OSRS Ironman Mage Training Ultimate Guide

Training Magic as an Ironman in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is both challenging and rewarding. Unlike regular accounts, Ironmen can’t trade or use the Grand Exchange for resources, making rune acquisition and efficient training methods critical. This guide covers the fastest, most resource-efficient ways to train Magic from level 1 to 99, tailored for Ironman accounts. Whether you’re aiming for powerful combat spells, teleports, or utility skills, this post will help you navigate the grind while maximizing experience and minimizing rune costs.

Magic is a cornerstone skill for Ironmen, offering versatility in combat, teleports, and utility spells. It’s essential for bossing (e.g., Kraken, Zulrah), quest completion, and efficient travel. However, the biggest hurdle is obtaining runes, which requires careful planning through Runecrafting, monster drops, or shop restocks. Below, we’ll explore methods that balance experience gains with resource management.

Key Benefits of Magic for Ironmen

• Combat Power: Spells like Fire Surge and Ice Barrage excel against high-level monsters and bosses.
• Teleports: Spells like Camelot Teleport save time and resources for travel.
• Utility Spells: High Alchemy, Plank Make, and Superglass Make provide passive income or skilling efficiency.
• Quest Requirements: Many quests, like Desert Treasure, require high Magic levels.

Early Game Magic Training (Levels 1–34)

Early Magic training focuses on skipping low levels with minimal rune usage. Since runes are scarce, quests and low-cost spells are the go-to methods.

Questing for Quick Experience

Completing specific quests can boost you to level 34 Magic with minimal effort. These quests have low requirements, safe-spottable bosses, and boostable skill requirements. Here’s a recommended list:

• Witch’s Potion: 325 XP
• Imp Catcher: 875 XP
• The Grand Tree: 2,150 XP (requires 25 Agility, boostable)
• Fairytale I – Growing Pains: 1,000 XP

By completing these in order, you’ll hit level 34, unlocking key spells like Telekinetic Grab. Use an elemental staff (e.g., Staff of Air from Zaff’s Staffs) to reduce rune costs during quest fights. Early money for runes can come from the Stronghold of Security (10,000 coins), Thieving, or Agility Pyramid.

Combat Spells for Early Levels

If you need to grind, cast low-level combat spells like Wind Strike or Fire Strike on safe-spottable monsters. Good targets include:

• Goblins (Lumbridge): Low HP, easy to safe-spot.
• Hill Giants (Edgeville Dungeon): Drop Big Bones for Prayer training.
• Ogresses (Corsair Cove): Drop runes and alchable items, profitable for early Ironmen.

Use a Staff of Air to eliminate the need for air runes, and buy mind/chaos runes from shops like Aubury’s Rune Shop in Varrock.

Mid-Game Magic Training (Levels 34–55)

Once you hit level 34, the Mage Training Arena (MTA) and other methods become viable. These focus on balancing XP with rune conservation and unlocking useful rewards.

Mage Training Arena (MTA)

The Mage Training Arena, located north of the Emir’s Arena, is a fantastic mid-game training spot. It offers decent XP and rewards like Bones to Peaches, infinity boots, and the master wand. Start at level 33 with Telekinetic Grab in the Telekinetic Theatre, which yields up to 18,000 XP/hour. At level 55, switch to High Level Alchemy in the Alchemist’s Playground.

Key Tips for MTA:

• Use the RuneLite MTA plugin to optimize Telekinetic Grab mazes.
• Bring 1,000–2,000 law, nature, and cosmic runes (buy from Lundail’s Arena-side Rune Shop in the Wilderness or Ali Morrisane in Al Kharid).
• Aim for Bones to Peaches early—it’s a game-changer for Slayer tasks with bone-dropping monsters.

Through MTA, you can earn up to 127,000 Magic XP while unlocking Bones to Peaches, making it a must-do for Ironmen.

Arceuus Library

The Arceuus Library in Kourend is a free, low-effort method for levels 20–40, offering up to 60,000 XP/hour. Collect books of arcane knowledge and turn them in for XP based on your Magic level. No runes are needed, making it ideal for early Ironmen. Use the RuneLite plugin to locate books efficiently.

