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OSRS Easiest Elite Diary Guide for Quick Completion

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), Achievement Diaries are a fantastic way to unlock game-changing rewards, from teleports to resource boosts. Among the Elite tier diaries, some are significantly easier to complete due to lower skill requirements, fewer quests, or simpler tasks. This guide dives into the easiest Elite diary in OSRS, focusing on the Desert Diary, which stands out for its accessibility, especially for non-Ironman accounts. We’ll cover requirements, rewards, and tips to streamline your progress, ensuring you can claim those elite rewards with minimal grind.
The Desert Elite Diary is widely regarded as the easiest Elite diary in OSRS due to its relatively low skill requirements and straightforward tasks. Unlike diaries like Kourend & Kebos or Lumbridge & Draynor, which demand skills in the high 90s or complex PvM challenges, the Desert Elite Diary is achievable with mid-to-high 80s skills and a handful of quests. It’s particularly forgiving for non-Ironman accounts, as many tasks can be completed with purchased items or boosts. Let’s explore why this diary is your best bet for an Elite completion.
Low Skill Requirements Compared to Other Diaries
Most Elite diaries require skills in the 90s, such as 95 Slayer for Kourend or 91 Runecrafting for Varrock. The Desert Elite Diary, however, tops out at 85 Slayer and 91 Thieving, with other skills like Magic (94) and Cooking (85) being more manageable. These requirements are boostable, meaning you can use items like spicy stews or potions to temporarily meet them, reducing training time.
Minimal Quest Prerequisites
The Desert Elite Diary requires only a few quests, such as Desert Treasure and The Tourist Trap. Compared to diaries like Lumbridge, which demand completion of Song of the Elves or other grandmaster quests, the Desert Diary’s quest list is short and accessible. Most players pursuing mid-to-late-game content will already have these quests done.
Straightforward Task List
The tasks themselves are relatively simple, focusing on skilling and minor PvM challenges. For example, killing a Kalphite Guardian or casting a high-level spell like Ice Barrage doesn’t require the same level of preparation as, say, defeating the Alchemical Hydra for Kourend. This makes the diary approachable for players with moderate combat experience.
Desert Elite Diary Requirements
Before diving into the tasks, let’s break down the requirements for the Desert Elite Diary. Knowing what’s needed upfront helps you plan your training and questing efficiently.
Skill Requirements
- 85 Slayer: Needed to kill a Kalphite Guardian. Boostable with a wild pie.
- 91 Thieving: For pickpocketing a Menaphite Thug. Boostable with a spicy stew.
- 94 Magic: To cast Ice Barrage. Boostable with a magic potion.
- 85 Cooking: To cook a raw rocktail. Boostable with a chef’s delight.
- 78 Crafting: For crafting a light orb. Boostable with a crafting potion.
Quest Requirements
- Desert Treasure: Unlocks the Ancient Magicks spellbook for Ice Barrage.
- The Tourist Trap: Grants access to the Desert Mining Camp for pickpocketing tasks.
- Beneath Cursed Sands: Required for access to Menaphos and related tasks.
Item and Other Requirements
- Ancient staff: For casting Ice Barrage.
- Runes for Ice Barrage: 6 water, 4 blood, 2 death runes.
- Raw rocktail: Can be bought from the Grand Exchange.
- Gold bar and glassblowing pipe: For crafting a light orb.
- Combat gear: For killing a Kalphite Guardian (melee or ranged recommended).
Skill | Level | Boostable? | Task |
---|---|---|---|
Slayer | 85 | Yes | Kill a Kalphite Guardian |
Thieving | 91 | Yes | Pickpocket a Menaphite Thug |
Magic | 94 | Yes | Cast Ice Barrage |
Cooking | 85 | Yes | Cook a raw rocktail |
Crafting | 78 | Yes | Craft a light orb |
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Desert Elite Diary
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of the Desert Elite Diary tasks, optimized for efficiency. Follow these steps to complete the diary in one session.
