How to Make a Rune Crossbow in OSRS: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Make a Rune Crossbow in OSRS: A Step-by-Step Guide


If you’re diving into Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and looking to craft a powerful ranged weapon, the rune crossbow is a fantastic choice. Known for its versatility and ability to fire runite bolts, it’s a staple for mid-to-high-level players, especially Ironmen and those tackling Slayer tasks or the TzHaar Fight Cave. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a rune crossbow in OSRS from scratch, including requirements, materials, and tips to optimize your crafting process. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer, this blog post will help you master the art of crafting this iconic weapon.

The rune crossbow stands out in OSRS for its balance of power, accessibility, and utility. Requiring a Ranged level of 61 to wield, it’s stronger than the adamant crossbow but weaker than the dragon crossbow. Its one-handed design allows you to pair it with a shield—like an anti-dragon shield—making it ideal for dragon-slaying or player-killing scenarios. Plus, it can fire up to runite bolts, including enchanted ruby and diamond bolts, which pack a punch in high-level content.

Key Benefits of the Rune Crossbow

  • Shield Compatibility: Equip a shield for added defense without sacrificing ranged power.
  • Ammo Versatility: Fires bolts up to runite, including powerful enchanted variants.
  • Attack Range: Offers a base range of 7, extendable to 9 with the Longrange style.
  • Cost-Effective: Affordable for mid-level players and easy to craft or obtain.

Who Should Craft It?

This weapon is a go-to for Ironmen who need a reliable ranged option without relying on drops, as well as players preparing for tasks requiring a shield. It’s also a stepping stone before upgrading to elite crossbows like the dragon or Armadyl variants.

Requirements for Crafting a Rune Crossbow

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Before you start crafting, you’ll need to meet specific skill levels and gather materials. Here’s what you need to know to make a rune crossbow in OSRS.

Skill Requirements

  • Fletching Level 69: Essential for cutting the stock, attaching limbs, and stringing the crossbow.
  • Smithing Level 91 (Optional): Required if you plan to smith runite limbs yourself; otherwise, you can buy them.
  • Crafting Level 10: Needed to spin sinew or roots into a crossbow string.

Tool Requirements

You’ll need a few basic tools, most of which are readily available:

  • Knife: For cutting yew logs into a stock.
  • Hammer: To attach runite limbs to the stock.
  • Spinning Wheel Access: For crafting the crossbow string.

Materials Needed to Make a Rune Crossbow

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Crafting a rune crossbow requires three main components. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and how to get them.

Component 1: Yew Stock

The yew stock forms the body of the crossbow.

  • Material: 1 Yew Log
  • How to Obtain: Chop yew trees (Woodcutting level 60) found in locations like south of Falador, behind Varrock Palace, or near the Rimmington mining site.
  • Process: Use a knife on the yew log to craft a yew stock, granting 50 Fletching XP.

Component 2: Runite Limbs

These metal limbs give the crossbow its strength.

  • Material: 1 Runite Bar
  • How to Obtain:
    • Mine runite ore (Mining level 85) from locations like the Heroes’ Guild or Wilderness Resource Area, then smelt it into a bar (Smithing level 85).
    • Purchase runite limbs directly from the Grand Exchange or the crossbow stall in Keldagrim.
  • Process: Use a runite bar on an anvil with a hammer to smith runite limbs (91 Smithing), or skip this step if buying pre-made limbs.

Component 3: Crossbow String

The string ties it all together—literally.

  • Material: Sinew or tree roots (e.g., oak, willow, or maple roots)
  • How to Obtain:
    • Sinew: Use raw meat (bear, beef, or wolf) on a range to dry it into sinew.
    • Roots: Dig up roots while cutting trees with a spade (Farming/Woodcutting).
    • Buy crossbow strings from the Grand Exchange for convenience.
  • Process: Spin sinew or roots on a spinning wheel (Crafting level 10) to create a crossbow string, earning 15 Crafting XP.
Component Material Skill Level XP Gained
Yew Stock 1 Yew Log Fletching 69 50
Runite Limbs 1 Runite Bar Smithing 91 75 (if smithed)
Crossbow String Sinew/Roots Crafting 10 15

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting a Rune Crossbow

Now that you have your skills and materials ready, let’s craft that rune crossbow! Follow these steps carefully to ensure success.

Step 1: Craft the Yew Stock

Grab your knife and a yew log. Use the knife on the log to carve a yew stock. This requires Fletching level 69 and grants 50 Fletching experience. If you’re short on logs, head to a yew tree spot and stock up—pun intended.

Step 2: Attach the Runite Limbs

With a hammer in your inventory, combine the yew stock with runite limbs to create an unstrung rune crossbow. This step also requires Fletching level 69 and awards 100 Fletching XP. If you’re smithing the limbs yourself, head to an anvil (e.g., in Yanille or Varrock) and use your runite bar with a hammer to craft them first.

Step 3: String the Crossbow

Take your unstrung rune crossbow and a crossbow string. Use the string on the unstrung crossbow to finish the job, requiring Fletching level 69 and granting another 50 Fletching XP. Congrats—you’ve just made a rune crossbow! Total Fletching XP from scratch: 200.

Optional: The Ardougne Diary Task

For an extra challenge (and reward), complete the Elite Ardougne Diary task “Almost Made in Ardougne.” Craft a rune crossbow from scratch within Witchaven or Yanille. This means cutting the stock, smithing the limbs, spinning the string, and assembling it all in those towns. It’s a great way to flex your skills and earn diary perks!

Tips and Alternatives for Getting a Rune Crossbow

Crafting isn’t the only way to get your hands on a rune crossbow. Here are some pro tips and alternative methods to consider.

Speed Up the Process

  • Buy Materials: Skip the grind by purchasing yew logs, runite limbs, and crossbow strings from the Grand Exchange.
  • Boost Fletching: Use a spicy stew with orange spice (+5 Fletching boost) if you’re close to level 69.
  • Location Efficiency: Craft near a bank and spinning wheel, like in Lumbridge or Seers’ Village, to save time.

Alternative Acquisition Methods

Not keen on crafting? Try these:

  • Crazy Archaeologist: This Wilderness boss (level 23 Wilderness) drops rune crossbows at a 1/25.6 rate. Bring minimal risk gear!
  • Kree’arra: The Armadyl God Wars boss drops them at 1/15.87, but it’s a tougher fight.
  • Elite Clue Scrolls: A 1/32.3 chance to snag one as a reward.
  • Grand Exchange: Buy a completed rune crossbow outright if you’ve got the gold.

Best Uses for Your Rune Crossbow

Once crafted, put it to work:

  • Slayer Tasks: Pair with broad bolts for cost-effective training.
  • Fight Caves: Use with a shield for Jad prep.
  • PvP: Equip ruby/diamond bolts for burst damage.

Crafting a rune crossbow in OSRS is a rewarding process that boosts your Fletching skills and equips you with a solid ranged weapon. Whether you grind the materials yourself or opt for shortcuts, this guide has you covered. So, grab your knife, hammer, and some yew logs, and get crafting—your next adventure awaits!