How to Craft Air Battlestaff in OSRS A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting an air battlestaff in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a fantastic way to level up your Crafting skill while creating a useful magical weapon. This elemental staff, requiring 30 Attack and 30 Magic to wield, provides unlimited air runes and the autocast option, making it a favorite for mages. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner looking to boost your skills, this guide will walk you through the process of crafting an air battlestaff, from gathering materials to maximizing efficiency. Let’s dive into the details and get you crafting like a pro!
The air battlestaff is more than just a weapon—it’s a gateway to efficient skill training and potential profit. Crafting it grants 137.5 Crafting experience per staff, making it one of the best methods for leveling Crafting from level 66 onward. Additionally, air battlestaffs are commonly used for High Alchemy, which can offset costs or even turn a small profit. Here’s why you should consider crafting them:
- High Crafting XP: At 137.5 XP per craft, air battlestaffs offer excellent experience rates, up to 330,000 XP per hour with optimal setup.
- Profit Potential: High Alchemy yields 9,300 coins per staff, often covering material costs.
- Versatility: The staff’s unlimited air runes make it valuable for spellcasting and combat.
- Accessible Requirements: Only level 66 Crafting and Magic are needed, achievable for mid-level players.
Who Should Craft Air Battlestaffs?
This method suits players with at least 66 Crafting and Magic, especially those aiming for 99 Crafting or looking to train multiple skills simultaneously. Ironmen benefit greatly, as crafting battlestaffs avoids reliance on monster drops or Treasure Trails. If you’re focused on efficient skilling or want a low-effort money-making method, this guide is for you.
Requirements for Crafting Air Battlestaffs
Before you start, ensure you meet the skill requirements and have the necessary items. Crafting an air battlestaff involves both Crafting and Magic skills, with specific materials to gather. Here’s what you need:
Skill Requirements
- Crafting Level 66: Required to combine an air orb with a battlestaff.
- Magic Level 66: Needed to cast the Charge Air Orb spell (though crafting the staff only requires 30 Magic to wield).
- Crafting Level 46 (Optional): To craft unpowered orbs from molten glass, if you’re making your own.
Item Requirements
| Item | Quantity | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Battlestaff | 1 per craft | Purchase from Zaff’s Superior Staffs! (Varrock), Baba Yaga (Lunar Isle), or Grand Exchange (~7,000 coins). |
| Air Orb | 1 per craft | Charge unpowered orbs at Air Obelisk or buy from Grand Exchange (~300 coins). |
| Unpowered Orb | 1 per air orb | Craft with molten glass or buy from Grand Exchange (~100 coins). |
| Cosmic Runes | 3 per air orb | Buy from Grand Exchange or rune shops (~100 coins each). |
| Glassblowing Pipe | 1 (if crafting orbs) | Buy from general stores or Grand Exchange (~200 coins). |
Recommended Quests and Achievements
- Varrock Diary: Completing tiers increases the number of battlestaffs Zaff stocks daily (up to 120 with Elite Diary).
- What Lies Below: Unlocks Zaff’s battlestaff shop for bulk purchases.
- Lunar Diplomacy (Optional): Grants access to Baba Yaga’s shop for battlestaffs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Air Battlestaffs
Now that you’ve got your requirements sorted, let’s break down the crafting process into manageable steps. Follow these to create your air battlestaff efficiently.
Step 1: Obtain or Craft Unpowered Orbs
Unpowered orbs are the base for air orbs. You have two options:
- Buy from Grand Exchange: Quick and easy, costing around 100 coins each.
- Craft Your Own: Requires level 46 Crafting. Here’s how:
Tip: Crafting orbs is time-consuming but saves money, ideal for Ironmen or budget-conscious players.
Step 2: Charge Air Orbs at the Air Obelisk
To turn unpowered orbs into air orbs, you’ll need to visit the Air Obelisk in the Edgeville Dungeon (Wilderness section). Here’s the process:
- Prepare Your Inventory: Bring unpowered orbs, 3 cosmic runes per orb, and an air staff (to save inventory space on air runes). Wear lightweight gear to avoid Wilderness PKers.
