OSRS 1-99 Magic Guide Fast and Efficient Methods

Training Magic in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rewarding journey that unlocks powerful spells, teleports, and utility abilities crucial for combat, skilling, and end-game content like PvM and PvP. Whether you’re aiming for the fastest route to 99 or looking for budget-friendly methods, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to level Magic from 1 to 99 efficiently. We’ll explore questing, spellcasting, gear, and profitable strategies to suit all playstyles, including F2P, P2P, and Ironman accounts.
Magic is one of the three core combat skills in OSRS, alongside Melee and Ranged. It’s versatile, offering combat spells for damage, teleports for quick travel, and utility spells like High Alchemy for money-making. Reaching level 99 Magic grants access to the coveted Magic Skill Cape and maximizes your magical defense, which is vital for PvP and bossing. Plus, high Magic levels unlock spells like Ice Barrage and Fire Surge, making you a force to be reckoned with.
Key Benefits of High Magic Levels
- Powerful Spells: Unlock combat spells like Fire Wave and Ancient Magicks for high damage.
- Teleports: Gain access to fast travel options like Watchtower Teleport and Trollheim Teleport.
- Utility Spells: Use High Alchemy, Plank Make, or String Jewellery for profit and skilling.
- End-Game Content: Excel at bosses like Kraken, Zulrah, and Vorkath, which are weak to Magic.
Early Levels (1-34): Questing and Basic Spells
The early Magic levels are best tackled through quests and low-cost spells to save gold and time. Questing provides a significant XP boost, allowing you to skip tedious grinding and unlock useful spells early.
Recommended Quests for Magic XP
Start with these beginner-friendly quests to jump to level 10 or higher quickly:
Quest | Magic XP Reward | Requirements |
---|---|---|
Witch’s Potion | 325 | None |
Imp Catcher | 875 | None |
Fairytale I – Growing Pains | 3,500 | Some combat skills recommended |
The Grand Tree | 2,150 | 25 Agility |
Completing Witch’s Potion and Imp Catcher alone grants 1,200 XP, enough for level 10. Adding Fairytale I and The Grand Tree can push you toward level 34, unlocking more training methods.
Low-Level Spell Training
If quests aren’t your style, cast basic combat spells like Wind Strike (level 1) or Water Strike (level 5) on low-level NPCs like chickens or cows in Lumbridge. Use an elemental staff (e.g., Staff of Air) to reduce rune costs. At level 7, try Lvl-1 Enchant on sapphire jewelry for decent XP while AFK.
Tip: Splashing Curse (level 19) on chickens is a cheap, AFK method for 29 XP per cast, ideal for F2P players.
Fastest Route to 99 Magic (Expensive)
For players with gold to burn, the fastest path to 99 involves high-XP spells like Enchant Crossbow Bolts and Ancient Magicks bursting. This method takes around 27-30 hours but costs approximately 100-120 million GP.
Levels 7-68: Enchant Crossbow Bolts
Enchanting bolts is click-intensive but offers insane XP rates, especially with tick manipulation. Each cast enchants 10 bolts, and you can speed it up by holding the spacebar and clicking rapidly.
- Level 7 (Opal Bolts): 9 XP per cast, ~30k XP/hour.
- Level 27 (Sapphire Bolts): 17 XP per cast, ~100k XP/hour.
- Level 49 (Ruby Bolts): 59 XP per cast, ~300k XP/hour.
- Level 57 (Diamond Bolts): 67 XP per cast, ~360k XP/hour.
- Level 68 (Dragonstone Bolts): 78 XP per cast, ~429k XP/hour.
Note: Check the OSRS Wiki for profitable bolts, as prices fluctuate. Onyx bolts (level 87) can hit 500k XP/hour but are rarely cost-effective.
Levels 70-99: Bursting with Ancient Magicks
After completing Desert Treasure to unlock the Ancient Magicks spellbook, Ice Burst (level 70) and Ice Barrage (level 94) are the fastest ways to train. Bursting in multi-combat areas like the Monkey Madness II tunnels (Maniacal Monkeys) or the Catacombs of Kourend (Nechryaels, Dust Devils) yields 200-300k XP/hour.
