OSRS Quest Difficulty Ranked: The Toughest Challenges in Old School RuneScape

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is renowned for its rich quest system, offering players over 150 unique adventures across the sprawling world of Gielinor. These quests range from quick, lighthearted tasks to grueling, multi-hour marathons that test every ounce of your skill, patience, and determination. Whether you’re chasing best-in-slot items like Barrows Gloves or unlocking iconic areas like the Elven Lands, some quests stand out as true rites of passage due to their difficulty. In this blog post, we’ll rank the hardest OSRS quests, breaking down what makes them so challenging and why they’re worth the effort. Let’s dive into the toughest quests in OSRS, ranked by difficulty, and explore what it takes to conquer them.

Quests in OSRS aren’t just about fetching items or chatting with NPCs—they’re a core part of the game’s identity. Unlike many MMORPGs, OSRS quests often blend intricate puzzles, demanding combat, and lengthy exploration into a single experience. The official difficulty ratings—Novice, Intermediate, Experienced, Master, and Grandmaster—give a rough idea of what to expect, but player experiences often tell a different story. A quest’s difficulty can hinge on combat mechanics, stat requirements, or even your ability to endure tedious tasks. For new and veteran players alike, understanding which quests pose the biggest challenges can help you prepare and prioritize your adventures.

What Makes a Quest Hard?

Several factors contribute to a quest’s difficulty in OSRS:

• Combat Complexity: Boss fights with multiple phases, prayer switching, or one-hit-kill mechanics.
• Puzzle Solving: Cryptic riddles or multi-step challenges that require guides for most players.
• Stat Requirements: High skill levels needed to start or complete the quest.
• Length and Endurance: Long runtimes with no banking or frequent backtracking.
• RNG Elements: Random failures (like agility obstacles) that can derail progress.

With these in mind, let’s rank the top-tier quests that push players to their limits.

Top 5 Hardest OSRS Quests Ranked

Here’s our countdown of the most difficult quests in OSRS, based on community feedback, official ratings, and the sheer effort required to complete them. These quests aren’t just tough—they’re legendary.

5. Mourning’s End Part II (Master)

Difficulty Rating: Master
Length: Long
Key Challenges: Light puzzles, agility obstacles, combat

Mourning’s End Part II is a Master-level quest in the Elf series that earns its spot for its infamous Temple of Light puzzle. You’ll need to manipulate mirrors and colored light beams to unlock doors, all while fending off mid-level Shadow creatures. The puzzle’s complexity often leaves players stumped, and failing agility obstacles can drain your supplies fast. With no banking allowed mid-quest, preparation is key. Completing it unlocks the Death Altar and sets the stage for Song of the Elves, making it a must-do despite the headache.

4. Monkey Madness II (Grandmaster)

Difficulty Rating: Grandmaster
Length: Very Long
Key Challenges: Stealth sections, agility traps, boss fights

Monkey Madness II, the sequel to the iconic Monkey Madness, is a Grandmaster quest that lives up to its billing. The stealth section on the docks—where you must plant explosives without being spotted—tests your patience and precision. Add in a trap-filled tunnel with high agility requirements and a final boss fight against Glough, and you’ve got a quest that punishes mistakes harshly. Rewards like access to Demonic Gorillas and the Heavy Ballista make it worthwhile, but expect a steep learning curve.

3. Song of the Elves (Grandmaster)

Difficulty Rating: Grandmaster
Length: Very Long
Key Challenges: Puzzles, multi-phase boss, high stat requirements

Song of the Elves concludes the Elf questline and is a Grandmaster-tier beast. You’ll revisit the Underground Pass, solve another light puzzle, and face the Fragment of Seren—a boss with a one-hit-kill special attack that demands max health at all times. The fight’s three phases require precise prayer switching and gear management, often catching even seasoned players off guard. With prerequisites like Mourning’s End Part II and high stats (70+ in multiple skills), it’s a marathon that rewards you with access to Prifddinas and the Gauntlet.

