OSRS Quests for Prayer XP Best Methods to Boost Your Skill
Prayer is a cornerstone combat skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering powerful buffs like protection prayers and stat boosts crucial for PvM, PvP, and quests. However, training Prayer can be costly and time-intensive, especially for free-to-play (F2P) players or Ironmen. Completing quests that reward Prayer experience (XP) is a smart way to jumpstart your Prayer level without grinding bones or spending millions of GP. In this guide, we’ll explore the best OSRS quests for Prayer XP, focusing on low-requirement options, Ironman-friendly choices, and strategies to maximize your gains. Whether you’re aiming for level 43 for protection prayers or level 70 for Piety, these quests will help you level up efficiently.
Quests in OSRS provide a chunk of XP in one go, bypassing the repetitive grind of burying bones or offering them at altars. For Prayer, this is especially valuable because:
- Cost-Effective: Quests eliminate the need to buy expensive bones like dragon or superior dragon bones.
- Time-Saving: You can gain thousands of XP in under an hour, compared to hours of altar runs.
- Early Boost: Low-requirement quests can quickly get you to key Prayer milestones, like level 43 for protection prayers.
- Ironman-Friendly: Ironmen, who can’t buy bones off the Grand Exchange, benefit from quest XP to skip early levels.
While Prayer training via quests is slower than high-end methods like gilded altars, it’s ideal for new players, F2P accounts, or those on a budget. Let’s dive into the best quests to boost your Prayer skill.
Top OSRS Quests for Prayer XP
Below is a curated list of quests that reward Prayer XP, ordered by their accessibility and XP rewards. These quests are perfect for players looking to minimize skilling and maximize XP gains.
The Restless Ghost
XP Reward: 1,125 Prayer XP (Level 1 to 9)
Requirements: None
Difficulty: Novice
This beginner-friendly quest is a must-do for any new OSRS player. To start, speak to Father Aereck in the Lumbridge chapel. The quest involves helping a ghost in the Lumbridge graveyard find peace, requiring minimal combat and no skill prerequisites. With 1,125 Prayer XP, it instantly boosts you to level 9, giving you a head start. For F2P players, this is one of the few ways to gain Prayer XP without burying bones.
Priest in Peril
XP Reward: 1,406 Prayer XP (Level 9 to 13)
Requirements: Completion of The Restless Ghost
Difficulty: Novice
Priest in Peril unlocks access to Morytania and is a quick quest with decent Prayer XP. You’ll need to help King Roald by investigating the missing monk Drezel near the River Salve. The quest involves light combat against a level 30 enemy, so bring some defensive armor. The 1,406 XP reward pushes you to level 13, making it a great follow-up to The Restless Ghost.
Recruitment Drive
XP Reward: 1,000 Prayer XP (Level 13 to 15)
Requirements: 12 Quest Points, completion of Druidic Ritual and Black Knights’ Fortress
Difficulty: Novice
This quest is part of the Temple Knights series and involves a series of puzzles and challenges to join the order. It’s combat-free, making it accessible for low-level players. The 1,000 Prayer XP reward helps you reach level 15, and you also gain access to initiate armor, which provides a Prayer bonus useful for combat training.
Rag and Bone Man I
XP Reward: 500 Prayer XP
Requirements: None
Difficulty: Novice
Rag and Bone Man I is a short quest where you collect specific bones for the Odd Old Man near the limestone mine east of Varrock. While the 500 Prayer XP reward is modest, the quest has no requirements and can be completed quickly. It’s a good option for early-game players or Ironmen looking to stack small XP gains.
Holy Grail
XP Reward: 11,000 Prayer XP (Level 15 to 28)
Requirements: 20 Attack, completion of Merlin’s Crystal
Difficulty: Intermediate
The Holy Grail quest offers the highest Prayer XP reward among low-requirement quests. You’ll journey to find the Holy Grail, facing moderate combat (up to level 120 enemies) and requiring some travel across Gielinor. The massive 11,000 XP reward skyrockets you to level 28, making it a game-changer for Ironmen and budget players.