- Gear: Occult Necklace (+10% Magic damage), Kodai Wand (level 75), and Ahrim’s robes.
- Cost: Ice Burst costs ~3.5 GP/XP; Ice Barrage is ~5 GP/XP.
- Tip: Combine with Slayer tasks for passive Slayer XP and loot to offset costs.
Total Cost: Expect 50-70 million GP for bursting to 99, depending on spell and gear.
Budget-Friendly Route to 99 Magic
If you’re short on gold, this method balances speed and cost, taking around 45 hours and costing ~35 million GP. It’s ideal for most players, including Ironmen with rune limitations.
Levels 1-55: Quests and Alchemy
After questing to level 10-34, cast Low-Level Alchemy (level 21) for 31 XP per cast or High-Level Alchemy (level 55) for 65 XP per cast. High Alch is more efficient, offering up to 78k XP/hour if you buy profitable items like battlestaves or green d’hide bodies from the Grand Exchange.
Tip: Use the OSRS Wiki’s alchemy profit calculator to avoid losses.
Levels 55-80: High Alchemy and Teleports
Continue High Alching, but mix in teleports like Camelot Teleport (level 45, 55.5 XP per cast) for variety. Tele-alching (alternating High Alch and teleports) can push XP rates to 100k/hour while keeping costs low.
- Gear: Staff of Fire (for High Alch) or Air Staff (for teleports).
- Cost: Minimal if alching profitable items; teleports cost ~1k GP/hour.
Levels 80-99: Lunar Spells
After completing Lunar Diplomacy, use String Jewellery (level 80) for 83 XP per cast and ~150k XP/hour. It’s AFK-friendly and breaks even or profits slightly with gold amulets. At level 86, Plank Make (requires Dream Mentor) offers 90 XP per cast and ~160k XP/hour, profiting with mahogany planks.
Total Cost: ~19-35 million GP, depending on market prices and alching efficiency.
F2P and Ironman Magic Training Tips
F2P and Ironman players face unique challenges due to limited spellbooks and rune access. Here’s how to optimize your grind.
F2P Magic Training
F2P players are restricted to the Standard Spellbook and basic gear, but reaching 99 is still achievable.
- Levels 1-17: Cast Wind Strike or Water Strike on chickens or rats. Use a Wizard’s Hat, Robe Top, and Amulet of Magic.
- Levels 17-55: Splash Curse or cast Wind Bolt on hill giants for better XP and drops.
- Levels 55-99: High Alch profitable items like adamant platebodies for 78k XP/hour.
XP Rates: Splashing yields ~13-20k XP/hour; High Alch reaches 78k XP/hour.
Ironman Magic Training
Ironmen must conserve runes, so focus on Slayer and passive training.
- Early Levels: Safe-spot monsters like sand crabs with Fire Strike, using Zaff’s staves for runes.
- Mid-Levels: Cast Superheat Item (level 43) for Magic and Smithing XP, or Telekinetic Grab (level 33) at the Arceuus Library for free XP.
- High Levels: Burst Slayer tasks (e.g., Dust Devils) and alch drops like battlestaves.
Tip: Mage Training Arena (unlocked at level 7) offers Bones to Peaches and infinity gear, plus up to 127k Magic XP.
Final Tips for Reaching 99 Magic
Regardless of your method, these tips will help you stay motivated and efficient:
- Mix Methods: Alternate between combat, alching, and Lunar spells to avoid burnout.
- Use Boosts: Equip the Occult Necklace (level 70) for 10% Magic damage or Void Knight gear for XP boosts.
- Check Prices: Use the OSRS Wiki to track profitable alching or enchanting items.
- Leverage Events: Take advantage of Double XP weekends or minigames like Pest Control for extra XP.
With dedication, you’ll be rocking the Magic Skill Cape in no time. Whether you’re bursting maniacal monkeys or alching your way to riches, this guide has you covered for a fast, fun, and efficient grind to 99 Magic in OSRS!