OSRS Ironman Early Money Making Guide for 2025

OSRS Ironman Early Money Making Guide for 2025

Starting as an Ironman in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a thrilling challenge, but the inability to trade or use the Grand Exchange makes earning gold tough early on. This guide dives into the best early-game money-making methods for Ironman accounts in 2025, tailored for beginners looking to build a solid gold stack. Whether you’re a fresh account or transitioning from Tutorial Island, these strategies will help you fund essential gear, runes, and kingdom management without breaking a sweat. Let’s explore low-requirement, high-reward methods to kickstart your Ironman journey.

Unlike regular accounts, Ironmen can’t rely on flipping items or trading for quick cash. Every coin must come from your own efforts, making efficient money-making critical. Early gold funds key expenses like:

  • Gear: Basic weapons and armor (e.g., mithril or adamant).
  • Runes: For teleports and high alchemy.
  • Kingdom of Miscellania: A passive resource generator requiring upfront investment.
  • Construction: Planks for training are costly.

With restrictions like no Grand Exchange (except for bonds) and no looting other players’ kills, you’ll need creative methods to generate coins. Below, we’ll cover accessible techniques that balance effort, risk, and reward.

Best Early Money Makers for Ironmen

OSRS MedLevel Money Makers How to Make Money as a Medium Tier

These methods are designed for low-level Ironmen with minimal skill or quest requirements. They focus on consistent gold generation while training useful skills.

Agility Pyramid: Fast Cash with Low Requirements

The Agility Pyramid in the Kharidian Desert is a standout for early Ironmen. Starting at 30 Agility (50+ recommended to reduce failures), you navigate obstacles to reach the top and grab a pyramid top, which you sell to Simon Templeton for 10,000 coins.

Requirements:

  • 30 Agility (50+ for efficiency).
  • Desert clothing and waterskins (buy from Shantay Pass).
  • Optional: Stamina potions for faster runs.

Profit: Up to 100,000–200,000 gp/hour at 50+ Agility.

How to Do It:

  1. Teleport to Nardah (magic carpet or fairy ring DLQ).
  2. Climb the pyramid, avoiding obstacles like rolling stones.
  3. Grab the pyramid top and sell it to Simon at the base.
  4. Buy chalk ice from Nardah (heals 6 HP, counters desert heat) to stay longer.

Tip: Failing obstacles can drain HP, so bring food if your Agility is low. At 65+ Agility, profits soar as failures drop.

H.A.M. Storerooms: Thieving for Jewelry

Pickpocketing in the H.A.M. Storerooms is a low-risk, low-requirement method that yields jewelry to alch or sell. It’s perfect for Ironmen needing both gold and Thieving XP.

Requirements:

Profit: ~50,000–80,000 gp/hour (higher with rogue’s outfit).

How to Do It:

  1. Head to the H.A.M. hideout (west of Lumbridge).
  2. Pickpocket guards for keys to unlock chests in storerooms.
  3. Loot jewelry (e.g., sapphire rings, emerald necklaces).
  4. Alch jewelry at 55 Magic or sell to Port Sarim’s jewelry shop.

Tip: Bank valuable jewelry for crafting or enchanting later. At 50 Thieving, grab the rogue’s outfit from Rogue’s Den for double keys, boosting profits.

Skilling-Based Money Makers

Skilling methods not only generate gold but also level up stats crucial for quests and progression. These are ideal for Ironmen who want to multitask.

Cutting Gems: Crafting and Profit

Buying and cutting gems is a simple way to earn gold while training Crafting, a skill Ironmen need for jewelry and quests.

Requirements:

Profit: Up to 90,000 gp/hour (depends on shop stock).

How to Do It:

  1. Buy uncut sapphires or emeralds from a gem shop.
  2. Cut them using a chisel.
  3. Sell cut gems back to the shop for profit.
  4. Hop worlds if shops run low on stock.

Tip: Combine with jewelry crafting for extra Crafting XP, then alch or sell the results. Avoid ruby/diamond at low levels due to higher requirements and lower margins.

Mining and Smithing: Platebodies for Alching

Mining ore and smithing platebodies to alch is slower but profitable, especially for free-to-play (F2P) Ironmen. It’s a great way to train Mining and Smithing alongside earning gold.

