How to Use an Altar That Lets You Swap Mage Books in OSRS

How to Use an Altar That Lets You Swap Mage Books in OSRS


In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), mastering magic is a game-changer for combat, utility, and exploration. One of the most powerful features for mages is the ability to swap spellbooks, giving you access to a variety of spells tailored to different situations. Whether you’re teleporting across Gielinor, battling bosses, or helping fellow players, swapping mage books can elevate your gameplay. The key to this flexibility lies in altars—special locations or player-built structures that let you switch between spellbooks like the Standard, Ancient Magicks, Lunar, and Arceuus. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into how to use an altar to swap mage books in OSRS, covering everything from basic methods to advanced setups, ensuring you’re ready to wield magic like a pro.

Before we explore the altars, let’s get a grip on what spellbooks are and why swapping them matters. OSRS offers four distinct spellbooks, each with its own strengths:

  • Standard Spellbook: The default spellbook, unlocked from the start, with a mix of combat, teleportation, and utility spells.
  • Ancient Magicks: Unlocked via the Desert Treasure I quest, this spellbook focuses on powerful combat spells with effects like freezing or poisoning.
  • Lunar Spellbook: Available after Lunar Diplomacy, it’s packed with utility and support spells, perfect for skilling and group play.
  • Arceuus Spellbook: Accessible in Great Kourend, this spellbook blends combat and necromancy, ideal for reanimation and prayer training.

Swapping between these spellbooks allows you to adapt to any scenario, but you can only use one at a time. That’s where altars come in—they’re your gateway to switching mage books efficiently.

Basic Altars for Swapping Mage Books

If you’re just starting out or don’t have a fancy setup, OSRS provides several in-game altars to swap spellbooks. Each is tied to a specific spellbook and requires you to visit its location. Here’s how they work:

Ancient Pyramid Altar (Ancient Magicks)

Located in the Jaldraocht Pyramid south of Al Kharid, this altar unlocks and swaps you to the Ancient Magicks spellbook. To access it, complete Desert Treasure I. Once inside, pray at the altar to switch. You can revert to the Standard Spellbook by praying again while on Ancient Magicks.

Astral Altar (Lunar Spellbook)

Found on Lunar Isle, the Astral Altar is your go-to for the Lunar Spellbook. You’ll need to finish Lunar Diplomacy to unlock it. Bring a Seal of Passage (or complete Dream Mentor to skip this requirement), head to the southeast of the island, and pray at the altar to swap.

Dark Altar (Arceuus Spellbook)

In Great Kourend, near the Arceuus House, the Dark Altar lets you switch to the Arceuus Spellbook. Unlike other altars, you don’t pray directly—instead, speak to Tyss nearby. No quest is required, but the CIS fairy ring code speeds up travel.

Reverting to the Standard Spellbook

To switch back to the Standard Spellbook, revisit any of these altars while on their respective spellbook and pray (or talk to Tyss for Arceuus). It’s straightforward but involves some trekking, which can slow you down if you swap frequently.

The Occult Altar: Ultimate Spellbook Swapping Solution

For players looking to streamline the process, the Occult Altar in a Player-Owned House (POH) is the gold standard. This single altar lets you swap between all available spellbooks—Standard, Ancient, Lunar, and Arceuus—without leaving your house. Here’s everything you need to know about building and using it.

Requirements for the Occult Altar

Building an Occult Altar isn’t cheap or easy, but it’s worth it for serious mages. You’ll need:

  • 90 Construction: The base level to build or upgrade to the Occult Altar.
  • Materials: 1 magic stone, 10 limestone bricks, 5 astral runes, 5 law runes, 5 blood runes, and 5 soul runes.
  • Unlocked Spellbooks: You can only swap to spellbooks you’ve unlocked via quests or exploration.

If you don’t have 90 Construction, boosts like spicy stew (+5) or a crystal saw (+3) can help, but you’ll still need at least 85 Construction naturally.

How to Build the Occult Altar

Head to your POH’s Achievement Gallery. If you already have a lower-tier altar (like the Ancient or Lunar Altar), right-click it and select “Upgrade” to turn it into an Occult Altar. If starting from scratch, use your materials in the hotspot. Once built, interact with it to choose any spellbook you’ve unlocked.

Benefits of the Occult Altar

The Occult Altar is a game-changer for several reasons:

  • Convenience: Swap spellbooks instantly without traveling.
  • Efficiency: Pair it with a POH portal nexus or rejuvenation pool for a one-stop hub.
  • Community Use: Other players can use your altar, making your house a popular spot on hosting worlds like 330 or 465.

It’s the ultimate tool for PvM, skilling, or clue scroll runs requiring multiple spellbooks.

Alternative Methods to Swap Mage Books

Not ready to build an Occult Altar? Don’t worry—OSRS offers a couple of other ways to swap spellbooks on the fly. These methods are less permanent but handy in a pinch.

Magic Skillcape Perk

If you’ve hit 99 Magic, the Magic Skillcape comes with a perk: you can swap spellbooks up to five times per day. Equip the cape, right-click it, and select your desired spellbook. It’s free and instant but limited by the daily cap and skill requirement.

Spellbook Swap Spell

From the Lunar Spellbook, the Spellbook Swap spell (level 96 Magic) lets you cast one spell from another spellbook before reverting. It costs 3 astral, 2 cosmic, and 1 law rune per cast. While not a full swap, it’s perfect for quick teleports or alchs during Lunar-focused activities.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Spellbook Swapping

Swapping mage books can be a hassle without a plan, so here are some pro tips to optimize your experience:

Optimize Your POH Layout

If you’ve got an Occult Altar, place it near a portal chamber or teleport nexus. This lets you swap spellbooks and zip off to your destination in seconds.

Use Hosting Worlds

No POH altar yet? Visit worlds 330, 465, or 512, where players host open houses with Occult Altars. Rimmington is a hotspot—teleport there and look for a crowded house.

Plan Your Activities

Group tasks by spellbook to minimize swaps. For example, do all your Lunar skilling before switching to Ancients for combat. This saves time and runes.

Comparison Table: Spellbook Swapping Methods

Method Requirements Location Pros Cons
Basic Altars Quest completion Various (Pyramid, Lunar Isle, Kourend) Free, accessible early Time-consuming travel
Occult Altar 90 Construction, materials POH Instant, all-in-one High cost, skill requirement
Magic Skillcape 99 Magic Anywhere Free, portable 5/day limit, elite skill
Spellbook Swap Spell 96 Magic, Lunar access Anywhere Flexible, one-off use Rune cost, temporary

This table helps you weigh your options based on your account’s progress and playstyle.

Swapping mage books in OSRS doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether you’re praying at a remote altar, building an Occult Altar, or using a skillcape, there’s a method for every player. For beginners, the basic altars are a solid start, while veterans should aim for the POH setup to save time and dominate the game. Experiment with these options, plan your swaps, and watch your magic prowess soar. Ready to cast some spells? Get out there and make Gielinor your playground!