OSRS Forestry Release Date and Everything You Need to Know

OSRS Forestry Release Date and Everything You Need to Know

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) players have been eagerly awaiting updates to breathe new life into classic skills, and the Forestry expansion for Woodcutting has been a game-changer. Announced as a social-focused overhaul, Forestry: The Way of the Forester redefines how players interact with trees in Gielinor. This blog post dives into the OSRS Forestry release date, its features, events, rewards, and how it transforms Woodcutting into a community-driven experience. Whether you’re a seasoned woodcutter or a newbie wielding a bronze axe, here’s everything you need to know.

The Forestry expansion was rolled out in two parts, each introducing core mechanics and enhancements to Woodcutting. The release dates were strategically planned to incorporate player feedback and ensure a polished experience.

Part One Release Date

Forestry: The Way of the Forester Part One launched on June 28, 2023. This initial phase introduced new tree-spawning mechanics, group cutting bonuses, the Forestry Kit, and four unique events. Jagex had initially planned a beta for early June but canceled it due to technical issues, opting for a livestream and Discord Stages event to showcase the content instead.

Part Two Release Date

The second phase, Forestry: Part Two, went live on October 25, 2023. This update expanded the expansion with new rewards, events, and a novel Firemaking training method via campfires. A beta for Part Two was promised, allowing players to test features like campfires and tea brewing before the official release.

Both phases were shaped by community consultation, with polls ensuring player approval. Forestry passed with a resounding 90.7% vote in favor, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for a social Woodcutting revamp.

Core Features of Forestry

Forestry transforms Woodcutting by removing resource competition, introducing social bonuses, and adding interactive events. Here’s a breakdown of its standout features:

New Tree-Spawning Mechanics

Gone are the days of trees depleting randomly. Trees now despawn on a timer that activates after the first cut and regenerates if players stop chopping before the tree is fully felled. This change, applied to most trees (excluding regular trees and those in the Woodcutting Guild), makes Woodcutting less competitive and more predictable.

Group Cutting Bonuses

Chopping with others now grants an invisible Woodcutting level boost. For every player (up to 10) chopping the same tree, you gain a +1 invisible boost to your Woodcutting level, enhancing success rates. This bonus doesn’t apply in the Woodcutting Guild or to regular trees, balancing convenience with the Guild’s benefits.

Forestry Kit

The Forestry Kit, obtained for free from the Friendly Forester in Draynor, Seers’ Village, or Prifddinas, is central to the expansion. This wearable back-slot item stores tools, resources, and gear, streamlining inventory management. Upgrades, crafted with materials like metal bars and items from the Forestry Shop, enhance its functionality.

Forestry Events and Gameplay

Forestry events are spontaneous activities that spawn when chopping trees with a Forestry Kit equipped. These events add variety and rewards, scaling in difficulty and experience based on player count. At least one player in the group needs a Forestry Kit for events to trigger.

Types of Forestry Events

  • Rising Roots: Chop roots that sprout around the tree for Woodcutting XP and Anima-Infused Bark.
  • Flowering Tree: Guide bees to pollinate flowers, earning XP, bark, and seeds or treats.
  • Struggling Sapling: Feed a sapling with mulch to help it grow, granting Woodcutting and Farming XP.
  • Pheasant Control: Find an unguarded pheasant nest to collect eggs, requiring a Pheasant Spoon in the Forestry Kit.
  • Leprechaun: A leprechaun banker deposits logs, and interacting with nearby rainbows grants XP buffs and bark.

Events like Enchantment Ritual and Friendly Ents offer additional variety, with some requiring specific items in the Forestry Kit to spawn. Solo players can expect 4-5 events per hour, while groups of 10 may see 7-9.

Event Rewards

Completing events yields Anima-Infused Bark, the primary currency for the Forestry Shop, alongside Woodcutting XP. Some events offer unique rewards, like seeds from Flowering Tree or Farming XP from Struggling Sapling.

Rewards and Forestry Shop

The Forestry Shop, run by the Friendly Forester, offers a range of items purchasable with Anima-Infused Bark and logs. These rewards enhance Woodcutting and provide quality-of-life improvements.

Notable Forestry Shop Items

Item Description Use
Felling Axe Handle Converts a regular axe into a two-handed version. Grants 18% extra XP but uses 40 run energy per swing.
Forester’s Ration Enables felling axe passive effects. Provides extra logs or XP without a log.
Secateurs Attachment Doubles leaf drops from trees. Enhances resource collection.
Nature Offerings 50-60% chance for an extra log, up to 80% with 10+ players. Boosts log yield.
Lumberjack/Forestry Outfit Provides Woodcutting XP bonus. Can be stored in the Forestry Kit for benefits without wearing.

These items, combined with tradeable leaves (Normal, Oak, Willow, Maple, Yew, Magic), create a self-sufficient economy within Forestry, benefiting both members and free-to-play players.

Economic Impact

Forestry introduces a log sink, as many shop items require logs alongside bark. This helps balance the in-game economy by reducing log oversupply. Tradeable kit upgrades and leaves also foster player trading on the Grand Exchange.

Community Reception and Challenges

While Forestry has been praised for making Woodcutting more social, it hasn’t been without criticism. Some players find the system overly complex, citing multiple currencies and consumable items as convoluted.

Player Feedback

  • Positive: Players love the social aspect and group XP bonuses, reminiscent of early RuneScape’s communal Woodcutting spots.

  • Negative: Complaints focus on event complexity and the need for specific items to trigger certain events, which can feel like unnecessary gatekeeping.

Jagex’s Response

Jagex has actively engaged with feedback, adjusting features like stackable leaves and storable Forestry Kits in Part Two. The second phase also refined events and rewards based on community polls, ensuring Forestry aligns with player expectations.

For optimal Forestry training, hop to World 444 (or World 301 for free-to-play) and head to popular spots like Draynor’s oak and willow trees or teak trees for high XP rates. Use RuneLite plugins like Tree Despawn Timer and Tree Count to maximize efficiency.

Forestry: The Way of the Forester has revitalized Woodcutting, making it a vibrant, social skill in OSRS. With its release in June and October 2023, it continues to evolve based on player input. Grab your Forestry Kit, team up with friends, and chop your way to new rewards in Gielinor!