Requirements:

  • 30 Mining (for iron ore).
  • 33 Smithing (for steel platebodies).
  • 55 Magic (for High Alchemy, optional).

Profit: ~50,000–100,000 gp/hour.

How to Do It:

  1. Mine iron ore at Al Kharid Mine or Mining Guild (60 Mining).
  2. Smelt into steel bars at Al Kharid furnace.
  3. Smith steel platebodies (5 bars each).
  4. High alch for ~1,200 gp each or sell to Varrock armor shop (~800 gp).

Tip: Use a rune pickaxe and world-hop to maximize ore. If Magic is low, sell to shops until you unlock High Alchemy.

Collecting Methods for Passive Income

Collecting items from spawns or shops is low-effort and requires minimal skills, making it perfect for fresh Ironmen.

Steel Platebodies in Wilderness

Gathering steel platebodies in the Wilderness is a no-requirement method that’s surprisingly effective, though it carries some risk.

Requirements:

  • None (slash weapon like a knife for webs).
  • Optional: Basic combat stats/food for PKer escapes.

Profit: ~80,000–120,000 gp/hour.

How to Do It:

  1. Head to Lava Maze (level 40–45 Wilderness).
  2. Collect steel platebodies and earth staves (respawn every ~2 minutes).
  3. Sell platebodies to Varrock armor shop (~1,200 gp) or alch (~1,200 gp).
  4. Hop worlds to speed up collection.

Tip: Bring only what you’re willing to lose. Hardcore Ironmen should avoid this until comfortable with Wilderness risks, as PKers can interrupt runs.

Bronze Chainbodies in Dwarven Mine

A safer alternative, collecting bronze chainbodies is ideal for F2P Ironmen with no combat worries.

Requirements:

  • None.

Profit: ~30,000–50,000 gp/hour.

How to Do It:

  1. Go to Dwarven Mine (near Falador).
  2. Pick up bronze chainbodies west of Nurmof.
  3. Sell to Wayne’s Chains in Falador (~136 gp each) or general store.
  4. Hop worlds for faster spawns.

Tip: Combine with Mining training in Dwarven Mine for efficiency.

Comparison of Methods

Choosing the right method depends on your skills, risk tolerance, and playstyle. Here’s a quick comparison:

Method Requirements Profit (gp/hr) Risk Skills Trained
Agility Pyramid 30 Agility 100k–200k Low Agility
H.A.M. Storerooms 20 Thieving, quests 50k–80k Low Thieving
Cutting Gems 20 Crafting ~90k None Crafting
Mining/Smithing 30 Mining, 33 Smithing 50k–100k None Mining, Smithing
Wilderness Platebodies None 80k–120k High None
Bronze Chainbodies None 30k–50k None None

Tips to Maximize Early Gold

To make the most of these methods, follow these key strategies:

  • Rush High Alchemy: Unlock at 55 Magic via quests (e.g., Dig Site, Watchtower) or Arceuus Library training. Alching doubles profits for items like platebodies and jewelry.
  • Quest Early: Complete The Feud, Death to the Dorgeshuun, and Lost Tribe for access to H.A.M. Storerooms and better Thieving methods.
  • Get Graceful Outfit: Marks of Grace from Canifis Rooftop Course speed up methods like Agility Pyramid.
  • Manage Kingdom Early: After Throne of Miscellania, invest gold for passive resources, saving money long-term.
  • Avoid Over-Grinding: Balance money-making with combat and quest progression to unlock better methods like Slayer (~70+ for alchables).

By mixing these methods, you’ll build a cash stack fast. For example, start with bronze chainbodies (no requirements), transition to H.A.M. Storerooms after quests, and hit Agility Pyramid at 50 Agility for big gains.

Final Thoughts

Early Ironman money-making in OSRS is about leveraging low-skill, accessible activities to fund your adventure. From the Agility Pyramid’s high profits to the safe simplicity of cutting gems, each method offers unique benefits. Prioritize methods that align with your stats and goals—Thieving and Agility for skillers, collecting for combat-focused players. As you progress, Slayer and PvM will open bigger gold streams, but these early strategies lay the foundation. Get out there, grind smart, and watch your coin pouch grow!