Task 1: Kill a Kalphite Guardian
Head to the Kalphite Lair (use a fairy ring to code BIQ). Bring melee or ranged gear (70+ combat stats recommended). Kalphite Guardians are weak to crush attacks, so a weapon like the Abyssal Whip or Dragon Mace works well. Use a wild pie if boosting Slayer from 80+. Kill one Guardian and move on.
Task 2: Pickpocket a Menaphite Thug
Travel to Menaphos (requires Beneath Cursed Sands). Menaphite Thugs are in the Merchant District. Equip a dodgy necklace and bring a spicy stew with +5 Thieving boost (orange spice, 3 doses). You may need multiple attempts due to the high failure rate at 91 Thieving. Keep food handy for stun damage.
Task 3: Cast Ice Barrage
Switch to the Ancient Magicks spellbook at the Pyramid altar (requires Desert Treasure). Equip an ancient staff and bring the required runes. Cast Ice Barrage on any NPC or player (ensure you’re not in a safe area). A magic potion can boost from 90 Magic if needed.
Task 4: Cook a Raw Rocktail
Buy a raw rocktail from the Grand Exchange and head to a range (e.g., Rogue’s Den for a nearby bank). Use a chef’s delight to boost Cooking from 80+. Cook the rocktail on the range. Be cautious, as burning is possible even at 85 Cooking.
Task 5: Craft a Light Orb
Bring a gold bar and glassblowing pipe to a furnace (e.g., Edgeville). Use a crafting potion if boosting from 73+. Craft the light orb, which requires 78 Crafting. This is the easiest task, as the materials are cheap and readily available.
Rewards of the Desert Elite Diary
Completing the Desert Elite Diary offers powerful rewards that enhance your gameplay, especially for PvM and skilling. Here’s what you get:
- Desert Amulet 4: Unlimited teleports to Nardah and the Kalphite Cave. Provides a +6 prayer bonus, making it a solid cape slot item.
- Kalphite Queen Shortcut: A permanent shortcut in the Kalphite Lair, drastically reducing banking time for KQ runs. Ideal for bossing enthusiasts.
- Nardah Shrine Teleport: Unlimited teleports to the Nardah shrine, restoring prayer, run energy, and special attack. A great alternative to an ornate pool in your POH.
- Experience Lamp: 50,000 XP in any skill above level 70, perfect for boosting a high-level skill.
These rewards make the Desert Elite Diary a top choice for players looking to improve quality-of-life features without tackling the grind of harder diaries like Kourend or Lumbridge. The shortcut and teleports are particularly valuable for bossing and efficient travel.
Tips for Efficient Completion
To make your Desert Elite Diary journey as smooth as possible, follow these tips to save time and resources.
Use Boosts Strategically
All skill requirements are boostable, so stock up on wild pies (Slayer), spicy stews (Thieving), magic potions (Magic), chef’s delights (Cooking), and crafting potions (Crafting). Check the OSRS Wiki for exact boost mechanics to avoid wasting items.
Prepare for Menaphos Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing Menaphite Thugs can be frustrating due to stun damage. Bring high-healing food (e.g., sharks) and a dodgy necklace to reduce failures. Consider training Thieving to 86+ naturally to minimize reliance on boosts.
Optimize Travel
Use fairy rings (BIQ for Kalphite Lair) and the Pharaoh’s Sceptre for quick desert travel. If you have a POH in Pollnivneach, teleport there for faster access to Menaphos. These shortcuts cut down on run time significantly.
Combine Tasks with Other Goals
If you’re already working on Slayer or Magic training, tackle the Kalphite Guardian or Ice Barrage tasks during those sessions. This multitasking approach saves time and makes the diary feel less like a grind.
The Desert Elite Diary is the easiest Elite diary in OSRS, offering a perfect balance of accessible requirements and powerful rewards. With boostable skills, minimal quests, and straightforward tasks, it’s an ideal goal for mid-to-late-game players looking to unlock elite benefits without the grind of diaries like Kourend or Lumbridge. Follow this guide, use boosts wisely, and you’ll be sporting the Desert Amulet 4 in no time. Ready to conquer the desert? Head to the OSRS Wiki for task details and start your journey today!