OSRS Best Starting Quests for New Players

OSRS Best Starting Quests for New Players

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a vast MMORPG with a steep learning curve, especially for beginners. Quests are a fantastic way to dive into the world of Gielinor, offering experience points (XP), access to new areas, and valuable items. For new players, choosing the right starting quests can provide a significant early-game boost, helping you level up skills and unlock content efficiently. This guide highlights the best starting quests in OSRS, focusing on novice-level quests with low or no requirements, ideal for fresh accounts. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) or pay-to-play (P2P) player, these quests will set you up for success.

Quests in OSRS are more than just story-driven tasks; they’re a gateway to progressing your account. For beginners, quests offer several benefits:

  • Experience Boosts: Many quests reward XP in skills, helping you skip the slow early levels.
  • Unlocks: Quests grant access to new areas, skills, and items, such as teleports or equipment.
  • Quest Points: Completing quests earns points, which are required for advanced quests like Recipe for Disaster.
  • Low Requirements: Novice quests often have minimal or no skill requirements, making them accessible for new players.

By prioritizing the right quests, you can minimize grinding and maximize rewards, giving your account a strong foundation. Let’s explore the best starting quests for both F2P and P2P players.

Top Free-to-Play Quests for Beginners

OSRS Top Quests To Complete on New Accounts NovaMMO

Free-to-play quests are perfect for new players testing the waters of OSRS. These quests are accessible without a membership and provide substantial rewards for early-game progression.

The Knight’s Sword

Why It’s Great: The Knight’s Sword is a must-do for F2P players looking to boost their Smithing skill. This quest grants 12,725 Smithing XP, taking you from level 1 to 29 instantly, skipping hours of tedious grinding.

  • Requirements: 10 Mining (easily achieved via Doric’s Quest).
  • Rewards: 12,725 Smithing XP, a blurite sword.
  • Start Point: Speak to the Squire in Falador’s White Knights’ Castle.
  • Duration: ~30 minutes.

Tip: Complete Doric’s Quest first to reach 10 Mining, as it’s quick and provides 1,300 Mining XP. Use the RuneLite quest helper plugin to streamline the process.

Waterfall Quest

Why It’s Great: Despite being a P2P quest, Waterfall Quest is accessible to F2P players with a temporary membership trial. It offers 13,750 XP in both Attack and Strength, boosting you to level 30 in each, which is a game-changer for combat training.

  • Requirements: None, but be cautious of high-level Moss Giants (level 42).
  • Rewards: 13,750 Attack XP, 13,750 Strength XP.
  • Start Point: Speak to Almera north of Baxtorian Falls.
  • Duration: ~30-45 minutes.

Tip: Bring food and use safe spots to avoid damage from Moss Giants. This quest is ideal for new Ironman accounts due to its massive XP rewards.

Imp Catcher

Why It’s Great: Imp Catcher is a quick F2P quest that boosts your Magic skill to level 8, providing an early advantage for spellcasting.

  • Requirements: None.
  • Rewards: 875 Magic XP, Amulet of Accuracy.
  • Start Point: Speak to Wizard Mizgog in the Wizards’ Tower.
  • Duration: ~10-20 minutes.

Tip: Buy the four colored beads from the Grand Exchange to speed up the quest. The Amulet of Accuracy is useful for low-level Ironman accounts.

Essential Members’ Quests for New Players

For P2P players, membership unlocks a broader range of quests with even better rewards. These quests are beginner-friendly and offer significant boosts to skills and gameplay.

Druidic Ritual

Why It’s Great: This quest unlocks the Herblore skill, allowing you to create potions, which are crucial for combat and skilling. It’s a short quest with no requirements, making it perfect for new members.

  • Requirements: None.
  • Rewards: 250 Herblore XP (level 3), access to Herblore.
  • Start Point: Speak to Kaqemeex in Taverley’s stone circle.
  • Duration: ~15-20 minutes.

Tip: Stock up on low-level herbs and vials after completing this quest to start training Herblore early. Potions like energy potions are great for questing.

Tree Gnome Village

Why It’s Great: This quest provides 11,450 Attack XP, boosting you to level 28, and unlocks Spirit Trees for free teleportation, a huge perk for early-game travel.

  • Requirements: None, but 10-15 Magic helps for safe-spotting the level 112 Khazard Warlord.
  • Rewards: 11,450 Attack XP, access to Spirit Trees.
  • Start Point: Speak to King Bolren in the Tree Gnome Village.
  • Duration: ~20-30 minutes.

