OSRS Ironman Thieving Guide Fastest Path to 99

OSRS Ironman Thieving Guide Fastest Path to 99

Thieving in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a vital skill for Ironman accounts, offering coins, seeds, and unique items without relying on trading. For Ironmen, self-sufficiency makes Thieving a go-to for early cash and resources like herb seeds from Master Farmers. This guide covers the fastest methods, quests, and tips to hit level 99 Thieving efficiently, tailored for Ironman restrictions. Whether you’re a standard, Hardcore, or Ultimate Ironman, you’ll find strategies to maximize experience and rewards.

Thieving is a low-requirement skill that delivers high value early on. For Ironmen, who can’t use the Grand Exchange or trade, it’s a primary source of coins for Managing Miscellania and seeds for Herblore. Pickpocketing Master Farmers at higher levels provides ranarr and snapdragon seeds, crucial for potions. Plus, Thieving unlocks like the Pharaoh’s sceptre from Pyramid Plunder enhance mobility. It’s fast, requires minimal setup, and pairs well with other skills like Farming.

Key Benefits of Thieving

  • Early Money: Stealing from stalls or pickpocketing NPCs funds kingdom management or supplies.
  • Herb Seeds: Master Farmers drop valuable seeds for Herblore training.
  • Low Risk: Many methods, like bakery stalls, have safespots, ideal for Hardcore Ironmen.
  • Quest Unlocks: High Thieving levels meet requirements for quests like Desert Treasure or Monkey Madness 2.

Starting Out Quests and Early Levels

Early Thieving levels are best skipped with quests to save time. Ironmen can leverage low-requirement quests to jumpstart their progress, avoiding tedious grinding at low levels. After quests, basic pickpocketing and stall stealing build a foundation before moving to advanced methods.

Recommended Quests for Thieving XP

Complete these quests to gain a significant XP boost with minimal requirements:

Quest Thieving XP Requirements Notes
Hazeel Cult 1,500 None Non-combat path available, great for level 1.
Fight Arena 2,175 None Monsters can be safespotted, safe for Hardcore Ironmen.
Biohazard 1,250 Plague City Low combat, quick completion.
Tribal Totem 1,775 None Simple, no combat needed.
The Feud 15,000 Level 30 Thieving Unlocks blackjacking, boosts to level 37.

Completing Hazeel Cult and Fight Arena alone gets you to level 18 from 1. Adding Biohazard, Tribal Totem, and The Feud pushes you to around level 37, setting you up for efficient training.

Levels 1-5 Pickpocketing Men and Women

If you skip quests initially, pickpocket men or women in Lumbridge or Varrock. Each successful pickpocket gives 8 XP, requiring 49 pickpockets to reach level 5. It’s slow but safe. Use the RuneLite plugin’s Menu Entry Swapper to set pickpocket as the left-click option for faster clicks.

Levels 5-25 Bakery Stalls in Ardougne

At level 5, head to East Ardougne’s bakery stalls. Stealing cakes yields 16 XP per action and provides food for early quests or Wintertodt. Stand in a safespot (behind the baker) to avoid guards, making it risk-free for Hardcore Ironmen. Bank cakes for later use or drop them if focusing on XP. Expect around 20,000 XP per hour, reaching level 25 in about 30 minutes.

Core Training Methods Levels 25-99

Once past early levels, Thieving offers diverse methods. For Ironmen, the focus is on balancing XP rates with useful drops. Stalls, blackjacking, and minigames like Pyramid Plunder are your main options, each with unique benefits.

Levels 25-45 Fruit Stalls in Hosidius

At level 25, steal from Hosidius fruit stalls (requires 15% Hosidius favor). Each steal gives 28.5 XP, and you can trap guard dogs for a 100% success rate. Bank strange fruit for run energy or golovanova fruit tops for botanical pies. This method offers 30,000 XP per hour and is low intensity. It’s also a decent early money-maker for Managing Miscellania.

Levels 45-91 Blackjacking in Pollnivneach

Blackjacking is the fastest Thieving XP from levels 45 to 91, unlocked after starting The Feud. Use a willow blackjack (buy from Ali Morrisane) and trap bandits or Menaphite thugs in houses for uninterrupted training. The process involves knocking out the NPC, pickpocketing twice, and repeating. Wear rogue equipment (from Rogues’ Den at level 50 Thieving) for double loot.

