OSRS Ironman Start Guide for Beginners

OSRS Ironman Start Guide for Beginners

Starting an Ironman account in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most rewarding challenges you can take on. Unlike regular accounts, Ironman mode forces you to be self-sufficient, with no trading, Grand Exchange access, or help from other players. This guide is designed to help beginners navigate the early stages of their Ironman journey, covering essential strategies, quests, skills, and tips to set you up for success. Whether you’re aiming for Standard, Hardcore, or Ultimate Ironman, this OSRS Ironman start guide will give you a solid foundation.

Ironman mode is all about independence. You’ll need to gather every resource, craft every item, and complete every task on your own. This restriction makes every achievement feel incredibly satisfying, but it also demands careful planning. Let’s break down what you need to know before diving in.

Types of Ironman Accounts

There are three main Ironman modes, each with increasing difficulty:

  • Standard Ironman: No trading, no Grand Exchange, and no picking up other players’ drops.
  • Hardcore Ironman: Same as Standard, but with one life—die in an unsafe activity, and you revert to Standard mode.
  • Ultimate Ironman: No banking allowed, adding extreme inventory management challenges.

For beginners, Standard Ironman is the most approachable, allowing you to learn the ropes without the pressure of permadeath or inventory limits.

Activating Ironman Mode

To start, create a new account and speak to the Ironman tutors (Adam or Paul) on Tutorial Island before leaving. You can also choose Hardcore or Ultimate mode here. Be sure to decide if you want the option to revert to a regular account later by setting a bank PIN or making it permanent for the full challenge.

Early Game Priorities

OSRS Hardcore Ironman Startup Guide Obtaining Nature Runes Money

The early game is about building a foundation for your Ironman account. You’ll focus on unlocking key teleports, gathering resources, and completing quests that give big experience rewards. Here’s how to get started efficiently.

Complete Tutorial Island Strategically

Tutorial Island sets the tone for your Ironman journey. Pay attention to the basics of combat, skilling, and movement. Before leaving, talk to the Ironman tutor to lock in your mode. If you’re Hardcore, avoid risky actions like attacking rats without food to stay safe.

Starting in Lumbridge

Once you arrive in Lumbridge, your immediate goal is to gather some starting cash and resources. Head to the general store and sell any junk items from Tutorial Island, like the bronze dagger or wooden shield. Then, focus on these quick tasks:

  • Thieving: Pickpocket men or women in Lumbridge for coins (around 230 gold).
  • Fishing: Grab a fishing net from the Lumbridge fishing tutor and catch shrimp to cook for early food.
  • Firemaking: Use logs on Lumbridge Castle’s top floor to train Firemaking to level 15 for quests.

Early Quests for Big Rewards

Quests are a lifeline for Ironmen, offering experience and unlocks without grinding. Prioritize these beginner-friendly quests for a head start:

Quest Rewards Why It’s Important
Cook’s Assistant 300 Cooking XP Quick and easy, boosts Cooking for better food.
The Restless Ghost 1,125 Prayer XP Skips early Prayer grinding, unlocks ghostspeak amulet.
X Marks the Spot 300 XP lamp Free XP for any skill, great for Herblore.
Witch’s Potion 325 Magic XP Boosts Magic for teleports and combat.

These quests require minimal skills and can be done within an hour or two, giving you a strong early boost.

Skilling for Success

Skilling is the backbone of Ironman mode, as you’ll need to gather and process all your materials. Early on, focus on skills that improve mobility, provide food, or unlock gear.

Agility for Faster Travel

Low run energy is a major hurdle for new Ironmen. Training Agility early improves run energy restoration and unlocks shortcuts. Start at the Draynor Village rooftop course at level 10, aiming for level 20-30. Collect marks of grace to save for the graceful outfit, which boosts run energy recovery even further.

Fishing and Cooking for Food

Food is critical for safe combat and questing. Head to Draynor Village with a fishing rod and feathers (buy from Port Sarim’s fishing shop) to catch sardines or herring. Cook them on a nearby fire or range. Aim for Fishing and Cooking level 20 to handle basic food needs.

