OSRS Ironman Thieving Training Guide for Fast Levels and Profits

Thieving is a key skill for Ironman accounts in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering both experience and valuable resources like coins and seeds that are crucial for self-sufficiency. This guide covers the most efficient methods to train Thieving from level 1 to 99, tailored specifically for Ironman players. Whether you’re aiming for quick experience or profitable loot, we’ll explore quests, equipment, and training methods to maximize your progress.

Thieving is a profitable and relatively fast skill that provides Ironman players with essential resources. Unlike regular accounts, Ironmen can’t trade or use the Grand Exchange, making Thieving a primary source for coins, seeds, and other items needed for skilling and questing. Pickpocketing Master Farmers, for example, is a popular method due to their seed drops, which support Farming and Herblore. Additionally, Thieving unlocks like the Pharaoh’s Sceptre from Pyramid Plunder are vital for end-game content.

Benefits of Thieving for Ironman

• Seed Acquisition: Master Farmers drop herb and allotment seeds for Farming.
• Cash Generation: Methods like pickpocketing Ardougne Knights yield significant gold.
• Quest Unlocks: Skills like 53 Thieving are required for the Ancient Magicks spellbook.
• Passive Skilling: Combine Thieving with activities like fletching or glassblowing.

Essential Equipment and Unlocks

Before diving into training, prioritize key items and unlocks to boost efficiency. These tools reduce failure rates, increase loot, and improve experience rates, making your Thieving grind smoother.

Rogue Equipment

Obtained from the Rogues’ Den minigame (requires 50 Thieving and 50 Agility), the full Rogue set doubles pickpocketing loot. It takes about 90 minutes to acquire and is a must-have for methods like Ardougne Knights or Master Farmers. Tip: Use energy potions or strange fruit (from Hosidius fruit stalls) to restore run energy during the minigame.

Ardougne Diary Rewards

Completing the Medium Ardougne Diary (requires 38 Thieving, among other skills) grants a 10% increased pickpocketing success rate in Ardougne, perfect for Knights. The Hard Ardougne Diary is needed for advanced methods like TzHaar pickpocketing past level 99.

Other Useful Items

• Dodgy Necklace: 25% chance to avoid stun on failed pickpockets (5 charges).
• Gloves of Silence: 5% increased pickpocketing success (requires 45 Hunter).
• Shadow Veil Spell: Boosts dodge chance by 15% when used with Dodgy Necklaces.

Early Game Thieving (Levels 1–45)

The early levels focus on quests and low-risk methods to build a foundation. Ironmen should prioritize methods that provide useful loot, like food or seeds, to support other skills.

Questing for Quick Levels

Completing specific quests can skip early levels, saving time. The following quests are ideal for Ironmen due to low requirements and decent experience rewards:

Quest	Thieving XP	Requirements
Hazeel Cult	1,500	None (non-combat path)
Fight Arena	2,175	None (monsters can be safespotted)
Biohazard	1,250	Quest: Plague City
The Feud	15,000	30 Thieving

Completing Hazeel Cult and Fight Arena boosts you to level 18 from level 1. Adding Biohazard, Tribal Totem, and The Feud can push you to level 37, unlocking blackjacking.

Pickpocketing and Stalls

At level 1, pickpocket men and women in Lumbridge for 8 XP per success. At level 5, steal cakes from East Ardougne bakery stalls (safespot available) for 16 XP each. Bank cakes for questing or Wintertodt healing. At level 20, steal silk from Ardougne’s silk stall (32 XP) and sell to the merchant after 30–60 minutes for 60 coins each. At level 25, Hosidius fruit stalls provide 28.5 XP and strange fruit (run energy) or golovanova fruit tops (botanical pies).

Mid-Game Thieving (Levels 45–91)

Mid-game Thieving introduces faster methods like blackjacking and Ardougne Knights, balancing XP rates with profitability. These methods are click-intensive but rewarding for Ironmen.

