How to Get 99 Ranged in OSRS: Your Ultimate Guide to Mastery

How to Get 99 Ranged in OSRS: Your Ultimate Guide to Mastery


Reaching level 99 Ranged in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rewarding milestone for any player. As one of the three core combat skills, Ranged offers versatility, power, and access to some of the game’s best weapons and armor. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) adventurer or a pay-to-play (P2P) veteran, this guide will walk you through the most efficient methods, gear setups, and strategies to hit that coveted 99 Ranged level. Let’s dive into the journey of becoming a Ranged master in OSRS!

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s explore why Ranged is worth your time. It’s not just about the skill cape (though that’s a sweet perk). Ranged is a powerhouse skill that boosts your combat effectiveness across PvM (Player vs. Monster), PvP (Player vs. Player), and Slayer tasks.

Benefits of High Ranged Levels

  • Increased Damage Output: Higher levels mean better accuracy and max hits, letting you take down enemies faster.
  • Access to Top-Tier Gear: Unlock weapons like the Toxic Blowpipe and Twisted Bow, which dominate end-game content.
  • Slayer Efficiency: Many Slayer monsters are weak to Ranged, making it a go-to skill for task grinding.
  • Bragging Rights: That 99 Ranged cape is a symbol of dedication and skill in the OSRS community.

Ranged vs. Other Combat Skills

Compared to Melee and Magic, Ranged offers a unique advantage: distance. You can attack from afar, avoiding damage in many scenarios. It’s also less gear-intensive than Magic early on, making it accessible for newer players. However, ammo costs can add up, so planning is key.

Best Gear for Training Ranged in OSRS

Accurate vs Rapid Ranged Attack Styles OSRS Old School Runescape

Your gear setup can make or break your training efficiency. The right equipment boosts your Ranged bonus, speeds up kills, and saves you gold in the long run. Here’s what to aim for at different stages.

F2P Ranged Gear

For free-to-play players, options are limited but effective:

  • Weapon: Maple Shortbow (level 30 Ranged) with Iron or Steel Arrows.
  • Armor: Green D’hide Body, Chaps, and Vambraces (level 40 Ranged required for the body).
  • Amulet: Amulet of Power for a small Ranged boost.

P2P Ranged Gear Progression

Members have access to a wider range of gear. Here’s a progression table:

Level Range Weapon Armor Ammo/Extras
1-20 Shortbow Leather Armor Bronze Arrows
20-40 Oak Shortbow Studded Leather Iron Arrows
40-70 Magic Shortbow Green/Blue D’hide Rune Arrows
70-99 Toxic Blowpipe Armadyl or Void Zulrah Scales, Darts

Tip: Pair your setup with Ava’s Accumulator (post-quest “Animal Magnetism”) to save ammo.

Fastest Methods to Train Ranged to 99

Training Ranged efficiently depends on your budget, membership status, and time commitment. Below are the best methods for each level bracket.

Levels 1-20: Low-Level Grinding

Start small to build your foundation:

  • Cows or Chickens (F2P): Safe, easy targets in Lumbridge. Use a Shortbow and Bronze Arrows.
  • Rats in Varrock Sewers (F2P): Slightly tougher but still manageable.
  • Troll Brutes (P2P): Near Burthorpe, these drop decent loot and give good early XP.

XP Rate: 5k-10k XP/hour.

Levels 20-40: Cannon Introduction

Unlock the Dwarf Multicannon (after “Dwarf Cannon” quest) for a massive XP boost:

  • Ogres in Combat Training Camp (P2P): Cannon them while using a bow for extra XP.
  • Hill Giants (F2P/P2P): In Edgeville Dungeon, safe-spot with a bow or cannon.

XP Rate: 20k-40k XP/hour with cannon.

Levels 40-70: Mid-Tier Efficiency

Step up your game with better gear and spots:

  • Sand Crabs (P2P): On Hosidius Beach, these are AFK-friendly with high HP.
  • Ammonite Crabs (P2P): Fossil Island offers similar XP with a scenic vibe.
  • Nightmare Zone (P2P): Use the cannon and Magic Shortbow for 50k-70k XP/hour.

Levels 70-99: Endgame Push

Go all out with top-tier methods:

  • Chinning at Monkey Madness Tunnels (P2P): Use Black Chinchompas for 300k-500k XP/hour. Expensive but the fastest method.
  • Toxic Blowpipe at Slayer Tasks (P2P): Combine training with Slayer for 100k-200k XP/hour and profit.
  • Cannon at Dagannoths (P2P): Lighthouse basement offers 80k-120k XP/hour.

Quests to Boost Your Ranged Training

Quests can give you a head start with XP rewards and unlock key training tools. Here’s what to prioritize:

Essential Ranged Quests

Optional XP Boosts

Smaller quests like “The Tourist Trap” (4,650 XP at level 20) or “Death to the Dorgeshuun” (2,000 XP) can skip early levels if you’re short on time.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Ranged Training

Maximize your XP gains and minimize costs with these pro tips:

Managing Costs

  • Use Ava’s Devices: Accumulator, Attractor, or Assembler save 70-80% of ammo.
  • Profit with Slayer: High-level tasks like Dagannoths or Zulrah offset Blowpipe costs.
  • Cannonball Smithing: Train Smithing alongside Ranged to craft your own ammo.

Optimizing XP Rates

  • Prayer Boosts: Use Eagle Eye or Rigour (P2P) for +15-20% Ranged accuracy/damage.
  • AFK Training: Sand Crabs or NMZ let you train while multitasking.
  • Chinning Setup: Wear Void Range and max Ranged gear for peak XP in tunnels.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Don’t waste gold on overpriced ammo early on—stick to Iron or Steel Arrows until level 40. Avoid training in crowded spots without a cannon, as it slows your XP rate. Lastly, never skip “Animal Magnetism”—ammo costs pile up fast without Ava’s.

Final Thoughts: Getting to 99 Ranged in OSRS is a grind, but with the right methods, gear, and mindset, you’ll be flexing that skill cape in no time. Whether you’re cannoning Ogres, chinning in tunnels, or slaying with a Blowpipe, consistency is key. Start your journey today, and let us know your progress in the comments!