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How Much XP Is Needed for Level 99 in OSRS Your Ultimate Guide
Reaching level 99 in any skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a monumental achievement, showcasing dedication and mastery. Whether you’re grinding for that coveted skill cape or aiming to max out all skills, understanding the experience (XP) requirements is crucial. This guide dives deep into how much XP is needed to hit level 99, explores the exponential XP curve, and offers insights into efficient training methods for various skills. Let’s break it down!
In OSRS, every skill (except Dungeoneering in RuneScape 3) requires the same amount of XP to reach level 99: 13,034,431 XP. This consistency across skills like Attack, Cooking, Runecrafting, and more makes planning your grind straightforward. However, the time and effort vary significantly due to differences in XP rates, training methods, and skill mechanics.
The Exponential XP Curve
The XP needed to level up in OSRS follows an exponential curve, where the XP required for each subsequent level increases by approximately 10%. For example:
- Level 1 to 2: 83 XP
- Level 2 to 3: 91 XP
- Level 92 to 93: 648,266 XP
By level 30, the curve becomes more pronounced, doubling roughly every 7 levels. This is why level 92 is often cited as “halfway” to 99, requiring 6,517,253 XP—almost exactly half of the total needed.
Why “92 Is Half of 99”?
The phrase “92 is half of 99” is a well-known OSRS meme because level 92 marks the halfway point in terms of raw XP. However, this doesn’t mean it’s half the time. Many skills unlock faster XP methods at higher levels (e.g., lava runes for Runecrafting or tick manipulation for Woodcutting), which can make the journey from 92 to 99 faster than expected.
Factors Affecting Time to Level 99
While the XP requirement is fixed, the time to reach level 99 depends on several factors, including the skill’s XP rates, your playstyle, and available resources.
XP Rates Vary by Skill
Some skills, like Fletching, offer high XP rates (up to 9M XP/hour with dart fletching), while others, like Agility, are notoriously slow (maxing at ~60k XP/hour). Here’s a quick look at approximate hours for some skills using efficient methods:
| Skill | Approx. Hours to 99 | Fastest Method |
|---|---|---|
| Fletching | 3–5 hours | Dragon dart fletching |
| Cooking | 16–27 hours | 1-tick Karambwans |
| Agility | 165 hours | Sepulchre or rooftop courses |
| Runecrafting | 200–300 hours | Lava runes or Guardians of the Rift |
Free-to-Play vs. Members Skills
Free-to-play (F2P) players have access to 13 skills, requiring a total of 169,447,603 XP to max. Members (P2P) face 21 skills, totaling 273,723,051 XP for a max cape. P2P skills often have faster methods (e.g., Wintertodt for Firemaking), but some, like Slayer, require significant combat investment.
Resources and Costs
“Buyable” skills like Crafting or Prayer can be expensive, costing millions of OSRS gold for materials. For example, crafting gold bracelets to 99 can cost over 100M gold, while cutting amethysts offers a cheaper, slower alternative. Budget-conscious players may opt for profitable methods, like cooking lobsters or fletching bolts, which can offset costs.
Fastest Skills to Reach Level 99
If you’re aiming for your first 99, choosing a fast skill can boost morale. Here are some of the quickest skills to train, based on time rather than passive methods like Farming.
Fletching: The Speed King
Fletching is the fastest skill, with top players achieving 99 in as little as 3 hours. Fletching dragon darts using mouse keys can yield up to 9M XP/hour, though it’s click-intensive and costs ~120M gold. For budget players, fletching mithril darts is cheaper but slower.
Cooking: Affordable and Quick
Cooking is a great F2P-friendly option, taking ~27 hours with wines or 16 hours with 1-tick Karambwans. Cooking at the Lumbridge range reduces burn rates, and methods like cooking lobsters can be profitable at higher levels.
Firemaking: Easy and Profitable
Firemaking via Wintertodt takes 55–65 hours, offering 300k–400k XP/hour. It’s semi-AFK, profitable, and accessible to low-level players, making it a popular choice for a first 99.
Slowest Skills and How to Tackle Them
Some skills are infamous for their grind. Here’s how to approach the slowest ones efficiently.
Agility: The Endurance Test
Agility is the slowest skill, requiring ~165 hours. The Hallowed Sepulchre (level 52+) offers the best XP rates (~60k XP/hour), while rooftop courses like Ardougne are reliable for lower levels. Use stamina potions and the graceful outfit to maximize efficiency.
Runecrafting: The Infamous Grind
Runecrafting takes 200–300 hours due to low XP rates early on. Lava runes (level 23+) provide ~40k XP/hour, while Guardians of the Rift offers decent XP and rewards. Quests like “The Slug Menace” can boost early levels.
Slayer: Combat Meets Patience
Slayer combines combat and skilling, taking ~100–150 hours depending on tasks. High-level tasks (e.g., Cerberus or Abyssal Demons) yield better XP, but require strong gear and combat stats. Use a Slayer helm for bonus XP.
Tips to Optimize Your Grind to 99
Reaching level 99 is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are practical tips to make the journey smoother:
- Quest for XP Rewards: Quests like “Recipe for Disaster” (Cooking) or “Fremennik Trials” (multiple skills) offer significant XP, skipping early levels.
- Use Skilling Outfits: Outfits like the graceful set (Agility) or prospector kit (Mining) boost XP by 2.5%–10%.
- Leverage Minigames: Wintertodt, Tempoross, and Guardians of the Rift provide XP and rewards, breaking the monotony of grinding.
- Plan Your Budget: Calculate costs using tools like OldSchool.tools to avoid overspending on buyable skills.
- Take Breaks: Skills like Agility or Runecrafting can be mentally taxing. Train other skills or take short breaks to avoid burnout.
Virtual Levels and Beyond 99
After hitting 99, you can track “virtual levels” up to 200M XP (the cap for each skill). Virtual levels aren’t visible in-game but can be monitored via RuneMetrics or third-party tools. For context, 200M XP is over 15 times the XP needed for 99, reserved for the most dedicated players.
Maxing All Skills
Maxing all 21 P2P skills requires 273,723,051 XP, taking thousands of hours. The fastest recorded max cape speedrun took 791 hours, but most players take years. Prioritize fast skills early and save grind-heavy ones like Runecrafting for last.
Achieving level 99 in OSRS is a testament to perseverance. Whether you’re fletching darts at lightning speed or slogging through Agility courses, the 13,034,431 XP goal is within reach with the right strategy. Use this guide to plan your grind, optimize your methods, and celebrate each milestone. Which skill are you tackling first? Share your progress in the comments!