How to Make Air Runes in OSRS: A Complete Guide for Beginners
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers players a variety of skills to master, and Runecrafting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging ones. Among the many runes you can craft, air runes are the simplest and most accessible, making them the perfect starting point for beginners. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to make air runes in OSRS, from gathering materials to optimizing your crafting process. Whether you’re looking to level up your Runecrafting skill or stockpile air runes for magic spells, this step-by-step tutorial has you covered.
Air runes are a fundamental resource in OSRS, widely used for combat spells, teleports, and skilling activities. Crafting them yourself not only saves gold but also helps you progress in Runecrafting, a skill known for its slow grind but high long-term rewards. Plus, air runes are in constant demand on the Grand Exchange, offering a small but steady profit if you choose to sell them.
Benefits of Crafting Air Runes
- Low Requirements: You only need 1 Runecrafting to start, making it beginner-friendly.
- Essential for Magic: Air runes power spells like Wind Strike and Varrock Teleport.
- Profit Potential: Selling air runes can earn you extra gold, especially in bulk.
Why Start with Air Runes?
Air runes are the easiest runes to craft due to their low level requirement and the proximity of the Air Altar to a teleport location. This makes them an ideal choice for players just dipping their toes into Runecrafting, allowing you to gain experience without overwhelming complexity.
Requirements for Crafting Air Runes
Before you can start making air runes, you’ll need to meet a few basic requirements and gather some essential items. Fortunately, the barrier to entry is minimal, so you can jump right in after a short setup.
Skill and Quest Prerequisites
- Runecrafting Level 1: No prior training needed—just start crafting!
- Rune Mysteries Quest: This unlocks access to Runecrafting altars and essence mining. It’s a quick quest requiring no combat or high stats.
Items You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to gather before heading to the Air Altar:
- Rune Essence or Pure Essence: Rune Essence works for levels 1-10, while Pure Essence (members-only) is usable at all levels and required for higher-tier runes later.
- Air Talisman or Air Tiara: The talisman lets you enter the Air Altar, while the tiara (crafted from a talisman and silver tiara) frees up an inventory slot.
- Pickaxe: For mining your own essence if you don’t want to buy it.
Optional but Helpful Gear
To speed up your runs, consider these optional items:
- Energy Potions: Restore run energy for faster trips.
- Weight-Reducing Gear: Items like the Graceful outfit reduce your weight, letting you run longer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Air Runes
Now that you’re prepared, let’s dive into the process of crafting air runes. Follow these steps to get started and maximize your efficiency.
Step 1: Complete Rune Mysteries
Head to Varrock and start the Rune Mysteries quest by speaking to Duke Horacio in Lumbridge Castle. This short quest introduces you to Runecrafting and unlocks access to the essence mines and altars. Once completed, you’ll receive an Air Talisman as a reward—perfect for your first trip!
Step 2: Gather Rune Essence
You have two options for obtaining essence:
- Mine It Yourself: Teleport to Varrock, head to Aubury’s Rune Shop, and ask him to teleport you to the essence mine. Use a pickaxe to gather Rune Essence.
- Buy It: Purchase Rune Essence from the Grand Exchange for a small cost (around 20-30 gp each as of April 2025).
For beginners, mining is free and gives Mining XP, but buying essence saves time if you’re focused solely on Runecrafting.
Step 3: Locate the Air Altar
The Air Altar is located south of Falador, just west of the Falador teleport spot. From Falador, walk south past the city walls until you see a small ruin with a mysterious entrance. With your Air Talisman or Air Tiara equipped, click the ruins to enter the altar.
Step 4: Craft Your Air Runes
Inside the Air Altar, click on the altar with your inventory full of Rune Essence. Each essence will turn into multiple air runes based on your Runecrafting level (see the table below). At level 1, you’ll craft 5 air runes per essence, with the multiplier increasing as you level up.
Step 5: Bank and Repeat
Once your inventory is full of air runes, teleport back to Falador or Varrock, bank your runes, and restock on essence. Repeat the process to keep gaining XP and building your rune stash.
Air Rune Multiplier and Experience Rates
The number of air runes you craft per essence increases with your Runecrafting level, making it more efficient as you progress. Here’s a breakdown:
| Runecrafting Level | Air Runes per Essence | XP per Essence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 5 |
| 11 | 6 | 5 |
| 22 | 7 | 5 |
| 33 | 8 | 5 |
| 44 | 9 | 5 |
| 55 | 10 | 5 |
| 66 | 11 | 5 |
| 77 | 12 | 5 |
| 88 | 13 | 5 |
| 99 | 14 | 5 |
How XP Works
Each essence crafted into air runes grants 5 XP, regardless of the multiplier. So, at level 1, you’ll earn 5 XP per essence, and at level 99, you’ll still earn 5 XP per essence—but you’ll produce 14 air runes instead of 5, significantly boosting your output.
Tips for Faster Leveling
- Use Pure Essence (Members): It’s more efficient for higher levels and works across all runes.
- Craft a Tiara: Combine your Air Talisman with a silver tiara at a furnace to save inventory space.
- Teleport Efficiently: Use Falador Teleport tablets or the skills necklace to bank faster.
Tips and Tricks for Efficient Air Rune Crafting
Runecrafting can be a slow grind, but with a few optimizations, you can make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some pro tips to enhance your air rune crafting experience.
Optimize Your Inventory
Maximize your essence per trip by filling all 28 inventory slots. If you’re using an Air Talisman, you’ll have 27 slots for essence; with an Air Tiara, you get the full 28. Every extra essence counts toward faster XP and more runes.
Use Pouches (Members-Only)
As you level up, unlock Runecrafting pouches from the Abyss miniquest or shops like the Mage of Zamorak. These pouches let you carry additional essence per trip:
- Small Pouch: Holds 3 extra essence (Level 1).
- Medium Pouch: Holds 6 extra essence (Level 25).
- Large Pouch: Holds 9 extra essence (Level 50).
- Giant Pouch: Holds 12 extra essence (Level 75).
Boost Your Run Energy
Running between the bank and the Air Altar is key to efficiency. Wear lightweight gear like the Graceful set, sip energy potions, or train your Agility to keep your energy high. The higher your Agility, the faster your energy regenerates.
Sell or Stockpile?
Decide what to do with your air runes based on your goals:
- Sell: At around 5-10 gp each on the Grand Exchange, air runes can net you a modest profit.
- Stockpile: Keep them for training Magic or casting teleports like Varrock Teleport.
Crafting air runes in OSRS is a fantastic way to kickstart your Runecrafting journey. With minimal requirements and a straightforward process, it’s an accessible skill for all players. By following this guide, you’ll be churning out air runes in no time, leveling up your Runecrafting and building a solid foundation for more advanced runes. So grab your talisman, stock up on essence, and head to the Air Altar—your Runecrafting adventure starts now!