OSRS Best Place to Pick Flax for Fast Bowstrings and Profit

OSRS Best Place to Pick Flax for Fast Bowstrings and Profit

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), picking flax is a classic money-making and skilling method, especially for low-level players or Ironmen looking to craft bowstrings for Fletching or profit. Flax is a versatile resource used to create bowstrings, requiring only level 10 Crafting, and it’s a staple for players aiming to train skills or make some quick gold pieces (GP). But where’s the best place to pick flax to maximize efficiency, minimize travel time, and boost your hourly rates? In this guide, we’ll explore the top locations, compare their pros and cons, and share tips to optimize your flax-picking grind.

Picking flax is a low-requirement activity that offers multiple benefits. Here’s why it remains a go-to for many players:

  • Low Skill Requirements: No skills are needed to pick flax, and only level 10 Crafting is required to spin it into bowstrings.
  • Profit Potential: Bowstrings sell for a decent price on the Grand Exchange, making flax a reliable income source.
  • Crafting XP: Spinning flax grants 15 Crafting XP per bowstring, ideal for leveling up early-game Crafting.
  • Ironman-Friendly: Ironmen rely on flax for Fletching and Crafting, and picking it themselves ensures a steady supply.

However, not all flax fields are created equal. The best spot depends on your account’s quest progress, diary completions, and whether you prioritize banking speed or spinning proximity. Let’s dive into the top locations.

Top Flax-Picking Locations in OSRS

Flax King  175K GPHR  Spins flax in lumbridge  Resource Crafting

OSRS has several flax fields, but only a few stand out for their efficiency. Below, we’ll break down the best spots, their requirements, and why they’re worth your time.

Lletya: The Closest Flax Field to a Bank

For players with access to Lletya, this elven city in Tirannwn is arguably the best place to pick flax due to its proximity to a bank. The flax field is just 10 tiles south of the bank, making it the fastest spot for banking runs.

Requirements:

  • Start Mourning’s End Part I or complete Regicide to access Lletya.
  • No skill requirements for picking.

Why Choose Lletya?

  • Speed: You can pick and bank around 1,000–1,200 flax per hour with minimal downtime.
  • Low Competition: Lletya is less crowded than other spots due to its quest requirements.
  • Accessibility: Use a teleport crystal or Tirannwn lodestone (after unlocking) for quick travel.

Downsides: The flax field is smaller than others, so you may need to wait for respawns (about 5 seconds per plant). Also, accessing Lletya requires quest progress, which newer players might not have.

Seers’ Village: The All-in-One Flax Hub

Seers’ Village is the most popular flax-picking spot, thanks to its large field, nearby spinning wheel, and decent bank proximity. It’s ideal for players who want to pick and spin flax in one session.

Requirements:

  • None for picking flax.
  • Level 10 Crafting for spinning.
  • Medium Kandarin Diary (optional) for 33% faster spinning at the Seers’ Village wheel.

Why Choose Seers’ Village?

  • Large Field: The field southeast of the bank has dozens of flax plants, reducing wait time for respawns.
  • Spinning Wheel: A spinning wheel is just west of the field, perfect for turning flax into bowstrings on the spot.
  • Bank Access: The bank is a short run north, allowing 800–1,000 flax per hour with efficient banking.

Downsides: Seers’ Village can be crowded, especially on populated worlds, and bots sometimes compete for flax. Without the Kandarin Diary, spinning is slower compared to other optimized setups.

Land’s End: The Hidden Gem for Ironmen

Land’s End, located in Zeah, is an underrated flax-picking spot that’s gaining traction, especially among Ironmen. Its five tightly clustered flax plants are steps away from a bank chest and deposit box.

Requirements:

  • Access to Great Kourend (no specific quests needed).
  • No skill requirements.

Why Choose Land’s End?

  • Compact Field: The small cluster of plants allows for rapid picking without moving far.
  • Bank Proximity: The bank chest is practically next to the field, rivaling Lletya for banking speed.
  • Low Traffic: Fewer players use this spot, meaning less competition.

