OSRS Runecrafting Guide 1-99 Fastest and Most Profitable Methods

OSRS Runecrafting Guide 1-99 Fastest and Most Profitable Methods

Runecrafting in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a skill that lets players craft runes for magic spells, offering both profit and utility. Known for being click-intensive and slow, it’s often daunting, but with the right methods, you can hit level 99 efficiently while making millions in gold. This guide covers the fastest, most profitable, and AFK-friendly paths from level 1 to 99, tailored for free-to-play (F2P), pay-to-play (P2P), and Ironman accounts. Whether you’re after XP, gold, or both, we’ve got you covered.

Runecrafting isn’t just about crafting runes—it unlocks high-level money-makers, quest requirements, and Achievement Diary tasks. Here’s why it’s worth your time:

  • Profit Potential: High-level runes like Wrath and Blood yield up to 1.8M GP per hour.
  • Quest Requirements: Quests like Desert Treasure II need 60 Runecrafting, and the Quest Cape requires it.
  • Ironman Benefits: Craft your own runes for Magic, saving time and resources.
  • Achievement Diaries: Level 91 is needed for the Achievement Diary Cape.

With recent updates like Guardians of the Rift, training is less tedious and more rewarding than ever.

Getting Started with Runecrafting

ULTIMATE 199 Runecrafting Guide Oldschool 2007 Runescape Best

Unlocking the Skill

Before crafting runes, complete the Rune Mysteries quest. It’s quick, has no requirements, and unlocks access to the Rune Essence mine. You’ll need Rune Essence or Pure Essence, mined or bought from the Grand Exchange, and a talisman or tiara to enter altars.

Essential Items and Unlocks

To optimize your Runecrafting, grab these items and complete these quests early:

  • Essence Pouches: Small (level 1), Medium (25), Large (50), Giant (75), and Colossal (85). Dropped by Abyssal monsters or earned via Guardians of the Rift.
  • Raiments of the Eye: From Guardians of the Rift, this outfit boosts rune output by 60% when fully equipped.
  • Binding Necklace: Ensures 100% success when crafting Lava Runes.
  • Fire Tiara: Frees inventory space for Lava Rune crafting.
  • Graceful Outfit: Reduces weight, speeding up runs.

Quests to prioritize:

  • Enter the Abyss: Grants 1,000 XP and access to the Abyss (level 9 Runecrafting).
  • Temple of the Eye: Awards 9,210 XP, boosting you to level 27, and unlocks Guardians of the Rift.
  • Lunar Diplomacy: 5,000 XP and access to NPC Contact for pouch repairs.

Fastest Pathway to 99 Runecrafting

For players chasing max XP rates, this pathway balances speed and cost. It’s ideal for P2P players with some gold to spend.

Levels 1-27: Quests and Early Runes

Start with quests to skip the slow early levels:

From levels 1-9, craft Air Runes at the Air Altar south of Falador. Use Pure Essence for better value. At level 9, switch to Earth Runes at the Earth Altar northeast of Varrock until level 14, then craft Fire Runes near Al Kharid until level 20. These yield low XP but are F2P-friendly.

Levels 27-77: Guardians of the Rift

Once you hit level 27, dive into Guardians of the Rift, a minigame that’s engaging and efficient. It offers up to 70,000 XP per hour at higher levels and rewards like the Raiments of the Eye and Colossal Pouch. Here’s how to play:

  1. Teleport to the Wizards’ Tower via Necklace of Passage.
  2. Enter the portal to aid the Great Guardian by mining essence, crafting runes, and repairing barriers.
  3. Earn rewards to boost your rune output and XP.

Stick with this until level 77 for consistent XP and rewards. It’s less click-intensive than traditional methods and Ironman-friendly.

Levels 77-99: Lava Runes

From level 77, craft Lava Runes at the Fire Altar in Al Kharid for the fastest XP—up to 75,000 per hour. Use a Fire Tiara, Binding Necklace, and Ring of Dueling for quick banking at Castle Wars. Requirements:

  • Level 23 Runecrafting (but 77+ for efficiency).
  • Pure Essence, Earth Runes, and a Binding Necklace.
  • High Agility for better run energy.

This method is costly (2-3 GP per XP) but unmatched for speed. Expect 200-250 hours from 1-99 using this path.

Profitable Runecrafting Methods

If gold is your goal, these methods balance XP and profit, especially at higher levels.

Levels 20-44: Body Runes (F2P)

For F2P players, craft Body Runes at the Body Altar near Edgeville. They’re profitable and offer decent XP (7.5 per essence). Use a Body Tiara and Pure Essence. At level 46, you craft double Body Runes, boosting profit to around 14M GP by level 99.

Levels 44-95: Nature Runes via Abyss

At level 44, craft Nature Runes using the Abyss for up to 1M GP per hour. Requirements:

  • Complete Enter the Abyss miniquest.
  • Pouches and an Amulet of Glory for Edgeville banking.
  • Dragonhide armor to survive Abyssal creatures.

From level 91, you craft double Nature Runes, yielding 1.5M GP per hour and 30,000 XP. Bank via Amulet of Glory and avoid Wilderness PKers.

Levels 95-99: Wrath Runes

After completing Dragon Slayer II, craft Wrath Runes at level 95 for 1.8M GP per hour. Use a Mythical Cape, Anti-Dragon Shield, and Colossal Pouch. XP rates are slower (44,000 per hour), but profits are massive—up to 160M GP from 95-99. With Raiments of the Eye, profits hit 2M per hour.

Profitable Runecrafting Methods
Method Level XP/Hour GP/Hour
Body Runes 20-44 10,000 200K
Nature Runes (Abyss) 44-95 20,000-30,000 1M-1.5M
Wrath Runes 95-99 44,000 1.8M-2M

AFK and Alternative Methods

For a relaxed grind, these methods trade speed for ease.

Levels 27-99: Guardians of the Rift (AFK Setup)

Guardians of the Rift can be played passively by focusing on mining and barrier repairs, yielding 40,000-50,000 XP per hour. It’s ideal for multitasking and still offers rewards like the Abyssal Needle for the Colossal Pouch.

Levels 90-99: Soul Runes

At level 90, craft Soul Runes in Arceuus for 47,000 XP per hour and decent profit. Requires 100% Arceuus favor and access to the Soul Altar. Use Dark Essence Blocks for a semi-AFK process, though mining slows it down.

Daeyalt Essence for Extra XP

After Sins of the Father, mine Daeyalt Essence in Darkmeyer for 50% bonus XP when crafting runes. It’s AFK but requires 60 Mining and isn’t efficient for speed-focused players. Use it for Blood or Soul Runes for profit.

F2P AFK Option: Tiaras

F2P players can craft Water Tiaras at level 1 for up to 47,000 XP per hour. Use a Skull Sceptre (i) for Barbarian Village banking and Lumbridge Teleport (level 31 Magic). It’s costly but faster than rune crafting in F2P.

By mixing these methods based on your goals—speed, profit, or ease—you’ll hit 99 Runecrafting with minimal burnout. Guardians of the Rift is a game-changer for most levels, while Lava Runes and Wrath Runes cater to XP hounds and gold farmers. Grab your pouches, stock up on essence, and start crafting!