Blackjacking (Levels 45–91)

Blackjacking in Pollnivneach (requires The Feud and 30 Thieving) is the fastest XP method from level 45. Knock out bandits and pickpocket them twice while unconscious. It’s click-intensive but offers high XP rates:

• Level 45: 103,000 XP/hour
• Level 55: 138,000 XP/hour
• Level 65: 203,000 XP/hour
• Level 85: 239,000 XP/hour
• Level 99: 265,000 XP/hour

Setup Tips: Use a blackjack (buy from Ali Morrisane), wear a Ring of Life for Hardcore Ironmen, and keep a full inventory with food (e.g., wines) to avoid stuns. Check out detailed blackjacking guides for optimal techniques. Luckycharmgold.com

Ardougne Knights (Levels 55–91)

Pickpocketing Ardougne Knights is less click-intensive and more profitable, offering up to 15M GP by level 99 with Rogue equipment. Find a world where a knight is trapped in a building (join “Thieving Host” or “Splashworlds” Friends Chat). XP rates scale with level:

• Level 55: 86,000 XP/hour
• Level 75: 141,000 XP/hour
• Level 85: 182,000 XP/hour
• Level 94+: 240,000 XP/hour (with Ardougne Hard Diary)

Setup Tips: Use Dodgy Necklaces, Rogue equipment, and the Medium Ardougne Diary. Open coin pouches regularly to continue pickpocketing.

Master Farmers (Levels 38–91)

Pickpocketing Master Farmers (requires 38 Thieving) is ideal for Ironmen needing seeds for Farming and Herblore. Found in Draynor or Hosidius, they drop herb and allotment seeds. XP rates are moderate (43,000 XP/hour at level 38), but the loot is invaluable. Tip: Wear Rogue equipment for double seed drops.

Late-Game Thieving (Levels 91–99+)

Late-game methods focus on maximizing XP or preparing for post-99 training. Pyramid Plunder and TzHaar pickpocketing are top choices, offering fun and rewards.

Pyramid Plunder (Levels 91–99)

Pyramid Plunder (requires Icthlarin’s Little Helper) is a minigame in Sophanem that’s less click-intensive and fun. At level 91, rooms seven and eight yield up to 240,000 XP/hour. It’s also a source of the Pharaoh’s Sceptre, essential for Ironman altars and clue steps. Setup Tips: Buy a Pharaoh’s Sceptre (5M GP) for teleports or travel via rug merchant. Use antipoison and energy potions.

TzHaar Pickpocketing (Level 90–99+)

Pickpocketing TzHaar-Hur in Mor Ul Rek (requires Hard Ardougne Diary and Thieving cape) is the best method for post-99 training, offering up to 250,000 XP/hour and 60,000 Crafting XP/hour from gems. Wear ice gloves to avoid damage. This method is ideal for Ironmen aiming for 200M Thieving or Crafting XP.

Dorgesh-Kaan Chests (Levels 78–99)

Looting rich chests in Dorgesh-Kaan (requires Death to the Dorgeshuun) provides up to 230,000 XP/hour without banking or 190,000 XP/hour with banking, plus 300,000 GP/hour. Use a lockpick, hop worlds, and loot chests on the second and third floors. It’s a profitable alternative to Pyramid Plunder.

Tips for Efficient Thieving Training

To make your Thieving grind enjoyable and efficient, follow these strategies:

• Combine Skills: Pair Thieving with activities like fletching, alching, or glassblowing during methods like stealing artefacts in Port Piscarilius (60,000–150,000 XP/hour at level 55–95).
• Manage Inventory: For Ultimate Ironmen, use low-inventory methods like Ardougne Knights to pair with Farming training.
• Avoid Burnout: Alternate between click-intensive methods (blackjacking) and relaxed ones (Ardougne Knights, Pyramid Plunder).
• Use Plugins: The “House Thieving Varlamore” plugin helps with Varlamore citizen pickpocketing for low-intensity training.

Thieving on an Ironman account is both challenging and rewarding. By following this guide, you’ll efficiently reach level 99 while gathering resources to support your journey. Start with quests, grab Rogue equipment, and choose methods that suit your playstyle. Happy thieving!