Most Useful 99s in Old School RuneScape for 2025

Achieving level 99 in any skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a monumental milestone, symbolizing dedication and mastery. With 23 skills to choose from, not all 99s offer the same rewards or utility. Some provide game-changing benefits, like powerful unlocks or significant quality-of-life improvements, while others are more about prestige. This guide dives into the most useful 99s in OSRS for 2025, focusing on skills that deliver practical advantages, whether you’re a quester, PvMer, skiller, or just chasing efficiency. Let’s explore which 99s are worth your time and why.
Not every 99 is created equal. While each skill cape is a badge of honor, some skills unlock features that reshape how you play. From boosting your combat prowess to streamlining skilling or unlocking lucrative money-makers, the best 99s save time, enhance gameplay, or open new opportunities. Below, we’ll break down the top skills that offer the most bang for your buck, considering factors like accessibility, rewards, and long-term value.
Balancing Effort and Reward
Grinding to 99 can take hundreds of hours, so it’s crucial to weigh the effort against the payoff. Skills like Prayer or Construction offer immediate benefits, while others, like Runecrafting, shine over time with consistent profits. We’ll highlight skills that balance these aspects effectively.
Impact on Gameplay
The most useful 99s directly improve your experience. For example, maxing Hitpoints boosts survivability in PvM, while Magic unlocks high-level spells for teleports and combat. These skills don’t just sit on your stat sheet—they change how you interact with Gielinor.
Combat Skills: Powering Up Your PVM and PK Potential
Combat skills are the backbone of OSRS for players tackling bosses, slayer tasks, or PvP. Getting 99 in these skills maximizes your damage output, survivability, and versatility, making them some of the most impactful 99s to pursue.
Strength and Attack – Melee Mastery
Reaching 99 Strength and Attack unlocks your full melee potential. At 99 Strength, you hit harder, speeding up kills at bosses like Zulrah or Vorkath. Pair it with 99 Attack for pinpoint accuracy, ensuring your blows land consistently, especially with high-accuracy weapons like the Blade of Saeldor.
- Why it’s useful: Higher DPS means faster clears, more loot, and better slayer efficiency.
- Pro tip: Train via Slayer to level multiple skills simultaneously and earn profits.
Magic – Spells for Every Situation
99 Magic is a game-changer, granting access to top-tier spells like Ice Barrage for PvP and Plank Make for skilling. It’s also essential for teleports like Watchtower Teleport, saving time across quests and clue scrolls.
- Why it’s useful: Versatile for combat, utility, and skilling, with spells that dominate PvM (e.g., Trident of the Swamp).
- Pro tip: High Alchemy or tele-alching can help offset training costs while grinding XP.
Hitpoints – Survive Anything
99 Hitpoints gives you 99 HP, letting you tank longer in fights against tough bosses like Corporeal Beast or Theatre of Blood. It’s passively trained with other combat skills, making it one of the easiest 99s to achieve.
- Why it’s useful: More HP means fewer food trips, safer PvM, and better endurance in PvP.
- Pro tip: Pair with 99 Prayer for protection prayers to become nearly unkillable.
Skilling 99s: Efficiency and Profit Powerhouses
While combat skills dominate in raw power, skilling 99s offer unmatched utility and money-making potential. These skills streamline your gameplay or fatten your coin pouch, making them must-haves for dedicated players.
Construction – Your Personal POH Empire
99 Construction transforms your Player-Owned House (POH) into a hub of efficiency. With the Ornate Jewellery Box, Occult Altar, and Ornate Rejuvenation Pool, you can teleport, switch spellbooks, and restore stats instantly, saving countless hours.
- Why it’s useful: A maxed POH is the ultimate quality-of-life upgrade for PvM, clue scrolls, and training.
- Pro tip: Use mahogany planks for faster training, and budget with flatpacks if gold is tight.
Runecrafting – Passive Wealth Generator
99 Runecrafting unlocks the ability to craft double Wrath Runes, a consistent money-maker. With high-intensity methods like Lava Runes, it’s also a profitable grind even before 99.
- Why it’s useful: Long-term profit potential and access to high-level pouches for faster training.
- Pro tip: Complete Arceuus Spellbook quests early to unlock blood/soul rune crafting for extra cash.
Herblore – Potions for Every Need
99 Herblore lets you craft Divine Bastion Potions and Overloads (via raids), boosting combat performance. It’s also a prerequisite for end-game PvM content like Chambers of Xeric.
Potion | Level Required | Benefit |
---|---|---|
Super Combat Potion | 90 | Boosts Attack, Strength, Defence |
Saradomin Brew | 81 | Restores HP, boosts Defence |
Divine Bastion Potion | 86 | Boosts Defence, Ranged |
- Why it’s useful: Potions are essential for high-level PvM and speed up training other skills.
- Pro tip: Buy herbs in bulk during price dips to save millions while training.
Support Skills: The Unsung Heroes
Support skills like Prayer and Agility don’t deal damage or craft items, but their 99s provide indispensable boosts that enhance every aspect of OSRS.
Prayer – Divine Protection
99 Prayer unlocks the full power of Rigour, Augury, and Piety, massively boosting combat stats. It’s a cornerstone for PvM, making fights like Inferno or Nightmare far easier.
- Why it’s useful: Protection prayers and stat boosts are vital for end-game content.
- Pro tip: Use the Gilded Altar in a POH for faster XP with dragon bones.
Agility – Run Forever
99 Agility maximizes your run energy regeneration, letting you sprint across Gielinor without pause. It also unlocks shortcuts like the Sepulchre, speeding up travel and skilling.
- Why it’s useful: Saves time everywhere, from clue scrolls to bossing.
- Pro tip: Train at Hallowed Sepulchre for XP and loot to break the monotony.
How to Choose Your Next 99
Deciding which 99 to chase depends on your goals. Are you a PvMer aiming for Inferno? Prioritize Prayer and Magic. Love skilling and profits? Go for Runecrafting or Herblore. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
Goal | Recommended 99 | Key Benefit |
---|---|---|
PvM | Prayer, Magic | Better survivability, damage |
Skilling | Construction, Runecrafting | Efficiency, profits |
Questing | Agility, Herblore | Faster travel, potion boosts |
Factoring in Time and Cost
Some 99s, like Construction, are costly (50-100M GP), while others, like Agility, are cheap but time-intensive. Plan your grind based on your budget and playtime. Free-to-play players might lean toward Strength or Magic, as they’re accessible without membership.
Long-Term Value
Think beyond the cape. Runecrafting keeps earning GP years later, while Prayer stays relevant in every boss fight. Choose skills that align with your long-term OSRS journey, whether that’s maxing, raiding, or just enjoying the grind.
In 2025, the most useful 99s in OSRS—Prayer, Magic, Construction, Runecrafting, and Herblore—stand out for their immediate and lasting impact. They’re not just numbers; they’re tools to conquer Gielinor’s toughest challenges. Pick your next 99 wisely, and let it pave the way to your ultimate RuneScape goals.