OSRS Deadman Money Making Guide for Beginners and Pros

OSRS Deadman Money Making Guide for Beginners and Pros

Old School RuneScape’s Deadman Mode (DMM) is a thrilling, high-stakes PvP environment where making money requires strategy, caution, and quick thinking. With boosted XP rates and a fresh economy, DMM offers unique opportunities to stack gold pieces (GP) while navigating the constant threat of player killers (PKers). Whether you’re a beginner starting fresh or a seasoned player looking to maximize profits, this guide covers effective money-making methods tailored for Deadman Mode in 2025. From low-level skilling to advanced PvM, we’ll break down safe and risky strategies to help you thrive.

Deadman Mode resets the playing field with a fresh economy, making certain skills and items highly profitable early on. The 5x to 20x XP rates mean players level up fast, driving demand for gear, potions, and resources. However, the open PvP nature means you risk losing your inventory and bank if you die unskulled—or worse, everything if skulled. To succeed, focus on methods that balance profit with safety, especially in guarded zones or low-risk areas.

Why the Economy Matters

In DMM, supply and demand shift rapidly. Early game, basic items like rune armor or high-level potions fetch premium prices. Mid-to-late game, PvP gear and rare drops dominate. Understanding these trends helps you prioritize skills and activities that align with market needs, maximizing your GP per hour.

Safe Zones and Risk Management

Guarded areas like Lumbridge, Falador, and Ardougne markets are your safe havens for skilling or trading. Use these zones for low-risk money makers, but always check your “Items Lost on Death” interface to minimize bank losses if PKed outside. Storing wealth in untradeables or safe coffers (e.g., Nightmare Zone, up to 262M) can protect your GP.

Low-Level Money Making Methods

OSRS Money Making Method  17m An Hour  150k Per 5 Minutes  YouTube

New players or those rebuilding after a death need accessible methods to build a cash stack. These low-requirement strategies work in the early days of a DMM season and are ideal for staying under the radar.

Thieving in Ardougne

Thieving is a go-to for beginners due to its low entry point and decent profits in safe zones. Stealing from silk stalls in Ardougne (requires 20 Thieving) is a standout method.

  • Location: Ardougne Market (safe zone).
  • Profit: ~20-30k GP/hour selling silk to the trader for 60 GP each (after a 30-minute wait).
  • Tip: Pair with cake stall stealing (level 5 Thieving) for food to sustain longer sessions.

At 38 Thieving, switch to pickpocketing Master Farmers for seeds, which can sell for high prices early on when players rush Herblore or Farming.

Woodcutting and Fletching

Woodcutting is low-risk and profitable in safe zones like Draynor or Varrock. Start with regular logs, then progress to maples (level 45) and yews (level 60) as you level.

  • Profit: ~50-80k GP/hour for yew logs in early DMM.
  • Combo: Fletch logs into unstrung bows and alch them (requires 55 Magic for High Alchemy) for extra GP.
  • Safety: Stick to guarded areas to avoid PKers.

H.A.M. Store Rooms

After completing the Death to Dorgeshuun quest (23 Thieving, 23 Agility, 17 Mining), the H.A.M. Store Rooms offer a multi-skill money maker.

  • Method: Pickpocket H.A.M. Guards for keys, open chests for jewelry (sapphire to diamond), and High Alch or sell to Grum’s Gold Exchange in Port Sarim.
  • Profit: Up to 100k GP/hour, plus Thieving and Magic XP.
  • Tip: Wear H.A.M. robes to reduce pickpocket fails and bring cheap food like cakes to tank guard hits.

Mid-Level Money Making Strategies

Making Money in DMM  OSRS Deadman Mode Progress 4 OSRS DMM 2020

Once you’ve got some levels and GP, mid-tier methods open up. These balance profit and risk, often requiring combat or higher skill levels but offering better hourly rates.

Chaos Druids in Ardougne

Chaos Druids (level 13) in the Tower of Ardougne are a classic for herb and seed drops, perfect for early Herblore demand.

