How to Unlock Ammonite Crabs in OSRS

How to Unlock Ammonite Crabs in OSRS

Ammonite Crabs in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) are a top choice for AFK combat training, offering high hitpoints and minimal effort. Found on Fossil Island, they’re ideal for leveling melee, ranged, or magic skills. However, unlocking them requires completing specific quests and meeting certain requirements. This guide covers everything you need to access Ammonite Crabs, including step-by-step instructions, tips for efficiency, and the best spots for training, all while keeping your journey in Gielinor smooth and rewarding.

Before diving into the unlock process, let’s explore why Ammonite Crabs are worth the effort. These level 25 monsters boast 100 hitpoints, delivering 400 XP per kill, making them superior to Sand Crabs (60 HP) or Rock Crabs (50 HP). Their low attack and defense stats mean they’re easy to kill, even for low-level players, while their aggressive nature supports AFK training. Plus, their Fossil Island location offers unique drops like numulite and fossils, which can be used for additional XP or profit.

Key Benefits of Ammonite Crabs

  • High XP Rates: Up to 80,000 XP/hour for ranged or 70,000 XP/hour for magic at higher levels.
  • AFK-Friendly: Auto-retaliate and periodic aggression resets keep combat hands-off.
  • Unique Drops: Numulite, seaweed spores, and fossils add value, especially for ironmen.
  • Less Crowded: Quest requirements reduce competition compared to Sand Crabs.

Requirements to Unlock Ammonite Crabs

Accessing Ammonite Crabs requires unlocking Fossil Island, which is gated behind the Bone Voyage quest. This quest has prerequisites, including another quest and a certain amount of kudos from the Varrock Museum. Below, we break down the requirements and how to meet them efficiently.

Bone Voyage Quest Prerequisites

To start Bone Voyage, you need:

  • Completion of The Dig Site Quest: This quest unlocks access to the Varrock Museum and the barge to Fossil Island.
  • 100 Kudos: Earned through activities at the Varrock Museum, such as cleaning finds and completing quizzes.

Skill Requirements

While Bone Voyage has no direct skill requirements, The Dig Site quest requires:

These are relatively low and achievable for most players. If you’re starting fresh, consider training these skills beforehand to avoid delays.

Recommended Items

To streamline the process, bring:

  • Varrock Teleport: For quick access to the Dig Site.
  • Games Necklace: Teleports to Burthorpe for The Dig Site quest start.
  • Energy Potions: To reduce run time between locations.
  • Coins: For barge travel and small purchases during quests.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking Fossil Island

Unlocking Ammonite Crabs means gaining access to Fossil Island. Follow these steps to complete the requirements and start training.

Step 1: Complete The Dig Site Quest

The Dig Site quest is the first hurdle. It takes about 1-2 hours and involves helping archaeologists at the Dig Site east of Varrock. Here’s a quick overview:

  1. Start the quest by speaking to an Examiner at the Dig Site Exam Centre.
  2. Complete tasks like finding lost items, mixing chemicals, and excavating artifacts.
  3. Finish by returning the final artifact to the archaeologists.

Tip: Use the OSRS Wiki for precise item locations to save time. Completing this quest also grants access to the Varrock Museum for kudos earning.

Step 2: Earn 100 Kudos at Varrock Museum

Kudos are a currency earned at the Varrock Museum by contributing to its exhibits. You need 100 kudos to start Bone Voyage. Here’s how to earn them:

Activity Kudos Earned Details
Cleaning Finds Up to 50 Clean unidentified finds in the museum basement. Turn in fossils, artifacts, or other items to curators.
Natural History Quiz 28 Answer questions about Gielinor’s creatures in the museum’s basement.
Quest Completion Varies Quests like The Dig Site (5 kudos) or others (e.g., Shield of Arrav, 10 kudos) contribute.

Pro Tip: Focus on the Natural History Quiz first, as it’s quick and guarantees 28 kudos. Then, clean finds until you hit 50 kudos. If you’re short, complete a short quest like Shield of Arrav for extra kudos.

Step 3: Complete Bone Voyage Quest

With The Dig Site done and 100 kudos earned, start Bone Voyage by speaking to the Junior Navigator at the Varrock Museum’s barge. The quest involves:

  1. Helping prepare the barge for travel to Fossil Island.
  2. Gathering materials like planks and nails.
  3. Defending the barge from minor threats during the voyage.

This quest takes about 30-45 minutes. Once completed, you’ll gain access to Fossil Island, where Ammonite Crabs await.

Getting to Ammonite Crabs on Fossil Island

After unlocking Fossil Island, you’ll need to know how to reach the crabs and the best spots for training. Ammonite Crabs are located in two main areas: the Mushroom Forest and the North Wyvern Cave.

Traveling to Fossil Island

Use the barge north of the Dig Site to travel to Fossil Island. For faster trips, consider:

Best Ammonite Crab Training Spots

Here are the top spots for training, based on crab density and accessibility:

  1. Mushroom Forest (Beach West of Magic Mushtree): This spot has three crabs near a large seashell, perfect for AFK training. It’s close to the barge landing, minimizing travel time.
  2. Mushroom Forest (Northeast of Hardwood Patches): Another three-crab spot, with a potential fourth if positioned correctly. Ideal for lower-level players due to consistent spawns.
  3. North Wyvern Cave (Near Entrance): A secluded spot with two to three crabs, great for avoiding crowds. Stay near the entrance to avoid wyverns.

Note: Use the RuneLite “NPC Aggression Timer” plugin to track when crabs become non-aggressive (every 10 minutes) and reset their aggression by running a few tiles away.

Tips for Efficient Ammonite Crab Training

Once you’ve unlocked Ammonite Crabs, maximize your training with these strategies.

Gear and Inventory Setup

Your gear depends on your combat style:

  • Melee: Use a Dragon Scimitar or Abyssal Whip for high DPS. Wear Rune or Granite armor for defense.
  • Ranged: Equip a Magic Shortbow or Toxic Blowpipe with Rune arrows. Black D’hide armor boosts accuracy.
  • Magic: Auto-cast Fire Bolt or Fire Blast with a Staff of Fire. Mystic robes enhance magic attack.

Inventory: Bring food (e.g., lobsters), a teleport, and a Ring of Wealth to auto-collect numulite drops.

Managing Crowded Worlds

While Ammonite Crabs are less crowded than Sand Crabs, popular spots can still fill up. Try:

  • World Hopping: Switch worlds to find a free spot, especially during off-peak hours.
  • Alternative Spots: Use the Wyvern Cave if the Mushroom Forest is busy.

Maximizing XP Rates

To boost XP per hour:

  • Positioning: Stand in a spot where three crabs can attack you simultaneously.
  • Potions: Use Strength, Attack, or Ranging Potions for faster kills.
  • Auto-Retaliate: Ensure it’s enabled for seamless combat.

By following this guide, you’ll unlock Ammonite Crabs in OSRS and be ready to train efficiently. Whether you’re a pure, an ironman, or a main, these crabs offer some of the best AFK combat XP in the game. Get to Fossil Island, find your spot, and start racking up those levels!