Level 99 Experience Guide for Old School RuneScape

Reaching level 99 in any skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a monumental achievement that showcases dedication and mastery. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer to Gielinor, understanding the experience (XP) requirements and strategies to hit level 99 is crucial. This guide dives into the mechanics of XP, efficient training methods, and tips to make your journey to 99 smoother, with a focus on optimizing your gameplay for both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) accounts.

Experience points, commonly abbreviated as XP or EXP, are the core measure of progress in OSRS skills. Each skill requires a specific amount of XP to advance to the next level, with the ultimate goal of 13,034,431 XP needed to reach level 99 in any skill. The exponential growth of XP requirements makes the grind increasingly challenging at higher levels.

How XP Works

XP is earned by performing tasks related to a skill, such as mining ore for Mining or defeating monsters for combat skills. The amount of XP needed for each level increases by approximately 10% compared to the previous level. For example:

• Level 1 to 2: 83 XP
• Level 2 to 3: 91 XP
• Level 92 to 99: 6,517,178 XP (nearly half the total needed for 99)

This exponential curve means that level 92 is roughly the halfway mark to 99 in terms of XP, a concept often referred to as the “92 is half of 99” rule. After level 30, the XP needed doubles approximately every 7 levels, making high-level training a true test of patience.

Sources of XP

Beyond skill-specific tasks, XP can be gained through alternative methods, including:

• Quests: Many quests reward XP, such as “Waterfall Quest” for melee skills.
• Minigames: Activities like Pest Control offer combat XP.
• Random Events: Items like the Book of Knowledge from the Surprise Exam provide small XP boosts.
• Achievement Diaries: Completing diary tasks grants XP lamps.

Fastest Skills to Reach Level 99

Not all skills are created equal when it comes to the time required to reach level 99. Some, like Farming, can be trained passively, while others, like Agility, demand active effort and time. Below, we explore some of the fastest skills to max out based on efficient methods.

Farming: The Passive Powerhouse

Farming is one of the quickest skills to reach 99, requiring as little as 5.62 hours of in-game time with optimal methods. It’s trained passively through herb and tree runs, allowing you to focus on other activities while crops grow.

Tip: Start with Guam herbs at level 9 and progress to Torstol for maximum profit and XP. Use teleports like the Explorer’s Ring for efficient patch access.

Cooking: High XP, Low Effort

Cooking is another fast skill, especially in F2P, with methods like cooking sharks or wines yielding up to 300,000 XP/hour. The Hosidius Kitchen reduces burn rates, making it ideal for P2P players.

• Best Location: Hosidius Kitchen or Rogue’s Den (P2P).
• XP Rates: 200,000–300,000 XP/hour with sharks.
• Cost: Affordable, especially with raw fish from Fishing.

Prayer: Expensive but Quick

Prayer is one of the fastest skills to 99 if you have the gold. Offering dragon bones or superior dragon bones on a gilded altar with two burners lit can yield over 1,000,000 XP/hour.

Cost Consideration: Expect to spend 200–300 million GP for 99 Prayer using dragon bones. Use a player-owned house (POH) altar for maximum efficiency.

Efficient Training Strategies for Level 99

Maximizing XP rates requires a combination of preparation, gear, and method selection. Here are strategies to optimize your grind across various skills.

Questing for Early XP

Quests provide significant XP boosts, especially for early levels. Completing quests like “Waterfall Quest” (13,750 Attack and Strength XP) or “The Grand Tree” (7,900 Agility XP) can skip hours of grinding.

Recommended Quests:

• Waterfall Quest (Attack, Strength)
• Fight Arena (Attack, Strength)
• Priest in Peril (Prayer)
• Fairytale I – Growing Pains (Farming)

Optimizing Gear and Inventory

Using the right gear can boost XP rates significantly. For example:

• Combat: Equip high-damage weapons like the Abyssal Whip or Dragon Scimitar.
• Skilling: Use tools like the Dragon Pickaxe for Mining or Graceful Outfit for Agility.
• Inventory: Carry weight-reducing items (e.g., Boots of Lightness) to maintain run energy.

Leveraging Minigames and Events

Minigames like Pest Control, Soul Wars, or the Nightmare Zone offer excellent combat XP, especially for P2P players. For skilling, activities like the Hallowed Sepulchre (Agility) provide high XP and rewards.

Pro Tip: Use RuneLite plugins to track XP rates and optimize routes for activities like Farming or Agility.

Combat Skills: Melee, Ranged, and Magic

Combat skills (Attack, Strength, Defence, Ranged, and Magic) are among the most popular to train to 99 due to their utility in PvM and PvP. Here’s how to approach them efficiently.

Melee Training (Attack, Strength, Defence)

Melee is best trained through Slayer tasks or Nightmare Zone for optimal XP rates (up to 160,000 XP/hour). Start with low-level monsters like chickens, then progress to crabs, Experiments, and endgame bosses.

Ranged and Magic

Ranged is efficiently trained at the Nightmare Zone or through Slayer, with methods like chinning (using chinchompas) yielding up to 800,000 XP/hour at high levels. Magic can be trained via High Alchemy, teleports, or combat spells like Ice Barrage for up to 200,000 XP/hour.

Cost-Saving Tip: Use Magic for High Alchemy between combat sessions to offset training costs.

Tips for Staying Motivated During the Grind

The journey to 99 is long, and burnout is real. Here are tips to keep your motivation high:

Set Milestones

Break the grind into smaller goals, such as reaching level 70, 85, or 92. Celebrate each milestone with a small in-game reward, like buying a new piece of gear.

Join a Community

Engage with the OSRS community on platforms like Reddit’s r/2007scape or the official RuneScape forums. Sharing progress, tips, and memes can make the grind feel less solitary.

Mix Up Activities

Avoid monotony by alternating between skills or methods. For example, combine Slayer with combat training or do herb runs between Agility courses.

Reaching level 99 in OSRS is a badge of honor that reflects your commitment to mastering a skill. By understanding XP mechanics, choosing efficient methods, and staying motivated, you can conquer the grind and join the ranks of skill masters. Whether you’re chopping trees, slaying dragons, or planting herbs, the path to 99 is yours to forge. Grab your skillcape and start training today!