OSRS Fish Stall Thieving: Ultimate Guide to Leveling and Profits
Thieving in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a skill that offers both excitement and rewards, and one of the standout methods for training it is stealing from fish stalls. Whether you’re a low-level player looking to boost your Thieving experience or a seasoned adventurer seeking a relaxed, profitable method, fish stall thieving has something to offer. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about OSRS fish stall thieving—locations, requirements, strategies, XP rates, and potential profits. Let’s get started!
Fish stall thieving is a method where players steal raw fish—such as salmon, tuna, or lobster—from market stalls scattered across Gielinor. It’s a mid-level Thieving activity that strikes a balance between decent experience rates and a low-intensity playstyle, making it a favorite for players who enjoy semi-AFK training. Unlike pickpocketing, which can be click-intensive and risky, stealing from stalls requires fewer actions and offers a steady flow of loot.
Why Choose Fish Stall Thieving?
So, why should you consider fish stall thieving over other methods like blackjacking or pickpocketing? Here are a few reasons:
- Accessibility: Available at level 42 Thieving, it’s a viable option for mid-level players.
- Low Risk: Compared to pickpocketing NPCs who can stun you, stall thieving has fewer interruptions if done correctly.
- Food Supply: You steal raw fish, which can be cooked for health recovery during training.
- Profit Potential: The fish can be sold or used, adding a small but steady income stream.
Requirements for Fish Stall Thieving
Before you start pilfering fish, you’ll need to meet some basic prerequisites:
- Thieving Level: Minimum of 42.
- Quest Completion: For Rellekka stalls, you must complete The Fremennik Trials. For Miscellania and Etceteria, Throne of Miscellania is required to access the islands.
- Optional Gear: Gloves of Silence or Ardougne Diary perks can boost success rates, though they’re not mandatory.
Best Locations for Fish Stall Thieving
Fish stalls are found in several key locations in OSRS, each with its own quirks and benefits. Let’s explore the top spots to maximize your thieving efficiency.
Rellekka Fish Stalls
Rellekka, the Fremennik coastal village, is arguably the most popular spot for fish stall thieving. Located in the central marketplace, these stalls are surrounded by fishmongers and fires, making it a convenient training hub.
- XP Rate: Around 42 XP per successful steal, with rates up to 50k XP/hour if optimized.
- Loot: Raw salmon, tuna, or lobster.
- Perks: Nearby fires allow you to cook fish on the spot, eliminating the need to bring food.
- Caveat: Requires completion of The Fremennik Trials.
Miscellania and Etceteria Stalls
These island stalls are accessible after completing Throne of Miscellania. They offer the same loot and XP as Rellekka but come with a unique twist for kingdom managers.
- XP Rate: 42 XP per steal.
- Loot: Raw salmon, tuna, or lobster.
- Note: Stealing in Miscellania lowers your approval rating if you’re managing the kingdom, but Etceteria has no such penalty.
The Warrens Fish Stall
Hidden in Port Piscarilius’ underbelly, The Warrens features a fish stall guarded by a level 21 Thief instead of a typical guard. It’s less crowded but trickier to access.
- XP Rate: 42 XP per steal.
- Loot: Same as other stalls.
- Challenge: The Thief will attack if they spot you, requiring careful positioning.
How to Optimize Fish Stall Thieving
To get the most out of fish stall thieving, you’ll need to refine your approach. Here’s how to boost your XP rates and minimize interruptions.
Positioning and Timing
Stalls can be stolen from every 12 ticks (about 8 seconds), and success depends on avoiding detection. Stand behind the stall, out of the fishmonger’s line of sight, to reduce the chance of being caught. In Rellekka, trapping guards by luring them into buildings can create a safe thieving zone.
Gear and Boosts
While not essential, certain items and perks can enhance your success rate:
- Gloves of Silence: At 54 Hunter, these increase success by 5% (doesn’t stack with Ardougne Diary).
- Ardougne Diary: Medium (10% boost in Ardougne) or Hard (10% boost everywhere) diaries improve success rates.
- Dodgy Necklace: Offers a 25% chance to avoid stuns if caught, though stalls rarely trigger this.
Cooking on the Fly
In Rellekka, use the nearby fires to cook your stolen fish. This keeps your inventory clear and sustains your HP without banking trips. Prioritize cooking lobsters for higher healing or banking them for profit.
XP Rates and Leveling Progression
Fish stall thieving shines at mid-levels, but how does it fit into your overall Thieving journey? Let’s break it down.
XP Per Hour
At 42 Thieving, you can expect around 30k-40k XP/hour with basic methods. With optimal positioning and higher levels (e.g., 70+), this can climb to 50k XP/hour in Rellekka. The key is minimizing downtime between steals and avoiding guard interference.
Comparison to Other Methods
| Method | Level Req. | XP/Hour | Intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Stalls | 42 | 30k-50k | Low |
| Blackjacking | 45 | 100k-250k | High |
| Fruit Stalls | 25 | 25k-40k | Medium |
| Pickpocketing Elves | 85 | 200k-300k | High |
Fish stalls offer a relaxed alternative to high-intensity methods like blackjacking, making them ideal for players who prefer a slower pace or multitasking.
Leveling Path with Fish Stalls
- 42-55: Stick to fish stalls for steady XP and food supply.
- 55+: Transition to blackjacking or higher-level stalls (e.g., gem stalls) for faster gains.
- Pet Chance: Fish stalls are a decent spot for the Rocky pet, with some players estimating 30-40 hours at optimal rates.
Profits from Fish Stall Thieving
While fish stall thieving isn’t a goldmine like pickpocketing elves, it does offer modest profits alongside XP. Here’s what you can expect.
Loot Breakdown
Each successful steal yields one of the following:
- Raw Salmon: ~50-70 GP each.
- Raw Tuna: ~40-60 GP each.
- Raw Lobster: ~100-150 GP each.
At 500-600 steals per hour, you could earn 25k-75k GP/hour, depending on lobster drop frequency and market prices.
Maximizing Profits
To boost earnings:
- Bank Lobsters: Drop salmon and tuna, banking only lobsters for higher value.
- Cook and Sell: Cooked lobsters fetch slightly more (150-200 GP) if you’re near a range or fire.
- High Alchemy: With Magic training, alch cooked fish for small but consistent GP.
Tips and Tricks for Success
Ready to master fish stall thieving? Here are some final pointers to elevate your game.
Avoiding Detection
Guards and fishmongers won’t trade with you for 15 minutes after a steal, so plan your positioning. Use buildings or other players to block line of sight, especially in crowded areas like Rellekka.
Multi-Skill Training
Combine thieving with Cooking by using stolen fish on nearby fires. This nets you Cooking XP (e.g., 130 XP per lobster) while keeping your HP topped off.
Pet Hunting
The Rocky pet, Thieving’s skilling pet, has a higher drop chance with faster steal rates. Some players target Rellekka’s multiple stalls, aiming for 3 steals every 10 seconds by trapping guards—an advanced tactic for pet hunters.
Fish stall thieving in OSRS is a versatile, approachable method that bridges the gap between early-game grinding and high-level money-makers. Whether you’re after XP, a steady food supply, or a shot at Rocky, it’s a skill worth exploring. So grab your thieving gloves, head to Rellekka, and start swiping those fish—happy thieving!