OSRS Ironman Magic Shortbow: The Ultimate Guide for Efficient Training

OSRS Ironman Magic Shortbow: The Ultimate Guide for Efficient Training


For Old School RuneScape (OSRS) Ironman players, the Magic Shortbow stands out as a versatile and powerful weapon, especially in the early-to-mid game. Whether you’re training Ranged, taking on PvM challenges, or simply gathering resources, this bow offers a cost-effective and efficient option. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Magic Shortbow for Ironman accounts, from obtaining it to optimizing its use. Let’s dive into how this weapon can elevate your Ironman journey!

Ironman mode in OSRS restricts players from trading with others, making self-sufficiency key. The Magic Shortbow fits perfectly into this playstyle due to its accessibility, low cost, and impressive stats. It’s a two-handed ranged weapon with a fast attack speed, allowing you to deal consistent damage while conserving resources—a must for Ironmen.

Key Stats of the Magic Shortbow

The Magic Shortbow requires 50 Ranged to wield and offers the following bonuses:

  • Ranged Attack Bonus: +69
  • Ranged Strength Bonus: Dependent on ammo (e.g., +31 with Mithril arrows)
  • Attack Speed: 4 ticks (2.4 seconds)

Compared to slower weapons like crossbows, its rapid attack speed makes it ideal for training and slayer tasks.

Special Attack: Snapshot

The Magic Shortbow’s special attack, Snapshot, uses 50% of your special energy to fire two arrows in quick succession. Each shot has increased accuracy and damage, making it a fantastic burst-damage option against tougher foes like early-game bosses or slayer monsters.

How to Obtain the Magic Shortbow as an Ironman

Since Ironmen can’t buy the Magic Shortbow from the Grand Exchange, you’ll need to craft or loot it yourself. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to acquire with some dedication.

Fletching Your Own Magic Shortbow

The most reliable method is to craft it via the Fletching skill. Here’s the step-by-step process:

  1. Requirements: 50 Fletching, 50 Woodcutting (optional for gathering logs).
  2. Materials: Magic logs and a bowstring.
  3. How to Get Materials:
    • Magic Logs: Chop Magic trees (75 Woodcutting required) found in places like the Woodcutting Guild or near the Mage Training Arena.
    • Bowstring: Spin flax into bowstrings at a spinning wheel (e.g., Lumbridge or Seers’ Village) after collecting flax from fields like the one south of Seers’ Village.
  4. Crafting: Use a knife on the Magic logs to make an unstrung Magic Shortbow (50 Fletching), then attach the bowstring.

This method also grants 91.5 Fletching XP per bow, making it a dual-purpose training option.

Dropping Monsters

If Fletching isn’t your focus yet, you can hunt for a Magic Shortbow drop. Notable monsters include:

These options are riskier but viable if you’re already training combat in those areas.

Best Ammo for the Magic Shortbow

The Magic Shortbow’s effectiveness hinges on the arrows you pair with it. As an Ironman, ammo conservation and crafting are critical considerations.

Arrow Tiers and Availability

Here’s a breakdown of viable arrows for Ironmen:

Arrow Type Ranged Strength How to Obtain
Iron Arrows +10 Craft with 15 Fletching (iron arrowtips from smithing, feathers from chickens).
Mithril Arrows +22 Craft with 45 Fletching (mithril arrowtips from 55 Smithing).
Adamant Arrows +31 Craft with 60 Fletching (adamant arrowtips from 70 Smithing).
Rune Arrows +49 Craft with 75 Fletching (rune arrowtips from 85 Smithing) or rare drops.

Mithril Arrows strike a balance between damage and resource cost, making them a go-to for mid-level Ironmen.

Conserving Ammo

To stretch your arrow supply, train at locations where arrows can be retrieved, like the Sand Crabs on Hosidius or the Ranged training spots in the Nightmare Zone. The Ava’s Accumulator (unlocked via Animal Magnetism quest) also auto-retrieves arrows, saving you time and effort.

Training Ranged with the Magic Shortbow

The Magic Shortbow shines as a Ranged training weapon due to its speed and accessibility. Here’s how to maximize your XP gains as an Ironman.

Early Game Training (Levels 1-50)

Before you can wield the Magic Shortbow, build your Ranged level with a regular shortbow or crossbow. Good spots include:

  • Chickens (Lumbridge) – Safe and plentiful feathers for arrows.
  • Cows (Lumbridge) – Decent XP and cowhides for crafting.
  • Sand Crabs (Hosidius) – High HP and AFK-friendly.

Mid-Game Training (Levels 50-70)

Once you hit 50 Ranged, switch to the Magic Shortbow. Top training locations include:

  • NMZ (Nightmare Zone): Use Hard mode with Mithril or Adamant arrows for fast XP (up to 60k XP/hour).
  • Ogress Warriors (Corsair Cove) – Decent XP and drops like runes and gems.
  • Slayer Tasks – Pair with a slayer helm for bonus XP and damage.

Late-Game Potential (Levels 70+)

While the Magic Shortbow remains viable, you might transition to a Rune Crossbow or Toxic Blowpipe later. Still, it’s great for budget training or specific tasks like killing Dagannoths for Dagannoth Kings prep.

PvM and Slayer with the Magic Shortbow

Beyond training, the Magic Shortbow excels in PvM and Slayer, offering Ironmen a reliable weapon for various encounters.

Slayer Task Efficiency

For Slayer, the Magic Shortbow is ideal against monsters weak to Ranged, such as:

Pair it with a Slayer Helm (after 55 Crafting and Slayer points) for a 15% damage boost.

Bossing on a Budget

The Magic Shortbow’s special attack makes it surprisingly effective against early bosses:

It’s not a Blowpipe, but it gets the job done without breaking your bank of resources.

In conclusion, the Magic Shortbow is a cornerstone weapon for OSRS Ironman players. Its ease of access, fast attack speed, and versatility make it a must-have for Ranged training, Slayer, and even some bossing. By crafting it yourself, choosing the right ammo, and leveraging its special attack, you’ll find it’s a game-changer for your Ironman progression. Grab your bow, stock up on arrows, and start hitting those targets—your Ironman adventure just got a lot more exciting!