How to Boost Fletching OSRS – Ultimate Guide to Leveling Fast

Fletching in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a versatile and profitable skill that allows players to craft bows, arrows, and other ranged equipment. Leveling fletching can be a grind, but with the right strategies, you can boost your progress and hit level 99 efficiently. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about boosting fletching in OSRS, from early levels to advanced methods, with tips to save time and maximize experience. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, these methods will help you level up fast while keeping costs low.
Fletching is a buyable skill, meaning you can purchase materials to train it, making it ideal for players with some gold to spend. It’s also one of the fastest skills to train, offering high experience rates and decent profits if done correctly. High fletching levels unlock powerful ranged weapons like the Toxic Blowpipe and Dragon Crossbow, enhancing your combat capabilities. Additionally, fletching complements other skills like Woodcutting and Crafting, creating a synergy for resource gathering and profit-making.
Benefits of High Fletching Levels
- Access to top-tier ranged gear: Craft high-level bows and ammunition for PvM and PvP.
- Profit potential: Certain fletching methods, like cutting gems or making darts, can yield profits.
- Fast experience: Fletching offers some of the highest XP rates in OSRS when optimized.
Getting Started with Fletching – Levels 1-40
Early fletching levels are quick to achieve, and the goal is to progress efficiently while keeping costs low. Start by gathering basic materials like logs and feathers, which are easy to obtain. Here’s a step-by-step guide for beginners.
Levels 1-10: Arrow Shafts and Headless Arrows
Cut regular logs into arrow shafts (15 shafts per log, 5 XP per log). Then, combine feathers with arrow shafts to make headless arrows (1 XP per arrow). This method is cheap and fast, requiring only logs and feathers, which you can buy from the Grand Exchange or gather yourself.
Levels 10-25: Shortbows
Fletch unstrung shortbows from regular logs (5 XP per log, 10 XP per bow when stringing). Stringing bows with flax bowstrings provides additional XP and is worth doing if you have the funds. Alternatively, sell unstrung bows to minimize costs.
Levels 25-40: Longbows and Oak Shortbows
Switch to fletching unstrung longbows (10 XP per log, 20 XP when stringing) or oak shortbows (16.5 XP per bow). Oak logs are slightly more expensive but offer better XP rates. If you’re cutting your own logs, this method synergizes with Woodcutting training.
Method | Levels | XP per Action | Materials Needed |
---|---|---|---|
Arrow Shafts | 1-10 | 5 XP per log | Regular logs, knife |
Headless Arrows | 1-10 | 1 XP per arrow | Arrow shafts, feathers |
Shortbows | 10-25 | 10 XP per bow | Regular logs, bowstring |
Oak Shortbows | 25-40 | 16.5 XP per bow | Oak logs, bowstring |
Intermediate Fletching Methods – Levels 40-70
Once you hit level 40, fletching becomes more diverse, with options to craft better bows, arrows, and bolts. These levels focus on balancing cost, speed, and potential profits.
Levels 40-55: Willow and Maple Shortbows
Fletch willow shortbows (33.3 XP per bow when strung) until level 50, then switch to maple shortbows (50 XP per bow). These methods are affordable and provide decent XP rates. If you’re on a budget, skip stringing and sell unstrung bows to recoup costs.
Levels 55-70: Broad Arrows
Broad arrows are a popular choice for fletching due to their high XP rates (10 XP per arrow) and low cost. You’ll need to complete the “Smoking Kills” quest and have 52 Slayer to unlock broad arrowheads. Combine arrowheads with headless arrows for fast, cost-effective training. Expect around 300k-400k XP per hour with this method.
Alternative: Steel Bolts
If you prefer crafting bolts, steel bolts (3.5 XP per bolt) are a cheap option at level 46. They’re slower than broad arrows but require less upfront investment. Buy feathers and steel bolt tips from the Grand Exchange for efficiency.
Advanced Fletching – Levels 70-99
High-level fletching offers the fastest XP rates in OSRS, but costs can add up. The focus here is on maximizing XP per hour while exploring profitable methods.
Levels 70-81: Yew Longbows
Fletch yew longbows (75 XP per bow when strung) for a balance of cost and XP. This method yields around 200k-250k XP per hour. If you’re cutting yew logs yourself, you can reduce costs significantly, though buying from the Grand Exchange is faster.
Levels 81-92: Adamant Darts
Adamant darts are one of the fastest fletching methods, offering up to 600k XP per hour (15 XP per dart). You’ll need adamant dart tips and feathers, which can be costly. However, darts often sell for a profit, making this a viable money-making method. Use a bank preset to speed up the process.
Levels 92-99: Dragon Darts
For the fastest XP rates, craft dragon darts (25 XP per dart) at level 95, yielding up to 700k XP per hour. This method is expensive, as dragon dart tips are rare and costly. If you have the budget, it’s the quickest way to 99. Alternatively, continue with adamant darts to save gold.
Profitable Alternative: Cutting Gems into Bolt Tips
At level 80, you can cut dragonstones into dragonstone bolt tips (8.2 XP per tip). This method is slower but often profitable, as bolt tips are in high demand for PvM. Combine with enchanting for additional Magic XP if you’re multi-skilling.
- Tip: Use the “Portable Fletching Table” from player-owned ports for a 10% XP boost if available.
- Tip: Wear the Fletching Cape at level 99 for a 1% XP boost when stringing bows.
Tips and Tricks to Optimize Fletching
To make your fletching journey smoother, incorporate these strategies to save time, reduce costs, and boost efficiency.
Use Bank Presets
Set up bank presets to instantly withdraw materials like logs, bowstrings, or dart tips. This minimizes banking time and keeps your XP rates high, especially for fast methods like darts.
Train During Double XP Events
Double XP Live events, which occur periodically, are perfect for fletching. You’ll get twice the XP for the same materials, cutting your costs in half. Stock up on supplies in advance to take full advantage.
Combine with Other Skills
Fletching pairs well with Woodcutting (for logs), Crafting (for gem cutting), and Slayer (for unlocking broad arrows). Multi-skilling can make training feel less repetitive and more rewarding.
Check Grand Exchange Prices
Always compare the cost of materials on the Grand Exchange. Prices fluctuate, so buy when materials are cheap to save gold. Tools like GE Tracker can help you spot trends.
Method | XP per Hour | Cost Estimate (GP) | Profit Potential |
---|---|---|---|
Broad Arrows | 300k-400k | Low | Minimal |
Adamant Darts | 500k-600k | High | Moderate |
Dragon Darts | 600k-700k | Very High | Low |
Dragonstone Bolt Tips | 100k-150k | Moderate | High |
Boosting fletching in OSRS is all about finding the right balance between speed, cost, and profit. Start with cheap methods like arrow shafts and shortbows, progress to broad arrows for efficiency, and finish with darts or bolt tips for the fastest XP or best profits. Use bank presets, double XP events, and multi-skilling to optimize your training. With these strategies, you’ll hit 99 fletching in no time, unlocking powerful ranged gear and potential gold along the way. Happy fletching!