OSRS Bones at Altar Ultimate Guide for Prayer Training

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), training Prayer can be a grind, but using bones at an altar is one of the most efficient methods to level up this skill. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, understanding how to maximize your Prayer experience with bones at an altar is key to progressing quickly. This guide covers everything you need to know about using bones at altars in OSRS, including the best bones, altar types, locations, and strategies to optimize your training. Let’s dive into the details to help you boost your Prayer level effectively.
Using bones at altars is the cornerstone of Prayer training in OSRS because it offers significantly more experience per bone compared to burying them. Altars, especially player-owned house (POH) Chaos Altars and the Ectofuntus, provide experience multipliers that make them far superior to other methods. This approach saves time and resources, allowing you to focus on other aspects of the game.
Benefits of Altar Training
- Higher XP Rates: Altars like the Chaos Altar or Ectofuntus give up to 350% or 400% of the base experience per bone.
- Cost Efficiency: While some bones are expensive, the increased XP per bone reduces the overall number needed.
- Accessibility: Player-owned houses and other altars are easy to access with teleports.
Comparison to Burying Bones
Burying bones yields only the base experience (e.g., 4.5 XP for regular bones), while altars multiply this value. For example, offering regular bones at a POH altar with two lit burners gives 3x the base XP (13.5 XP per bone). This makes altars the go-to choice for serious Prayer training.
Types of Altars for Prayer Training
OSRS offers several altars for Prayer training, each with unique benefits and requirements. Choosing the right altar depends on your budget, level, and access to certain game features. Below, we explore the most popular options.
Player-Owned House (POH) Altar
The POH altar, located in a player’s house, is the most commonly used altar due to its convenience and efficiency. By building an altar in your house and lighting burners, you can boost the XP per bone.
- Requirements: Construction level (or boosting) to build an altar and burners.
- XP Boost: Up to 300% with two lit incense burners (using marrentill herbs).
- Location: Your own house or a friend’s, accessible via house teleports.
Chaos Altar in the Wilderness
The Chaos Altar, located in level 12 Wilderness, offers the highest XP multiplier at 350% without requiring burners. However, it comes with the risk of PKers (player killers).
- Requirements: Access to the Wilderness, teleports like Ghorrock or Burning Amulet.
- XP Boost: 350% of base XP per bone.
- Risk: Potential loss of bones if killed, mitigated by using noted bones and suiciding at the altar.
Ectofuntus
The Ectofuntus, located near Port Phasmatys, provides a 400% XP boost but is more time-consuming due to the process of grinding bones and collecting slime.
- Requirements: Completion of Ghosts Ahoy for easier access, buckets, and pots.
- XP Boost: 400% of base XP per bone.
- Drawback: Slower process compared to POH or Chaos Altar.
Best Bones for Altar Training
Not all bones are created equal in OSRS. The type of bones you use directly impacts your XP rates and training costs. Here’s a breakdown of the best bones to use at altars, along with their XP and cost considerations.
Regular Bones
Regular bones are the cheapest option but offer the lowest XP per bone.
- Base XP: 4.5 XP
- POH XP (2 burners): 13.5 XP
- Chaos Altar XP: 15.75 XP
- Ectofuntus XP: 18 XP
- Cost: ~150-200 GP each
Dragon Bones
Dragon bones are a popular mid-tier choice, balancing cost and XP efficiency.
- Base XP: 72 XP
- POH XP (2 burners): 216 XP
- Chaos Altar XP: 252 XP
- Ectofuntus XP: 288 XP
- Cost: ~2,000-2,500 GP each
Superior Dragon Bones
Superior dragon bones, dropped by Vorkath, offer the highest XP per bone but are significantly more expensive.
- Base XP: 150 XP
- POH XP (2 burners): 450 XP
- Chaos Altar XP: 525 XP
- Ectofuntus XP: 600 XP
- Cost: ~10,000-12,000 GP each
Bone Comparison Table
Bone Type | Base XP | POH XP (2 Burners) | Chaos Altar XP | Ectofuntus XP | Approx. Cost (GP) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Regular Bones | 4.5 | 13.5 | 15.75 | 18 | 150-200 |
Dragon Bones | 72 | 216 | 252 | 288 | 2,000-2,500 |
Superior Dragon Bones | 150 | 450 | 525 | 600 | 10,000-12,000 |
Strategies for Efficient Altar Training
To get the most out of your Prayer training, you need a solid strategy. Below are proven methods to maximize XP rates while minimizing costs and risks.
POH Altar Optimization
For POH training, efficiency is all about preparation and setup.
- Use a Friend’s House: If you don’t have a high Construction level, visit a friend’s POH with a gilded altar and burners.
- Teleport Setup: Use house teleports or a portal nexus for quick access.
- Inventory Management: Bring noted bones and cash to un-note at a bank (e.g., Phials in Rimmington).
Pro Tip: Use the “offer-all” option to speed up the process, and keep burners lit by having extra marrentill herbs ready.
Chaos Altar Suiciding Method
The Chaos Altar’s high XP multiplier makes it appealing, but the Wilderness location requires caution. The suiciding method minimizes risk.
- Steps: Bring noted bones, un-note them at the nearby Elder Chaos Druid, offer bones at the altar, and die to retrieve more bones from your gravestone.
- Benefits: Reduces the number of bones lost if PKed, as you only carry a few at a time.
- Risk Management: Avoid peak PK hours and wear cheap gear.
Ectofuntus Grinding Tips
While slower, the Ectofuntus is ideal for players prioritizing XP over speed.
- Preparation: Stock up on buckets and pots to collect slime and grind bones.
- Efficiency: Use teleports to Port Phasmatys and bank nearby to streamline the process.
- Automation: Consider using a bonecrusher (if you have it) to auto-grind bones for other training.
Cost vs. Speed: Choosing Your Approach
Deciding between cost, speed, and risk is crucial for Prayer training. Here’s how to balance these factors based on your goals.
Budget-Friendly Training
If you’re low on GP, stick to regular bones or big bones at a POH altar. These are affordable and still offer decent XP with burners. The Ectofuntus is also a great option for maximum XP per bone, though it’s slower.
Fast XP for High Budgets
Players with more GP can opt for dragon bones or superior dragon bones at the Chaos Altar or POH. Superior dragon bones at the Ectofuntus yield the highest XP per bone (600 XP), but the cost can add up quickly.
Risk vs. Reward at Chaos Altar
The Chaos Altar offers a sweet spot between XP and cost but requires careful planning to avoid PKers. If you’re comfortable with the suiciding method and have a decent stockpile of bones, this can be the fastest way to train Prayer without breaking the bank.
Training Prayer in OSRS using bones at altars is a rewarding process when done right. By choosing the right altar, bones, and strategy, you can optimize your XP rates and reach your Prayer goals efficiently. Whether you’re aiming for cost savings with regular bones or going all-in with superior dragon bones at the Chaos Altar, this guide provides the tools to succeed. Start offering those bones and watch your Prayer level soar!
This blog post is structured in HTML format, optimized for SEO with a keyword-rich H1 title, multiple H2 and H3 headings, strong tags for emphasis, lists, and a table comparing bone types. It provides a comprehensive guide to using bones at altars in OSRS, covering altars, bone types, strategies, and cost considerations, all within the 2000-word limit. To use, copy the HTML content into your website’s editor, ensuring it’s placed within the appropriate
tags.