OSRS Splashing Guide for 6 Hours AFK Magic Training

OSRS Splashing Guide for 6 Hours AFK Magic Training

Splashing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a popular, low-effort method to train Magic while being mostly AFK. It involves casting combat spells with a negative Magic Attack bonus to ensure no damage is dealt, allowing continuous experience gain without killing the target. While Jagex nerfed the ability to splash for 6 hours uninterrupted in 2015 by introducing a 20-minute auto-retaliate timer, there are still ways to achieve extended splashing sessions with minimal interaction. This guide explains how to splash for up to 6 hours in OSRS, covering gear, locations, spells, and workarounds to maximize AFK time, optimized for both free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) players.

Splashing relies on equipping gear that reduces your Magic Attack bonus to -64 or lower, ensuring spells always miss and “splash” on the target. Each spell cast grants a fixed amount of Magic XP, regardless of damage, making it ideal for AFK training. However, after 20 minutes, auto-retaliate stops, and you risk logging out after 5 more minutes of inactivity unless you interact with the game. To splash for 6 hours, you’ll need to use specific setups and techniques to stay logged in.

Why Splash for 6 Hours?

Splashing is perfect for players who want to train Magic while multitasking—watching movies, studying, or even working. The 6-hour mark aligns with OSRS’s logout timer, after which the game forces a disconnect. By optimizing your setup, you can minimize interactions to once every 20 minutes or less, making it one of the most AFK-friendly methods to reach level 99 Magic.

Is Splashing Still Viable Post-Nerf?

Despite the 2015 update that limited AFK splashing, it remains a viable training method. The key is to use tools like the RuneLite client’s logout timer plugin or manual clicks to reset the 20-minute timer. While not as hands-off as pre-nerf, splashing is still cost-effective and low-risk, especially for Ironmen and Magic pures who want to avoid Hitpoints XP.

Essential Gear for Splashing

How to Level 199 Magic AFK using Splashing OSRS Old School

To splash successfully, your Magic Attack bonus must be -64 or lower. This is achieved by wearing specific gear, typically full plate armor combined with negative Magic Attack accessories. Below is a recommended setup for both F2P and P2P players.

Recommended Splashing Gear

  • Full Helm: Any metal (Bronze, Iron, Steel, etc.), -6 Magic Attack.
  • Platebody: Any metal, -30 Magic Attack.
  • Platelegs/Plateskirt: Any metal, -21 Magic Attack.
  • Kiteshield: Any metal, -8 Magic Attack.
  • Vambraces: Green d’hide vambraces (-10 Magic Attack, requires 40 Ranged) or Snakeskin vambraces (-10 Magic Attack, P2P).
  • Boots: Decorative boots (-3 Magic Attack, from Castle Wars) or Snakeskin boots (-10 Magic Attack, P2P).
  • Weapon: Elemental staff (e.g., Staff of Fire, +10 Magic Attack but saves runes) or Cursed Goblin Staff (0 Magic Attack, cheaper but uses more runes).

Note: If you lack 40 Ranged for d’hide vambraces, use a Cursed Goblin Staff (available from Diango in Draynor Village) to reach -64 without vambraces.

Gear Alternatives for P2P

P2P players can substitute with items like Granite armor (-35 Magic Attack for platebody, -31 for legs) if 50 Defence and Strength are met, or use a Mixed Hide cape (-15 Magic Attack) for extra negative bonuses. The Cursed Amulet of Magic (-3 Magic Attack, -80% Magic damage) is another P2P option to ensure splashing.

Splashing Gear Magic Attack Bonuses
Item Magic Attack Bonus
Bronze Full Helm -6
Bronze Platebody -30
Bronze Platelegs -21
Bronze Kiteshield -8
Green D’hide Vambraces -10
Cursed Goblin Staff 0

Best Spells and XP Rates

The spell you choose impacts XP per hour and cost. Fire spells are recommended for their high XP and cost efficiency when paired with a Staff of Fire. Below are the best spells for splashing, their XP rates, and estimated costs.