2. Dragon Slayer II (Grandmaster)

Difficulty Rating: Grandmaster
Length: Very Long
Key Challenges: Boss gauntlet, platforming, high stat requirements

Dragon Slayer II takes the nostalgia of its predecessor and cranks the difficulty to eleven. Requiring 200 quest points and stats like 75 Magic and 70 Smithing, it’s a late-game quest that throws everything at you. The final gauntlet pits you against multiple dragons, culminating in a battle with Galvek—a dragon with venom, tidal waves, and one-hit fireballs. The platforming section, where you leap between ships while taking damage, adds insult to injury. Beating it unlocks Vorkath, Ava’s Assembler, and a sense of triumph few quests can match.

1. Desert Treasure II – The Fallen Empire (Grandmaster)

Difficulty Rating: Grandmaster
Length: Very Long
Key Challenges: Complex boss mechanics, endurance, no cheesing

Crowned by Jagex as the hardest quest in OSRS, Desert Treasure II is a Grandmaster masterpiece. Clocking in at over three hours even for skilled players, it pits you against four unique bosses with intricate mechanics: prayer switching, dodging, and precise movement are non-negotiable. Unlike its predecessor, there’s no simple “click and eat” strategy—every fight demands focus and adaptation. Rewards include the Virtus Robes and access to Ancient Magicks upgrades, but the real prize is bragging rights. This is the pinnacle of OSRS questing.

Honorable Mentions: Other Tough OSRS Quests

Not every brutal quest fits neatly into the top five, but these honorable mentions deserve recognition for their own unique challenges.

Underground Pass (Experienced)

A maze of agility obstacles, limited inventory space, and a creepy atmosphere make this quest a nightmare for unprepared players. The final ledge is infamous for its high fail rate—65+ Agility recommended.

Sins of the Father (Master)

The boss fight against Vanstrom Klause, with its lightning phase and prayer switches, can overwhelm even high-level players. The stealth section and Temple Trekking minigame add to the frustration.

One Small Favour (Experienced)

This quest isn’t hard in combat or puzzles—it’s the sheer length and tedious chain of favors across Gielinor that wear you down. Patience is the real test here.

Quest Difficulty Comparison Table

To help visualize how these quests stack up, here’s a quick comparison:

Quest	Difficulty Rating	Length	Key Challenge	Recommended Stats
Desert Treasure II	Grandmaster	Very Long	Boss mechanics	80+ Combat
Dragon Slayer II	Grandmaster	Very Long	Boss gauntlet	75 Magic, 70 Smithing
Song of the Elves	Grandmaster	Very Long	Multi-phase boss	70+ Multiple Skills
Monkey Madness II	Grandmaster	Very Long	Stealth sections	69 Slayer, 55 Agility
Mourning’s End Part II	Master	Long	Light puzzles	60 Agility, 50 Thieving

Tips for Tackling the Hardest OSRS Quests

Ready to take on these beasts? Here are some strategies to make your journey smoother:

Preparation Is Everything

Stock up on food, potions (like stamina or super restores), and the right gear. For combat-heavy quests, bring prayer potions and practice switching protection prayers.

Use Guides Wisely

While some purists go in blind, a quest guide can save hours of frustration—especially for puzzles like Mourning’s End Part II or navigation in Underground Pass.

Train Key Skills

Boost your Agility, Prayer, and combat stats before diving in. Many quests punish low levels with frequent failures or deaths.

Take Breaks

Long quests like Desert Treasure II or One Small Favour can burn you out. Step away and return refreshed to avoid mistakes.

OSRS quests are more than just tasks—they’re adventures that define your journey in Gielinor. The hardest ones, like Desert Treasure II and Dragon Slayer II, demand skill, strategy, and perseverance, but the rewards and satisfaction are unmatched. Whether you’re a new player eyeing your first quest cape or a veteran chasing Grandmaster glory, these challenges await. Which quest do you find the toughest? Share your thoughts below and happy questing!