Spirits of the Elid
XP Reward: 8,000 Prayer XP (Level 28 to 33)
Requirements: 33 Magic, 37 Ranged, 37 Mining, 37 Thieving
Difficulty: Intermediate
This quest takes you to the Menaphos region to restore the Elidinis Statuette. It involves puzzles, light combat, and some skill requirements, but the 8,000 Prayer XP reward is well worth it, pushing you to level 33. Completing this quest also grants access to a Prayer restoration spot, which is handy for training.
His Faithful Servants
XP Reward: 20,000 Prayer XP (Level 33 to 36)
Requirements: Completion of Dragon Slayer II, 60 Prayer, 60 Magic, 50 Hitpoints
Difficulty: Experienced
For higher-level players, His Faithful Servants is a fantastic quest offering 20,000 Prayer XP. It’s tied to the Myths’ Guild and requires completing the challenging Dragon Slayer II. The XP reward takes you to level 36, making it a top choice for Ironmen aiming for protection prayers.
Prayer XP Quest Summary Table
| Quest | Prayer XP | Level Gain | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Restless Ghost | 1,125 | 1 to 9 | None |
| Priest in Peril | 1,406 | 9 to 13 | The Restless Ghost |
| Recruitment Drive | 1,000 | 13 to 15 | 12 Quest Points, Druidic Ritual, Black Knights’ Fortress |
| Rag and Bone Man I | 500 | Minor boost | None |
| Holy Grail | 11,000 | 15 to 28 | 20 Attack, Merlin’s Crystal |
| Spirits of the Elid | 8,000 | 28 to 33 | 33 Magic, 37 Ranged, 37 Mining, 37 Thieving |
| His Faithful Servants | 20,000 | 33 to 36 | Dragon Slayer II, 60 Prayer, 60 Magic, 50 Hitpoints |
Total XP from All Quests: 43,031 Prayer XP (Level 1 to 36)
Strategies to Maximize Prayer XP from Quests
To get the most out of these quests, follow these strategies:
Prioritize Low-Requirement Quests
Start with The Restless Ghost, Priest in Peril, and Rag and Bone Man I. These have minimal or no requirements and provide a quick 3,031 XP, getting you to level 15 without any skilling.
Plan for Ironman Accounts
Ironmen should focus on quests like Holy Grail and His Faithful Servants, as they can’t rely on buying bones. Completing these quests early saves hours of gathering bones from monster drops.
Combine with Other XP Rewards
Some quests, like Legends’ Quest, offer 7,650 XP in a choice of skills, including Prayer. If you’re not prioritizing other skills like Agility or Slayer, allocate this XP to Prayer for an extra boost.
Use Quest Order Guides
Follow an optimal quest guide to minimize skilling and unlock these quests efficiently. For example, the OSRS Wiki’s optimal quest guide suggests completing Merlin’s Crystal before Holy Grail to streamline progression.
Additional Tips for Prayer Training Post-Quests
After completing these quests, you’ll likely be around level 36 Prayer. To reach key milestones like level 43 (protection prayers) or 70 (Piety), consider these training methods:
Gilded Altar
Offering dragon bones at a gilded altar with both incense burners lit grants 252 XP per bone (350% of base XP). You can access one in World 330 Rimmington without needing 75 Construction. This method yields up to 500,000 XP per hour but is costly.
Chaos Altar
Located in level 38 Wilderness, the Chaos Altar offers the same XP as a gilded altar but with a 50% chance to preserve bones, effectively doubling XP per bone to 504 for dragon bones. It’s riskier due to PKers but ideal for Ironmen.
Ensouled Heads
Reanimating ensouled heads using Arceuus spells is a cheaper, slower alternative (160–220 heads per hour). It’s great for players with decent combat stats and access to the Arceuus spellbook.
F2P Training
For F2P players, the Ruins of Camdozaal (unlocked via Below Ice Mountain) offers a low-intensity method. Catch fish, prepare them, and offer them at the altar for 2,500–2,700 XP per hour.
Conclusion
Questing for Prayer XP in OSRS is a smart, cost-effective way to boost your skill, especially for new players, F2P accounts, and Ironmen. By completing quests like The Restless Ghost, Holy Grail, and His Faithful Servants, you can reach level 36 Prayer with minimal effort. Combine these quests with efficient training methods like gilded altars or the Chaos Altar to hit level 43 or 70 quickly. Use the strategies and table above to plan your questing journey, and you’ll be unlocking powerful prayers in no time. Happy adventuring, and may Saradomin guide your path!