OSRS Best Way to Get Coal Ironman
For Ironman accounts in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), gathering coal is a critical task, especially for those aiming to level up Smithing or craft high-tier bars like steel, mithril, or rune. Unlike regular accounts, Ironmen can’t rely on the Grand Exchange, making efficient coal-gathering methods essential. This guide explores the best ways to get coal as an Ironman, tailored to different levels, playstyles, and goals, ensuring you maximize your time and resources.
Coal is the backbone of Smithing in OSRS, required to smelt every bar above iron (except gold and silver). For Ironmen, who must gather all resources themselves, securing a steady coal supply is vital for progressing through mid- and late-game content. Whether you’re smelting steel bars for cannonballs or mithril bars for darts, coal is non-negotiable. The challenge lies in finding methods that balance efficiency, experience, and accessibility, especially since Ironmen can’t trade for stacks of coal.
Coal’s Role in Smithing
Coal is used in varying quantities depending on the bar:
- Steel bars: 1 iron ore + 2 coal
- Mithril bars: 1 mithril ore + 4 coal
- Adamant bars: 1 adamant ore + 6 coal
- Rune bars: 1 runite ore + 8 coal
This scaling demand makes coal a constant need, especially for high-level Smithing projects.
Challenges for Ironmen
Ironmen face unique hurdles: no trading, limited inventory space, and the need to juggle multiple skills. Coal mining can be slow, and passive methods like Miscellania require setup. The methods below address these challenges, offering options for active and passive coal collection.
Motherlode Mine: The Go-To Coal Source
The Motherlode Mine (MLM) is widely regarded as the best place to gather coal for Ironmen, especially at level 30 Mining and above. Located in the Dwarven Mines, MLM offers a unique mechanic where you mine pay-dirt, which is then processed into a mix of ores, including coal. It’s efficient, semi-AFK, and provides additional benefits like golden nuggets for useful items.
How Motherlode Mine Works
At MLM, you:
- Mine pay-dirt from ore veins (requires 30 Mining).
- Deposit pay-dirt into the hopper.
- Collect cleaned ores (including coal) from the sack.
Coal is the most common ore from pay-dirt, with higher Mining levels increasing the yield of other ores like mithril or adamantite. The upper level, unlocked at 72 Mining, makes mining more AFK and efficient.
Why It’s Great for Ironmen
- Coal Bag: Purchase a coal bag for 100 golden nuggets, allowing you to store 27 extra coal in one inventory slot.
- Passive Ores: You’ll get coal alongside other ores, reducing the need to mine them separately.
- Experience: MLM provides decent Mining XP (30-50k/hour depending on level).
- Bank Proximity: A bank chest is nearby, making it easy to store your haul.
Tips for Maximizing MLM
- Use a dragon pickaxe (if available) for faster mining.
- Wear the prospector outfit for bonus Mining XP.
- Grab the celestial ring from Shooting Stars for a +4 Mining boost.
- Upgrade the sack capacity with nuggets for fewer banking trips.
Miscellania: Passive Coal Collection
For Ironmen looking for a low-effort method, managing the Kingdom of Miscellania is a fantastic way to gather coal passively. After completing the Throne of Miscellania quest (and ideally Royal Trouble for better yields), you can assign workers to mine coal, delivering hundreds of coal daily with minimal upkeep.
Setting Up Your Kingdom
To maximize coal output:
- Maintain high approval rating (100%) by doing tasks like raking weeds or chopping maples.
- Invest 750,000 GP daily in the treasury (50,000 minimum after Royal Trouble).
- Assign 5-10 workers to mining for coal-focused output.
With 5 workers on mining, you can expect ~273 coal per day at a cost of ~91.6 GP/coal, assuming other resources break even.
Pros and Cons of Miscellania
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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When to Use Miscellania
This method shines for Ironmen who’ve progressed past early-game and have spare GP. It’s ideal if you’re focusing on other skills (like Slayer or Herblore) and want coal to stack up in the background. Combine it with active methods for the best results.