Tip: Use Magic to safe-spot the boss or bring food to tank hits. Spirit Trees are a lifesaver for Ironmen needing to travel to Ardougne or the Grand Exchange.

The Grand Tree

Why It’s Great: The Grand Tree offers a massive 18,400 Attack XP and 2,150 Agility XP, along with access to the Gnome Glider network. Despite a challenging Black Demon boss, it’s manageable with safe-spotting.

  • Requirements: 25 Agility (recommended to complete Tree Gnome Village first).
  • Rewards: 18,400 Attack XP, 7,900 Agility XP, 2,150 Magic XP, access to Gnome Gliders.
  • Start Point: Speak to King Narnode Shareen in the Grand Tree.
  • Duration: ~45-60 minutes.

Tip: Use the RuneLite quest helper to find the safe spot for the Black Demon. Complete Tree Gnome Village first to ease requirements.

Other Notable Quests for Early Progression

Beyond the core quests above, a few others deserve mention for their unique rewards or low requirements, helping you round out your early-game experience.

Gertrude’s Cat

Why It’s Great: This quick P2P quest unlocks the ability to own a pet cat, which is required for later quests like Ratcatchers. It also provides 1,525 Cooking XP.

  • Requirements: None.
  • Rewards: 1,525 Cooking XP, a kitten, access to the Ratcatchers questline.
  • Start Point: Speak to Gertrude in Varrock.
  • Duration: ~15-20 minutes.

Tip: Start raising your kitten immediately, as a grown cat is needed for future quests.

Varrock Museum (Natural History Quiz)

Why It’s Great: Not a traditional quest, but the Varrock Museum’s Natural History Quiz is a quick way to gain 1,000 Slayer XP and 1,000 Hunter XP, boosting both skills to level 9.

  • Requirements: None.
  • Rewards: 1,000 Slayer XP, 1,000 Hunter XP.
  • Start Point: Downstairs in the Varrock Museum.
  • Duration: ~5-10 minutes.

Tip: Google the quiz answers if you’re stuck, as it’s a simple Q&A activity. This is ideal for skillers or level 3 accounts.

Quest Order and Strategy

To maximize efficiency, follow a strategic quest order that minimizes skilling and leverages rewards. Here’s a recommended sequence for beginners:

Quest Skill Boosts Unlocks Recommended Order
Doric’s Quest 1,300 Mining XP – 1 (for Knight’s Sword)
The Knight’s Sword 12,725 Smithing XP Blurite Sword 2
Imp Catcher 875 Magic XP Amulet of Accuracy 3
Druidic Ritual 250 Herblore XP Herblore Skill 4
Waterfall Quest 13,750 Attack/Strength XP – 5
Tree Gnome Village 11,450 Attack XP Spirit Trees 6
The Grand Tree 18,400 Attack XP, 7,900 Agility XP Gnome Gliders 7
Gertrude’s Cat 1,525 Cooking XP Kitten 8
Varrock Museum Quiz 1,000 Slayer/Hunter XP – 9

Strategy Tips:

  • Use the RuneLite quest helper plugin to highlight items and NPCs, reducing confusion.

  • Stock up on teleports (e.g., Varrock, Falador) and food from the Grand Exchange to save time.
  • Prioritize combat quests like Waterfall Quest early to make boss fights in later quests easier.
  • For P2P players, use a Player-Owned House (POH) with teleports if you reach 50 Construction for faster travel.

Tips for Questing Success

Questing in OSRS can be daunting for beginners, but these tips will ensure a smooth experience:

Prepare for Combat

Many quests involve boss fights. Bring food, use safe spots, and consider training Prayer to 43 for protection prayers if you’re struggling. Stamina potions can help with run energy.

Use Quest Journals

If you’re stuck, check the quest journal in-game for hints on your next step. It lists requirements and progress.

Join a Clan

Clans offer advice and support. Visit the OSRS Reddit or forums to find beginner-friendly clans for questing tips.

Plan for Quest Points

Accumulate quest points early, as they’re required for major quests like Recipe for Disaster (175 points). Completing novice quests grants 78 points total.

By focusing on these beginner-friendly quests, you’ll quickly level up key skills, unlock essential content, and gain confidence in OSRS. Start with The Knight’s Sword and Waterfall Quest for massive XP boosts, then tackle P2P quests like Druidic Ritual and The Grand Tree to expand your gameplay options. Happy questing, and welcome to Gielinor!