Downsides: The field only has five plants, so you’ll need to wait for respawns more often. There’s also no nearby spinning wheel, so you’ll need to teleport elsewhere to spin.

Comparing Flax-Picking Spots

Choosing the right flax field depends on your goals—whether it’s pure picking speed, spinning efficiency, or accessibility. Here’s a quick comparison:

Location Bank Distance Spinning Wheel Requirements Flax/Hour (Est.)
Lletya 10 tiles No Mourning’s End Part I 1,000–1,200
Seers’ Village Moderate Yes None 800–1,000
Land’s End 5–10 tiles No None 900–1,100
Tree Gnome Stronghold Moderate Yes None 700–900

Note: Flax per hour varies based on your clicking speed, world population, and whether you’re banking or spinning immediately.

Tips for Efficient Flax Picking

To get the most out of your flax-picking sessions, follow these strategies to boost efficiency and make the grind less tedious.

Optimize Your Picking Technique

Flax plants yield 1–15 pieces per pick, with lower yields being more common. To maximize your haul:

  • Positioning: Stand in the center of a cluster of plants (especially in Lletya or Land’s End) to minimize movement.
  • Timing: Click the next plant as soon as you hear the “pop” sound or see the +1 Farming XP appear. This can let you pick two flax in one animation cycle.
  • Plus Pattern: In larger fields like Seers’ Village, find five plants in a cross shape, stand in the middle, and pick in a circular pattern, using the center plant as a backup when others deplete.

Bank or Spin Strategically

Decide whether to bank flax for later or spin it immediately based on your goals:

  • Banking: Lletya and Land’s End are best for banking due to their proximity. Use the “empty inventory” option at banks to speed up deposits.
  • Spinning: Seers’ Village is ideal since you can spin on the way to the bank. If you’ve completed the medium Kandarin Diary, the spinning wheel here is 33% faster.
  • Lunar Spell: At level 76 Magic, the Spin Flax Lunar spell converts five flax to bowstrings instantly, producing up to 6,000 bowstrings per hour. This is the fastest method but requires significant Magic investment.

Minimize Travel Time

Getting to and from flax fields can eat into your efficiency. Use these teleports:

  • Lletya: Teleport crystal or Tirannwn lodestone.
  • Seers’ Village: Camelot teleport or Seers’ Village lodestone.
  • Land’s End: Kourend Castle teleport or Xeric’s Talisman to Lovakengj.

Alternative Flax Sources for Ironmen

If picking flax feels too slow or repetitive, Ironmen have other options to gather flax or bowstrings without relying solely on fields.

Temple Trekking

Temple Trekking is a minigame that rewards bowstrings directly, bypassing the need to pick and spin flax.

  • Requirements: Complete In Aid of the Myreque.
  • Output: Easy routes with a beginner follower yield ~100 flax or bowstrings per run, with 30 runs per hour possible (~3,000 bowstrings/hour).
  • Tip: Skip combat events and teleport out of bogs to maximize speed.

Managing Miscellania

After completing Throne of Miscellania, you can assign workers to gather flax passively.

  • Output: Up to ~5,000 flax per day with full kingdom approval.
  • Tip: Maintain high approval and check your coffers daily to keep production steady.

Kurasks and Zulrah Drops

For higher-level Ironmen, killing Kurasks or Zulrah can yield flax in bulk.

  • Kurasks: Drop 100–200 flax commonly, alongside other valuable loot.
  • Zulrah: Drops 1,000 flax at a time, though it’s less consistent.

Conclusion: Which Flax Spot Is Right for You?

The best place to pick flax in OSRS depends on your account and goals. Lletya is unmatched for banking speed but requires quests. Seers’ Village is the most versatile, with a spinning wheel and large field, perfect for players without diary or quest progress. Land’s End is a low-requirement gem for Ironmen or those seeking solitude. For Ironmen looking to skip picking altogether, Temple Trekking or Managing Miscellania offers efficient alternatives.

Wherever you choose to pick, use the timing and positioning tips above to maximize your efficiency. Whether you’re grinding for Crafting XP, Fletching supplies, or GP, flax remains a timeless OSRS activity that rewards patience and strategy. Happy picking!