Mining Guild and Coal Trucks: Active Mining Options
For Ironmen who prefer traditional mining, the Mining Guild and Coal Trucks offer solid coal-gathering spots. These are more click-intensive but can be faster for targeted coal collection, especially with the right gear and levels.
Mining Guild
Located in Falador, the Mining Guild (60 Mining required) has 37 coal rocks in the free-to-play area and 20 more for members. It’s one of the best spots for direct coal mining due to:
- Proximity to Bank: Falador East Bank is a short walk away.
- Hidden Boost: The guild gives a +7 Mining boost, speeding up mining.
- Coal Bag Synergy: Store 27 extra coal per trip.
Expect 200-500 coal/hour depending on your Mining level and efficiency, translating to 32k-81k GP/hour at current prices.
Coal Trucks
Found near Seers’ Village, the Coal Trucks area has 18 coal rocks and a unique storage system. You can deposit coal into minecarts (up to 120, or more with Kandarin Diary progress) and collect it later at Seers’ Village. Benefits include:
- Efficient Inventory: Mine multiple loads before banking.
- Teleport Access: Use Camelot teleport or Seers’ Village bank for quick trips.
- Low Competition: Less crowded than the Mining Guild.
This is great for mid-level Ironmen (30-60 Mining) who want a focused coal grind.
Gear and Setup
For both locations:
- Pickaxe: Use the highest-tier pickaxe available (rune at 41 Mining, dragon at 61).
- Gloves: Mining gloves or expert mining gloves prevent coal rock depletion for extra ores.
- Amulet of Glory: Boosts gem drops, which can be used for Crafting.
Blast Furnace Shop: Buying Coal
If mining feels too slow, Ironmen can buy coal from Ordan’s Ore Seller at the Blast Furnace in Keldagrim. This method requires GP but saves time, especially for those with cash from Slayer or bossing.
How It Works
Ordan sells coal at ~85-87 GP each, with stock varying by world. World-hop to buy full inventories, using a coal bag to carry 27 extra coal per trip. You can gather thousands of coal in a few hours, though it’s tedious.
When to Buy Coal
This is best for:
- Ironmen with high GP reserves (e.g., from Zulrah or Vorkath).
- Those needing bulk coal quickly for Smithing (e.g., 17k coal for steel bars).
- Players who hate mining but need coal for Blast Furnace smelting.
Cost vs. Time Trade-Off
Buying coal costs ~85k per 1,000 coal, compared to free but slower mining. If you value time over GP, this is a viable option, especially for late-game Ironmen.
Other Methods and Final Tips
Beyond the main methods, consider these alternatives for specific scenarios:
- Shooting Stars: Mine stardust for celestial ring or gem bags, with coal as a rare side drop.
- PvM Drops: Bosses like Zulrah drop coal in noted stacks, useful for late-game Ironmen.
- Volcanic Mine: At 85 Mining, this offers coal alongside high XP, but it’s group-based and less reliable.
Choosing the Right Method
Your choice depends on your goals:
| Method | Best For | Mining Level | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motherlode Mine | All-around coal + XP | 30+ | Medium |
| Miscellania | Passive gathering | N/A | Low |
| Mining Guild | Fast coal mining | 60+ | High |
| Coal Trucks | Mid-level mining | 30+ | High |
| Blast Furnace Shop | Quick bulk coal | N/A | Low |
Final Thoughts
For most Ironmen, Motherlode Mine is the best starting point due to its balance of coal output, XP, and accessibility. Supplement it with Miscellania for passive gains as soon as you unlock it. If you need coal fast and have the levels, hit the Mining Guild or Coal Trucks. For those with GP to burn, buying from Blast Furnace is a lifesaver. Mix and match these methods based on your Mining level and playstyle to keep your coal stocks high and your Smithing grind smooth.