OSRS Ironman Fletching Guide Fast and Efficient Training to 99

Fletching is a vital skill for Ironman accounts in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), enabling players to craft their own arrows, darts, and bows for Ranged combat and Slayer tasks. Unlike regular accounts, Ironmen must be self-sufficient, gathering all materials themselves without relying on the Grand Exchange. This guide dives into the best methods to train Fletching from level 1 to 99, optimized for Ironman restrictions, while keeping efficiency and resource management in mind. Whether you’re aiming for Slayer ammo or diary requirements, here’s how to master Fletching as an Ironman.
Fletching is essential for Ironmen because it directly supports Ranged training, a core combat style for Slayer, bossing, and quests. Crafting high-level ammunition like broad arrows or amethyst darts ensures you’re prepared for tough challenges. Plus, Fletching offers passive training opportunities alongside skills like Woodcutting or Firemaking, making it a versatile skill to level up.
Key Benefits of Fletching
- Ranged Ammo: Create arrows, bolts, and darts for Slayer and bossing.
- Quest and Diary Requirements: Unlock tasks like mithril grapples for Agility shortcuts.
- Profit Potential: High-alch bows for gold, crucial for Ironman economies.
- Multiskill Synergy: Train alongside Agility, Runecraft, or Farming.
Early Levels (1-50): Building the Foundation
Starting Fletching as an Ironman can feel slow since you’re gathering logs and feathers manually. The focus here is on low-effort methods that align with early-game resource constraints.
Levels 1-10: Arrow Shafts and Headless Arrows
Begin by cutting regular trees to gather logs, then fletch them into arrow shafts. Each log yields 15 shafts, granting 5 XP per action. Combine shafts with feathers to make headless arrows for 1 XP per arrow. Feathers can be bought in bulk from fishing shops like Gerrant’s Fishy Business in Port Sarim or collected from chickens.
Tip: Bank logs from Woodcutting to save for later Fletching XP. This “banking XP” strategy is key for Ironmen.
Levels 10-25: Shortbows and Longbows
Switch to fletching unstrung shortbows (25 XP each) and longbows (10 XP per log) using regular logs. These are quick to make and can be high-alched for minor profit later. Avoid stringing bows at this stage, as bowstrings are tedious to obtain early on.
Levels 25-50: Oak and Willow Bows
Move to oak logs for oak shortbows (16.5 XP each) and oak longbows (25 XP each) up to level 35. Then, use willow logs for willow shortbows (33.3 XP each) and longbows (41.5 XP each). Source logs by cutting trees or through early Managing Miscellania setups for passive collection.
Level Range | Item | XP per Action | Materials Needed |
---|---|---|---|
1-10 | Arrow Shafts | 5 | Regular Logs |
10-20 | Shortbow (u) | 25 | Regular Logs |
25-35 | Oak Longbow (u) | 25 | Oak Logs |
35-50 | Willow Longbow (u) | 41.5 | Willow Logs |
Mid Levels (50-70): Scaling Up Efficiency
By level 50, you’ll have access to better logs and the ability to craft ammunition that supports Ranged training. This stage focuses on balancing XP rates with material availability.
Levels 50-55: Maple Longbows
Fletch maple logs into maple longbows (unstrung) for 58.3 XP each. Maple logs are easily obtained via Managing Miscellania, where you can assign workers to gather up to 892 logs daily. If you have 76 Magic and Lunar Diplomacy completed, spin flax into bowstrings using the Spin Flax spell and string the bows for an extra 58.3 XP each, then high-alch them for 384 coins.
Pro Tip: Temple Trekking is a great source of bowstrings if you’re not ready for spinning flax.
Levels 55-70: Broad Arrows
Unlock the Broader Fletching perk (300 Slayer points) to craft broad arrows, a game-changer for Ironmen. Combine headless arrows with broad arrowheads (purchased from Slayer masters for 5,500 GP per 100-pack) to make broad arrows, yielding 10-11 XP each. You can craft about 45,000 arrows per hour, netting up to 450,000 XP/hour, though it’s costly (around 2.8M GP for 99).
Material Sources:
- Arrow Shafts: Buy from Dargaud’s Bow and Arrows in the Ranging Guild (1 coin each, requires 40 Ranged).
- Feathers: Purchase feather packs from fishing shops (200 GP per 100 feathers).
- Broad Arrowheads: Stock up daily from Slayer masters (800 packs available).
High Levels (70-99): Maximizing XP Rates
From level 70, the goal is to optimize XP while preparing ammo for endgame content like raids or boss Slayer tasks. Broad arrows remain the fastest method, but alternative methods can save gold or provide passive XP.
Levels 70-92: Broad Arrows and Darts
Continue with broad arrows for the best XP rates. If you’re using a toxic blowpipe for Slayer, craft amethyst darts (level 90 Fletching) using amethyst mined at level 92 Mining. Each dart grants 21 XP, and you can make around 18,000 darts per hour (378,000 XP/hour). This doubles as ammo stockpiling for bossing.
Levels 92-99: Redwood Shields and Passive Training
For a low-effort method, fletch redwood logs into redwood shields at level 92. Each shield (requiring two logs) gives 216 XP, equating to over 150,000 XP/hour with minimal attention. Redwood logs can be gathered from Woodcutting or Miscellania. Alternatively, Wintertodt’s bruma kindling offers passive Fletching XP (0.6 x your Fletching level per kindling), ideal if you’re also training Firemaking.
Trouble Brewing for XP
Trouble Brewing, a minigame requiring the Cabin Fever quest, offers up to 200,000 XP/hour by fletching scrapey logs (160 XP each). It’s less common among Ironmen, making it a low-competition option, but requires a partner or friends chat to start games efficiently.
Tips for Resource Management
Ironmen thrive on efficient resource use. Here’s how to streamline your Fletching grind:
Stockpiling Materials
- Logs: Use Managing Miscellania for maple, yew, or redwood logs. Allocate at least 50% of workers to woodcutting.
- Feathers: Complete Bone Voyage for birdhouse trapping, yielding feathers alongside Hunter XP.
- Arrowtips/Dart Tips: Mine amethyst or smith iron bars for early darts. Save PvM drops like rune arrowtips for later.
Multiskilling Strategies
Fletch while training other skills to save time:
- Agility: Make headless arrows or darts during rooftop courses.
- Runecraft: Fletch between altar runs for near-AFK XP.
- Farming: Process logs or arrows during patch checks.
Conclusion: Mastering Fletching as an Ironman
Fletching as an Ironman blends strategy, patience, and resourcefulness. From humble arrow shafts to endgame amethyst darts, this skill equips you for Slayer, quests, and beyond. Focus on broad arrows for speed, redwood shields for ease, or mix methods to suit your playstyle. With smart material gathering and multiskilling, you’ll hit 99 Fletching while building a stockpile of ammo for your Ironman journey.
Ready to start fletching? Grab your knife, stock up on logs, and let those arrows fly!