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OSRS Giants Foundry Guide Ultimate Tips for Smithing Success
Welcome to the ultimate guide for mastering the Giants’ Foundry minigame in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). This Smithing-focused activity offers a fun, interactive way to level up your Smithing skill while earning rewards like gold, reputation points, and unique items. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to excel at Giants’ Foundry, from prerequisites to advanced strategies. Let’s dive in and start forging those giant swords!
Giants’ Foundry is a Smithing minigame where players help Kovac, a Hill Giant, craft massive weapons in an ancient forge located beneath the Giants’ Plateau. To participate, you need to meet a couple of requirements and understand the basics of the minigame.
Prerequisites
Before you can start forging swords, ensure you meet these requirements:
- Smithing Level 15: A modest requirement that can be quickly achieved by completing The Knight’s Sword quest, which boosts you from level 1 to 29 Smithing.
- Sleeping Giants Quest: This short, novice quest introduces the minigame mechanics and unlocks access to the Foundry. It’s a quick tutorial with no major challenges.
- Necessary Items: Bring metal bars (bronze to rune, depending on your level) and either a bucket of water or Ice Gloves to handle hot preforms. A bucket is available in the Foundry.
How to Reach Giants’ Foundry
The Giants’ Foundry is located in a cave under the Giants’ Plateau. Here are the fastest ways to get there:
- Minigame Teleport: Use the Grouping Menu’s Giants’ Foundry teleport for instant access.
- Amulet of Glory: Teleport to Al Kharid Palace and run north.
- Ring of Dueling: Teleport to Emir’s Arena and head west.
- Gnome Glider: Fly to Kar-Hewo and walk north.
Understanding Giants’ Foundry Mechanics
The minigame involves crafting giant swords based on Kovac’s commissions, which specify two sword traits (e.g., Narrow and Spiked). Your goal is to create a high-quality sword by selecting the right moulds, metals, and refining the preform using various tools.
Step-by-Step Process
Here’s how to complete a sword in Giants’ Foundry:
- Get a Commission: Speak to Kovac to receive a commission with two sword traits. You can cancel and request a new one if needed.
- Fill the Crucible: Add 28 metal bars or equivalent smithed items (e.g., platebodies) to the crucible. Alloys (combinations of two metal types) often yield better results.
- Set the Mould: Choose moulds for the Forte, Blades, and Tip at the Mould Jig. Select options that maximize the sum of the commission traits (e.g., +8 Narrow, +6 Spiked).
- Pour the Metal: Pour the molten metal into the mould to create a preform. Use Ice Gloves or a bucket to retrieve it.
- Refine the Preform: Use the Trip Hammer, Grindstone, and Polishing Wheel to refine the preform, keeping the temperature in the correct range for each tool.
- Deliver the Sword: Hand the completed sword to Kovac for Smithing XP, gold, and Foundry Reputation.
Temperature Management
Temperature control is critical for maintaining sword quality. Each tool requires a specific temperature range:
| Tool | Temperature Range | Effect on Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Hammer | Red (High) | Lowers temperature |
| Grindstone | Yellow (Medium) | Increases temperature |
| Polishing Wheel | Green (Low) | Lowers temperature |
Use the lava pool to heat the preform and the waterfall to cool it. Right-clicking the lava or waterfall allows faster heating/cooling via “Dunk” or “Quench” options.
Optimizing Your Giants’ Foundry Runs
To maximize experience, reputation, and profits, use these strategies to streamline your gameplay and boost efficiency.
Best Metal Alloys
Using alloys (combinations of two metal types) can increase sword quality and rewards. The optimal alloy depends on your Smithing level, budget, and goals:
- Low-Level (15–30): Use 14 iron + 14 steel bars for cost-effective XP.
- Mid-Level (30–70): Combine 14 mithril + 14 adamant bars for balanced XP and reputation.
- High-Level (70+): Use 14 adamant + 14 rune bars for maximum XP, though it’s expensive and click-intensive.
Note: Avoid smithing bars into armor or weapons before using them in the Foundry, as this reduces XP per bar and wastes time. Use raw bars directly for the best results.
Critical Hits and Tool Switching
When a yellow box appears around the Smithing UI, click your current tool within two cycles to score a “critical hit,” which boosts progress and saves time. Switch between tools strategically to maintain optimal temperature:
- Start with large cooling (waterfall) to lower temperature for the Trip Hammer.
- Use six large cooling/heating actions to swing the temperature to the opposite extreme, but be cautious with the Grindstone, as it naturally heats the preform.
Rewards and Benefits
Giants’ Foundry offers a variety of rewards that make it a worthwhile activity for both main accounts and Ironmen.
Reward Shop Items
Earn Foundry Reputation by completing swords and spend it in Kovac’s reward shop. Key items include:
| Item | Reputation Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Smiths’ Uniform (Full Set) | 4000 | 15% bonus XP in Foundry; speeds up anvil Smithing by ~15–20%. |
| Colossal Blade | 5000 | Level 60 Attack weapon with a special effect scaling damage by NPC size. |
| Better Moulds | 200–300 each | Increases sword quality and XP rates. |
Pro Tip: Prioritize the Smiths’ Uniform for efficiency, then unlock moulds to improve sword quality. Avoid buying Ore Packs, as they’re less cost-effective for Ironmen.
Experience and Gold
Sword quality (metal score + mould score) determines your rewards. Higher-quality swords (up to 199 points) yield more XP and gold. For example, using high-quality metals like rune and matching moulds can net ~27,000 XP per run with decent profits. Ultimate Ironmen receive gold directly in their inventory.
Advanced Tips for Pros
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, these advanced strategies can take your Giants’ Foundry game to the next level.
Mould Selection
Some moulds become obsolete at higher levels. Skip the Corrupted Point mould (level 60) and Juggernaut Forte (level 79), as better options like Serrated Tip are available. Always aim for moulds that maximize the sum of Kovac’s commission traits.
Inventory Management
Optimize your inventory for longer sessions:
- Wear Smiths’ Uniform and Ice Gloves: Combine Smiths’ Gloves with Ice Gloves for seamless preform handling.
- Bring Energy Potions: Kovac restores 50% run energy per sword, but Stamina Potions help for extended runs.
- Stockpile Bars: Use a nearby bank chest to quickly restock metal bars.
Profit Strategies for Ironmen
Ironmen can buy cheap items like steel plates or mithril claws from shops (e.g., Al Kharid or Jatizso) to use in the Foundry, netting a small profit while training. For example, 7 steel warhammers + 14 mithril claws create a 14:14 alloy for decent XP and gold.
Giants’ Foundry is a refreshing alternative to traditional Smithing methods like Blast Furnace, offering engaging gameplay and solid rewards. By mastering mould selection, temperature control, and alloy choices, you’ll forge your way to 99 Smithing in no time. Happy smithing, adventurers!