Is Runecrafting Slow in OSRS? A Deep Dive into the Skill

Runecrafting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) has long been a topic of debate among players. Known for its grind-heavy nature, it’s often labeled as one of the slowest skills to train in the game. But is Runecrafting really as slow as its reputation suggests? In this blog post, we’ll explore why Runecrafting feels sluggish, the methods available to level it, its profitability, and whether the grind is worth it for casual and hardcore players alike. Whether you’re a new player or an Ironman aiming for 99, this guide will break it all down.

Runecrafting’s reputation as a slow skill isn’t unfounded. Unlike combat skills or even gathering skills like Mining, Runecrafting requires repetitive trips to altars, precise inventory management, and often a significant time investment for modest experience gains. Let’s unpack the reasons behind this perception.

The Core Gameplay Loop

The basic Runecrafting process involves mining Rune Essence or Pure Essence, traveling to an altar, and crafting runes. This loop hasn’t changed much since OSRS launched in 2013, and it’s inherently time-consuming. For example, early levels involve crafting Air Runes, which yield a measly 5 XP per essence. With a full inventory of 28 essence, that’s just 140 XP per trip—minus the time spent running back and forth.

Low XP Rates at Early Levels

At lower levels, XP rates hover between 5,000 and 10,000 XP per hour using traditional methods like Air or Fire Runes. Compare this to skills like Woodcutting, which can hit 30,000 XP per hour by level 30, and it’s easy to see why Runecrafting feels like a slog. The slow start discourages many players from pushing past the initial grind.

Travel Time and Click Intensity

Traveling to altars often involves long walks or teleports, and some methods, like Lava Runes, demand constant clicking. This combination of physical effort and time spent moving rather than gaining XP amplifies the skill’s tedious reputation.

Fastest Runecrafting Methods in OSRS

While Runecrafting starts slow, higher levels unlock faster training methods. These can significantly boost XP rates, though they often require preparation, quests, or coordination. Here are some of the best options.

Lava Runes: The Speed King

Lava Runes, crafted at the Fire Altar with Earth Runes and Pure Essence, are the fastest way to train Runecrafting, offering up to 70,000–80,000 XP per hour solo. With hired runners or alt accounts, rates can skyrocket to 200,000+ XP per hour. However, this method requires 23 Runecrafting, a Binding Necklace, and high click intensity, making it less accessible for casual players.

Guardians of the Rift Minigame

Introduced in 2022, Guardians of the Rift offers a balanced approach. At 50,000–60,000 XP per hour at higher levels, it’s not the fastest, but it’s less click-intensive and provides rewards like the Raiments of the Eye set, which boosts rune output. It’s ideal for players who want a semi-AFK experience with decent progression.

Zeah Runecrafting (Blood and Soul Runes)

Crafting Blood or Soul Runes at the Arceuus altars can yield 40,000–50,000 XP per hour. The method involves mining Dense Essence Blocks, which adds an AFK element (up to 3 minutes per cycle), making it a low-intensity option for those who dislike constant clicking.

Is Runecrafting Profitable?

One redeeming factor of Runecrafting is its profitability. While the skill may be slow to train, it can fill your coin pouch if you play it right. Let’s look at how it pays off.

High-Level Money Makers

At 95 Runecrafting, Wrath Runes become available, netting up to 1.8 million GP per hour. Similarly, Blood Runes at 77 Runecrafting can earn 1–1.5 million GP per hour. These methods turn the grind into a goldmine, especially for Ironmen who need runes for combat.

Cost vs. Reward Trade-Off

Early methods like Air or Mind Runes offer little profit, but mid-to-high-level options like Astral Runes (40 Runecrafting, 800k–1m GP/hour) strike a balance between XP and income. The initial slow grind pays dividends once you unlock these thresholds.

Comparing Runecrafting to Other Skills

To understand if Runecrafting is truly slow, let’s compare it to other OSRS skills. This perspective highlights where it stands in the game’s ecosystem.

Runecrafting vs. Agility

Agility, another notoriously slow skill, offers 40,000–50,000 XP per hour at Rooftop Courses. While it’s less profitable than Runecrafting, its consistent rhythm and lower click intensity make it feel less grueling for some players.

Runecrafting vs. Mining

Mining can reach 60,000–70,000 XP per hour with methods like Volcanic Mine or Motherlode Mine, outpacing many Runecrafting options. However, Runecrafting’s profitability often surpasses Mining’s, especially at higher levels.

Skill	XP/Hour (High Level)	Profit Potential	Click Intensity
Runecrafting	50,000–200,000	High (1–1.8m GP/hour)	High
Agility	40,000–60,000	Low	Medium
Mining	60,000–80,000	Medium (500k–1m GP/hour)	Low-Medium

Tips to Make Runecrafting Less Painful

If you’re determined to tackle Runecrafting, there are ways to ease the grind. Here’s a list of practical strategies to keep your sanity intact.

Optimize Your Setup

Use pouches: Small, Medium, Large, and Giant Pouches increase essence capacity, reducing trips. The Colossal Pouch from Guardians of the Rift holds 40 essence, a game-changer for efficiency.

Quest unlocks: Complete Lunar Diplomacy for Astral Runes or Desert Treasure II for Wrath Runes to access profitable methods sooner.

Break Up the Grind

Don’t marathon Runecrafting for hours. Alternate it with quests, bossing, or AFK skills like Fishing to avoid burnout. Short, focused sessions keep it manageable.

Leverage AFK Methods

Zeah Runecrafting’s mining phase or Astral Rune running (with extended render distance on clients like RuneLite) lets you relax between actions, making the skill feel less demanding.

• Use stamina potions to maintain run energy, especially for Lava Runes.
• Join a clan to chat and share goals, making the grind social.
• Watch Netflix or streams during AFK methods to multitask.
• Hire runners if you can afford it—outsourcing essence delivery boosts XP rates dramatically.

Is It Worth It?

For casual players, Runecrafting’s slow pace might not justify the effort unless you need runes or cash. For maxers or Ironmen, the skill’s unlocks (like 91 for Achievement Diaries) and profit potential make it a necessary evil. Your playstyle determines its value.

In conclusion, Runecrafting in OSRS is indeed slow, especially at early levels, due to its low XP rates and repetitive nature. However, with dedication and the right methods, it transforms into one of the game’s most rewarding skills—both in XP and GP. Whether you embrace the grind or dread it, understanding its mechanics can help you decide if it’s worth your time. What’s your take—do you love or hate Runecrafting? Let us know below!