Method	XP/Hour	Rune Cost	Requirements
Arceuus Library	60,000	None	Access to Kourend
MTA (Telekinetic Theatre)	18,000	Law, Fire, Nature runes	Level 33 Magic

Late-Game Magic Training (Levels 55–99)

After reaching level 55, High Level Alchemy and combat-focused methods dominate. These methods either generate profit or offer high XP rates for end-game goals.

High Level Alchemy

High Level Alchemy (level 55) is a staple for Ironmen, combining Magic XP with profit. Cast it on valuable items like unstrung maple longbows, gold bracelets, or monster drops. Expect 65,000–80,000 XP/hour while making coins.

Best Items to Alch:

• Unstrung maple longbows (fletched or bought from shops)
• Gold bars (from Smithing)
• Battlestaves (from Zaff’s daily stock)
• Slayer drops (e.g., rune items)

Pair alching with activities like Agility or Thieving for passive XP. Use a fire staff to reduce fire rune costs.

Bursting and Barraging (Level 70+)

For high XP rates, use Ancient Magicks (unlocked via Desert Treasure) to cast Ice Burst (level 70) or Ice Barrage (level 94) on Slayer tasks. Dust devils, nechryaels, and smoke devils in the Catacombs of Kourend are ideal, offering 150,000–200,000 XP/hour.

Setup Tips:

• Gear: Occult necklace, mystic robes, and a Kodai wand (if available).
• Runes: Craft blood runes or rely on Slayer drops to sustain costs.
• Tasks: Prioritize dust devils (level 70) and nechryaels (level 80 Slayer).

Bursting is rune-intensive but profitable due to herb seeds and alchable drops, making it a top choice for late-game training.

Plank Make (Level 86+)

Plank Make (Lunar Spellbook, requires Lunar Diplomacy) is an AFK method yielding up to 90,000 XP/hour. Convert logs into planks for Construction training while earning Magic XP. Each cast requires coins, earth runes, and nature runes, so train Runecrafting to sustain this method. It’s slower but profitable, netting around 9–10M GP to level 99.

Obtaining Runes as an Ironman

Rune scarcity is the biggest challenge for Ironman Magic training. Here are the best ways to secure a steady supply:

Runecrafting

Train Runecrafting to craft your own runes. Focus on:

• Air/Mind Runes: Early-game, craft at low levels for combat spells.
• Nature Runes: Level 44, for High Alchemy.
• Blood Runes: Level 77, for Ancient Magicks (post-Sins of the Father).

Guardians of the Rift minigame is highly efficient for Runecrafting XP and rune output.

Shop Restocks and Monster Drops

Buy runes from shops like:

• Aubury’s Rune Shop (Varrock): Elemental, chaos, death runes.
• Lundail’s Arena-side Rune Shop (Wilderness): Law, nature, cosmic runes (risky for Hardcore Ironmen).
• Ali Morrisane (Al Kharid): Law, nature, cosmic runes (safer but lower stock).

Farm monsters like ogresses, fire giants, or Slayer targets for rune drops. Barrows runs with Iban’s Staff can also yield runes and Magic XP (25,000 XP/hour).

Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

To optimize your Magic training, follow these tips and steer clear of pitfalls:

Pro Tips for Efficient Training

• Prioritize MTA Early: Unlock Bones to Peaches and infinity boots when XP rates are more impactful.
• Use RuneLite: Plugins for MTA and Arceuus Library save time and effort.
• Combine Training: Alch during AFK activities or use combat spells on Slayer tasks.
• Plan Rune Acquisition: Invest in Runecrafting or Slayer early to avoid rune shortages.

Common Mistakes

• Inefficient Spells: Avoid low-XP spells like Wind Strike past level 20.
• Ignoring Runecrafting: Without crafting runes, you’ll struggle to sustain training.
• Neglecting Gear: Equip an occult necklace (from Slayer) and mystic robes for better XP rates.
• Overusing Runes: Conserve runes for high-XP methods like bursting instead of early combat.

Training Magic as an Ironman in OSRS requires strategic planning due to rune limitations, but the methods above—questing, MTA, High Alchemy, bursting, and Plank Make—offer a clear path to 99. Start with quests and Arceuus Library, transition to MTA for rewards, and finish with high-XP combat or AFK methods. By prioritizing Runecrafting, Slayer, and efficient spell choices, you’ll become a formidable mage ready for any challenge. Enjoy the grind and stand alone together!