Thieving for Cash and Supplies

Thieving is a fast way to get coins and items without combat. After pickpocketing in Lumbridge, move to Ardougne at level 5 to steal from cake stalls for food. At level 38, pickpocket Master Farmers for seeds to kickstart Farming, which will support Herblore later.

Combat Training and Gear

Combat is essential for quests, slayer, and bossing, but Ironmen need to be strategic since gear must be earned. Early combat training focuses on efficiency and safety.

Safe Combat Training Spots

Avoid risky areas like the Wilderness. Instead, train on these safe monsters:

  • Chickens (Lumbridge): Drops feathers and bones, great for early Ranged and Prayer.
  • Cows (Lumbridge): Provides cowhides for Crafting and bones for Prayer.
  • Goblins (east of Lumbridge): Decent for low-level melee and drops for quests.

Use the best weapon you have (start with a bronze sword, upgrade to iron from drops). Train Attack, Strength, and Defence evenly to around 20 for quest requirements.

Early Gear Upgrades

Since you can’t buy gear, rely on drops, shops, and quest rewards. Key early upgrades include:

  • Iron Scimitar: Buy from Zeke’s shop in Al Kharid for 112 coins.
  • Black Armour: Drops from goblins or buy from shops like Horvik’s in Varrock.
  • Wizard Robes: Buy from Port Sarim’s magic shop for Magic training.

Save coins for these purchases by thieving or selling drops to general stores.

Questing for Combat XP

Combat grinding is slow at low levels, so lean on quests for big XP jumps. After the starter quests, tackle these for combat boosts:

These quests can be done with low stats and basic gear, saving hours of grinding.

Tips for Long-Term Success

Starting an Ironman account is just the beginning. To keep progressing smoothly, adopt these habits early and plan for the mid-game.

Prioritize Teleports

Without access to easy teleports, travel can be a slog. Unlock these early:

  • Chronicle: Buy from Diango in Draynor for 300 coins; charges cost 150 coins each for teleports to Varrock.
  • Minigame Teleports: Use group teleports (20-minute cooldown) for places like Barbarian Assault after its tutorial.
  • Magic Spells: Train Magic to level 25 for Varrock Teleport (needs law runes from shops).

These options save time and let you focus on skilling and questing.

Start Farming and Herblore Early

Herblore is tough for Ironmen due to scarce ingredients, but Farming sets you up for success. Steal seeds from Master Farmers or get them from early Slayer tasks. Plant low-level herbs like guam or marrentill in patches (Hosidius or Falador). Use quest lamps on Herblore to skip early levels, as even basic potions like attack or strength boost combat efficiency.

Plan for Wintertodt

Wintertodt is a popular early grind at level 50 Firemaking, offering seeds, ores, herbs, and coins. It’s especially good at 10 Hitpoints (Hardcore Ironmen take less damage). Train Firemaking with logs from trees or buy from shops, then head to Wintertodt for a resource boost. Save crates until higher skill levels for better loot.

Stay Safe as a Hardcore Ironman

If you’re playing Hardcore, prioritize safety. Avoid quests with tough bosses until you have decent gear and food. Train Hitpoints to at least 20 before risky activities, and always carry food. Safe-spot bosses in quests like Witch’s House or use Magic to minimize risk.

Enjoy the Journey

Ironman mode is a marathon, not a sprint. Every item you earn feels like a victory, so don’t rush to end-game content. Set small goals—like completing a quest, hitting a skill milestone, or getting a new weapon—and celebrate them. Join Ironman communities on Reddit or Discord for tips and motivation.

By following this OSRS Ironman start guide, you’ll have a clear path through the early game, with skills, quests, and gear to carry you forward. Whether you’re exploring Gielinor solo or chasing Hardcore glory, the self-sufficient life of an Ironman is unmatched. Grab your spade, start thieving, and build your legend—one drop at a time.