Level 99 XP in OSRS: Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering Skills

Level 99 XP in OSRS: Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering Skills


Reaching level 99 in any skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a monumental achievement that showcases dedication, strategy, and patience. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer aiming for that coveted skill cape, understanding the XP requirements and training methods for level 99 is key to success. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about hitting level 99 in OSRS, including XP totals, efficient training tips, and the fastest skills to max out. Let’s get started on your journey to mastery!

The XP required to reach level 99 in any OSRS skill is a fixed number: 13,034,431 experience points. This applies universally across all 23 skills, from combat stats like Strength and Magic to gathering skills like Mining and Woodcutting. The XP curve in OSRS is exponential, meaning the amount of experience needed increases by approximately 10% with each level, making those final levels a true test of endurance.

The Exponential XP Curve Explained

Starting at level 1, you only need 83 XP to reach level 2. From there, the requirement grows steadily. For example:

  • Level 2 to 3: 91 XP
  • Level 10 to 11: 233 XP
  • Level 50 to 51: 11,162 XP
  • Level 92 to 93: 717,805 XP

By level 92, you’ve earned roughly 6,517,253 XP—almost exactly half of the total needed for 99. This is why players often say “92 is half of 99” in OSRS. However, the time to go from 92 to 99 can vary wildly depending on the skill and training method, as higher levels often unlock faster XP rates.

Total XP for Maxing All Skills

If you’re aiming to max out all 23 skills to level 99, you’ll need a staggering 299,791,913 XP to reach the max total level of 2,277. This monumental task has been achieved by dedicated players, with some even pushing beyond 99 to the 200 million XP cap per skill for leaderboard glory.

Fastest Skills to Reach Level 99 in OSRS

Not all skills are created equal when it comes to training speed. Some can be maxed in a matter of hours with the right resources, while others demand weeks or months of effort. Here are the fastest skills to hit level 99, based on efficient training methods and time investment.

Fletching: The Speed King

Fletching is widely regarded as the fastest skill to 99, with top players achieving it in as little as 3 hours and 9 minutes (EVscape’s record). The key? Fletching darts, especially dragon darts, using mouse keys for rapid clicking.

  • XP Rate: Up to 9 million XP/hour
  • Method: Start with bronze arrows, then progress to bronze, mithril, and dragon darts
  • Cost: Around 120 million GP for dragon darts, or cheaper with mithril darts

This method is click-intensive and expensive, but it’s unmatched for speed.

Prayer: Quick but Costly

Prayer offers massive XP rates when using bones on a gilded altar or the Chaos Altar in the Wilderness. The fastest route takes about 10 hours with manual clicking.

  • XP Rate: Up to 1.3 million XP/hour with superior dragon bones
  • Method: Use Dagannoth bones to level 70, then superior dragon bones to 99
  • Cost: Approximately 210 million GP at a gilded altar, halved at the Chaos Altar

For a cheaper alternative, ensouled heads (e.g., dragon heads at 93 Magic) take 33 hours and cost 63 million GP.

Cooking: Fast and Affordable

Cooking is a low-cost, fast skill that can be maxed in around 22 hours by making jugs of wine.

  • XP Rate: Up to 500,000 XP/hour
  • Method: Combine grapes and jugs of water at level 35+
  • Cost: Roughly 20 million GP

It’s a great option for players on a budget who still want a quick 99.

Most Time-Consuming Skills to Reach Level 99

While some skills are lightning-fast, others are notorious for their grind. These skills often have slower XP rates or require significant preparation, making the 13,034,431 XP goal feel like a marathon.

Agility: The Endurance Test

Agility is the slowest skill to 99, taking around 165 hours even with the best methods like the Hallowed Sepulchre.

  • XP Rate: Up to 80,000 XP/hour at high levels
  • Method: Rooftop courses (e.g., Ardougne) or Hallowed Sepulchre (level 92+)
  • Tip: Use stamina potions and the graceful outfit to speed things up

It’s click-intensive and physically demanding, but the agility cape’s stamina perk is worth it.

Runecrafting: The Infamous Grind

Runecrafting’s low XP rates and repetitive nature make it a slog, taking around 200-250 hours for 99.

  • XP Rate: Up to 60,000 XP/hour with lava runes or Guardians of the Rift
  • Method: Craft lava runes (level 23+) or play Guardians of the Rift (level 27+)
  • Profit: Can net millions with blood or wrath runes

It’s slow, but profitable methods help ease the pain.

Training Strategies to Hit Level 99 Efficiently

Getting to 13,034,431 XP isn’t just about grinding—it’s about working smarter. Here are proven strategies to optimize your training and shave hours off your journey.

Leverage Quests for Early XP

Quests can give you a head start, especially for slower skills. For example:

Skill Quest XP Reward
Magic Witch’s Potion 325 XP
Runecrafting Temple of the Eye 9,210 XP
Thieving Fight Arena 2,175 XP

Completing these early can boost you past the sluggish low levels.

Use XP Boosters

Equipment and buffs can significantly increase your XP rates:

  • Prospector’s Outfit (Mining): 2.5% XP boost
  • Celestial Ring (Mining): +4 invisible mining boost
  • Graceful Outfit (Agility): Faster run energy recovery
  • Ardougne Diary (Thieving): 10% pickpocketing success boost

Invest time in unlocking these to maximize efficiency.

Alternate Between Methods

Mixing up training methods prevents burnout. For example, in Magic, you could:

  1. Quest to level 10 (fast start)
  2. Enchant bolts to level 55 (high XP/hour)
  3. Burst Slayer tasks to 99 (XP + profit)

This keeps training fresh and efficient.

Why Aim for Level 99 in OSRS?

Beyond the bragging rights, hitting level 99 offers tangible rewards and personal satisfaction. Here’s why it’s worth the grind.

Skill Capes and Perks

Each level 99 unlocks a Cape of Accomplishment for 99,000 GP, complete with a unique emote and perk. Some standout perks include:

These perks enhance gameplay and make daily tasks easier.

Access to Endgame Content

Level 99 unlocks high-level content, like:

It’s a gateway to OSRS’s most rewarding challenges.

The Max Cape Dream

Maxing all skills to 99 earns you the Max Cape, a symbol of ultimate mastery. With a total level of 2,277 and over 299 million XP, it’s a rare feat that sets you apart in Gielinor.

Reaching level 99 in OSRS is a journey of strategy, persistence, and sometimes a hefty GP investment. Whether you’re fletching darts at breakneck speed or enduring the Agility grind, the 13,034,431 XP milestone is within reach with the right approach. Pick your skill, plan your method, and start training—your skill cape awaits!