OSRS MLM Bigger Sack: Maximizing Your Motherlode Mine Experience
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of training methods for every skill, and when it comes to Mining, the Motherlode Mine (MLM) stands out as a fan favorite. One of the most exciting upgrades in MLM is the ability to unlock a bigger sack, which significantly enhances your efficiency and profitability. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about the OSRS MLM bigger sack—how to unlock it, its benefits, and tips to make the most of your time in the mine. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned miner, this post will help you optimize your gameplay and boost your Mining gains.
The Motherlode Mine is a unique Mining training area located in the Dwarven Mines beneath Falador. Introduced in 2014, it’s accessible to players with at least 30 Mining, though higher levels unlock additional benefits. Unlike traditional Mining, where you manually extract ores from rocks, MLM involves mining pay-dirt, depositing it into a hopper, and collecting rewards from a sack once the ore is processed. The bigger sack upgrade takes this mechanic to the next level by increasing storage capacity, reducing trips to the bank, and streamlining your experience.
How Motherlode Mine Works
In MLM, you mine pay-dirt from ore veins scattered across the mine. After collecting pay-dirt, you deposit it into a hopper, and once processed, the cleaned ores appear in a sack near the mine’s exit. Initially, the sack holds 81 ores, but with upgrades like the bigger sack, this capacity increases, allowing you to mine longer without interruption.
Why Players Love MLM
MLM is popular for its semi-AFK (away-from-keyboard) nature, decent experience rates, and profitability. It’s less click-intensive than power mining and offers rewards like coal, gold, and even the coveted Prospector Kit. The bigger sack upgrade enhances all these aspects, making it a must-have for serious miners.
Unlocking the Bigger Sack in OSRS MLM
The bigger sack is an upgrade that doubles your sack’s capacity from 81 to 162 ores. This allows you to collect twice as much ore before needing to empty it, effectively halving the time spent managing inventory. Here’s how to unlock it and what you’ll need to get started.
Requirements for the Bigger Sack
- Mining Level: 30 (to access MLM), though higher levels improve efficiency.
- Nuggets: 200 golden nuggets, earned by mining and processing pay-dirt in MLM.
- Access: Membership in OSRS, as MLM is a members-only feature.
Steps to Unlock the Bigger Sack
- Head to the Motherlode Mine, located east of the Mining Guild in Falador.
- Mine pay-dirt from the ore veins and deposit it into the hopper.
- Collect golden nuggets from the sack alongside your processed ores.
- Visit Prospector Percy in the MLM camp and purchase the “Bigger and Badder” upgrade for 200 nuggets.
Once purchased, the bigger sack is permanently unlocked for your account, applying to both the lower and upper levels of the mine.
How Long Does It Take to Earn 200 Nuggets?
The time to gather 200 nuggets depends on your Mining level and efficiency. At 50 Mining, you might earn 10-15 nuggets per hour, meaning it could take around 13-20 hours. At higher levels (70+), with the upper level unlocked, this drops to 8-12 hours due to faster pay-dirt mining and better RNG for nuggets.
Benefits of the Bigger Sack in Motherlode Mine
The bigger sack isn’t just a quality-of-life upgrade—it’s a game-changer for Mining training and profit-making. Here’s why it’s worth the investment.
Increased Efficiency
With a capacity of 162 ores, you can mine for twice as long before needing to collect from the sack. This reduces downtime and lets you focus on gathering pay-dirt, boosting your hourly experience rates by up to 10-15% compared to the default sack.
Higher Profit Potential
More ore capacity means more coal, gold, mithril, and adamantite ores per trip. At higher Mining levels, especially in the upper level (unlocked at 72 Mining), gold ore becomes more common, netting you upwards of 200-300k GP per hour with the bigger sack.
Better AFK Experience
For players who prefer a relaxed playstyle, the bigger sack extends AFK sessions. You can mine, deposit, and let the hopper process without needing to check the sack as often, making MLM even more laid-back and enjoyable.
Tips to Maximize Your MLM Bigger Sack Usage
Unlocking the bigger sack is just the start—optimizing your approach can take your Mining to new heights. Here are some practical tips to get the most out of this upgrade.
Optimize Your Gear
Wear the Prospector Kit (purchasable with nuggets) for a 2.5% Mining XP boost. Pair it with the best pickaxe you can use—Dragon or Crystal Pickaxe if possible—to speed up pay-dirt mining. Weight-reducing gear like Graceful can also help if you’re moving between veins often.
Use the Upper Level
At 72 Mining, unlock the upper level of MLM by repairing the water struts (costs 100 nuggets). The upper level offers closer veins and a higher chance of valuable ores, making the bigger sack even more effective.
Combine with Other Upgrades
Pair the bigger sack with the coal bag (150 nuggets) to store an extra 27 coal ores, or the gem bag (100 nuggets) for gems from pay-dirt. These stack with the bigger sack, further reducing bank trips and increasing profits.
Track Your Progress
Keep an eye on your nugget count and ore yields. Use the sack’s interface to check how full it is and plan your collection trips. This ensures you’re always maximizing your time in the mine.
Is the Bigger Sack Worth It? A Detailed Comparison
To help you decide if the bigger sack is right for your goals, let’s break it down with a comparison of Mining with and without it. Below is a table showcasing the differences at 70 Mining in the upper level.
| Aspect | Default Sack (81 Ores) | Bigger Sack (162 Ores) |
|---|---|---|
| XP/Hour | 40k-45k | 45k-50k |
| GP/Hour | 150k-200k | 200k-300k |
| Trips to Sack/Hour | 4-5 | 2-3 |
| AFK Time | 5-7 minutes | 10-12 minutes |
For Skilling Enthusiasts
If your goal is reaching 99 Mining, the bigger sack saves hours of grinding by cutting down on interruptions. The XP boost might seem small, but over millions of XP, it adds up significantly.
For Gold Farmers
For profit-focused players, the bigger sack shines in the upper level, where gold ore dominates. Doubling your haul per trip can turn MLM into one of the best mid-tier money-making methods in OSRS.
For Casual Players
If you just want a chill activity, the bigger sack makes MLM a top-tier AFK option. Pair it with Netflix or a podcast, and you’ve got a stress-free way to train Mining while racking up nuggets and GP.
In conclusion, the OSRS MLM bigger sack is a fantastic upgrade for any player using the Motherlode Mine. It’s a worthwhile investment of 200 nuggets, offering efficiency, profit, and a smoother gameplay experience. Whether you’re chasing 99 Mining, banking gold ore, or just enjoying some relaxed skilling, the bigger sack elevates your MLM journey. So, grab your pickaxe, head to Falador, and start mining—your bigger sack awaits!