OSRS Pest Control Boats: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Minigame
If you’re diving into Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and looking for an exciting, team-based combat experience, Pest Control is one of the most iconic minigames to explore. Central to this activity are the Pest Control boats—your gateway to battling pests, earning rewards, and securing the coveted Void Knight equipment. In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the OSRS Pest Control boats, including their requirements, strategies, and rewards. Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, this guide will help you navigate the boats and optimize your gameplay. Let’s set sail!
Pest Control is a cooperative minigame in OSRS where players team up to defend a Void Knight from waves of monsters while destroying the portals they spawn from. The Pest Control boats, or “landers,” are how you access this action-packed challenge. Located at the Void Knights’ Outpost, these boats come in three difficulty tiers, each tailored to different combat levels. Your choice of boat determines the strength of the enemies, the pace of the game, and the rewards you can earn.
The Role of Boats in Pest Control
The boats serve as staging areas where players gather before being transported to an invaded island. Each boat requires a minimum of 5 players to start a game, with a maximum capacity of 25. Once full, the game begins immediately; otherwise, there’s a 5-minute wait if the minimum is met. Your activity during the game—whether fighting pests, repairing defenses, or attacking portals—determines your eligibility for rewards.
Why Pest Control Boats Matter
Choosing the right boat is key to maximizing efficiency. Higher-tier boats offer more commendation points per win, which you can exchange for experience, Void Knight gear, or resource packs. However, they also feature tougher monsters, requiring better coordination and combat skills. Understanding each boat’s dynamics is essential for success.
The Three Pest Control Boats: Novice, Intermediate, and Veteran
OSRS Pest Control features three distinct boats, each with its own combat level requirement and reward structure. Here’s a detailed look at them:
Novice Boat (Combat Level 40+)
The Novice boat is the entry-level option, perfect for players just starting out or those with lower combat stats. It’s accessible to anyone with a combat level of 40 or higher.
- Portal Hitpoints: 2,000
- Points per Win: 3 (plus bonuses from Combat Achievements)
- Monsters: Lower-level pests like Shifters, Brawlers, and Spinners
- Pros: Easier to win with less experienced teams, ideal for beginners
- Cons: Fewer points per game, slower progress toward big rewards
Intermediate Boat (Combat Level 70+)
The Intermediate boat steps up the challenge, requiring a combat level of 70 or higher. It’s a popular choice for mid-level players looking to balance difficulty and rewards.
- Portal Hitpoints: 2,500
- Points per Win: 4 (plus Combat Achievement bonuses)
- Monsters: Moderately stronger pests with increased aggression
- Pros: Decent point yield, manageable difficulty for mid-tier players
- Cons: Can fail if the team lacks coordination
Veteran Boat (Combat Level 100+)
The Veteran boat is the toughest of the trio, reserved for players with a combat level of 100 or higher. It’s the go-to for high-level players chasing the fastest point gains.
- Portal Hitpoints: 2,500
- Points per Win: 5 (plus Combat Achievement bonuses)
- Monsters: High-level pests with greater durability and damage
- Pros: Highest points per game, faster reward unlocks
- Cons: Requires strong teamwork and gear to succeed consistently
| Boat | Combat Level | Points per Win | Portal HP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novice | 40+ | 3 | 2,000 |
| Intermediate | 70+ | 4 | 2,500 |
| Veteran | 100+ | 5 | 2,500 |
How to Get to the Pest Control Boats
Reaching the Pest Control boats is straightforward, but knowing the fastest routes can save you time. The boats are docked at the Void Knights’ Outpost, accessible from Port Sarim. Here are your options:
Fastest Travel Methods
- Minigame Teleport: Use the Minigame Group Finder (20-minute cooldown) to teleport directly to the Outpost. Requires combat level 40+.
- Pest Control Teleport Scroll: Obtained from Treasure Trails or the Grand Exchange, this item teleports you instantly to the Outpost.
- Port Sarim Route: Travel to Port Sarim (via fairy ring code AIQ to Mudskipper Point, Amulet of Glory to Draynor, or walking from Falador), then speak to the Squire at the southern docks for a free boat ride.
Pro Tip: Use World 344
The official Pest Control world is 344 (P2P). It’s consistently busy, ensuring full boats and quick game starts—especially for the Veteran boat. Hopping to this world is a must for efficient point farming.
Strategies for Success on Each Pest Control Boat
Winning Pest Control games depends on teamwork and strategy. Each boat has its nuances, so here’s how to excel on each:
Novice Boat Strategies
The Novice boat is forgiving, but coordination still matters:
- Defend or Attack: Split the team—some players defend the Void Knight, others attack portals.
- Gear: Basic combat gear (e.g., Rune armor, Magic Shortbow) is sufficient.
- Activity: Stay active by hitting pests or repairing barricades to keep your activity bar full.
Intermediate Boat Strategies
The Intermediate boat demands more effort:
- Portal Weaknesses: Exploit portal vulnerabilities (e.g., purple is weak to range, blue to magic).
- Spinners: Prioritize killing Spinners near portals—they heal them if left alive.
- Team Balance: Assign 2-3 players to defend the Knight while others focus on portals.
Veteran Boat Strategies
The Veteran boat is all about efficiency:
- High DPS: Bring top-tier gear (e.g., Dragon Scimitar, Black Dragonhide, or Mystic Robes).
- Coordination: Communicate via clan chat or world 344’s community to assign roles.
- Fast Portal Kills: Stack damage on portals as soon as their shields drop (every 30 seconds after the first at 15 seconds).
Rewards from Pest Control Boats: What’s Worth Chasing?
The main draw of Pest Control is its rewards, earned through commendation points. Here’s what you can get and why the boats matter:
Commendation Points Breakdown
Points scale with boat difficulty and increase with Combat Achievement tiers (Easy: +1, Medium: +2, Hard: +3). For example:
- Novice: 3 base points (up to 6 with Hard Achievements)
- Intermediate: 4 base points (up to 7)
- Veteran: 5 base points (up to 8)
You also earn coins equal to 10x your combat level per win.
Top Rewards to Aim For
- Void Knight Equipment: Costs 200-250 points per piece (850 for a full set with one helm). Elite Void requires 400 more points. Great for hybrid combat builds.
- Combat XP: Trade points for XP in skills level 25+ (e.g., 35 XP per point in Attack, 10% bonus for 100 points at once).
- Resource Packs: Herb, seed, or mineral packs for skilling (less popular but useful for Ironmen).
How Long to Get Void Gear?
For a full Void set (850 points):
- Novice: ~283 games (47-56 hours at 5-6 minutes per game)
- Intermediate: ~213 games (35-43 hours)
- Veteran: ~170 games (28-34 hours)
The Veteran boat cuts your grind time significantly, making it the best choice if you qualify.
Final Thoughts on OSRS Pest Control Boats
The Pest Control boats in OSRS offer a dynamic way to test your combat skills, earn unique rewards, and bond with the community. Whether you’re hopping on the Novice boat to dip your toes in or dominating the Veteran boat for maximum efficiency, there’s something for every player. Focus on the Veteran boat if you’re combat 100+ and use world 344 for the fastest games. With the right strategy and team, you’ll be rocking that Void Knight armor in no time. Ready to board? See you at the Outpost!