  • Level 45-55: Bearded Pollnivnian bandits (137.5 XP per cycle, ~100,000 XP/hour).
  • Level 55-65: Non-bearded bandits (180 XP per cycle, ~140,000 XP/hour).
  • Level 65-91: Menaphite thugs (247.5 XP per cycle, ~200,000-250,000 XP/hour).

Bring noted food (like Saradomin brews or jugs of wine from Pollnivneach’s bar) to sustain long sessions. Blackjacking is click-intensive but unmatched for XP until Pyramid Plunder.

Levels 49-65 Stealing Artefacts in Port Piscarilius

As an alternative to blackjacking, steal artefacts in Port Piscarilius (requires 75% favor and level 49 Thieving). This method is less click-intensive, offering 60,000-80,000 XP per hour with stamina potions. You can alch, fletch, or glassblow while running, making it versatile for Ironmen multitasking with other skills. Drops include coins and minor Prayer XP from blessed bone statuettes.

Levels 91-99 Pyramid Plunder

At level 91, Pyramid Plunder in Sophanem becomes the fastest Thieving XP, requiring partial completion of Icthlarin’s Little Helper. Loot urns, chests, and sarcophagi for 150,000-270,000 XP per hour at high levels. Bring antipoison, food, and a Pharaoh’s sceptre (if available) for teleports. Ironmen benefit from potential black ibis outfit pieces and the sceptre, which aids travel. Focus on the highest room you can access for optimal XP.

Essential Gear and Boosts

Ironmen must gather their own gear, but Thieving equipment is accessible and impactful. Prioritize these items to boost success rates and XP.

Rogue Equipment

At level 50 Thieving and Agility, play Rogues’ Den minigame to get the rogue set (mask, top, trousers, gloves, boots). It doubles pickpocketing loot, making Master Farmers and blackjacking more rewarding. Expect 90 minutes to obtain the full set. Use energy potions or strange fruit (from Hosidius stalls) to speed up runs.

Ardougne Diary Rewards

Complete the Ardougne Diary for pickpocketing boosts:

  • Medium Diary: 10% increased success in Ardougne.
  • Hard Diary: Extends the 10% boost to all of Gielinor.

These stack with rogue equipment and are permanent, making them a priority for efficient training.

Other Useful Items

  • Dodgy Necklace: 25% chance to avoid stuns on failed pickpockets, craftable with cosmic runes and opals.
  • Gloves of Silence: 5% pickpocketing success boost (requires 54 Hunter, doesn’t stack with Ardougne Diary).
  • Shadow Veil Spell: 15% chance to avoid stuns (Arceuus spellbook, level 47 Magic).

Tips for Ironman Thieving Success

Maximize your Thieving grind with these Ironman-specific strategies to save time and boost efficiency.

Combine Skills for Efficiency

Thieving pairs well with other skills. During artefact stealing, train Fletching or Magic (alching). Pickpocketing Master Farmers at level 38+ supports Herblore by stocking herb seeds. For Ultimate Ironmen, Thieving’s low inventory requirements make it ideal alongside Farming runs.

Master Farmer Pickpocketing for Seeds

At level 38, pickpocket Master Farmers in Draynor or Hosidius for herb and allotment seeds. With rogue equipment and Ardougne Hard Diary, you’ll gather ranarrs, snapdragons, and more for Herblore. This is slower XP (~40,000/hour) but critical for Ironman progression.

Safespots and Hardcore Ironman Safety

Hardcore Ironmen should stick to safespots (bakery stalls, fruit stalls) until higher levels. Blackjacking is safe if you trap NPCs correctly, but bring food to counter failed knockouts. Avoid risky methods like Wilderness rogues to protect your status.

Post-99 Thieving TzHaar-Hur Pickpocketing

For those pushing past 99, pickpocket TzHaar-Hur in Mor Ul Rek (requires Hard Ardougne Diary and Thieving cape). It offers 250,000 XP per hour and 60,000 banked Crafting XP from gems, perfect for Ironmen aiming for maxing.

Thieving is a cornerstone skill for OSRS Ironmen, blending fast XP with practical rewards. By following this guide—starting with quests, progressing through stalls, blackjacking, and Pyramid Plunder—you’ll hit 99 efficiently while gathering coins and seeds. Gear up with rogue equipment, leverage diary boosts, and multitask to make the grind feel seamless. Got a favorite Thieving method or tip? Share it in the comments!