How Do You Get Kudos in OSRS: A Complete Guide to Earning Rewards

If you’re an Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player looking to unlock exclusive content like Fossil Island or simply want to boost your in-game reputation, earning Kudos is a must. But how do you get Kudos in OSRS? This guide will walk you through every method to earn Kudos, from cleaning finds to completing quests, ensuring you maximize your rewards efficiently. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned adventurer, read on to discover the best ways to rack up Kudos and enhance your OSRS experience.
Kudos are a unique reward system in OSRS tied to the Varrock Museum. Unlike gold or experience points, Kudos aren’t spent—they’re collected as a measure of your contribution to the museum’s efforts. Think of them as a badge of honor that unlocks new areas and perks. For example, you’ll need at least 100 Kudos to access Fossil Island via the Bone Voyage quest, and 153 Kudos to tackle certain Varrock Diary tasks.
Why Kudos Matter
Kudos aren’t just for show—they open doors to exclusive content. Fossil Island, for instance, offers training opportunities in skills like Mining, Woodcutting, and Prayer. Plus, earning Kudos adds a layer of achievement to your gameplay, making it a rewarding side hustle alongside your main quests.
Checking Your Kudos Count
To see how many Kudos you’ve earned, head to the Varrock Museum and right-click the information booth on the first floor’s northwest corner. Alternatively, chat with Historian Minas on the second floor for a detailed breakdown of your progress. Keeping track ensures you know how close you are to your goals.
Method 1: Cleaning Finds at the Dig Site
One of the most straightforward ways to earn Kudos is by cleaning finds at the Dig Site. This method requires completion of The Dig Site quest, but once you’re in, it’s a reliable way to stack up to 50 Kudos.
How to Clean Finds
First, gather the necessary tools: leather boots, leather gloves, a trowel, a rock pick, and a specimen brush. You can snag these from the tool rack in the Varrock Museum’s cleaning area on the first floor’s southern section. Next, head to the Dig Site east of Varrock, grab uncleaned finds from the specimen rocks near Sinco Doar, and return to the museum. Use the finds on an empty specimen table to clean them, revealing artifacts like pottery or ancient coins.
Rewards from Cleaning Finds
Each cleaned find you turn in to an archaeologist earns you 10 Kudos, up to a maximum of 50. You might also uncover bonus items like antique lamps or rare artifacts, adding extra value to this method.
Method 2: Completing the Natural History Quiz
For a quick and easy Kudos boost, the Natural History Quiz is your go-to. Located in the museum’s basement, this method requires no prerequisites and is perfect for fresh accounts or players short on time.
Starting the Quiz
Talk to Orlando Smith in the basement of the Varrock Museum to kick things off. He’ll guide you through a series of questions based on the creatures displayed around the room, such as tortoises, dragons, and wyverns.
Tips for Success
- Read the Plaques: Each display has a plaque with key info—scan these before answering.
- Take Your Time: There’s no rush, so double-check your answers.
- Repeat if Needed: If you mess up, you can retry until you get it right.
Rewards from the Quiz
Completing the quiz nets you 28 Kudos plus 1,000 Slayer and Hunter XP. It’s a low-effort way to jumpstart your Kudos count and gain some early skill boosts.
Method 3: Turning in Completed Quests
If you’re a love quests, this method is for you. By completing specific quests and reporting your achievements to Historian Minas on the museum’s second floor, you can earn substantial Kudos rewards.
Eligible Quests for Kudos
Here’s a list of quests that grant Kudos when turned in:
Quest | Kudos Earned | Additional Rewards |
---|---|---|
The Dig Site | 5 | 2,000 Mining XP |
Hazeel Cult | 5 | 1,500 Thieving XP |
Shield of Arrav | 5 | 600 Thieving XP |
Merlin’s Crystal | 5 | 3,000 Combat XP |
Bone Voyage | 5 | Access to Fossil Island |
How to Turn in Quests
After finishing a quest, speak to Historian Minas. He’ll reward you with Kudos and an antique lamp for XP. Note that some quests, like Bone Voyage, require prior Kudos (100), so plan accordingly.
Method 4: Building Fossil Displays
For those who’ve unlocked Fossil Island after Bone Voyage, building fossil displays is a fantastic way to earn Kudos. This method requires patience but offers steady gains up to 120 Kudos.
Collecting Fossils
Head to Fossil Island and gather fossils from activities like the Volcanic Mine, fossil cleaning, or digging in the fossil pits. You’ll need a complete set (e.g., skull, spine, ribs, pelvis, and limbs) for animal displays, or plant fossils (roots, stump, branch, leaf, mushroom) for plant displays.
Assembling Displays
Take your cleaned fossils to the museum’s basement and use them on the empty display cases. Each completed display earns 2 Kudos, and with 60 displays available, you can earn up to 120 Kudos total from this method alone.
Maximizing Efficiency
- Prioritize Small Fossils: They’re easier to collect and clean.
- Use Storage Crates: Store excess fossils in the museum’s crates to avoid cluttering your inventory.
- Team Up: Work with friends to speed up fossil collection.
Tips to Earn Kudos Faster in OSRS
Want to hit that 153 Kudos mark for the Varrock Hard Diary or unlock Fossil Island ASAP? Here are some pro tips to streamline your efforts:
Plan Your Quest Order
Start with The Dig Site and Bone Voyage, as they unlock cleaning finds and fossil displays—two big Kudos sources. Tackle the Natural History Quiz early for a quick 28 Kudos with zero requirements.
Use Teleports
Equip a Digsite Pendant or use the Varrock Teleport spell to zip between the museum and Dig Site. For Fossil Island, the Mushroom Teleport or Rowboat will save you time.
Combine Activities
Pair Kudos grinding with skill training. Cleaning finds boosts Mining XP, while fossil hunting can level up Prayer or Construction. Multitasking keeps the grind fun and productive.
By following these methods—cleaning finds (50 Kudos), the Natural History Quiz (28 Kudos), quest turn-ins (up to 25 Kudos), and fossil displays (120 Kudos)—you can easily surpass 153 Kudos. Start with the quiz and Dig Site for a strong foundation, then dive into quests and fossils as you progress. With this guide, you’re well on your way to mastering the Kudos system and unlocking all the rewards OSRS has to offer. Happy adventuring!