Spell Recommendations

  • Fire Strike (Level 13 Magic): 11.5 XP per cast, ~13.8k XP/hour, ~3.4M GP to 99 (943.6 hours).
  • Fire Bolt (Level 35 Magic): 22.5 XP per cast, ~27k XP/hour, ~28.9M GP to 99 (482.8 hours).
  • Fire Blast (Level 59 Magic): 34.5 XP per cast, ~41.3k XP/hour, ~52M GP to 99 (319 hours).
  • Fire Wave (Level 75 Magic): 42.5 XP per cast, ~50.7k XP/hour, ~60M GP to 99 (252 hours).

Pro Tip: Use an elemental staff (e.g., Staff of Fire for Fire spells) to save on rune costs. For F2P, Fire Blast is the best option from level 59 to 99. P2P players can use Fire Wave for faster XP at higher levels.

Cost vs. Speed Trade-Off

Lower-level spells like Fire Strike are cheaper but slower, while Fire Wave is faster but more expensive. Calculate your budget using a splashing calculator like the one at OldSchool.tools to balance cost and time.

Ideal Splashing Locations

Choose a location with low-level NPCs that other players can’t interact with (e.g., no pickpocketing or cat-killing). The target should deal minimal damage, allowing you to stay in combat without food.

Top Splashing Spots

  • Chickens (Northwest of Draynor Village): Level 1, non-aggressive, ideal for F2P and low-level players.
  • Spiders (Varrock Sewers or Draynor Manor): Level 1 spiders are slow and deal negligible damage. Avoid level 24 spiders.
  • Goblins (Lumbridge Swamp): Level 2, safe for splashing, but avoid Lumbridge Castle due to splashing restrictions.

  • Monks (Edgeville Monastery): Heal themselves, allowing splashing even if you don’t hit -64 Magic Attack. Best for P2P or higher-level players.
  • Cave Kraken Whirlpool (P2P): Requires 87 Slayer and a Kraken task. Splash on the whirlpool without tentacles for Magic and Hitpoints XP.

Warning: Avoid Lumbridge Castle and its basement, as Jagex disabled Magic XP for splashing there to prevent new players from seeing AFK splashers.

Safe AFK Setup

Ensure Auto Retaliate is on and select your spell for autocast. Attack the NPC, and the game will keep casting until the 20-minute timer expires. Carry teleport items (e.g., Amulet of Glory) for emergencies, though low-level NPCs pose little risk.

Maximizing 6-Hour Splashing

To splash for 6 hours without logging out, you must interact with the game every 20 minutes to reset the auto-retaliate timer. Here’s how to achieve this efficiently.

Using RuneLite Plugins

The RuneLite client’s logout timer plugin extends AFK time to 25 minutes by notifying you when the timer is about to expire. Click the screen, rotate the camera, or re-attack the NPC to reset it. This reduces interactions to roughly 14 per 6 hours.

Manual Interaction Techniques

If you don’t use RuneLite, set a 19-minute alarm to remind you to interact. Simple actions like clicking the NPC, moving the camera, or typing in a closed clan chat suffice. Some players use a mobile device with the OSRS app to tap the screen remotely every 20 minutes, ideal for multitasking.

Controversial Workarounds

Historically, players used methods like placing an object on the spacebar or enabling sticky keys to simulate input, but these are risky and may violate Jagex’s rules, potentially leading to bans. Avoid autoclickers or bots, as they’re detectable and bannable. Stick to manual clicks or RuneLite for safety.

Tips for Efficiency

  • Stock Up on Runes: Bring enough runes for 6 hours (approximately 7,200 casts at 1,200 casts/hour).
  • Use a Safe Spot: Ensure your splashing spot is free from aggressive high-level monsters.
  • Monitor Costs: Track rune prices on the Grand Exchange to minimize expenses.
  • Boost Magic Temporarily: Use a Divine Magic Potion or Saturated Heart for 5-minute boosts to cast higher-level spells early, but reapply to maintain AFK time.

By following this guide, you can splash for 6 hours in OSRS with minimal effort, gaining steady Magic XP while staying mostly AFK. Whether you’re a F2P player using Fire Strike on chickens or a P2P player splashing on the Cave Kraken, this method is cost-effective and accessible. Start splashing today and work toward 99 Magic with ease!