Requirement Details Profit
49 Thieving Picklock the tower door (north of Ardougne). ~100-150k GP/hour
Combat (~40) Kill druids with melee or magic.
Inventory Food, teleport runes, bank herbs/seeds.

Note: The tower isn’t a safe zone, so watch for PKers. Bank frequently to minimize losses.

Fishing for Profit

Fishing benefits from DMM’s tripled loot (e.g., catch one shark, get three). It’s risky outside safe zones but lucrative.

  • Spots: Catherby or Fishing Guild (level 68 Fishing).
  • Profit: ~100-200k GP/hour for lobsters or sharks early on.
  • Strategy: Cook fish (if you protect Cooking) and sell to PvMers/PKers needing food.

Smithing Rune Items

Smithing shines in DMM due to constant demand for rune gear. Focus on rune platebodies or crossbow limbs at higher levels.

  • Requirements: 85+ Smithing, bars from GE or Mining.
  • Profit: ~200-300k GP/hour early season.
  • Safety: Smelt and smith in Falador’s safe zone.

High-Level Money Making Methods

For players with stats in the 70s-90s, high-risk, high-reward methods dominate. These require strong combat or skilling setups but can yield millions per hour, especially if swapping DMM GP for OSRS GP (rates ~1:20).

Barrows Runs

Barrows is a PvM goldmine in DMM due to boosted drop rates for items like Ahrim’s Robetop, which can fetch 7M+ in OSRS GP.

  • Requirements: 70+ Magic/Range, Priest in Peril quest.
  • Profit: ~500k-1M GP/hour, depending on drops.
  • Risk Management: Wear cheap gear (e.g., black d’hide, wizard hat) to look poor and avoid PKer attention. Bank after 2-3 runs.

Wilderness Bosses

Bosses like Callisto or Venenatis drop valuable PvP gear (e.g., Ancient Warriors’ weapons) exclusive to DMM.

  • Requirements: 80+ combat stats, anti-PK gear (e.g., D’hide, Bulwark).
  • Profit: ~1-2M GP/hour with good RNG.
  • Tip: Scout worlds, use singles combat areas, and bring escape teleports (e.g., Games Necklace).

Herblore for Potions

High-level Herblore lets you craft potions like Saradomin brews or super strengths, which PKers and PvMers buy in bulk.

  • Requirements: 81+ Herblore, herb/seed supply.
  • Profit: ~300-500k GP/hour selling to GE.
  • Safety: Craft in safe zones like Lumbridge castle.

Tips for Maximizing Profits and Staying Safe

Money making in DMM isn’t just about grinding—it’s about surviving. Here are key tips to boost your GP while minimizing deaths.

Bank Smartly

Spread your wealth to avoid losing big stacks. Convert GP into untradeables (e.g., Deadman armour from Nigel) or store coins in safe coffers like Nightmare Zone. Always check what your bank loses on death.

Avoid Looking Wealthy

PKers target players flashing rune or dragon gear. Stick to low-value setups (e.g., monk robes, black d’hide) when skilling or PvMing outside safe zones. You’ll be ignored for juicier targets.

Leverage Swapping

DMM GP swaps for OSRS GP at rates of 1:4 to 1:30, depending on the season’s stage. Use trusted swapping clans (check Reddit or Discord) to convert your earnings, but beware of scams—never trade first without verification.

Monitor the GE

Deadman’s Grand Exchange fluctuates wildly. Track prices for high-demand items (e.g., runes, potions, PvP gear) and sell when prices peak, typically mid-season when players gear up for tournaments.

Final Thoughts: Deadman Mode’s money-making potential is massive, but it demands adaptability and caution. Start with safe, low-level methods like thieving or woodcutting to build a foundation. As you level, transition to mid-tier grinds like Chaos Druids or fishing, then aim for high-risk PvM or crafting if you’re confident. Always prioritize safety—bank often, use safe zones, and don’t flash wealth. With these strategies, you’ll stack GP and maybe even snag some OSRS millions through swapping. Good luck surviving the chaos!