as low as 67 using:

Combine these for a potential +8 boost, though the stew’s randomness means it might take several attempts. Alternatively, a +3 boost from POH tea (teak shelves) and the saw can guarantee success from 69 Construction.

Gathering the Materials

Here’s how Ironmen can source the materials:

  • Gold Coins: High-alch drops from Slayer tasks, kill green dragons for hides to alch, or farm Wintertodt for crates.
  • Marble Blocks and Gold Leaves: Buy from Keldagrim’s Stonemason—teleport there with the minecart system after starting The Giant Dwarf quest.
  • Bolts of Cloth: Shear sheep for wool, spin it into balls, and weave at a loom (e.g., Falador farm).

Best Methods to Gather Bones for Your Gilded Altar

With your Gilded Altar ready, the next hurdle is collecting bones. Ironmen need reliable sources that balance efficiency and safety. Here are the top options.

Green Dragons in the Myths’ Guild

After completing Dragon Slayer II, the Corsair Cove Dungeon in the Myths’ Guild becomes a prime spot. Green dragons drop dragon bones (100% rate) and hides, which you can alch for profit. Use a mythical cape teleport to your POH to offload bones at the altar, then Camelot Teleport to bank. Expect 200–300K Prayer XP per hour with this method.

Blue Dragons in Taverley Dungeon

For lower-level Ironmen, blue dragons are safer and safespottable with ranged or magic. Bring a dusty key (from The Knight’s Sword quest) or 70 Agility for the shortcut. Bank hides or drop them to focus on bones—rates are slower but consistent.

Slayer Tasks with Bone Drops

Tasks like dagannoths (noted bones after Fremennik Elite Diary) or wyverns provide a steady supply. Pair with a bonecrusher for passive XP or save for the altar. Ensouled heads from Slayer can also be reanimated for additional Prayer XP.

Optimizing Gilded Altar Training as an Ironman

Building the altar is half the battle—using it efficiently is the other. Here’s how to maximize your XP rates.

Lighting the Incense Burners

You’ll need marrentill herbs (level 9 Herblore to clean) and a tinderbox. Grow marrentills via Farming (plant runs with ultracompost) or collect them from Slayer drops like chaos druids. Light both burners for the full 350% XP boost—each lasts about 2 minutes, so keep a stack handy.

Banking and Teleport Strategy

Use a PvP world (e.g., World 308) and teleport to Camelot. The bank chest near Camelot Castle is fast and safe. Withdraw 24 bones and 2 marrentills, teleport to your POH, light the burners, and use the bones. Repeat for 400–500K XP per hour with dragon bones.

Menu Entry Swapper Tip

Using RuneLite? Enable the Menu Entry Swapper plugin to swap “Bury” to “Use” on bones. This speeds up the process by avoiding right-clicks, saving precious seconds per inventory.

Comparing Gilded Altar to Other Ironman Prayer Methods

The Gilded Altar isn’t your only option. Let’s weigh it against alternatives to see why it shines.

Gilded Altar vs. Chaos Altar

The Chaos Altar in level 38 Wilderness offers 350% XP per bone with a 50% chance to preserve it, averaging 700% XP. It’s faster for bones you already have, but PKers make it risky for HCIM. The Gilded Altar is safer and more consistent once built.

Gilded Altar vs. Ectofuntus

The Ectofuntus gives 400% XP per bone but requires grinding bones and collecting slime—tedious for Ironmen. It’s a good early-game option (especially for HCIM), but the Gilded Altar outpaces it after level 75 Construction.

Cost and XP Comparison Table

Method XP Multiplier XP per Dragon Bone Risk Level Setup Effort
Gilded Altar (both burners) 350% 252 Low High (75 Construction)
Chaos Altar 700% (avg) 504 High Low
Ectofuntus 400% 288 Low Medium

Note: Chaos Altar assumes no losses to PKers; real rates vary.

When to Choose the Gilded Altar

Opt for the Gilded Altar if you’ve hit 75 Construction and want a safe, controlled method. It’s ideal for mid-to-late-game Ironmen with access to dragon bones and a stable coin supply for materials.

In conclusion, the Gilded Altar is a cornerstone of Prayer training for OSRS Ironmen. It’s a long-term investment that pays off with unmatched efficiency and safety. From building it to gathering bones and optimizing your runs, this guide has laid out everything you need to dominate Prayer training. So, grab your hammer, stock up on marrentills, and start building—your Piety prayer awaits!