OSRS Master Clue Guide: Your Ultimate Treasure Trails Companion
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is packed with exciting activities, but few match the thrill and rewards of Master Clue Scrolls. As the highest tier in the Treasure Trails system, Master Clues offer a challenging blend of puzzles, combat, and exploration, with the promise of rare loot like 3rd Age items and valuable cosmetics. Whether you’re a seasoned clue hunter or a newcomer aiming to conquer Gielinor’s toughest trails, this OSRS Master Clue Guide will walk you through everything you need to know to succeed. Let’s dive into the cryptic world of Master Clues and uncover the secrets to maximizing your rewards!
Before you can tackle a Master Clue, you need to get your hands on one. Unlike lower-tier clues, Master Clue Scrolls aren’t dropped by monsters directly. Here’s how you can obtain them:
Trading with Watson
The most reliable method is to visit Watson in Hosidius, located in a fenced-in house west of the Forthos Ruin. Bring him one of each lower-tier clue scroll—Easy, Medium, Hard, and Elite—and he’ll trade them for a Master Clue Scroll. Note that if you already have an incomplete Master Clue, Watson won’t hand over another until you finish or discard it.
Rewards from Other Clues
You can also score a Master Clue as a rare reward from completing lower-tier Treasure Trails. The drop rates are:
- Easy Clues: 1/50 chance
- Medium Clues: 1/30 chance
- Hard Clues: 1/15 chance
- Elite Clues: 1/5 chance
Elite Clues offer the best odds, so focusing on those can boost your chances of landing a Master Clue without trading with Watson.
Master Clue Scroll Requirements
Master Clues aren’t for the faint-hearted. They demand a mix of high-level skills, quest completions, and specific gear. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare for the journey.
Skill Requirements
To complete every possible Master Clue step, you’ll need to meet some hefty skill thresholds. Temporary boosts can help with non-combat challenges, but combat encounters require raw stats. Here’s a breakdown of the highest skill requirements:
| Skill | Level | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | 70 | Wielding Abyssal Whip |
| Strength | 70 | Combat encounters |
| Magic | 85 | Reanimate Abyssal Creature |
| Mining | 85 | Mine Runite Ore |
| Fishing | 87 | Catch Sacred Eel (boostable) |
These are just the peaks—many steps require levels in the 70s or 80s across skills like Agility, Thieving, and Crafting.
Quest Prerequisites
Accessing certain areas or NPCs often requires quest completions. Key quests include:
- Song of the Elves: Unlocks Prifddinas for emote clues
- Making History: Required for Hot/Cold clues with Jorral
- Dragon Slayer II: Access to high-level areas like Lithkren
Having 200+ quest points is a solid benchmark to tackle most Master Clue steps without roadblocks.
Types of Master Clue Steps
Master Clue Scrolls range from 6 to 8 steps, featuring a variety of challenges. Each step tests your problem-solving skills, game knowledge, and combat prowess. Here’s what you’ll encounter:
Cryptic Clues
These riddles require you to decipher a location or NPC. For example, “Panic in the Limestone Mine” directs you to the Rimmington mine with a specific emote. Always read carefully—some involve multiple mini-steps or item requirements.
Coordinate Clues
Coordinate clues provide a set of numbers (e.g., 04.05N, 13.12E) pointing to a dig spot. You’ll need a spade, and in multi-combat areas like the Wilderness, expect a fight against three Ancient Wizards (levels 112, 98, 98). In single-combat zones, a level 140 Brassican Mage awaits.
Hot/Cold Clues
Grab a Strange Device from Jorral (post-Making History) and play a game of “hot or cold.” The device indicates proximity to the treasure via chatbox messages, but beware—it deals 3-8 damage per check, so bring food!
Emote Clues
Perform specific emotes at designated locations while wearing required gear, like a Dragon Axe or Rune Platebody. After the emote, a Double Agent or Brassican Mage may spawn, so be combat-ready.
Combat Encounters in Master Clues
Master Clues often pit you against tough foes. Preparation is key to surviving these battles and claiming your next clue.
Ancient Wizards
In multi-combat areas, three Ancient Wizards attack with Melee (poisonous), Ranged, and Magic. Use Protect from Melee to counter the poison, and prioritize the Melee wizard to minimize damage.
Brassican Mage
In single-combat zones, the Brassican Mage uses typeless attacks that ignore protection prayers. High-damage weapons like the Abyssal Whip or Toxic Blowpipe work best, paired with food and a teleport for emergencies.
Gear Recommendations
For combat, bring:
- Weapons: Abyssal Whip, Toxic Blowpipe, or Magic Shortbow
- Armor: Black D’hide or Karil’s for versatility
- Inventory: Prayer potions, antipoison, high-healing food (Sharks or better)
A Ring of Life or teleport tab can save you in a pinch, especially in the Wilderness.
Tips for Completing Master Clue Scrolls
Master Clues can be daunting, but with the right strategies, you’ll breeze through them and stack up those reward caskets. Here are some pro tips:
Optimize Your Inventory
Space is precious. Carry essentials like a spade, Strange Device, and combat gear, but use a Rune Pouch for runes (teleports, alchemy) and bank stackable items like coins or noted loot.
Use STASH Units
Store emote clue items in STASH units across Gielinor to save inventory space. Build them with planks and nails at clue locations—check the OSRS Wiki for a full list.
Wilderness Survival
Above level 20 Wilderness, a clue scroll vanishes on death unless protected by a Clue Box (bought from Watson for 100k). Below level 20, it stays on the ground for an hour. Always bring a one-click teleport and avoid PK hotspots.
Clue Juggling
For tough steps, try clue juggling: drop your current Master Clue, start a new one, and pick up the old one later to swap steps. This works best with cryptic clues you’ve pre-solved.
Reward Casket Strategy
Stack caskets in your inventory or bank until you’ve got a pile, then open them in bulk for a satisfying loot haul. Watch out for the Mimic chance (1/15 from Master Caskets)—toggle it on/off at Watson’s Strange Casket upstairs.
With an average loot value of 400k per casket, plus the chance at mega-rare items like the 3rd Age Pickaxe or Druidic Robes, Master Clues are a goldmine for dedicated players. Happy hunting, and may RNGesus smile upon you!