How to Make Javelins in OSRS A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Make Javelins in OSRS A Step-by-Step Guide

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), crafting javelins is a fantastic way to level up your Fletching and Smithing skills while potentially earning some in-game profit. Javelins are ranged ammunition used with light and heavy ballistae, making them a niche but valuable item for specific combat scenarios. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of making javelins, from gathering materials to crafting the final product, with tips to optimize your efficiency and profits.

Javelins are stackable ranged weapons that require both Fletching and optionally Smithing skills to create. They come in various tiers, from bronze to dragon, each with specific skill requirements and materials. Unlike arrows, javelins don’t require feathers, simplifying the crafting process. They’re primarily used as ammunition for ballistae, introduced after the Monkey Madness II update, which shifted javelins from equippable thrown weapons to ammo slot items.

Why Craft Javelins?

  • Skill Training: Crafting javelins boosts Fletching experience, with higher tiers offering better XP rates.
  • Profit Potential: High-tier javelins like rune and dragon can be sold on the Grand Exchange for profit.
  • Quest Requirements: Completing Monkey Madness II unlocks access to dragon javelins, a high-value item.
  • Low Competition: Javelins are less commonly crafted than arrows or bolts, reducing market saturation.

Requirements for Crafting Javelins

Before you start, ensure you meet the skill and quest requirements for crafting javelins. The process involves creating javelin shafts and heads, then combining them. Below are the details for each tier.

Skill Requirements

Fletching is the primary skill, with levels varying by javelin type. Smithing is optional if you craft javelin heads yourself. Here’s a breakdown:

Javelin Type Fletching Level Smithing Level (for Heads)
Bronze 3 5
Iron 17 20
Steel 32 35
Mithril 47 55
Adamant 62 75
Rune 77 90
Amethyst 84 92
Dragon 92 95

Quest Requirements

  • Monkey Madness II: Required to unlock dragon javelins and access Oobapohk’s Javelin Store.
  • Tourist Trap (Optional): Boosts Smithing XP for crafting javelin heads.

Gathering Materials for Javelins

Javelins are made by combining javelin shafts and javelin heads. Here’s how to obtain each component efficiently.

Crafting Javelin Shafts

Javelin shafts are crafted from regular logs using a knife, requiring a minimum of 3 Fletching. Each log yields 15 shafts and 5 Fletching XP.

  1. Obtain Logs: Buy regular logs from the Grand Exchange (20-30 GP each) or chop trees (e.g., in Lumbridge or Varrock).
  2. Use a Knife: Purchase a knife from general stores or the Grand Exchange (~100 GP).
  3. Craft Shafts: Use the knife on logs to create 15 javelin shafts per log.

Tip: Buy logs in bulk from the Grand Exchange to save time, as they’re inexpensive and readily available.

Obtaining Javelin Heads

Javelin heads can be crafted via Smithing or purchased directly from the Grand Exchange.

  • Craft Heads:
    • Smelt metal bars (e.g., bronze, rune) at a furnace.
    • Use the bars on an anvil with a hammer to create javelin heads (5 heads per bar).
    • Required Smithing levels match the javelin tier (e.g., 35 for steel).
  • Buy Heads: Purchase javelin heads from the Grand Exchange to skip Smithing. Prices vary by tier (e.g., rune javelin heads ~500-600 GP each).

Tip: For low-level players, buy bronze or iron heads to avoid Smithing. For profit, focus on rune or dragon heads, as they have higher margins.

Step-by-Step Javelin Crafting Process

Once you have javelin shafts and heads, crafting javelins is straightforward. Follow these steps for any tier:

  1. Prepare Materials: Ensure you have equal numbers of javelin shafts and heads in your inventory.
  2. Combine Components: Use javelin heads on shafts (or vice versa) to create javelins. Each combination produces 15 javelins and grants Fletching XP (e.g., 12 XP per bronze javelin, 180 XP per set).
  3. Bank and Repeat: Bank your javelins and restock materials. Use a bank close to a Grand Exchange (e.g., Varrock West) for efficiency.

Fletching Experience Rates

The XP per javelin increases with tier, making higher-level javelins more efficient for training. Here’s a quick reference:

Javelin Type Fletching XP per Javelin XP per Set (15 Javelins)
Bronze 12 180
Iron 24 360
Steel 36 540
Mithril 48 720
Adamant 60 900
Rune 72 1080
Amethyst 84 1260
Dragon 96 1440

Note: Dragon javelins offer the highest XP but require completing Monkey Madness II and significant investment.

Adding Poison (Optional)

Most javelins (except Morrigan’s) can be poisoned using weapon poison, poison+, or poison++ for added combat utility. This increases their value slightly on the Grand Exchange.

  • Materials: Buy weapon poison from the Grand Exchange or craft it with Herblore.
  • Process: Use the poison on javelins to create poisoned variants (e.g., Rune javelin(p++)).

Tips for Efficiency and Profit

Crafting javelins can be both a training method and a moneymaking opportunity. Here are some tips to maximize your gains:

Optimizing Fletching XP

  • High-Tier Javelins: Focus on adamant, rune, or dragon javelins for better XP rates.
  • Bank Presets: Use bank presets to quickly withdraw logs, knives, and javelin heads.
  • Portable Fletchers: If available, use portable fletchers for a chance to save materials and boost XP.

Moneymaking Strategies

  • Grand Exchange Flipping: Buy low and sell high on rune or dragon javelins. Check GE Tracker for price trends.
  • Buy Javelin Heads: Skip Smithing to save time and focus on Fletching for faster production.
  • High Alchemy: Rune javelin heads have a high alchemy value (810 GP), but buying finished javelins from Oobapohk’s Javelin Store (400 GP each) may be more cost-effective for alching.

Warning: Reddit discussions note that rune javelins may not always be profitable to craft due to low market demand. Always check GE prices before crafting in bulk.

Where to Buy Javelins

If crafting isn’t your goal, you can buy most javelins (except amethyst and dragon) from:

By following this guide, you’re equipped to craft javelins in OSRS efficiently, whether for Fletching XP, Smithing XP, or profit. Start with bronze for low-level training and work your way up to dragon javelins for maximum rewards. Happy crafting, and may your Grand Exchange trades be ever profitable!