How to Make a Mind Shield in OSRS – Step-by-Step Guide

How to Make a Mind Shield in OSRS – Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a mind shield in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rewarding task that enhances your defensive capabilities, particularly against specific enemies like skeletal wyverns. This guide will walk you through the process of crafting a mind shield, from gathering materials to completing the necessary quest. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this detailed tutorial will ensure you can smith your own mind shield with ease.

The mind shield is an upgraded version of the elemental shield, offering improved defense bonuses, including a +3 magic defense boost over its predecessor. It’s crafted during and after the Elemental Workshop II quest and requires specific items and skills. The shield is particularly useful for protecting against the icy breath of wyverns, making it a valuable asset for slayers and adventurers alike.

Why Craft a Mind Shield?

Prerequisites for Crafting a Mind Shield

Before you can make a mind shield, you need to meet certain requirements and gather essential items. This section outlines everything you need to prepare.

Required Skills

To craft a mind shield, you’ll need:

  • 30 Smithing: Necessary to smith the primed mind bar into a shield.
  • 20 Magic: Required to create a primed mind bar (temporary drain occurs during the process).

Quest Requirements

The mind shield is tied to the Elemental Workshop II quest, which itself requires completion of Elemental Workshop I. These quests unlock the ability to craft elemental and mind items in the Elemental Workshop dungeon.

Necessary Items

Here’s a list of items you’ll need to craft a mind shield:

Item Quantity Source
Primed Mind Bar 1 Mind room in Elemental Workshop
Slashed Book 1 Elemental Workshop I
Hammer 1 General store or player-owned
Elemental Ore 1 Mined in Elemental Workshop
Coal 4 Mined or Grand Exchange

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting a Mind Shield

Follow these steps to successfully craft your mind shield in OSRS. This process assumes you’ve completed Elemental Workshop I and are working through or have finished Elemental Workshop II.

Step 1: Complete Elemental Workshop I

If you haven’t already, complete Elemental Workshop I to gain access to the Elemental Workshop dungeon and obtain the slashed book and battered key. This quest is relatively short and requires minimal combat.

Step 2: Start Elemental Workshop II

Begin Elemental Workshop II by searching the bookcases in the Exam Centre’s library (south of Varrock) to find the beaten book. Read it to start the quest, which guides you deeper into the Elemental Workshop.

Step 3: Gather Materials

To create a primed mind bar, you’ll first need an elemental bar. Here’s how:

  1. Mine Elemental Ore: Head to the west room of the Elemental Workshop dungeon and mine one elemental ore (requires a pickaxe).
  2. Smelt Elemental Bar: Go to the south room’s furnace, use 4 coal and 1 elemental ore to smelt an elemental bar. You’ll need 20 Smithing to do this.

Tip: If you don’t want to mine, buy elemental ore and coal from the Grand Exchange for convenience.

Step 4: Create a Primed Mind Bar

Now, transform your elemental bar into a primed mind bar:

  1. Access the Mind Room: In the Elemental Workshop II dungeon, go downstairs using the battered key. Find the room with the mind symbol on the door.
  2. Use the Extractor: Place your elemental bar on the extractor gun. Operate the extractor hat to imbue the bar with mind energy, turning it into a primed mind bar. This temporarily drains your Magic level by 20, so ensure you have at least 20 Magic before starting.

Warning: Creating multiple primed bars at once will drain your Magic further (e.g., -40 for two bars). Plan accordingly.

Step 5: Smith the Mind Shield

With your primed mind bar ready, it’s time to craft the shield:

  1. Return to the Workshop: Go back to the main Elemental Workshop area with the workbenches.
  2. Check Your Inventory: Ensure you have the slashed book, primed mind bar, and hammer.
  3. Smith the Shield: Right-click the workbench and select the “Smith” option to craft the mind shield. This grants 30 Smithing experience.

Important Note: If you have the beaten book (from Elemental Workshop II) instead of the slashed book in your inventory, you’ll accidentally craft a mind helmet instead of a shield. Double-check your inventory to avoid this mistake.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Crafting a mind shield is straightforward, but a few tips can make the process smoother and more efficient.

Avoid Common Mistakes

  • Bring the Right Book: Always have the slashed book, not the beaten book, to avoid crafting a mind helmet.
  • Check Magic Levels: If your Magic level is close to 20, boost it temporarily (e.g., with a wizard’s mind bomb) to account for the drain.
  • Inventory Space: Ensure you have enough inventory slots for all items, especially if mining and smelting during the quest.

Efficiency Tips

  • Buy Materials: Purchasing elemental ore and coal from the Grand Exchange saves time compared to mining.
  • Batch Crafting: If you plan to make multiple shields (e.g., for profit or STASH units), create several primed bars at once, but watch your Magic level.
  • Bank Nearby: Use the Seers’ Village bank to store extra materials and avoid cluttering your inventory.

Using the Mind Shield

Once crafted, the mind shield can only be equipped after completing Elemental Workshop II. It’s tradeable, so you could sell it on the Grand Exchange if desired. Equip it for:

  • Wyvern Tasks: Pair it with high Prayer and melee armor for safer skeletal wyvern fights.
  • Clue Scrolls: Some elite clue scroll STASH units require a mind shield.

FAQs About the Mind Shield

Can I Make a Mind Shield Without Completing Elemental Workshop II?

No, you must complete the quest to access the mind room and equip the shield. However, you can craft it during the quest if you have the materials.

Is the Mind Shield Worth Making?

Yes, it’s useful for wyvern protection and clue scrolls. It’s also a decent money-maker for low-level players, as it sells for around 47,000 coins on the Grand Exchange.

What Happens If I Lose My Mind Shield?

You can craft another one by repeating the process (no additional quest required) or buy one from the Grand Exchange.

Can Ironmen Make a Mind Shield Easily?

Yes, but Ironmen need to mine their own elemental ore and coal. The Seers’ Village coal mine (requires 20 Agility for the shortcut) is a good source.

Crafting a mind shield in OSRS is a manageable task that combines questing, skilling, and exploration. By following this guide, you’ll have your shield ready in no time, whether for combat, clues, or profit. Happy smithing, and may your adventures in Gielinor be well-defended!