- Reach the Air Obelisk:
- Cast Charge Air Orb: Use the spell (66 Magic, 3 cosmic runes, 30 air runes per cast) on the obelisk to create air orbs. Each cast grants 76 Magic XP.
Warning: The Air Obelisk is in the Wilderness. Avoid peak PvP times and carry minimal valuables. A Ring of Life can save you if attacked.
Step 3: Craft the Air Battlestaff
With air orbs and battlestaffs in hand, crafting is simple:
- Access a Bank: Withdraw one battlestaff and one air orb per craft.
- Combine Items: Use the air orb on the battlestaff (not the other way around, as the staff’s default action is “Wield”). This creates an air battlestaff and grants 137.5 Crafting XP.
- Repeat: Continue crafting until you’ve used your materials or hit your XP goal.
Tip: Use a bank with a nearby crafting station (e.g., Lumbridge or Falador) to minimize travel time.
Step 4: Optional High Alchemy
Many players alchemize air battlestaffs for profit or Magic XP:
- Requirements: 55 Magic, 1 nature rune, 5 fire runes per cast (use a fire staff to save runes).
- Process: Cast High Alchemy on the air battlestaff for 9,300 coins and 65 Magic XP.
- Profit Check: Compare battlestaff and air orb costs (around 7,300 coins total) to alchemy value. Nature runes (~200 coins) affect margins, so check Grand Exchange prices.
Tips for Efficient Air Battlestaff Crafting
Maximize your XP and profit with these strategies:
Optimize Material Gathering
- Buy in Bulk: Purchase battlestaffs daily from Zaff after Varrock Diary completion for 7,000 coins each, cheaper than Grand Exchange.
- Stockpile Orbs: Charge air orbs in large batches to reduce Wilderness trips.
- Portable Crafting Station: Use near a bank to craft without moving.
Boost Crafting Efficiency
- Crafting Potions: Drink a crafting potion for a temporary +4 level boost if you’re close to 66 Crafting.
- Inventory Management: Carry only battlestaffs and air orbs to maximize crafts per bank trip (14 per inventory).
- Mousekeys: Use for faster clicking to speed up crafting and banking.
Minimize Costs
- Craft Orbs Yourself: Save ~100 coins per orb by making molten glass.
- High Alchemy: Alchemize battlestaffs instead of selling to offset rune costs.
- Check Prices Daily: Grand Exchange prices fluctuate, so buy materials when they dip.
Alternatives and Upgrades for Air Battlestaffs
Once you’ve mastered crafting air battlestaffs, consider these options to expand your skills or gear:
Other Elemental Battlestaffs
If you’re not at 66 Crafting or want variety, try these:
- Water Battlestaff: Level 54 Crafting, 100 XP per craft.
- Earth Battlestaff: Level 58 Crafting, 112.5 XP per craft.
- Fire Battlestaff: Level 62 Crafting, 125 XP per craft.
Each requires the same process but uses different orbs and obelisks. Water and earth battlestaffs are great for lower-level players.
Upgrading to Mystic Air Staff
For a stronger weapon, upgrade your air battlestaff to a mystic air staff:
- Requirements: Complete Scorpion Catcher quest, 40,000 coins (30,000 with Hard Kandarin Diary, 20,000 with Elite).
- Process: Bring an air battlestaff to Thormac in Catherby.
- Benefits: Higher melee and Magic bonuses, ideal for combat-focused mages.
Shade Battlestaff of Air
With 85 Crafting, attach a shade skull to an air battlestaff for a cosmetic upgrade. This doesn’t improve stats but adds a unique look, perfect for flexing your high Crafting level.
Crafting air battlestaffs in OSRS is a rewarding journey that combines skilling, profit, and utility. By following this guide, you’ll efficiently gather materials, craft your staves, and maybe even bank some extra coins with High Alchemy. Whether you’re chasing 99 Crafting or just want a reliable staff for your mage, the air battlestaff has you covered. Grab your orbs, head to the bank, and start crafting today!