OSRS Best Mage XP Guide for Fast Leveling to 99

Training Magic in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a rewarding journey, offering access to powerful spells, teleports, and utility abilities. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 or just want to unlock key spells, this guide covers the best Mage XP methods for both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players. From early quests to high-level enchanting, we’ll explore the fastest, most efficient, and budget-friendly pathways to maximize your Magic XP per hour. Let’s dive into the arcane arts of Gielinor!

Magic is one of the most versatile skills in OSRS, forming a core part of the combat triangle alongside Melee and Ranged. It’s essential for PvP, PvM, and utility tasks like teleporting or alching items. Here’s why you should prioritize Magic training:

• Combat Power: Spells like Ice Barrage and Fire Surge dominate in PvP and bossing.
• Utility: Teleport spells save time, while High Alchemy turns items into gold.
• Quests and Diaries: Spells like High Alchemy and teleports are needed for quests and Achievement Diaries.
• Skillcape Perks: The Magic Skillcape allows five daily spellbook swaps, a game-changer for efficiency.

With XP rates reaching over 500k per hour, Magic is also one of the fastest skills to level, especially with the right methods. Let’s explore how to start.

Early Game Magic Training (Levels 1–34)

Getting a head start on Magic is crucial for both F2P and P2P players. Early levels are best tackled through quests and low-cost combat spells to build a foundation without breaking the bank.

Questing for Quick XP

Completing specific quests can propel you from level 1 to 34 in just a few hours, providing substantial Magic XP with minimal effort. Here are the best quests for early Magic XP:

• Witch’s Potion: Rewards 325 XP, enough for level 4. No requirements, takes 5 minutes.
• Imp Catcher: Grants 875 XP, pushing you to level 10. Quick and F2P-friendly.
• Fairytale I – Growing Pains (P2P): Yields 1,000 XP, requires defeating a level 111 Tanglefoot.
• The Grand Tree (P2P): Offers 2,150 XP, needs 25 Agility and a level 172 Black Demon fight.
• Watchtower (P2P): Provides 15,250 XP, requires level 14 Magic and combat with a level 68 Ogre.

Completing these quests gives a total of 22,100 XP, enough to hit level 34 instantly. For F2P players, Witch’s Potion and Imp Catcher alone get you to level 10.

Splashing for AFK XP

Splashing is a popular low-effort method for early Magic training, especially for F2P players. By wearing gear with a negative Magic bonus (e.g., full Bronze armor and a Cursed Goblin Staff), you ensure spells like Wind Strike or Curse always miss, granting XP without killing the target. Here’s how to set it up:

• Spell: Wind Strike (5.5 XP per cast) or Curse (29 XP per cast).
• Gear: Bronze Helmet, Chest, Platelegs, Kiteshield, and Cursed Goblin Staff.
• Location: Rats in Lumbridge for easy access.
• Runes: Mind Runes (Wind Strike) or Body Runes (Curse). Use an Air Staff for unlimited Air Runes.

Splashing yields around 10k–30k XP per hour and is fully AFK for 20-minute sessions, making it ideal for multitasking. However, it’s slow compared to active methods.

Combat Training with Fire Strike

For players who prefer active training, casting Fire Strike on low-level NPCs like crabs or chickens is effective. With a Fire Staff and Chaos Runes, you can deal decent damage while earning XP. This method offers 20k–40k XP per hour and is viable up to level 34, especially for Ironmen who need to conserve runes.

Fastest Magic XP: Enchanting Bolts (Levels 34–99)

Once you hit level 34, enchanting crossbow bolts becomes the fastest Magic XP method in OSRS, offering up to 533k XP per hour. This method is click-intensive but unmatched for speed, making it the go-to for P2P players aiming for 99.

How Enchanting Bolts Works

The Enchant Crossbow Bolt spell enchants 10 gem-tipped bolts every 3 ticks (1.8 seconds) automatically, but you can boost XP by casting every tick (0.6 seconds) using the “1-tick” method. Hold the spacebar and click the spell rapidly, ideally with the RuneLite metronome plugin for timing. Here’s the breakdown:

Level	Bolt Type	XP per Hour	Cost per Hour
34	Topaz	181,500	18.8M GP
49	Ruby	324,500	6.7M GP
57	Diamond	368,500	10M GP
68	Dragonstone	429,000	36.7M GP
87	Onyx	533,500	12.3M GP

Note: Costs vary with Grand Exchange prices, so check the OSRS Wiki for real-time profitability. This method is expensive, often costing 100M+ GP to reach 99, but it’s the fastest route, taking around 27 hours.

