OSRS Soul Wars Games Per Hour: Maximize Your Zeal and Rewards

OSRS Soul Wars Games Per Hour: Maximize Your Zeal and Rewards


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of minigames that keep players engaged, and Soul Wars stands out as a fan-favorite for its blend of PvP action, teamwork, and rewarding loot. If you’re wondering how many Soul Wars games you can play per hour and how to optimize your time for maximum Zeal Tokens, this guide is for you. Whether you’re a low-level player looking to contribute or a high-level veteran aiming to dominate, understanding the mechanics of Soul Wars games per hour can elevate your experience. Let’s dive into the details of this thrilling minigame, explore strategies, and break down how to make the most of your time in OSRS.

Soul Wars is a members-only team-based minigame introduced to OSRS on January 6, 2021, as a nostalgic remake of the 2009 RuneScape version. Two teams—red and blue—compete to gather Soul Fragments, sacrifice them at the Soul Obelisk, and ultimately defeat the opposing team’s Avatar. Each game lasts up to 15 minutes, making it a fast-paced yet strategic activity. The reward? Zeal Tokens, which can be exchanged for combat XP, item imbues, and unique loot.

How Soul Wars Works

The objective is simple: weaken and kill the enemy Avatar more times than they kill yours within the 15-minute timeframe. Players collect Soul Fragments by slaying ghosts or enemy players, then offer them at the Soul Obelisk to reduce the opposing Avatar’s damage reduction. Controlling key areas like the obelisk and graveyards adds layers of strategy, while an activity bar ensures you stay engaged to earn rewards.

Why Play Soul Wars?

Soul Wars isn’t just about fun—it’s a practical way to train skills and earn exclusive rewards. Whether you’re after free Prayer XP via the Ectoplasmator, imbuing rings for PvP, or simply enjoying a break from grinding, this minigame offers something for everyone. Plus, it’s a safe activity, so you won’t risk your hard-earned gear.

How Many Soul Wars Games Can You Play Per Hour?

The number of Soul Wars games you can complete per hour depends on game length, lobby wait times, and your efficiency. Let’s break it down.

Game Duration and Timing

Each Soul Wars match has a maximum duration of 15 minutes. However, games can end earlier if one team dominates and defeats the opposing Avatar multiple times. On average, expect games to last between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on team balance and activity levels.

Lobby Wait Times

To join a game, you enter a waiting room in the Soul Wars lobby on designated worlds (320, 350, or 535). A game starts every 4 minutes or when both teams have at least 10 players (up to 60 per side). If lobbies are full and balanced, you’ll transition into a game quickly—often within 1-2 minutes. In quieter worlds or off-peak hours, wait times might stretch to 3-4 minutes.

Calculating Games Per Hour

Assuming an average game length of 12 minutes plus a 2-minute wait time between matches, here’s the math:

  • Total time per game: 12 minutes (game) + 2 minutes (wait) = 14 minutes
  • Games per hour: 60 minutes ÷ 14 minutes = ~4.28 games

Rounding down, you can reliably expect 4 games per hour. In optimal conditions (10-minute games and instant lobby starts), you might squeeze in 5 games, but 4 is a realistic baseline for most players.

Maximizing Zeal Tokens Per Hour

While the number of games per hour sets the pace, your Zeal Token earnings depend on your activity and team performance. Here’s how to maximize your rewards.

Understanding Zeal Rewards

Zeal Tokens are awarded based on your team’s outcome and your personal activity:

  • Win: Up to 60 Zeal Tokens
  • Loss: Up to 40 Zeal Tokens
  • Draw: Up to 50 Zeal Tokens

Your activity bar must stay above zero—depleting after 3 minutes of inactivity—to earn the full amount. Staying active is key.

Strategies for Low-Level Players

If you’re not maxed or geared for PvP, focus on these low-risk tasks:

  • Farm Soul Fragments: Kill ghosts on the battlefield for fragments, avoiding crowded PvP zones.
  • Sacrifice at the Obelisk: Deliver fragments when your team controls it for maximum contribution.
  • Bury Bones: Collect bones from fallen enemies and bury them at your graveyard to boost your Avatar’s defense.

These actions keep your activity bar full and net you 30-50 Zeal per game, even without kills.

Strategies for High-Level Players

For those with strong gear and combat stats, take a more aggressive approach:

  • Control the Obelisk: Fight to secure this central point for your team.
  • Attack the Avatar: Deal direct damage once its damage reduction drops.
  • PK Enemy Players: Target opponents carrying fragments or defending key areas.

High-level players can earn 50-60 Zeal per game, especially on winning teams.

Zeal Per Hour Estimates

With 4 games per hour, here’s what you might earn:

Outcome Zeal Per Game Zeal Per Hour (4 Games)
All Wins 60 240
All Losses 40 160
Mix (2 Wins, 2 Losses) 50 (avg) 200

A balanced mix of wins and losses yields around 200 Zeal per hour—enough to imbue a Slayer Helmet (500 Zeal) in 2.5 hours!

Optimizing Your Soul Wars Experience

To get the most out of Soul Wars, preparation and timing matter. Here’s how to streamline your sessions.

Getting to Soul Wars

Access Soul Wars via the portal in Edgeville (west of the Grand Exchange) or Ferox Enclave. Alternatively, use the Minigame Teleport in your quest menu for instant travel. Stick to worlds 320, 350, or 535 for active games.

Gear and Requirements

You need a Combat Level of 40 and a Total Level of 500 to play. Food and potions are banned, so rely on basic gear:

  • Low Levels: Rune armor, a decent weapon (e.g., Rune Scimitar).
  • High Levels: Maxed PvP setups (e.g., Dragon Claws, Ancestral robes).

First-timers must complete Nomad’s tutorial in the lobby—a quick rundown of the rules.

Best Times to Play

Peak hours (evenings or weekends in US/EU time zones) ensure full lobbies and faster starts. Off-peak times might mean longer waits or imbalanced teams, reducing games per hour to 3-4.

Soul Wars Rewards: What’s Worth Your Time?

Zeal Tokens unlock a range of rewards at Nomad’s shop. Here’s what to aim for and how long it takes at 200 Zeal/hour.

Combat Experience

Trade Zeal for XP in Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Magic, Ranged, or Prayer (minimum level 30 required). The higher your skill level, the more XP per token—great for Ironmen or Prayer training.

Item Imbues

Imbue rings, helmets, and more for combat bonuses. Popular choices include:

  • Slayer Helmet (i): 500 Zeal (~2.5 hours)
  • Ring of Suffering (i): 300 Zeal (~1.5 hours)
  • Berserker Ring (i): 260 Zeal (~1.3 hours)

Unimbuing refunds 80% of the Zeal, making it a flexible investment.

Loot and Pets

Spoils of War crates (120 Zeal each) offer random loot like runes and ores, while the Lil’ Creator pet (500 Zeal) is a rare flex. At 200 Zeal/hour, a crate takes 36 minutes, and the pet takes 2.5 hours.

Reward Time Breakdown

Reward Zeal Cost Time at 200 Zeal/Hour
Slayer Helmet (i) 500 2.5 hours
Ring of Suffering (i) 300 1.5 hours
Spoils of War 120 36 minutes

With consistent play, you can unlock top-tier rewards in just a few hours!

Soul Wars is a dynamic minigame that rewards both effort and strategy. By aiming for 4 games per hour and staying active, you can rack up 160-240 Zeal Tokens hourly, turning your time into tangible OSRS gains. Whether you’re farming XP, chasing imbues, or just enjoying the chaos, this guide equips you to thrive. So, grab your gear, head to Edgeville, and dominate the Isle of Souls—happy battling!