OSRS Catching Swamp Lizards Ultimate Guide

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), catching swamp lizards is a fantastic way to train your Hunter skill, especially for players looking to progress through the mid-levels efficiently. This guide dives into everything you need to know about catching swamp lizards, from requirements to strategies, locations, and tips for maximizing experience rates. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, this comprehensive walkthrough will help you master this Hunter method and boost your levels effectively.

Swamp lizards offer a balanced mix of decent experience rates and accessibility, making them a popular choice for players aiming to level up their Hunter skill. They’re especially appealing because they require relatively low stats and minimal gear, yet provide consistent progress toward level 99 Hunter.

Benefits of Catching Swamp Lizards

• Decent XP Rates: At level 29 Hunter, you can expect around 20,000–25,000 XP per hour, increasing as you unlock more traps.
• Low Requirements: Only level 29 Hunter and a few quests are needed to start.
• Profitable: Swamp lizards can be sold on the Grand Exchange for a small profit, offsetting supply costs.
• Accessible Locations: Found in Morytania, which is easy to reach with teleports or fairy rings.

Comparison to Other Hunter Methods

Compared to birdhouse runs or higher-level methods like black chinchompas, swamp lizards are less click-intensive and more forgiving for players with limited time or focus. They’re a great stepping stone before tackling more demanding methods like red chinchompas or black salamanders.

Requirements for Catching Swamp Lizards

Before you head out to catch swamp lizards, you’ll need to meet a few requirements to access the hunting area and use the necessary equipment. Here’s what you need to get started.

Skill and Quest Requirements

• Hunter Level 29: The minimum level to catch swamp lizards.
• Priest in Peril Quest: This quest unlocks Morytania, where swamp lizards are located. It’s a short quest requiring minimal combat.

Equipment Needed

The gear for catching swamp lizards is straightforward and affordable, making this method beginner-friendly.

Item	Purpose	Where to Get
Small Fishing Nets	Used with ropes to set traps	Warrens Fish Monger, Harry’s Fishing Shop, or Fishing Guild
Ropes	Used with nets to set traps	General stores or Grand Exchange
Food (Optional)	For low-level players to heal from swamp hazards	Any food source, e.g., cakes or trout

Recommended Gear

• Weight-Reducing Armor: Items like the graceful outfit reduce run energy drain, helping you move faster between traps.
• Teleport Items: Canifis teleports, ALQ fairy ring (with Dramen staff), or Kharyrll teleport (for POH owners).
• Hunter Potion (Optional): Boosts Hunter level to use more traps earlier (e.g., 3 traps at level 37 instead of 40).

Best Locations for Catching Swamp Lizards

Swamp lizards are found in the swamps of Morytania, with a few key spots optimized for efficient hunting. Choosing the right location can make a big difference in your XP rates and overall experience.

Canifis Hunter Area

The most popular spot is southeast of Canifis, accessible after completing Priest in Peril. This area has multiple small trees for setting traps and is close to a bank for restocking.

• How to Get There: Teleport to Canifis (e.g., Kharyrll teleport) and run southeast, or use the ALQ fairy ring and run southwest.
• Why It’s Good: Compact area with plenty of trap spots, ideal for 2–4 traps depending on your level.

Optimal Trap Placement

For maximum efficiency, place traps near small trees in a pattern that minimizes movement. At level 29, you can use 2 traps; at 40, you get 3; and at 60, you can use 4. A common setup is to place traps in a square or line, checking them in a consistent order (e.g., traps 1, 3, 2, 4) to streamline resets.

How to Catch Swamp Lizards Step-by-Step

Catching swamp lizards is simple once you understand the mechanics. Follow these steps to set up traps and start gaining XP.

Setting Up Traps

1. Equip your small fishing nets and ropes in your inventory.
2. Left-click on a small tree in the swamp to set a net trap. This uses one net and one rope per trap.
3. Wait for a swamp lizard to approach. Lizards are attracted automatically, so no bait is needed.

Checking and Resetting Traps

• Successful Catch: If a lizard is caught, click the trap to collect the lizard and XP (152 XP per catch). Use shift-drop to release lizards quickly, as they’re not worth much.
• Failed Catch: If the trap collapses, pick up the net and rope from the ground, then reset the trap by clicking the tree again.
• Pro Tip: Keep moving between traps to check their status, especially as you unlock more traps at higher levels.

Maximizing Efficiency

To boost your XP rates, focus on minimizing downtime and optimizing your setup.

• Use Shift-Drop: Enable shift-drop in the game settings to release lizards instantly, saving inventory space.
• Hunter Potions: At level 37, a Hunter potion (+3 boost) lets you use 3 traps, significantly increasing XP per hour.
• Stay Focused: Check traps as soon as they trigger to avoid delays, as idle traps mean lost XP.

Tips and Tricks for Faster Leveling

With the right strategies, you can push your XP rates higher and make the grind to 99 Hunter more enjoyable. Here are some advanced tips to take your swamp lizard hunting to the next level.

Boosting XP Rates

• Upgrade Traps with Levels: As you level up (40, 60, 80), you unlock more traps (3, 4, 5), scaling your XP rates to 30,000–40,000 per hour at higher levels.
• Combine with Quests: Complete Eagles’ Peak for 2,500 Hunter XP, which can push you from 27 to 29, unlocking swamp lizards faster.
• Use Stamina Potions: These keep your run energy high, letting you move between traps without slowing down.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Don’t Overstock: Bring only 3–5 nets and ropes to avoid cluttering your inventory, as you rarely lose them.
• Watch for Hazards: Low-level players should bring food to counter damage from swamp snakes or ghasts in Morytania.
• Avoid Overcrowded Spots: If the Canifis area is busy, try a less popular world to secure your trap spots.

Long-Term Strategy

Swamp lizards are viable up to level 59, where orange salamanders become slightly better. However, you can stick with swamp lizards until 67 for black salamanders if you prefer consistency over switching methods. Plan your training around quests and birdhouse runs for passive XP, using swamp lizards as your active grinding method.

Catching swamp lizards in OSRS is a rewarding and accessible way to train Hunter, offering solid XP and a low barrier to entry. By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to set up traps, optimize your XP rates, and avoid common pitfalls. Grab your nets and ropes, head to Morytania, and start leveling up your Hunter skill today!