Tips for Enchanting Bolts

• Use RuneLite: The metronome plugin helps maintain 1-tick timing.
• Stackable Items: Bolts and runes are stackable, so you can train while skilling (e.g., Agility or questing).
• Budget Option: Stick to Ruby or Diamond bolts for lower costs if Onyx is too expensive.

AFK and Profitable Methods (Levels 55–99)

If enchanting bolts is too intense or costly, AFK and profitable methods like High Alchemy, Plank Make, and String Jewellery offer solid XP with less effort. These are ideal for players who want to relax or make gold while training.

High Alchemy

Unlocked at level 55, High Alchemy converts items into gold, yielding 78k XP per hour. It’s semi-AFK and can be profitable if you alch items like unstrung maple longbows or Green D’Hide Bodies. Here’s how to optimize:

• Runes: 1 Nature Rune and 5 Fire Runes per cast (use a Fire Staff).
• Items: Check the OSRS Wiki for profitable alchables to avoid losses.
• Location: Anywhere, as noted items and runes are all you need.

This method is perfect for Ironmen, who can fletch maple longbows to alch, combining Magic, Woodcutting, and Fletching XP. Expect to break even or profit slightly with smart Grand Exchange trades.

Plank Make (Lunar Spellbook)

Available at level 86 after completing Lunar Diplomacy and Dream Mentor, Plank Make turns logs into planks, offering up to 166k XP per hour when manually casting. Mahogany planks are the most profitable, netting 351k GP per hour. Setup includes:

• Runes: 15 Earth, 2 Astral, 1 Nature per cast (use an Earth Staff).
• Logs: Buy Mahogany logs from the Grand Exchange.
• AFK Option: Casts automatically every 3 ticks for 90k XP per hour.

This method takes about 104 hours to 99 but can profit over 9M GP, making it a great balance of XP and income.

String Jewellery

Unlocked at level 80 on the Lunar Spellbook, String Jewellery strings 27 amulets per cast, yielding 150k–160k XP per hour. Use a Mud Battlestaff to save on Earth and Water Runes. It costs around 4 GP per XP but is more AFK than Plank Make, ideal for multitasking.

Ironman Magic Training Tips

Ironmen face unique challenges due to limited rune access, but efficient methods can still yield great XP. Focus on these strategies:

Rune Acquisition

Runes are the bottleneck for Ironmen. Stock up via:

• Rune Shops: Varrock, Port Sarim, and Pest Control for basic runes.
• Mage Arena (Wilderness): Sells Law, Nature, and Cosmic Runes.
• Runecrafting: Craft Nature or Law Runes for High Alchemy.
• Monster Drops: Dust Devils or Nechryaels drop alchable items and runes.

Best Ironman Methods

Combine combat and utility spells for efficiency:

• Telegrab at Mage Training Arena: At level 33, yields 18k XP per hour and telekinesis points for rewards.
• Ice Burst at Dust Devils: At level 70, offers 200k–350k XP per hour in the Catacombs of Kourend, with alchable drops offsetting rune costs.
• High Alchemy: Fletch maple longbows and alch them for 78k XP per hour, doubling as Fletching training.

Quests like Lunar Diplomacy and Desert Treasure are musts for unlocking high-XP spells like Ice Burst and Plank Make.

F2P Magic Training (Levels 1–99)

F2P players have fewer options, but reaching 99 Magic is still achievable with dedication. After completing Witch’s Potion and Imp Catcher, focus on these methods:

Enchanting Amulets

From level 7, enchant Sapphire Amulets for 50k–70k XP per hour. Progress to Emerald (level 27) and Diamond (level 57) amulets. This is less click-intensive than bolt enchanting and can be profitable with good Grand Exchange trades.

Tele-Alch Falador

At level 55, combine Falador Teleport and High Alchemy for 100k–120k XP per hour. This click-intensive method alternates spells for maximum XP but requires focus. It’s the fastest F2P method, taking around 100 hours to 99.

Combat Training

Use Fire Bolt or Fire Blast on safe-spotted NPCs like Moss Giants for 50k–80k XP per hour. Equip Chaos Gauntlets and a Fire Staff for efficiency. This is slower but cheaper than Tele-Alch.

Final Tips for Success: Use XP-boosting gear like the Occult Necklace (level 70) for a 10% damage boost, and check for Double XP events to speed up your grind. Mix methods to avoid burnout, and always verify costs on the OSRS Wiki. With these strategies, you’ll master Magic in no time. Happy casting!